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Before You May Register - Access Program Students

About the Program

The Access program at the University of Washington allows Washington state residents aged 60 and older to audit University courses on a space-available basis and with the approval of the instructor. The program is a great opportunity to take full advantage of the extraordinary resources of the campus, the outstanding faculty, and the diverse student population.

Access students attend classes on an audit basis. As an auditor, you may not participate in class discussions, take tests, or submit papers. You may register for all courses except English 100, 101, 102, Math 098, UW Extension, Distance Learning, studio, laboratory courses, and honors sections. Access students may register in 500 level graduate courses with the approval of the instructor by obtaining an entry code through the department. A transcript is not maintained.

As an Access student, you may enroll for a maximum of two courses per quarter for the low registration fee of $5. Also included in the quarterly tuition billing is the Technology Fee that allows all registered students to have an email account and use of the computer labs. The Technology Fee is charged pro rata based on the number of registered credits (and is approximately $4 per credit).

As an Access student, you may request a student ID card. Your student ID card, allows library privileges for the quarter. You are also eligible to purchase a quarterly U-PASS from the ID Card Center, 14 Odegaard.

Because Access students do not pay the services and activities fee, they are not entitled to participant in UW programs which are funded by these fees, e.g., ASUW & GPSS Activities, Student Publications, Student Loan Fund, Hall Health Primary Care Center, recreational sports programs, childcare, student legal services, Ethnic Cultural Center, Student Union facilities and UW CARES.

Registering for Classes

  • Course information is available in the University Time Schedule
    • Select the quarter and year.
    • A list of departments and the curriculum they offer will be displayed. Select the prefix of the curriculum you are interested in.
    • A listing of the courses being offered this quarter will be displayed. Clicking on the five-digit schedule line number displays details of the course, including space availability.
    • Take note of any special registration restrictions.
    • After viewing the course details, use the Web browser Back button to navigate Back to the index to search for additional course offerings. Computers are available in the Registration lobby on the second floor of Schmitz hall for your use.

    Another popular way to find out what courses are available is simply to ask other Access students waiting at the registration line on Access registration day. (Registration takes place at Schmitz Hall from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. beginning the third calendar day of the quarter and continues through the fifth calendar day.)

  • Obtain an entry code if required - Some courses require a special entry code. If you want to register for one of these courses, check with the instructor for the code (or where to get the code) before registering.
  • Register only for courses you plan to attend - Because the registration fee is due even if you withdraw, and because the Technology Fee is based on the number of credits you are registered for after the first week, do not register for more classes than you plan to attend.
  • For in-person registration, fill out an Access registration form - The Access registration form is available at the Registration Office. Before coming to the registration window, make sure all the blanks are completed on the form. Include the course(s) you wish to take in addition to one or two alternate courses.
  • Register by mail - If you are not able to register in person, you can mail the completed registration form in, or simply send it in with a friend who is registering in person. Be sure to get an entry code first if the course requires it!
  • Check with Registration if you receive unexpected fees - If for some reason you are charged a fee you were not expecting, contact the Registration Office at 206-543-8580 for an explanation.
  • How to withdraw - If you need to withdraw from your course(s), you may come in person to the Registration Office and request to be withdrawn, or write a letter requesting to be withdrawn to:
    Registration Office, Box 355850
    University of Washington
    Seattle, WA 98195-5850
    Please be sure to identify yourself as an Access student. The registration fee is not refundable.

The University's reputation for excellence promises to provide you with many unique avenues for personal enrichment. If you would like to take advantage of the opportunity and have any questions about the Access program, please call the Registration Office at 206-543-8580.