GCU Parent FAQ

Family Weekend is Friday and Saturday, Oct 9 to 10, 2026. Registration runs through the Lope Family Hub, and questions go to Welcome@gcu.edu or (602) 639-6002 (Family Weekend).

The University Calendar lists living areas as closed for all students on Sunday, Dec 20, 2026. Christmas break runs Dec 21 to Jan 3, and spring move in is Jan 3, 2027.

Instruction moves online Nov 23 to 25, 2026, and the holiday is Nov 26 and 27. The calendar notes that some courses, such as nursing, sciences and engineering, still require in person attendance on the online days.

Winter traditional commencement is Thursday, Dec 17 and Friday, Dec 18, 2026 at Global Credit Union Arena, with 10 am and 4 pm ceremonies by college. Each registered graduate can reserve up to six guest tickets.

The academic calendar lists traditional campus commencement for the week of April 19, 2027. GCU's commencement site says spring 2027 ceremony details will be announced shortly after the winter 2026 ceremonies.

Spring break is March 15 to 21, 2027. Good Friday, March 26, is also a university holiday.

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) is the closest airport to campus, according to GCU's commencement FAQ. Rideshare pickups are on the outer curbs at Terminals 3 and 4.

Use the 33rd Avenue entrance, show your driver's license to the Public Safety officer and display the temporary permit on the driver's side of the dashboard. You will be directed to guest spaces.

Welcome Programs lists Rise Uptown Hotel, 400 W. Camelback Rd., as a preferred partner. The hotel offers a GCU rate for parents and alumni with promo code GCUPA (GCU rate).

Students book a 45 minute curbside appointment in the Housing Portal and print a move in voucher that covers one parking spot in front of their building. After unloading with a Campus Cruiser cart, you move the car to the assigned garage.

GCU housing comes furnished, and the housing page says each furnished apartment includes a Twin XL bed and desk, with apartments featuring full kitchens. Housing charges typically include rent, water, electricity and internet, and all students housed on campus must choose a meal plan.

The move out deadline is Monday, April 26, 2027, the day after the spring term ends. Students follow the move out instructions Housing Operations sends.

Under GCU housing policy, Residence Life works with Facilities to store property declared abandoned for up to ten days. If it is not claimed, it may be donated or discarded.

Use your student's first name, middle initial and last name (no nicknames), then the residence hall or apartment building name and room number, then 3300 W. Camelback Road, Phoenix, AZ 85017. Students scan their ID to pick up packages at the Mail Center.

The Canyon Health and Wellness Clinic in Papago Apartments North (Building 47) is open weekdays 7:45 am to 5:30 pm at (602) 639-6215, and walk ins are welcome. After hours, the nurse advice line is (877) 602-7217.

GCU Public Safety answers (602) 639-8100 around the clock. For emergencies, call 911.

Not automatically. Your student needs to sign a Student Information Release Form (SIRF). GCU's family guide says a SIRF lets the university release a copy of an education record to an authorized third party, but it does not authorize staff to discuss any portion of the record.