# Dash for University of Illinois Chicago students > Dash is an AI sidekick students at University of Illinois Chicago (Chicago, Illinois) text over iMessage and SMS for deadlines, Canvas and Blackboard (transitioning to Canvas only in January 2027), campus answers and admin. Independent; not affiliated with University of Illinois Chicago. Start at https://textdash.ai/start Page: https://textdash.ai/illinois/chicago/uic Checked: 2026-10-14 ## Key dates at UIC - Mon, Oct 19, 2026: Spring 2027 registration time tickets available in the student portal ([source](https://ahs.uic.edu/inside-ahs/news-stories/fall-2026-important-dates-and-deadlines/)) - Fri, Oct 30, 2026: Fall 2026 last day to request a late drop of an individual 16-week course ([source](https://ahs.uic.edu/inside-ahs/news-stories/fall-2026-important-dates-and-deadlines/)) - Mon, Nov 2, 2026: Spring 2027 registration opens ([source](https://ahs.uic.edu/inside-ahs/news-stories/fall-2026-important-dates-and-deadlines/)) - Wed, Nov 25, 2026: Student Wellness Day — no classes, with specified professional-program exceptions ([source](https://catalog.uic.edu/ucat/academic-calendar/)) - Thu, Nov 26, 2026: Thanksgiving holiday begins — no classes ([source](https://catalog.uic.edu/ucat/academic-calendar/)) - Fri, Nov 27, 2026: Thanksgiving holiday ends ([source](https://catalog.uic.edu/ucat/academic-calendar/)) - Fri, Dec 4, 2026: Fall 2026 instruction ends ([source](https://catalog.uic.edu/ucat/academic-calendar/)) - Fri, Dec 4, 2026: Fall 2026 last day to withdraw from the term with college permission ([source](https://ahs.uic.edu/inside-ahs/news-stories/fall-2026-important-dates-and-deadlines/)) - Mon, Dec 7, 2026: Fall 2026 final examinations begin ([source](https://catalog.uic.edu/ucat/academic-calendar/)) - Fri, Dec 11, 2026: Fall 2026 final examinations end ([source](https://catalog.uic.edu/ucat/academic-calendar/)) ## Tools and offices - Learning system: Canvas and Blackboard (transitioning to Canvas only in January 2027) (https://canvas.uic.edu/) - Student portal: https://my.uic.edu - 24/7 UIC mental health crisis support: Call 312-996-3490 to reach the crisis counselor on call. During business hours, tell the receptionist you are experiencing a mental health crisis; after hours, select option 2. (https://counseling.uic.edu/crisis/) - 988 crisis support: Call 988 any time, 24/7, for support outside UIC. (https://counseling.uic.edu/crisis/) - 24-hour Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741-741. (https://ready.uic.edu/profiles/intouch-crisis-hotline/) - Counseling Center: Free, confidential mental health services for eligible students, including brief individual therapy, group therapy, case management and single-session appointments. Open Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.; in-person and virtual services available. (https://counseling.uic.edu/) - Office of the Registrar: Registration Services: 312-996-8600, option 1; registration@uic.edu. Phone assistance Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Located in Suite 1200, Student Services Building, 1200 West Harrison Street. (https://registrar.uic.edu/) - Student Financial Aid and Scholarships: 312-996-3126; money@uic.edu. Located at 1200 W. Harrison Street, 1800 SSB. Reception walk-in appointment hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. CT. (https://financialaid.uic.edu/) - University Bursar: For balances following cancellation or withdrawal: 312-996-8574; bursarhelp@uillinois.edu. Account balances are available through my.UIC.edu. (https://registrar.uic.edu/financial-matters/refund-schedule/) - Student Guide to Using Canvas: Canvas access instructions, FAQs, guides, help links and training materials. Courses may use Canvas or Blackboard through Fall 2026; all courses move to Canvas beginning January 2027. (https://learning.uic.edu/student-guide-to-using-canvas/) ## About UIC - UIC’s undergraduate roots include a Navy Pier division opened in 1946 to serve returning World War II veterans. ([source](https://dos.uic.edu/about/student-handbook/uic-history-traditions-symbols/)) - UIC was formed in 1982 by consolidating the Chicago Circle and Medical Center campuses. ([source](https://www.uic.edu/about/history/)) - Two campus hedges spell out “UIC,” with their letter shapes best seen from above. ([source](https://today.uic.edu/did-you-know-10-facts-about-uic/)) - UIC earned Level II arboretum accreditation in 2022; its trees represent approximately 100 species. ([source](https://today.uic.edu/did-you-know-10-facts-about-uic/)) - UIC formed Chicago’s only public law school when it acquired John Marshall Law School in 2019. ([source](https://www.uic.edu/about/history/)) - The Student Recreation Facility offers a lazy river, rock-climbing wall, running track and saunas. ([source](https://today.uic.edu/did-you-know-10-facts-about-uic/)) - UIC students have free access to Kaplan test-preparation and professional-skills courses. ([source](https://life.uic.edu/)) - The Little Sparks Program supports student parents with affordable childcare. ([source](https://life.uic.edu/)) - The Academic and Residential Complex combines student housing with study rooms, a tutoring center and collaboration spaces. ([source](https://www.uic.edu/about/history/)) - Swish House offers group basketball fitness classes, shooting and skills clinics, and competitive pickup games. ([source](https://life.uic.edu/)) ## Questions ### What learning system does UIC use? University of Illinois Chicago uses Canvas and Blackboard (transitioning to Canvas only in January 2027) (canvas.uic.edu). Dash can read your courses and deadlines there once you sign in on Dash's secure page; Dash never sees your password. ### When is student wellness day at UIC? UIC's student wellness day is Nov 25–27, according to the school's academic dates. Dash can text you a heads-up the week before. ### When is the last day to withdraw from a course at UIC? Fall 2026 last day to request a late drop of an individual 16-week course (Friday, October 30, 2026). Always confirm the deadline for your own courses with the registrar. ### When are final exams at UIC? Fall 2026 final examinations begin starts Monday, December 7. Dash builds study plans around your own exam dates once it has them. ### How do I contact the registrar at UIC? Office of the Registrar: Registration Services: 312-996-8600, option 1; registration@uic.edu. Phone assistance Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Located in Suite 1200, Student Services Building, 1200 West Harrison Street. ### Where do I get financial aid help at UIC? Student Financial Aid and Scholarships: 312-996-3126; money@uic.edu. Located at 1200 W. Harrison Street, 1800 SSB. Reception walk-in appointment hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. CT. ### Is Dash affiliated with University of Illinois Chicago? No. Dash is an independent AI sidekick made by Dash Inc. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by University of Illinois Chicago. ### How do UIC students start using Dash? Text Dash from textdash.ai and tell it you're at UIC. Dash sets you up over text right away, no app to download.