Registration

Registration is now closed for 2024. Individuals on the GPU mailing list (current WAA members or those recognized in Van Hise Society, Bascom Hill Society, or 1848 Society) will receive an email in February 2025 inviting them to register for next year’s program.

Registration is a two-phase process that takes place entirely online. All paid registration options (parking permits, housing, etc.) will be selected and paid for on the day of registration. You will then be asked to complete the second phase of registration for your major choices, T-shirt sizes, detailed contact information for your party, and all additional notes and considerations.

Registration is now closed for 2024. Individuals on the GPU mailing list (current WAA members or those recognized in Van Hise Society, Bascom Hill Society, or 1848 Society) will receive an email in February 2025 inviting them to register for next year’s program.

Please contact the GPU team for any questions regarding your registration.

Once you have paid for your options, you will receive a confirmation email that links you to Phase Two of registration, where you will:

Prices per participant:

Parking permits:

Some optional program elements have additional fees, such as UW parking permits. More information about optional program elements is available on the Hospitality page.

Only credit card payments can be accepted. We cannot accept checks.

Some financial assistance is available for the GPU program. Please contact the GPU team at gpu@uwalumni.com for the scholarship application. The application is due Friday, March 15, 2024. If you have questions, please contact the GPU staff at 608-308-5585,

The grandparent who is registered as the “primary grandparent” received an email in late April, which contained:

We always do our best to place participants in their preferred majors, but due to high demand, this is not always possible. All majors are subject to a seniority-based placement process.

Seniority-based placement process: Seniority is determined by adding together the primary grandchild’s age, the number of past GPU sessions that the primary grandchild has attended, and number of past GPU sessions that the primary registering grandparent has attended (not counting this registration period). For example: Ben is 9 years old and has attended one session of GPU. His grandmother has attended three GPU sessions, so Ben’s seniority number is 13 (9+1+3).

Preference during major placement will be given to registrants with higher seniority numbers. This system is used so that repeat attendees and older children who are closer to ineligibility will have the most flexibility in choosing their majors. This is why you should register the grandchild with the most seniority as the “primary” grandchild.

Most GPU majors stay the same from year to year. Sometimes it takes a year or two before your grandchild’s seniority number is high enough to get into your first-choice major. Our program staff and volunteers strive to ensure that every major is engaging and fun for all, so even if you aren’t placed in your top choice, please know that you will still have a special, rewarding experience with your grandchild — and you’ll both learn something new!

You must select majors that are within your grandchild’s age range.

If you need to cancel your registration, you must do so by Friday, May 31, 2024 to receive a refund, minus a $25 administrative fee per person. Cancellations received after the deadline will not be eligible for a refund. In the event of a family emergency, however, special arrangements will be considered.

Can my group be in two different majors?

To be placed in separate majors within the same session, you must register as two separate groups. You can do this by using two devices to register, or registering one group after another.

Why haven’t I received my registration email yet?

The GPU registration email sent automatically on Tuesday, February 20th. If you did not receive the registration email, please contact the GPU team at gpu@uwalumni.com.

What is my Unique ID number to use during registration?

Your Unique ID number will be in your registration email sent on February 20.

Can someone else register for me?

Yes! If you are unable to register for your group, you can forward your registration email to someone else and they can register for you.

Someone in our group has a disability or mobility concerns. How do I communicate this?

There is a special accommodations field and a dietary restrictions field in the second phase of registration, where you can list any needed accommodations for each individual.

We want to be housed next to another group. How do I communicate this?

All other needs or requests can be entered in the “program notes” field in the second phase of registration.

What if the sessions fill before I register?

Capacity in the Grandparents University program is limited. Because of this, capacities will also vary each session. We will open a waiting list when sessions fill, and we will do our best to move families in as space becomes available.