Topics Map > Canvas

Canvas - How to Extend an Individual Student's Access to Your Course

To grant specific students extended access to a Canvas course, use the Extend Student Access tool.

Instructors can grant students extended access to a Canvas course without changing the course’s Start and End dates or Participation settings. This guide covers how to:

  1. Use the Extend Student Access Tool
  2. Confirm You've Setup Extensions Correctly
  3. Adjust or Rescind Extensions

How to Use the Extend Student Access Tool

The Extend Student Access tool is available in any Canvas class listed on the UW-Superior Class Schedule.

Open the Extend Student Access Tool

Click the Extend Student Access button on the top right of the course homepage to open it.

The location of this button will vary depending on the width of your browser. The tool will be listed near the bottom of your Canvas window if your browser window is narrow, and at the top-right of a wide browser window.

Screenshot shows the Extend Student Access button, between the Course Media Settings and View Course Stream buttons, circled in red.
Screenshot of Extend Student Access button

Fill out the Form

Clicking this button will open the Extend Student Access form, which includes “User”, “End Date”, and “Reason for Incomplete” fields:

  • User: Enter the username or first and last names of the student. (You can enter multiple students at once.)
  • End Date: Enter the date you’d like the listed student (or students’) extended access to end. You can choose any date up until the “maximum extension” date listed at the top of the form. If you need to extend the student’s access past that maximum extension date, please email canvas@uwsuper.edu.
  • Reason for Incomplete: Enter some notes that explain why you’re extending access.

When you’ve filled out the form, click the Extend Access button.

Screenshot shows the Extend Student Access tool. There are directions at the top of the page, then a User text entry box, and End Date text entry box, and a Reason for Incomplete text entry box. The Extend Access button is at the bottom of the tool panel.
Screenshot of Extend Student Access tool form

How to Confirm You’ve Extended the Student’s Access

Once you’ve clicked the Extend Access button, the tool will create a new Canvas section in your course with the requested end date, and then enroll the selected students in that section. Canvas sections help subdivide students within a course and are listed on the course’s Settings page.

Students should then be able to access the course in Canvas. In some circumstances, the course will be removed from the student’s Dashboard, so the student will need to access it from their All Courses page (under the “Past Enrollments” section).

The Extend Student Access tool extends a student’s access to the course, but it doesn't update assignment due dates or availability dates. Instructors who use assignment due dates or availability dates may need to adjust them for the students granted extended access.

How to Adjust or Rescind Extended Access

If you need to grant a student additional time in the course after using the Extend Student Access tool—or you need to end that access sooner than expected—open your course Settings > Sections page and adjust the Extend - [Student’s Name] section there. You can edit the existing end date and configure an updated one.

  1. Click Settings in your course Navigation menu.
  2. Click the Sections tab along the top of the screen.
  3. Click the link indicating the section you’d like to adjust.
  4. Click the Edit Section button.
  5. Double-click in the Ends text-entry box and enter a new date of your choosing.
  6. Click the Update Section button.


Keywordsincompletes, participation, settings   Doc ID121619
OwnerMichael M.GroupUW Superior
Created2022-09-29 16:09:00Updated2024-08-29 07:58:33
SitesUW Superior
CleanURLhttps://kb.uwsuper.edu/canvas-extend-student-access
Feedback  0   0