“You have successfully submitted your graduation application. All related information will be sent to your CofC email (Edisto).” GRADUATION APPLICATION—REQUIRED!
WHAT IS THE GRADUATION APPLICATION?
The Graduation Application is required before a degree will be posted to a student's academic record. It informs the Registrar's Office (and other college offices) in which term a student intends to graduate. It provides our office with critical information about a student's chosen academic program including degree, major, expected graduation year and term. It also establishes a graduation address** and adds the graduation fee to the account of the applicant.
More importantly, the Graduation Application gets a student's name on our graduation (diploma order, degree posting) and commencement* (commencement program, ceremony tickets) lists. Failure to complete the application promptly can result in a delay of both degree posting and diploma ordering and can cause a student's name to be omitted from the commencement program and other commencement lists.
* Participation in commencement is assumed and encouraged, however it is optional
**Address where the diploma will be mailed after graduation if not picked up on the designated pick-up days
HOW TO APPLY?
Applying to graduate is easy and should be done via Cougar Trail*** (by the deadline). Simply sign on to your CT account; from the Student Records menu, choose Graduation Application; follow the instructions. You will be instructed to select your Expected Graduation Term and to add your Graduation Address** before you can complete the Graduation Application. After entering your Graduation Address be sure to click on the link (submit button) to complete the application.
The Graduation Application can only be submitted one time per degree program. You will see this message displayed on the CT screen when you successfully complete the Graduation Application:
“You have successfully submitted your graduation application. All related information will be sent to your CofC email (Edisto).”
If after applying to graduate you discover the need to change your graduation information (i.e., your expected graduation term, graduation address, etc.) you must complete the Graduation Update form to inform our office of these changes. You won't be eligible to register for classes past your expected graduation term.
Late Application (after deadline): If you miss the deadline for applying via Cougar Trail, you can still apply via a paper Late Graduation Application. The late graduation application form is available in the Registrar's Office or you may request one via email. Please note that beginning Fall 2008 there will be a $25.00 late fee charged to the account of late applicants in addition to the regular graduation fee. Both fees are non-refundable. Review your degree audit and/or confer with your advisor to be sure you are on track to graduate as planned before submitting the late application.
Graduation Fee: Once you apply to graduate the Graduation Fee will be added to your account. Contact the Treasurer's Office for payment information. The Graduation Fee is a one-time, non-refundable fee and it must be paid prior to graduation regardless of your commencement participation intentions.
Multi-Majors: If you are completing more than one major you will need to complete the Graduation Application for each major. If completing a second major in a different term than the first, be sure to select the correct expected graduation year/term. Choosing more than one graduation term will affect commencement and diploma ordering. If you need assistance please contact our office. See Commencement link for information about ceremony eligibility and participation.
NEW : Students entering under or using the 2008/09 catalog who plan to pursue more than one degree or major should follow this link for new information: SECOND BACCALAUREATE DEGREE POLICY
WHEN TO APPLY?
Students should apply to graduate via Cougar Trail (CT)*** during their senior year and no later than the application deadline. A Graduation Application is REQUIRED before your degree may be awarded.
| EXPECTED GRADUATION TERM/YEAR | APPLY BEGINNING*** | DEADLINE FOR APPLYING VIA CT*** |
| Fall 2009 | July 20, 2009 | Oct. 1, 2009 |
| Spring 2010 | Nov. 9, 2009 | Feb. 1, 2010 |
| Maymester 2010 | April 5, 2010 | Apply before term begins (late fee does not apply) |
| May Evening 2010 | April 5, 2010 | Apply before term begins (late fee does not apply) |
| Summer I Day 2010 | April 5, 2010 | Apply before term begins (late fee does not apply) |
| Summer Evening 2010 | April 5, 2010 | Apply before term begins (late fee does not apply) |
| Summer II Day 2010 | April 5, 2010 | Apply before term begins (late fee does not apply) |
| Fall 2010 | TBD | TBD |
Maymester/Summer graduation candidates who need to apply to graduate sooner than April 5th may contact our office for a paper on-time graduation application (no late fee).
Failure to complete your Graduation Application in a timely manner as stated above will not only cause you to be charged a $25 late fee (fall/spring), but can also cause delays in both the posting of your degree and the ordering of your diploma. It may also cause your name to be omitted from the Commencement Program and other important graduation lists. To avoid these issues, please apply by the deadline!
***Dates of operation are subject to change without notice-- contact our office for assistance if you encounter a problem.
COMMENCEMENT PARTICIPATION DOES NOT EQUAL GRADUATION
Graduation = Completing all requirements for a degree program
There are seven graduation terms
Spring (1), Maymester (2), May Evening (3), Summer I Day (4), Summer Evening (5), Summer II Day (6), Fall (7)
Graduation Application is required
There are two - December (aka: Fall/Mid-Year) and May (aka: Spring)
Participation is assumed but is optional—once you apply and are pre-cleared to graduate in the eligible term,
your name will be on our commencement lists
Last updated 10/19/2009