Undergraduate Program
Procedures for Petitioning for Graduation

Any student expecting to complete the requirements of his/her program of study between December 2008 and August 2009 must file a Petition for Graduation Form with the Financial Aid/Academic Advisement Office by December 12, 2008. The student must complete the online petition form for each degree program. Completion of the form and payment of the fee by the December 12, 2008 deadline ensures that a diploma, cap and gown are ordered, that the student's name is printed in the program, and that the student's graduation date and degree conferred is recorded on his/her permanent record/transcript. If a student owes money to the College, he/she must make arrangements with the Business Office to settle the debt so that he/she may complete the petitioning process. The Petition for Graduation Form must be initiated by the student; it is not an automatic procedure.

The graduation fee of $65 is not refundable. If a student does not graduate by his/her anticipated graduation date, the graduation fee will be credited toward his/her actual completion date. The graduation fee is $65 whether or not the student attends the graduation ceremony. Students who petition to graduate with two different degrees at the same time for the same graduation ceremony will only be charged one graduation fee. The fee covers the cost of regalia, diploma, diploma cover, mailing of diploma, and commencement expenses (i.e. chair rental, organ rental, reception, etc.) in addition to the lifetime maintenance of the student's transcript.

The student should understand that he/she will graduate and receive a degree or certificate only if all of the following conditions are met: 

1. The student has successfully completed all course and credit requirements.
2. The student has no “I” grades for incomplete coursework.
3. The student has earned a minimum cumulative index of 2.000.
4. The student has submitted an online Petition for Graduation Form to the Financial Aid/Academic Advisement Office.
5. The student has paid the graduation fee of $65 to the Business Office.
6. For any courses taken at another institution, the student has had an official final transcript sent to the Financial Aid/Academic Advisement Office for processing.
7. The student does not have any debts to Goldey-Beacom College (i.e. owes library fine, dorm charge, outstanding tuition balance, etc.).
8. The student will be asked to complete an online graduation survey at a future date.

Any student changing his/her decision to attend or not to attend the graduation ceremony should notify the Financial Aid/Academic Advisement Office.

In March, specific information concerning the graduation ceremony (i.e. dress code, graduate arrival time, etc.) will be mailed to each student who has petitioned for graduation.

Diplomas will be mailed six to eight weeks after degree requirements have been met. Students should notify the Financial Aid/Academic Advisement Office if their permanent mailing address changes before May 2009 to ensure that they receive their diploma in the mail.