Graduating Students-Application and Checklist

Students who complete certificates, diplomas, or associate degree programs during the fall 2022, spring 2023, or summer 2023 semesters are eligible to participate in the 2023 Commencement Ceremony.

Follow the checklist below to finish the final steps in completing your education at Hawkeye.

Step 1 Register for Your Last Semester of Classes

  1. Register for your last semester of classes.

  2. Review My Progress for each active major/degree in your Self-Service account to ensure all major/degree requirements are completed, in-progress, and/or registered (not planned).

    • If a major/degree you were previously pursuing is not in your list of active major(s)/degree(s), contact the Records and Registration’s Records Specialist to have your major/degree reactivated.

    • If you are a current student and have not been accepted into your major/degree you must complete the Change Your Program of Study Application to have the major/degree added to your record.

    • If you are not a current student you will need to complete the Admissions Application to have the major/degree added to your record.

Step 2 Apply for Graduation

You should receive your invitation to apply for graduation email within approximately two – three weeks after registering for your final classes. If you have not received an invitation to apply for graduation email, feel you should have, and it's been three weeks since you registered for classes, please see your advisor.

Summer graduates who would like to participate in the Commencement Ceremony, please register early and watch your Hawkeye email closely for communication from the Records and Registration office regarding your graduation application.

Registration Begins Graduation Application Deadline
Spring 2023 Graduate October 31, 2022 February 20, 2023 by 4:30pm
Summer 2023 Graduate March 20, 2023

If participating in the Commencement Ceremony:

  • March 31, 2023 by 4:30pm

If not participating in the Commencement Ceremony:

  • July 13, 2023 by 4:30pm

Completing the graduation application will:

  1. Initiate the review of your degree requirements and aid in the completion of your record to show you have officially completed a program.

  2. Provide the name you wish to be printed on your diploma.

  3. Submit your mailing address and request for a printed diploma.

  4. Provide your hometown information so we can contact your local newspaper to announce your graduation.

  5. Allow you to participate in the commencement ceremony.

  6. Help Hawkeye track the success of its programs and graduates.

See Completing the Graduation Application for step-by-step instructions to complete your graduation application.

Step 3

Check Your Hawkeye Email

Check your Hawkeye email often. Many emails are time sensitive.

Emails to watch for:

  • An email invitation with the link to apply for graduation.

  • An email letting you know the status of your graduation application.

    If you do not receive this email within 30 days of submitting your graduation application contact the records specialist in the Records and Registration office.

  • An email with information about purchasing your cap and gown.

Your Hawkeye email address will remain active for six months after you graduate. If you want to receive updates on the commencement ceremony at another email address, update your contact information in My Hawkeye > WebAdvisor for Students > Academic Profile > My Profile.

Step 4 Complete Exit Loan Counseling

Complete Exit Loan Counseling if you have Federal Direct Direct Loans.

Step 5 Participate in the Commencement Ceremony

You are not required to participate in the commencement ceremony to graduate from Hawkeye, however, we encourage you to attend. The Commencement Ceremony is a time to celebrate all you've accomplished!

By having an accepted graduation application you are eligible to participate in the commencement ceremony. No further sign-up is needed.

Students can choose to participate in the commencement ceremony up until the event starts. Students who submitted a graduation application by the deadline will have their name printed in the commencement program.

If you wish to participate in the commencement ceremony you will need to purchase a cap, gown, and tassel.

Purchasing your Cap, Gown, and Tassel

Where to purchase your cap, gown, and tassel:

Cost:

  • Cap, Gown, and Tassel Package … $34
  • Tassel only … $6
  • Cap only … $9

Cap Decorations

Cap decorations are ok, however, excessive decorations on caps are distracting and therefore inappropriate. Hawkeye reserves the right to require you to remove any alterations deemed inappropriate by authorized college officials before you are permitted to participate in the commencement ceremony.

Examples of inappropriate embellishment include, but are not limited to:

  • Caps with vulgar language, inappropriate verbiage, or photos/graphic images.
  • Caps with lights, balloons, and other items that could pose a safety hazard.
  • Decorations that obstruct the view of people seated behind the graduate.
  • Designs with vertical structures or décor; elements used in the design must lay as flat to the cap as possible.

Graduating with Honors?

Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher will graduate with honors. See Graduating with Honors for information on honors medallions.

Member of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society?

Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.25 of higher are eligible for membership to Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society. See Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society for information about PTK membership and PTK commencement ceremony regalia.

Veteran Graduation Cords

Graduating veterans and military-connected students can request a free red, white, and blue veteran graduation cord from Veterans Services to wear during commencement.

Veteran graduation cords can be picked up from the Veterans Services office or picked up on the day of graduation at UNI.

Step 6 Celebrate at the Commencement Ceremony!

Hawkeye celebrates the graduation of our students once a year in May for our Fall, Spring, and Summer graduates.

To participate in the commencement ceremony, graduates must fill out the graduation application by the graduation application deadline and purchase their cap and gown.

Learn more about the 2023 Commencement Ceremony

Step 7 Your Diploma

You should receive your diploma in the mail approximately 3–4 weeks after graduation.

If your diploma is undelivered, lost, stolen, or damaged in the mailing process, we regret that we cannot be responsible for the diploma. You will need to order a replacement diploma and pay all associated fees. Thank you for your understanding.

Students who do not participate in the Commencement Ceremony can purchase a diploma cover for $6.00/cover. Stop by the Business Office to pay the $6.00 fee, then bring the receipt to Records and Registration to pick up the diploma cover.

Student Handbook Next Page >

Contact Information

Records and Registration

Hawkeye Center 134
319-296-2460
Email the Graduation Team

800-670-4743
319-296-1609 (fax)

Regular Hours — Spring 2023

Mon–Friday 8:00am–4:30pm

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