Graduating Students—Application and Checklist
Congratulations! Your hard work and determination have paid off and your new job or further education opportunities are waiting for you.
Follow the checklist below to finish the final steps in completing your education at Hawkeye.
Determine Your Eligibility for Graduation
Run an Academic Evaluation
You will need to run an academic evaluation to determine your eligibility for graduation. If you have a status of Pending (Anticipated complete), you are eligible to apply for graduation. Congratulations!
If a program you are applying for graduation is not in your list of active programs, contact the Records and Registration office to have your program activated.
Am I Eligible to Participate in the 2022 Commencement Ceremony?
Students who complete certificates, diplomas, or associate degree programs during the fall 2021, spring 2022, or summer 2022 semesters are eligible to participate in the 2022 Commencement Ceremony.
Complete a Graduation Application
Completing the graduation application will:
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Initiate the review of your degree requirements and aid in the completion of your record to show you have officially completed a program.
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Provide the name you wish to be printed on your diploma.
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Submit your mailing address and request for a printed diploma.
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Provide your hometown information so we can contact your local newspaper to announce your graduation.
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Allow you to participate in the commencement ceremony if you apply by the deadline.
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Help Hawkeye track the success of its programs and graduates.
How Do I Apply for Graduation?
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Register for your last semester of classes.
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After you have registered for your last semester of classes, complete the online graduation application and survey for each program from which you are eligible to graduate from using your My Hawkeye account.
Check Your Hawkeye Email
Check your Hawkeye email often. Many emails are time sensitive.
Emails to watch for:
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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.
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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.
Complete Exit Loan Counseling
Complete Exit Loan Counseling if you have Federal Direct Direct Loans.
Purchase Your Cap and Gown
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!
If you wish to participate in the commencement ceremony you will need to purchase a cap, gown, and tassel. To purchase your cap, gown, and tassel:
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Visit the Hawkeye Bookstore. Caps, gowns, and tassels will be available for purchase starting Tuesday, April 19, 2022.
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Come to the Grad Fair at the Brock Student Center on Tuesday, April 19 and Wednesday, April 20 from 11:00am – 1:00pm. In addition to your cap, gown, and tassel you can purchase graduation memorabilia and visit with staff from Financial Aid, the Business Office, Records and Registration, and Student Services.
Cap, Gown, and Tassel Cost:
- Cap, Gown, and Tassel Package … $29.95
- Tassel only … $6.00
- Cap only … $10.00
A note on 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.
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 2022 Commencement Ceremony.
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.
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