1. Application Deadline. Applications for Graduation are due on the first day of the term in which you expect to complete degree requirements.
2. Changes to Graduation Term. Once the graduation application has been submitted, you must report any changes in the anticipated graduation term in writing to the Service Center, Rendleman Hall Room 1309 or by fax to (618) 650-3332 no later than the first day of the term you plan to graduate.
3. Submitting the Application. The graduation fee of $35.00 must be paid at the Office of the Bursar, Rendleman Hall Room 1101 at the time of application. The application may be submitted to the Service Center, Rendleman Hall Room 1309, or you may mail the application with payment of the $35.00 graduation fee by check or money order payable to SIUE, to the Service Center, Box 1080, SIUE, Edwardsville, IL 62026.
4. Waiver of Application Fee. If you are attending under the following Illinois Legislative Scholarships, you are not required to pay the graduation fee: Teacher Special Education Scholarship; General Assembly Scholarship; Illinois ROTC Scholarship; POW/MIA Scholarship; Illinois Veterans Grant; and Illinois National Guard Grant. You should have your graduation application validated in the Office of Student Financial Aid, Rendleman Hall Room 2308. If you are a participant in the Presidential Scholars or Chancellor’s Scholars Program, you also are exempt from the graduation fee. You should have your graduation application validated in the Office of the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Rendleman Hall Room 3102.
5. Application for more than one degree. Students wishing to receive two degrees must submit two graduation applications and pay the graduation fee twice. Undergraduate students completing two degrees must complete a minimum of 154 semester hours. Undergraduate students with a double major who do not wish to receive two degrees must complete a minimum of 124 semester hours and submit only one graduation application. Graduate students completing two degrees or a double major may consult with the adviser or Graduate Records for additional information.
6. Financial Aid. If you have federal student loans (Direct and/or FFELP) for the fall term and you are applying for graduation for the fall term, please be aware that your loans will be decreased/prorated based on the number of hours in which you are enrolled. Before you submit your application for graduation for fall term, check with the Office of Student Financial Aid for your decreased/prorated loan amount.
7. Transfer Credit. Undergraduate students with additional credit to be transferred from another school to meet graduation requirements (major/minor) should obtain approval in advance from the program adviser to ensure the credit is applicable. Undergraduate students can verify General Education or elective credit by contacting Jo Gibson at Credit Articulation and Degree Audit, Rendleman Hall Room 1207, (618) 650-2838 or by e-mail at jgibson@siue.edu. Graduate students who have credit to be transferred from either unclassified status or from another institution should use the Graduate Student Request Form available at the Service Center, Rendleman Hall Room 1309, or online at http://www.siue.edu/graduate to request approval to transfer credit. Official transcripts reflecting successful completion of coursework needed to fulfill degree requirements must be on file by the last day of the term in which you plan to graduate.
8. Career Development Center. Students are encouraged to register with the Career Development Center for resumé referral and other services at Founders Hall Room 3126 or online at www.siue.edu/careerdevelopmentcenter.
9. Commencement. Commencement is held at the end of each term. Students are eligible, pending adviser approval, to participate in the commencement ceremony held at the end of the term in which degree requirements will be completed. Graduation staff will notify you if your adviser has determined you are not eligible to participate in commencement. Students may not participate in more than one commencement ceremony for the same degree. Arrangements for caps and gowns must be made through the University's Bookstore on-line pre-order form at www.siue.edu/commencement. Participation in a commencement ceremony does not guarantee that your degree requirements have been completed. Information on commencement is available at www.siue.edu/commencement.
10. Failure to Complete Degree Requirements. Students who are unable to satisfy degree requirements during the initial application term will be considered for the following two consecutive terms without re-applying or paying an additional fee. However, students who fail to meet graduation requirements within three consecutive terms, beginning with the initial application term, will be required to re-apply and pay an additional $35.00 fee by the first day of the term in which requirements will be completed.
11. Diplomas. Diplomas will be sent to your mailing address approximately four months after all graduation requirements have been completed. Please note that it is important to keep your address information up to date. Addresses can be changed by contacting the Service Center or online by accessing CougarNet. Your diploma will not be mailed if you have an outstanding financial obligation to the University. If you have questions about your account, please contact the Office of the Bursar at (618) 650-3123.
04/2009