Apply for Graduation

1. Criteria to participate in Commencement

   • Criteria to Participate in the Commencement Convocation
     • Students who have completed all degree requirements, and who have submitted an anticipation of graduation form:

       Students must meet with their academic advisors to review their curricular requirements. If the student has completed all required courses to complete a degree, the student must submit the anticipation of graduation form, and collect all necessary signatures. After submitting the form, the student should attend to any email communications from University officials regarding the status of the application. The form for undergraduates may be found here. 

     • Students who need to complete minimal credit hours to complete all degree requirements, and who have submitted an Application to Participate (Walk) In Commencement form:

       Students who have not completed all degree requirements, who need to only complete two 3 credit courses or 2 four credit courses, or who need less than six (6) credits to graduate may have the opportunity to participate in commencement by completing the Application to Participate in Commencement form. This Application to Participate includes a completed Anticipation to Graduate with the proposed graduation date. Students who are approved to participate will have their names in the Commencement Book and are identified therein as a participant.At the time of completion of all outstanding coursework participants must notify their respective department and the Office of the Registrar of their completion for degree conferral with the University.Students who participate must not have any stops on their account nor will they be allowed to participate if there is an outstanding financial obligation to the University.

2. Participating in Commencement vs. graduating

   • What is the Difference between Participating in Commencement and Graduating?

     The complete graduation policy can be reviewed on pages 103-104 of the Academic Catalog. Students who participate in commencement because they meet the above mentioned exception (they need to only complete two 3 credit courses or 2 four credit courses, or who need less than six (6) credits to graduate) have NOT graduated. Participation in the ceremony does not mean that the student has graduated. Student who participate, but who have not graduated, must complete the required credits in order to receive the degree. Please register for the required coursework as soon as possible. The required courses can usually be completed in the upcoming summer or fall sessions. If you will need to complete additional coursework to graduate, please see the summer and fall session registration dates under important dates to remember.After completing the required coursework, you will need to complete an
     Application to Participate in Graduation and have your academic advisor submit it to the office of the Provost for approval before it is forwarded to the Registrar’s Office by the deadline.If you have any questions please contact your academic advisor or the registrar’s office at 610-399-2225.

3. Honors eligibility & Honors cords

   • Undergraduate students are recognized for their academic achievement at the Senior Brunch.   At the brunch, students will also be awarded Honors Cords for achieving a cumulative grade point average (GPA) in accordance with our Latin Honors categories. The cords are part of the student’s academic regalia and should be worn at the commencement ceremony. This achievement of Honors will be recorded on the student’s transcript and listed in the commencement program as well. To graduate with Latin Honors, a student must meet the below criteria:
     • Summa Cum Laude (with highest honor): Gold Honor Cord awarded for a GPA of 3.75 to 4.0, at least 75 credits earned at Cheyney and residency of 3 years or more.
     • Magna Cum Laude (with high honor): Blue Honor Cord awarded for a GPA of 3.50 to 3.74, at least 60 credits earned at Cheyney and residency of 2 years or more.
     • Cum Laude (with honor): White Honor Cord awarded for a GPA of 3.25 to 3.49, at least 60 credits earned at Cheyney and residency of 2 years or more.Students who have completed all requirements of the Keystone Honors Academy will receive an Honors Academy sash at a separate event. Eligible students will receive an invitation to attend this event. Students who receive Latin Honors and who have completed all requirements of the Keystone Honors Academy will lead the class in the graduation ceremony.

4. Updating your mailing address & Mailing of degrees

   • Earned degrees will be mailed to graduated seniors no later than mid-July. The degree will be mailed to the address of record in the Office of the Registrar by certified mail. If address changes are necessary, please forward the information to registrar@cheyney.edu. If you are unable to pick up your degree as directed by the Post Office and it is returned to us, you are responsible for the additional postage charge to re-mail the degree.

Order your Regalia (cap & gowns)

All students participating in Commencement must be dressed in proper academic attire. Graduation attire consists of:

• Cap
• Gown
• Tassel
• Official Cheyney University stole
• Key ring designating the university name and graduation year

(Please note that all regalia packages will include the official academic attire listed above*)
Students can purchase their academic regalia online. Students must purchase their academic regalia orders from the vendor authorized by the University. All orders will be sent to the Cheyney University Mail Room (located in Marcus Foster) and Graduation regalia pick-up will be announced at a later date. For your convenience, the mail room will also offer extended service hours for regalia order pick-up.

Students who will receive honors will be given the appropriate honors cords to wear with the approved graduation attire.

Pay Your Student Account Balance

1. Student account balances

   • Please view your account in Student Self-Service. It is essential for you to satisfy any outstanding balances prior to participating in the Commencement Ceremony. All outstanding balances must be paid in full prior to graduation day. Students should check your account on Power Campus Self Service do the following immediately:
     • If your aid is not properly reflected on your statement contact Financial Aid immediately.
     • If all of the information is correct on your student account statement, and you have a balance owed, please remit payment to the Bursar’s Office. Payment can be made in person by going to the Bursar’s Office located on the 2nd Floor of Burleigh Hall or by logging into PowerCampus Self-Service using your student identification number and password.

     For questions regarding your account, please contact the Bursar’s Office at bursar@cheyney.wolf.edu or (610) 399-2224. Students may also visit the Bursar’s Office located on the 1st Floor of Harris Turner Annex, Monday – Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

2. Understanding Graduation Fees

   • Graduation Fees: The graduation fees that have been or will be assessed to your account are:
     Undergraduates Students (This includes Participants): Degree Fee: $12, Graduation Fee: $36, Career Service Fee: $30, Total: $78. *The career service fee supports our Career Services Center. The purpose of the Career Services Center is to support the academic, personal and professional development of Cheyney University’s students and alumni by providing information, resources, speakers, networking opportunities and access to employers. The graduation fee and the degree fee are used to defray the cost of processing candidates for graduation, printing and mailing diplomas, and conducting the commencement ceremonies.
     For questions regarding your account, please contact the Bursar’s Office at bursar@cheyney.wolf.edu or (610) 399-2224. Students may also visit the Bursar’s Office located on the 1st Floor of Harris Turner Annex, Monday – Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Complete Your Financial Aid Requirements

1. Loan Exit Counseling

   • Loan exit counseling is a FEDERAL REQUIREMENT for all students who borrowed a Direct Loan. Its purpose is to advise the student of their rights and responsibilities of borrowing educational loans, avoiding default, and exploring repayment options.

When Is It Completed?

When a student gets ready to GRADUATE, enrollment drops below half-time (below 6 credit hours) or withdraws from the University (officially or unofficially). It is important to make sure that your mailing address, email address, and telephone number are current, which makes it easier for financial aid and your loan servicer to contact you.

Where Do I Complete It?

Online at studentloans.gov

What Happens if I Don’t Complete It?

Again, loan exit counseling is a requirement. A debt management hold will be placed on your account if you don’t complete it! The hold will prevent you from receiving your transcripts and degree/diploma. It will not prevent you from graduating. The hold will be removed once you complete the loan exit counseling by the Financial Aid Office.

Additional Information

You will receive correspondence from Financial Aid about completing your loan exit counseling. Once everything is completed, you will then receive a confirmation email thanking you for completing exit counseling. Exit counseling information sessions to assist students with navigating through this process will be held before the end of the Spring semester. Dates and times will be announced to students by email.