What is the difference between Graduation and Commencement?
Graduation
Graduation is the process of submitting an online graduation application, completing all academic requirements for your degree, and settling all financial obligations, among a few other audits/assessments. The administrative process of degree conferral will indicate your official date of graduation. Conferral date is defined as the date on which your degree is officially awarded.
- Students must complete the online Graduation Candidacy Request Form to apply to graduate.
- Upon approval and after all grades have been submitted, the degree is awarded and displays on your Eastern Gateway Community College transcript.
- Degree conferral occurs 6-8 weeks after final semester grades are posted. Diplomas are printed and mailed (to the address on your file) after the degree certification process is complete.
- Graduation is possible at the end of each term: Fall, Spring, and Summer.
- Please review the Graduation Checklist for more details and deadlines.
- Any questions about Graduation (applying, requirements, approval process) should be directed to graduation@egcc.edu.
Commencement
Commencement refers to the annual ceremony at which family, friends, and the EGCC community celebrate each graduate’s academic achievements. There is no registration fee to attend commencement; however, graduates will need to secure academic regalia, and any charges affiliated with traveling to the ceremony location.
- Confirming attendance at the Commencement Ceremony is a separate process from applying to graduate. Students who apply to graduate must also RSVP to the Commencement Ceremony by using the link found the email to confirm they submitted their Graduation Candidacy Request Form.
- Commencement is held once annually in June.
- Details and deadlines about participation in the Commencement Ceremony are available from the Commencement page.
- Any questions about Commencement (ceremonies, events, etc.) should be directed to commencement@egcc.edu.
Registering to participate notifies the Commencement Office of your intention to attend Commencement, so they can reserve your seat at the ceremony. Participation in Commencement DOES NOT guarantee awarding of the degree and only those who apply and are approved within proper deadlines will be awarded a degree.
