**Review** Undergraduate Catalog 2025-2026

Applying for Graduation

Students who intend to graduate must apply for graduation through the Office of the Registrar. A $50.00 non-refundable graduation application fee will only be charged one time per degree and is applied to a student's account. If a student plans to complete a Certificate program as well, another $50 fee will be charged to their student account once their second application is accepted. If the student is completing both a Bachelor’s Degree and a Certificate program and apply for graduation and certificate completion in the same semester, the student will only be charged the $50 graduation fee once. 

The graduation fee covers the cost of processing and posting a student’s degree, covering the ordering and postage of the diploma. All graduating students are assessed the graduation fee independent of their participation in a commencement ceremony.

Applications are Accepted

Note: All students must apply 48 hours prior to the cap and gown ordering deadline in order to have their application processed and be verified in the cap and gown ordering system.

Failure to meet the application deadline will result in the student having to rent a cap and gown at distribution and paying an additional late-fee. 

  • After students have registered for their final semester.
  • Summer students must participate in the spring commencement ceremony. Summer students can apply after November 1st and must be registered for spring course work.
  • After any course adjustments are processed and have met all requirements on Degree Works or will have met them once your current classes are passed. The only exceptions are students who are transferring in coursework their last semester or completing an Oral Proficiency Exam, Biology Exit Exam, Chemistry Exit Exam, Art Portfolio, or Senior Music Recital.

How To Apply:

  • Before applying for graduation, be sure to see your academic advisor.

    Students will need to complete the Undergraduate Graduation Application to apply for graduation.

    Note: Graduate Students need to contact the Graduate School for information on applying to graduation

  • Make sure to include all majors (programs) and minors that have been declared.
  • Indicate any missing non-course requirements or details about transfer work in the box provided on the application.
  • Once the application has been completed, select the submit button located in the bottom-left corner of the form.
  • Students will receive a confirmation email to their Bear Mail account to confirm receipt of application.
  • If there are any outstanding graduation requirements, students and their advisor will receive a detailed email within 5 to 10 business days.

To graduate in any given semester, all graduation requirements must be completed (with relevant documentation submitted to the Office of the Registrar, as necessary) two weeks before the release of official transcripts. 

If you need to make any changes to the information you’ve submitted or if you want to request to change your graduation date, you must notify the Office of the Registrar at 970-351-4UNC (4862).

Once you’ve filed your application for graduation, you’ll need to inform the Office of the Registrar if any of your graduation plans change (i.e., the proposed semester of graduation, course substitutions, course repeats).

Degrees are not awarded during the interim term; students who complete their graduation requirements in an interim term are considered graduates of the subsequent spring semester.

If Your Graduation Application is Denied

If the graduation application has been denied, it is the student's responsibility to speak to and following up with their advisor about any missing requirements. The Office of the Registrar isn’t able to advise on missing degree requirements. Students will need to re-apply when there are no longer any missing requirements.

To keep up to date on GPA, LAC, major and minor and all graduation requirements, it is highly recommended that students generate a new Degree Works report each time they register or when changes are made to the record (i.e. course substitutions, transfer work, major/minor changes, etc.). Find out more about Degree Works.