Application for Graduation
The following apply to all Northwest students applying for graduation:
- APPLICATION: In order to graduate from Northwest a student must complete all program requirements, pay all program related fees by August 31 in the year they intend to graduate and complete an Application for Graduation. Once the form is filled out and submitted to the Registrar’s Office the Registrar will conduct a program audit to determine the student’s program completion and submit their application to the Northwest Dean's Office and Faculty for approval to graduate.
- DEADLINE: Students must apply for graduation before the posted Graduation Application Deadline (GAD) which can be found in the Academic Calendar applicable to your degree.
- LATE APPLICATIONS: In addition to the normal graduation fee, there will be a non-refundable $50 late fee. Please note that there is no guarantee that late applications for graduation will be able to be processed in time for your selected graduation date.
- PROGRAM COMPLETION: It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that they fully understand and have completed all program requirements. Each student should review their program with their Northwest program advisor prior to applying for graduation.
- ONLINE LEARNING PORTFOLIO: After graduation, each graduate’s online learning portfolio will be closed. It is the responsibility of the student to back up and archive any assignments, mentor comments, or other material that the student may wish to keep.
- FEE: There is a non-refundable application for graduation fee for each program. This fee is payable upon submission of this form. No program review will be conducted until the fee is paid. There will be an additional $50 fee for applications past the Graduation Application Deadline.
- FAQ: (see below)
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I don’t plan to participate in the graduation ceremony? Does the Graduation Application Deadline still apply to me?
Yes, the program review for each applicant, the preparation of graduation materials along with the printing of graduation parchments require the same amount of time.
What if I don’t participate in the ceremony, do I have to pay the same fee? Is there a discount if I don’t attend?
The fee is the same for each applicant. It is an application for graduation fee not a “participation fee”.
If Northwest knows I’m completing my program, will they send me my parchment without my completing this application?
Graduation is not automatic. A student must apply to graduate.
If I have completed my program in March, and am not intending to participate in the graduation ceremony, do I have to wait until September to get my parchment?
Yes. That is the “conferral date”.
Can I participate in the graduation ceremony (i.e. walk the stage) if by the graduation date I am still short a few credits of my program requirements?
Normally a student must have completed all of their program requirements prior to the graduation date to qualify to graduate. In certain circumstances the school may grant permission to “walk graduation” before completing everything. Such permission would be determined on an individual basis and will not be the norm.
Do I have to have my program entirely completed when I apply for graduation? I.e. must all work be done before the posted Graduation Application Deadline?
All program requirements must be complete in time for the formal program review which will take place sometime after the posted Graduation Application Deadline. So, effectively, yes!
If, after my program review, I do not qualify to graduate on the graduation date I applied for, will my application fee be returned to me?
The application for graduation fee is a non-refundable fee. If you do not make the graduation date you applied for you will have to apply again for a future graduation date and pay the applicable fee.