Graduation and Diploma Information
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Frequently Asked Questions
- When do I need to submit my Graduation Application ?
- How do I Apply for Graduation?
- How do I know if the Office of the Registrar received my application?
- What is the difference between Priority Application Deadline and the Final Deadline to apply for Graduation?
- Can I Graduate in Absentia?
- Can I participate in the Commencement Ceremony?
- What if I have questions regarding the Commencement Ceremony?
- How much does a Diploma cost?
- How will I know if I will Graduate?
- Will I Graduate with Honors?
- Who do I contact if I have questions regarding my Graduation Status?
- Who can I contact if I have questions on interpreting my STAR Graduation Audit?
- What is the difference between Double Majoring, earning Multiple Degrees, and earning a Second Baccalaureate Degree?
- When will I get my official Diploma?
- I won't be in Hilo to pick up my Diploma. What are my options?
- How much does it cost to have my Diploma mailed to me?
- I haven't received my Diploma yet. How can I obtain Verification of Graduation?
- I lost my Diploma or I need addistional copies of my Diploma. What are my options?
1. Fall 2009 through Spring 2011 Graduation Application Deadlines
**Last updated 9/16/09
| Graduation Application Deadlines | Priority Date | Final Deadline (No Exceptions) |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2009 Graduation | April 1, 2009 | September 11, 2009 |
| Spring 2010 Graduation | October 1, 2009 | January 29, 2010 |
| Summer 2010 Graduation | April 1, 2010 | June 18, 2010 |
| Fall 2010 Graduation | April 1, 2010 | September 10, 2010 |
| Spring 2011 Graduation | October 1, 2010 | January 28, 2011 |
| Summer 2011 Graduation | April 1, 2011 | June 17, 2011 |
| Fall 2011 Graduation | April 1, 2011 | September 9, 2011 |
| Spring 2012 Graduation | October 3, 2011 | January 27, 2012 |
2. How do I Apply for Graduation?
- Instructions for Degree/Certificate Application
- Degree/Certificate Application
- Credit Card Payment Form for Graduation Application
If you are planning to postpone or cancel your graduation petitioning term, change your Major, Concentration, Minor, or Catalog term, please go directly to the UH Hilo Office of the Registrar to update your graduation application.
3. How do I know if the Office of the Registrar received my application?
Your STAR account will have a note stating that you have petitioned for graduation.
- Log in to STAR for students (also available through MyUH)
- Click "From your Advisor" tab
- Look in the "Events & Actions" column.
If you do not see this statement in STAR within 7 days of submitting your graduation application to the Business Office, please contact the Office of the Registrar via email at uhhro@hawaii.edu or call 974-7322.
4. What is the difference between Priority Application Deadline and the Final Deadline to apply for Graduation?
Students submitting graduation applications by the Priority Deadline should receive a preliminary evaluation from the Academic Advising Center prior to the end of the registration period in which the student is planning to graduate.
Students submitting graduation applications by the Final Deadline may not receive a preliminary evaluation from the Academic Advising Center prior to the end of the registration period in which the student is planning to graduate.
All efforts will be made to provide the student with a preliminary evaluation. However, this is not guaranteed.
It is recommended that students review all graduation requirements in the catalog of the year in which the major was declared (or graduation year, if choosing exiting catalog requirements) and work closely with their College or Major advisors (who is my advisor?) to be sure that all requirements have been met.
5. Can I Graduate in Absentia?
Under extraordinary circumstances, students may earn their final credits at an institution other than UH Hilo and, upon official transfer of these credits back to UH Hilo, graduate with their degree from UH Hilo. This practice is called graduation in absentia.
Students must demonstrate a compelling personal reason to graduate in absentia, and their application must be approved by the appropriate Dean before any courses are taken in absentia.
Graduation in absentia is not automatic nor is it a right of students. In order to be eligible to be considered for graduation in absentia, a student must meet all of the specific conditions. Download the Application to Graduate in Absentia.
Students whose application for graduation in absentia has been approved must also apply for graduation as described in the "How do I apply for Graduation" Section above.
6. Can I participate in the Commencement Ceremony?
The Commencement Ceremony is separate from filing for Graduation. Participating in the ceremony does not confirm your degree. The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs determines policies, procedures, and implementation of the Commencement Ceremony.
In order to participate in Commencement, you must register with the Commencement Office by their specified deadline. You may register online at: http://www.uhh.hawaii.edu/academics/graduation/index.php
7. What if I have questions regarding the Commencement Ceremony?
The UH Hilo Commencement site is where you will find important information about commencement.
Contact Disabilities Services for information regarding Commencement and Disability Accommodations.
8. How much does a Diploma cost?
| Diploma Type | Fee (non-refundable) |
|---|---|
| Standard Diploma (English Language) | $15.00 |
| Standard Diploma and Optional Hawaiian Language Diploma * | $30.00 |
*In order to purchase an Optional Hawaiian Language Diploma, you must also purchase the Standard Diploma. A Hawaiian Language Diploma can not be purchased as stand alone.
9. How will I know if I will Graduate?
You will receive notification from the Academic Advising Center (via your hawaii.edu email account) whether you have met all graduation requirements or if you have any deficiencies. Graduation can only be confirmed after grades have been submitted for the students final semester course work.
10. Will I Graduate with Honors?
Honors in the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resource Management, the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business and Economics or Ka Haka `Ula O Ke`elikolani College of Hawaiian Language shall be determined in accordance with the cumulative GPA upon graduation in courses taken at UH Hilo in the following manner:
| Type of Honors | UH Hilo GPA |
|---|---|
| Honors | 3.50 to 3.69 |
| High Honors | 3.70 to 3.84 |
| Highest Honors | 3.85 to 4.00 |
To be eligible to purchase an honor cord for the Commencement exercise, honors students must have achieved the minimum UH Hilo GPA of 3.50 and completed 45 of the 60 required credits by the end of the term preceding their graduation semester.
Only undergraduate students who have earned at least 60 semester hours at UH Hilo, all of which are applicable toward a baccalaureate degree, are eligible for graduation with honors. In addition, at least 54 of the 60 applicable semester hours must be taken for a letter grade. The award of an honors diploma follows the commencement exercise and is subject to the final review of all grades and credits.
11. Who do I contact if I have questions regarding my Graduation Status?
Once the Academic Advising Center has received your Graduation Application from the Office of the Registrar (after payment has cleared through the Business Office), you will receive notification from the Academic Advising Center (via your hawaii.edu email account) whether you have met all graduation requirements or if you have any deficiencies.
12. Who can I contact if I have questions on interpreting my STAR Graduation Audit?
It is highly recommended that you work closely with your Major Advisor (who is my advisor?) in interpreting the STAR Graduation Audit available on MyUH. If you have additional questions, you may contact the Academic Advising Center for further clarification.
13. What is the difference between Double Majoring, earning Multiple Degrees, and earning a Second Baccalaureate Degree?
Double Majors: A student may earn one degree (example, a B.A.) and graduate with two majors (double major) by meeting the requirements for both majors. All degree requirements associated with each major must be fulfilled before the degree is awarded.
Multiple Degrees earned Concurrently: A student may earn and graduate with two degrees simultaneously provided:
- The degrees are different (example, B.B.A. and B.S., but not two B.S. degrees).
- The degrees are in different majors.
- The requirements for both degrees are met .
Second Baccalaureate Degrees: Graduating students who would like to pursue another degree will have to re-apply with the UH Hilo Admissions Office. Please note the graduation requirements for a secondary baccalaureate degree in the catalog that you will be following.
14. When will I get my official Diploma?
Students who are certified as graduates and who do not have financial obligations at the University may pick up their diploma at the Office of the Registrar when notified by the Office of the Registrar via your hawaii.edu email account. Those attending the graduation ceremony are given only the diploma cover. (Participating in the Graduation Ceremony does not certify graduation.)
Diplomas are distributed on or around:
| Graduation Term | Diploma Distribution Date |
|---|---|
| Fall | April 15 of the following year |
Spring |
September 15 of the same year |
| Summer | February 1 of the following year |
15. I won't be in Hilo to pick up my Diploma. What are my options?
Diplomas may be requested to be sent by mail. The Request to Mail Diploma form is available by download and at the Office of the Registrar. Or, you may submit the following information in writing to the Office of the Registrar:
- First and Last Name
- Student ID Number
- Phone Number
- Email Address
- Complete address where you would like the Diploma sent
- Signature
- Specify Degree/Certificate earned
- Specify if you received a Hawaiian Language Diploma
- Indicate whether or not you attended commencement/received UH Hilo Diploma Cover for each degree/certificate earned
- Specify the month and year of commencement attended
16. How much does it cost to have my Diploma mailed to me?
| Mailing of Diploma | Fee |
|---|---|
| Diploma without cover to United States and Canada | no charge |
| Diploma without cover to Foreign Countries (including Guam, Samoa, Micronesia). Surface Mail (takes about 3 months) | no charge |
| Diploma with cover to United States and Canada | no charge |
| Diploma with one (1) cover to Foreign Countries (including Guam, Samoa, Micronesia). Surface Mail (takes about 3 months) | no charge |
| Diploma with two (2) covers to Foreign Countries (including Guam, Samoa, Micronesia). Surface Mail (takes about 3 months) | no charge |
17. I haven't received my Diploma yet. How can I obtain Verification of Graduation?
If you would like documentation (besides a diploma) to verify your degree, you may request the following in writing from the UH Hilo Office of the Registrar:
- Congratulations Letter
- Transcript Request
- Certification Letter
- Letter of Completion
18. I lost my Diploma or I need additional copies of my Diploma. What are my options?
Original Diplomas are not replaceable. However, you may order a duplicate copy of your diploma. Order Replacement/Additional Copies of Diploma
To contact the UH Hilo Office of the Registrar, email uhhro@hawaii.edu. Questions regarding other University of Hawaii campuses should be directed to the appropriate campus contact.