• Graduation is applying for a degree, completing your degree audit, getting your degree conferred, and receiving your diploma. 
  • Commencement is the ritual of the conferring of degrees through a ceremony with your classmates and guests. Participating in commencement is optional; you must RSVP in MyUI to be individually recognized during a ceremony. 
  • Applying for a degree does not sign you up to attend commencement.

Graduation Checklist

Diploma Icon

Apply for Degree

Thinking about graduating?

Need help with a degree audit? Applying for a degree? Have questions about diplomas? 

Degree Services is here to help!

Commencement Cap Icon

Attend Your Ceremony

Attending commencement is optional. Degrees are not distributed at commencements. Not attending commencement does not impact your ability to receive your degree.

Award Icon

Other Academic Recognitions

In addition to earning a degree, many students qualify for other academic recognitions including University Honors, Honors in the Major, and Distinction.

Last Steps as a Student

As you prepare to make the move from student to alumni status make sure you've updated your contact info, paid your final U-Bill, canceled any services, and signed up to stay connected to the Hawkeye family!

First Steps as Alumni

Once a Hawkeye, Always a Hawkeye! Let us know what your next steps are going to be and learn how to stay connected to the Hawkeye Family.

Degree Services

Degree Audit

Before applying for degree, have you completed all your degree requirements needed to graduate? 

Apply for Degree

You MUST apply for your degree to graduate! Degree applications are located in MyUI.

Diplomas

Diplomas are not given out at the ceremonies. They are delivered separately.

Questions?

Have questions about the degree audit or degree application process? Want to know more about diplomas? Degree Services is here to help!

Early/Late Participation

The commencement RSVP is primarily used by students applying for degree during the same session in which they will attend commencement. However, due to various reasons an individual may wish to attend commencement during a session other than one in which they earn their degree, the RSVP is available to additional populations.  

Eligibility/Criteria

Some students wish to participate in a ceremony during a session before all degree requirements have been met or after their degree has been conferred. 

  • Students who have submitted a degree application for the current session or one session after the current session can RSVP for commencement in MyUI if the RSVP is open.
  • The RSVP for fall ceremonies opens by October. The RSVP for spring ceremonies opens in February. If your degree has already been conferred or you will apply for degree in a future session, please contact your collegiate coordinator to inquire about eligibility. 
  • RSVP responses will no longer be accepted after the RSVP deadline. 

I Want to Participate Early

You may wish to attend a commencement ceremony before all of your degree requirements are met. This would be considered early participation. Not all colleges allow early participation. Please contact your collegiate coordinator to confirm. 

 

Examples of Early Participation 

  • Fall Commencement Attendance: You submitted a degree application for the future spring session and plan to participate in the fall ceremony prior to the spring session. 

  • Spring Commencement Attendance: You submitted a degree application for the future summer session and plan to participate in the spring ceremony 

RSVP Process for Early Participation 

The RSVP process for early participation is tied to the status of your degree application. You will be able to RSVP in MyUI if the following are true: 

  • You have an active degree application on file for the current session or one session after the current session. 

  • Your college holds a ceremony during the session you wish to participate. 

  • Not all colleges hold ceremonies in the fall. Students who fulfill degree requirements in the fall are invited to the following spring ceremony if their program doesn’t hold a fall ceremony. View the full list of ceremonies. 

  • Information about how to RSVP if your college does not hold a fall ceremony can be found below. 

If you are unable to RSVP in MyUI, please contact the commencement team. 

I Want to Participate Late

You may wish to attend a commencement ceremony after your degree has been conferred. This would be considered late participation. Not all colleges allow late participation. Please contact your collegiate coordinator to confirm. 

RSVP Process for Late Participation 

The RSVP process for late participation is related to when your degree was conferred. You will be able to RSVP in MyUI if the following are true: 

  • Your degree was conferred in the last year. 

  • Your college holds a ceremony during the session you wish to participate. 

  • Not all colleges hold ceremonies in the fall. Students who fulfill degree requirements in the fall are invited to the following spring ceremony if their program doesn’t hold a fall ceremony. View the full list of ceremonies. 

  • Information about how to RSVP if your college does not hold a fall ceremony can be found below.

If you are unable to RSVP in MyUI, please contact the commencement team. 

My College Doesn’t Have a Fall Ceremony

If you are graduating in the fall and your college does not have a fall ceremony, you can attend the college’s spring ceremony. 

RSVP Process for Colleges Without a Fall Ceremony 

The RSVP for spring ceremonies opens in February. Watch the RSVP page on the commencement website for details about when the RSVP opens. 

I’m Not Able to RSVP in MyUI

There are various reasons you may not be able to RSVP in MyUI. You will see a message that the commencement attendance portal is closed. It may be closed for any of the following reasons: 

  • You do not have an active or conferred degree application within the timeframe allotted. 

  • The RSVP has not opened. The RSVP generally opens in September for fall ceremonies and in February for spring ceremonies. 

  • The RSVP deadline has passed. The RSVP closes in April for spring ceremonies and November for fall ceremonies.  

  • It is the fall session, and your college does not hold a fall commencement ceremony. 

If you are unable to RSVP in MyUI, please contact the commencement team. 

Other Academic Recognitions

Distinction

Distinction recognition is earned by meeting academic criteria established by the colleges.

Distinction levels will appear on the transcript and diploma, the program, and will be read at commencement.

Honors

There are two types of honors at the University of Iowa:

  • University Honors
  • Honors in the Major

Cords, Stoles and More

There are many clubs, groups, and organizations that provide a commemorative graduation item to members. Items range from cords, medals, medallions, pins, stoles, and more. Many of these items can be obtained at the Iowa Hawk Shop or will be provided by the managing unit.

Please Note: The UI Commencement Team and Degree Services do not manage or maintain a comprehensive list of items.

Last Steps as a Student

First Destination Survey

Let the Career Center know about what you are doing next (job, continuing education, etc.). This information helps future Hawkeyes explore what they can do with their major.

Update Your Address

Update your residing address via MyUI; future communications from the University of Iowa will be sent to this address.

Financial Aid

Financial Aid impacts each student differently; student borrowers should contact the Office of Student Financial Aid to determine if exit counseling is required.

Update IT Services

See how your technology services will be impacted by graduation.

Health Insurance

Cancel student health insurance if enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP).

Pay Final U-Bill

Remit payment for any outstanding balance on your U-Bill via MyUI. Transcripts and diplomas may not be released until your balance is paid in full.

Parking

Click the button to cancel your permit online or contact the parking office via email at parking-office@uiowa.edu if you have additional questions.

First Steps as Alumni

UI Center for Advancement

Learn how UI alumni, fans, and friends can stay connected and get involved.