Applying for Graduation

You may wish to view the How to Apply for Graduation via BroncoDirect (PDF), i f you need a step-by-step guide on how to apply online. Students must submit a graduation application through BroncoDirect by the appropriate deadline. Students failing to submit their application by the appropriate deadline may be required to graduate in a future semester. Do not apply online if you do not see your desired graduation term in BroncoDirect. Please email registrar@cpp.edu for assistance.

Graduation Fee

A non-refundable Graduation Application fee ($59) will be charged one time only per academic career and academic program. Students must pay the fee once it is posted on your student account. Failure to pay the graduation application fee will prevent your Cal Poly Pomona diploma from being released. To learn more, view How to pay your graduation fees on BroncoDirect (PDF).

For undergraduate students, the degree checkout status will be updated when the Registrar’s Office starts the initial pre-check period. Degree Pre-checks start on March 1 for spring graduates, August 1 for Summer graduates, and October 1 for Fall graduates. When the degree checkout status changes from “Applied for Graduation” to any of the following, Student Accounting and Cashiering Services (SACS) will apply the graduation application fee of $59:

• Approved
• Degree Awarded
• Needs to Finish Pending Work
• Pending Administrative
• Program in Review

For graduate students, the degree checkout status will remain in Applied for Graduation status until degree clearance starts after all end of the term processes are compled. When the degree checkout status changes from “Eligible to Apply for Graduation” to the following, SACS will apply the graduation application fee of $59:

• Applied for Graduation

If students change their expected graduation term, the degree checkout status will automatically forward to the new term. The graduation application fee, tied to the original anticipated term, will remain in the student’s account. This fee cannot be removed or refunded and will not be charged again for the new graduation term.

Graduation Application Timeline

If you missed the online graduation application period, you may still apply online through BroncoDirect until the last day of the term. If you do not see the term you wish to apply for please send an email to registrar@cpp.edu and one of our staff members will respond to you.

Expected Graduation Term

Pre-check Begins

Application Date included in Commencement *

* Commencement 2025 includes Fall 2024 graduates and students who have applied for Spring 2025 or Summer 2025 graduaion by the Commencement deadline.

** "I" is Incomplete / "RP" is Report in Progress

*** "RCE" is Report of Culminating Experience, applicable for graduate students only.

+ Dates are subject to change

Clearing for Graduation

• Once grades are posted, your record will be evaluated within 4-6 weeks and if all requirements are met, your degree will be awarded and your unofficial transcript will show your degree.
• Order an official transcript from the Registrar’s Office if you need to provide degree verification to an employer or another institution.

Graduation Deficiencies Notification

• Lack of approved document(s) is considered as a graduation deficiency.
• Notification regarding your graduation deficiencies will be sent to your Cal Poly Pomona email account.

Graduation Deferral Notification

• Notification about your unsatisfied graduation requirements, which includes failure to submit necessary documentation by the appropriate deadline, will be e-mailed to your Cal Poly Pomona email account.
• Your Transfer & Graduation Advisor will indicate on this email that your graduation has been deferred.
• Deferred candidates must reapply for graduation to be considered for graduation again. Submit a new Graduation Application online.

Graduation “Out of Residency”

Graduation “out of residency” means when a student is discontinued from the university but may have fulfilled or is very close to fulfilling their final requirements (within 112 units) after leaving the institution. In consultation with an academic advisor, the student may be considered for graduation without reenrolling in the university if the advisor can confirm that the student has completed all the remaining requirements through courses or via substitution petitions. Once determined, they may petition to graduate while remaining in discontinued status. Students must meet the following criteria:

• earned at least 112 units toward the degree requirement
• in good academic standing

If the remaining degree requirements are unfulfilled, the student may reapply for admission or complete the outstanding courses through the College of Professional and Global Education (CPGE). Students will need to pay the graduation application fee and may be eligible to participate in commencement if they have not done so in the past. For detailed information, contact the Registrar’s Office at registrar@cpp.edu .

Commencement Ceremonies

• Any student who receives a Cal Poly Pomona degree during the academic year (Fall, Spring and Summer) is automatically eligible to participate in that year’s Commencement Ceremony held in May.
• Information regarding the Commencement Ceremony may be obtained at Commencement website or from your major department.

Commencement Deadlines 2024

Grad App. Deadline – Spring 2024

• Students who apply by this date are guaranteed to participate in Commencement

(Graduates included: Fall 2023, Spring and Summer 2024)

• Student name will be included in Commencement Program

Marching Order RSVP and Ticket Portal Opens

• Student RSVP required if attending ceremony
• Student is required to record their name for pre-recording of name to be read at ceremony

• This includes preferred names

• Student will claim tickets needed for guests to attend ceremony

Marching Order RSVP and Primary Ticket Portal closure by this date, and can no longer guarantee the following:

• Guest tickets
• Pre-recording of student name to be read at ceremony