Graduation Fee

Description:

A mandatory fee will be charged to all students certified for graduation, regardless if the student participates in the commencement ceremony.

Policy:

• The graduation fee is $100.
  • The fee is charged regardless of participation in commencement exercises.
• The fee is charged to all students for each degree earned.
  • (Example: A student earns an Associate's degree and is charged a graduation fee. The student then earns a Bachelor's degree. The student will be charged a second graduation fee for the Bachelor's degree.)
• The fee is charged in March/April for students earning their degrees in May. For students who earn their degree in August or December the fee will be charged about one month after the courses for the appropriate term are completed and the Registrar's Office finalizes the degree list.
• All student accounts have a full financial audit performed on the account. The audit verifies the accuracy of the charges on the account given your student history at Nichols College. If any discrepancies are found you will be notified and the appropriate charges are billed and/or credits are refunded to your account.
• All financial obligations to the College must be met in order for the student to receive his/her degree.
  • Typically this occurs after all course requirements have been completed and the FINAL statement has been issued and paid.
• The actual degrees are normally delivered to Nichols College 8 to 10 weeks after graduation.
• Graduation ceremonies are held once a year in May.

Special Notice to students who participated in commencement exercises but still had a few courses to complete or were missing any degree requirements:

• Although you may have participated in commencement exercises, your actual degree is not earned until all the degree requirements have been completed.
• You will be considered to be a graduate in the year in which all requirements for your degree have been met.
  • Example:
    • You participate in the May 2008 commencement exercises but still have six credits to complete.
    • You complete the courses during the summer session.
    • You are eligible to be an August 2008 degree recipient.
    • You will be eligible to participate in the May 2009 commencement exercises.
• You will receive documents and notices for the May graduation ceremonies in the year that the degree was ACTUALLY earned in even though you may have participated in previous commencement exercises.
• Normally, during June or July the Business Office will be notified of students who were considered graduates for the prior May but did not meet requirements for the degree.
  • The Graduation Fee will then be reversed on the student account.
  • The student will need to complete the degree requirements and re-submit the Degree Candidacy form. The graduation will be re-charged when appropriate.