OPERATIONAL MANUAL - Hostos Community College



Graduation Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) [pic]

1) How can I contact someone at the Registrar’s Office?

The best way to contact someone at the Registrar’s Office is via email. Allow 1-2 business days to receive a response from our staff.

• For questions about Graduation: graduationaudit@hostos.cuny.edu

• For questions about certification letters: certificationletters@hostos.cuny.edu

• For questions about DegreeWorks: degreeaudit@hostos.cuny.edu

• For questions about Diplomas: diplomas@hostos.cuny.edu

• For questions about Reverse Transfer: reversetransfer@hostos.cuny.edu

• For all other Registrar inquiries:  registrarsoffice@hostos.cuny.edu

2) What is an associate degree?

It is a 2-year undergraduate academic degree granted upon successful completion of an undergraduate course of study. Also, this a degree earned between a high school diploma or GED and a Bachelor’s Degree.

3) What type of degrees are offered at Hostos Community College?



Quick Reference Guide: College home page > Academics > Degree Programs

4) What is an academic plan and/or sub-plan?

These are CUNYFirst Terms:

Academic Plan = Major/Degree Program

Sub-plan = Concentration

5) How can I check my name on CUNYfirst and get my EMPLID?

Your 8-digit EMPLID can be found on the back of your Hostos Community College Student ID and within your CUNYfirst Account. This is a forever number in the CUNYFirst System.

Quick Reference Guide: CUNYfirst account > Student Center > Top of Page

6) What is the national id number?

This is the last four digits of your social security number.

7) What information can I find on my transcript?

Some important information you can find your name, academic plan and/or sub-plan, address, courses taken, degree awarded, grades, grade point average (g.p.a), total credits earned, transfer credits earned (if any).

8) When am I eligible to graduate?

There are (4) dates of graduation. This depends on when your application for graduation is submitted and degrees are conferred.

|Prospective Graduation Date |Term |

|January |End of the Fall Term |

|February |End of the Winter Session |

|June |End of the Spring Term |

|September |End of Summer Term |

9) What does conferral date or conferred mean?

The conferral date is the official date of graduation and when your degree is awarded. The date appears on your diploma and transcripts.

|Prospective Graduation Date |Conferral Date |

|January |January 1 |

|February |February 1 |

|June |June 1 |

|September |September 1 |

10) Why do I need to apply for graduation?

The process of graduation is not automatic and students must file a request to graduate. A request initiates the audit of a student’s academic record to determine their eligibility for graduation.

11) When should I apply for graduation?

The request must be submitted at the beginning of the semester you expect to graduate. Filing dates are posted each semester on the Registrar’s website and are printed in the Academic Calendar.

12) How can I apply for graduation?

Currently, in-person at the Office of the Registrar. However, we are in the process of implementing an online application though CUNYfirst. Once you apply for graduation, you are automatically stopped from registering for the semester following your intended graduation term. If you realize that you cannot complete the courses registered for the semester, you must come to the Office of the Registrar and cancel your graduation application. We will activate your file to allow you to register for the subsequent semester.

13) If I can’t come to the Registrar’s Office in-person, is there another method I can apply for graduation?

By email:

• Download or click the graduation request form:

• Fill out the form, save or scan the graduation request form

• Return to the email address:  graduationaudit@hostos.cuny.edu by the stated deadline on the academic calendar

14) What happens if I had applied for graduation and withdrawn from a required course?

Your graduation request will need to be canceled at the Registrar’s Office. Once, your request is received the Graduation Audit Unit will process your request. An email notification will be sent acknowledging your request with new instructions. This process will grant you access to register for next semester.

15) What happens if I had applied for graduation and failed a required course needed for my degree? What if my record was reviewed and I was removed from the graduation list?

The student is responsible for ensuring all the degree requirements will be met by the end of the deadlines. If you did not meet graduation requirements, you will be cancelled and must re-apply for graduation in order to be considered for the next semester. If you have additional questions, contact graduationaudit@hostos.cuny.edu

16) How do I submit my cancellation request?

You can come in-person to the Registrar’s Office or submit your request by email.

Instructions to cancel a graduation request form by email:

A student may cancel their graduation request by submitting an email request to graduationaudit@hostos.cuny.edu

Must include within email

• Student’s name

• EMPLID ID

• reason for the cancellation

• prospective graduation date you had applied for.

17) How do I find the Academic Calendar to check the graduation request application deadline?



Quick Reference Guide:

Office of the Registrar > Academic Info > Academic Calendar

18) How can I check my degree requirements?

Refer to the Hostos Academic Bulletin at , Degree Maps

and CUNYfirst DegreeWorks.

Quick Reference Guide:

College Catalog: College home page > Academics > College Catalog

Degree Maps: College home page > Academics > Degree Maps

Degree Works: CUNYfirst > Student Center > Advisement/Transcript Blue Box (6th right column on page) > DegreeWorks- Online Advisment

19) Are there additional resources I can check my degree requirements?

Yes. You can make appointment with your department unit coordinator or department chairperson or assigned academic advisor.

20) I have questions about the writing intensive requirements?

You may contact the English Department: and click the Writing Intensive link below:



21) What is a commencement ceremony?

A commencement ceremony is a large, formal gathering to recognize graduating students. At Hostos Community College there is a one ceremony at the end of the spring term for students who have met their degree requirements and applied by the stated deadline.

22) How do I get commencement information?

The Office of Student Activities distributes tickets & invitations to a student only after the Registrar’s Office verifies the student is eligible for graduation. Also, you may visit the commencement website:

Commencement Website: College home page > Campus Life > Commencement Information

For general questions about commencement, contact Office of Student Activities at:

450 Grand Concourse, Rm. C-371

Bronx, New York 10451

Phone: (718) 518-6561

Email: commencementinfo@hostos.cuny.edu

23) Who is invited to the commencement ceremony?

The commencement ceremony is for the following graduates and candidates:

• September Graduates

• January Graduates

• February Graduates

• June Candidates

For example: September 2019 Graduates, January 2020 Graduates, February 2020 Graduates, and June 2020 Candidates.

Note: Attending the commencement ceremony does not mean you have graduated. Degrees are awarded subject to completion of degree requirements by the appropriate deadline. When a student degree is awarded, the student’s name appears under the appropriate class as a graduate. When a student degree has not been awarded, the student’s name appears under the appropriate class as a candidate.

24) I have submitted a graduation request form or application at the Registrar’s Office and I want to know my graduation audit status?

You may send an email to graduationaudit@hostos.cuny.edu

25) How am I notified about my graduation status?

You will be notified by email as your record is reviewed. It will be sent to your Hostos Webmail account email address and if provided your personal email address.

Ensure to add the graduationaudit@hostos.cuny.edu email address to your contact list. This will avoid the email getting placed into a spam or junk mail folder.

Hostos Webmail for Students: College home page > Login to > For Students > Webmail

26) When can I expect an email from the degree auditor?

When a student applies for graduation a preliminary evaluation is conducted. A preliminary evaluation is an administrative process that determines a student eligibility for their degree, upon receipt of the student’s application for graduation. This process is ongoing, since many students are in progress of completing their requirements during this time. An email notification is sent to students from the graduation audit unit towards the end of the term as final grades are submitted.

27) What happens at the end of the term and I have completed my classes?

A final graduation audit is done once the Registrar’s Office received all the of the semester’s final grades. If all degree requirements are met, the student’s record is closed (certified). The Registrar’s Office will mail a letter to confirm successful completion.

In addition, a student can check their unofficial transcript through CUNYfirst when the degree is awarded (conferred).

To view unofficial transcript through CUNYfirst:

CUNYfirst account > Student Center > Other academic drop box link > Transcript: View Unofficial

28) Why am I receiving a letter about missing a high school diploma or transcript?

The Office of the Registrar checks the academic record of all prospective graduates to ensure all the proper documents are in each student’s record. The student may be contacted by the Office of Admissions and Recruitment and the Office of the Registrar.

29) How do I know when my degree is ready?

The Registrar’s Office will mail each confirmed graduate a letter pertaining to procedures for picking up your degree. It is important that you provide the correct mailing address and contact information. This information can be checked in your CUNYfirst Student Center.

To check personal information through CUNYfirst: CUNYfirst account > Student Center > Personal Information

30) How can I update my addresses?

A student can update their home address, mailing address and billing address through CUNYfirst Student Center. To change your permanent address, complete the Change of Address form and return to the Registrar’s Office. You may use this form:

31) Can I get a letter verifying that I graduated?

Once your degree is conferred and posted to your transcript, you will be able to obtain a letter from the Registrar’s Office confirming your degree.

32) I am interested in taking additional courses after I graduate and earned my degree. What do I do?

If you would like to take additional courses beyond your degree, it will be necessary to contact the Office of Admissions and Recruitment to inquire about applying as a second-degree or non-degree student.

33) I have graduated but never pick-up my diploma. How can I get it?

All stops and holds must be cleared on your record before this request can be completed. Once, this has been verified see the process below:

Your diploma can be mailed if you provide a notarized, written statement requesting your diploma to be mailed with the following information

• Name

• EMPLID

• Date of Graduation

• Degree earned

• Reason for request

• Address where the diploma is to be mailed

• Your contact information

• Provide a pre-paid postage envelope suggested that provides tracking. Size should be about 11-5/8in x 15-1/8in.

34) How I can I get an Alumni Card?

Alumni IDs are issued from the Office of Alumni Relations. To obtain your Alumni card, click here.

35) If I had missed the application for submitting my graduation request form, can I still apply and graduate?

Yes. Your name may not appear in the commencement booklet or various lists if you apply after the deadline of your expected graduation term (EGT).

36) I was asked to fill out a readmission application and I finished all of my classes. Why?

An active term is required to process your graduation request form. For additional information, contact the Office of Admissions and Recruitment

37) What name is used for my diploma and the commencement program?

We use the name that appears on the students’ academic record (CUNYfirst account). To update your legal name, fill out the Change of Name form and provide proper documentation. This must be done before your degree is conferred.

38) How can I order a duplicate diploma?

The cost of Duplicate diplomas are $30 each. For additional questions, contact diplomas@hostos.cuny.edu

39) How do I change my name on my diploma?

Records are sealed upon degree conferrals. To officially change your name with the Registrar’s Office before the end of the semester.

General Information about degree conferrals:

• No changes will be made to students’ academic records after the degree has been awarded. Records are sealed.

• It is the degree candidates’ responsibility to notify the Registrar’s Office – Graduation Audit Unit of any outstanding grade appeals.

• All degree requirements must be met before the end of term and prior to the conferral date. This includes:

o Resolution of incomplete grades (INC), permit course grades, grade changes, stops, approved substitutions or exemptions, etc.

Grade Policy:

o Grade Changes (Grades are not changed after the degree is conferred)

o Credit Deduction occurs for repeated courses.

o A minimum grade point average of 2.00 is required.

o A mimimum of 60 credits is required for an associate degree.

o Complete 30crs. in residence. If you are a transfer or a second-degree student at Hostos Community College, 50% of the 60 credits must be done at Hostos Community College).

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