Graduation Application Guide

Students attending the LaGuardia Community College Commencement Ceremony

Graduation Application Deadlines

SemesterFiling DeadlinePosted in CUNYfirst BeginningDiploma Ordered
Fall I graduatesSeptember 15December 31March 1
Fall II graduatesJanuary 7February 28April 2
Spring I graduatesMarch 10June 20August 1
Spring II graduatesJune 19Aug. 31November 1

How to Apply for Graduation

  1. Log into your CUNYfirst account
  2. Click on the Student Center tile.
  3. Click on the Graduation and Transcript tile.
  4. On the left-hand side, click the Application for Graduation link.
    • If you don’t see the graduation application link in CUNYfirst, you may have holds or special circumstances preventing your application. Please contact the Registrar’s Office at registrar@lagcc.cuny.edu.
  5. Select Yes, then click the Apply button at the bottom right of the page.
  6. Select your term from the dropdown list and click Next in the top-right corner.
  7. Verify your Personal Details, then click Next.
    • Note: You cannot change the information on this page. If your contact information has changed, please complete the following forms:
      • Personal Data Change Request (for legal name, phone number, and address updates)
      • Preferred Name Request (for preferred name updates)
  8. Review the information on each page. Click Next in the top right corner to proceed to the final confirmation page.
  9. Click Submit to finalize your application.
  1. Log into your CUNYfirst account
  2. Click on the Student Center tile.
  3. Click on the Graduation and Transcript tile.
  4. On the left-hand side, click the Application for Graduation link.
    • If you don’t see the graduation application link in CUNYfirst, you may have holds or special circumstances preventing your application. Please contact the Registrar’s Office at registrar@lagcc.cuny.edu.
  5. Select Yes, then click the Apply button at the bottom right of the page.
  6. Select your term from the dropdown list and click Next in the top-right corner.
  7. Verify your Personal Details, then click Next.
    • Note: You cannot change the information on this page. If your contact information has changed, please complete the following forms:
      • Personal Data Change Request (for legal name, phone number, and address updates)
      • Preferred Name Request (for preferred name updates)
  8. Review the information on each page. Click Next in the top right corner to proceed to the final confirmation page.
  9. Click Submit to finalize your application.

Important Notes

  • Undergraduate students must have completed at least 45 credits to apply for graduation.
  • Students who fail to apply by the deadlines listed above will not be eligible to participate in Commencement. Please visit the Commencement webpage for additional assistance regarding commencement.
  • All students who have filed for graduation must be cleared by the Registrar. Please check your @lagcc.cuny.edu email for updates.
  • What is the difference between graduation and Commencement?
    Graduation refers to the process of applying for completion of your degree/certificate program with the Registrar. Commencement refers to the actual ceremony. Please visit the Commencement webpage for additional assistance regarding commencement.

Graduation Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for graduation, you must:

  • Successfully complete all required courses and credits in your program of study.*
  • Earn a minimum GPA of 2.0.
  • Complete at least 60 credits (for associate degree candidates).
  • Satisfy the Urban Studies Requirement.
  • Submit your Graduation Application in CUNYfirst.
  • Ensure that INC (incomplete) grades are resolved. An INC grade in any required courses during your final semester may delay graduation.

*Graduation requirements are subject to change at any time without prior notice at the discretion of the administration and the Board of Trustees of the City University of New York.

Graduation Evaluation Process

Once your application is submitted, your academic record will be reviewed to determine your graduation eligibility.

Evaluations occur at three stages:

  • Initial Evaluation
    Occurs within the first 6–10 weeks of the semester in which you applied for graduation.
  • Secondary Evaluation
    For students who withdraw or drop courses, to determine continued eligibility.
  • Final Evaluation
    Performed after all grades and end-of-term processing are complete.

How to Check Your Graduation Application Status

To check the status of your application:

  1. Log into CUNYfirst.
  2. Click Student Center > Graduation and Transcript > Application for Graduation.
Here’s what the status codes mean:
  • Eligible to Apply – You meet the credit threshold and are eligible to submit an application. If you meet requirements but don’t see the application option, contact the Graduation Team at registrar@lagcc.cuny.edu.
  • Applied for Graduation – Your application has been received and is waiting for review.
  • Program in Review – You are on track to graduate, pending successful completion of current courses.
  • Need to Finish Pending Work – You are in your final semester, and the Registrar’s Office is waiting for final registration details before continuing. A new status will be assigned once the Registrar’s Office completes the secondary evaluation.
  • Approved – You meet graduation requirements, assuming no further changes to your record.
  • Denied – You do not currently meet graduation requirements. You will receive an email explaining what is missing.
  • Withdrawn – The Application for Graduation was submitted, but then removed at the request of the student. Students who wish to withdraw their graduation application should email  registrar@lagcc.cuny.edu to withdraw their request for graduation.
  • Degree Awarded – Your degree has been officially awarded. You will receive a notification via email.
  • Eligible to Apply – You meet the credit threshold and are eligible to submit an application. If you meet requirements but don’t see the application option, contact the Graduation Team at registrar@lagcc.cuny.edu.
  • Applied for Graduation – Your application has been received and is waiting for review.
  • Program in Review – You are on track to graduate, pending successful completion of current courses.
  • Need to Finish Pending Work – You are in your final semester, and the Registrar’s Office is waiting for final registration details before continuing. A new status will be assigned once the Registrar’s Office completes the secondary evaluation.
  • Approved – You meet graduation requirements, assuming no further changes to your record.
  • Denied – You do not currently meet graduation requirements. You will receive an email explaining what is missing.
  • Withdrawn – The Application for Graduation was submitted, but then removed at the request of the student. Students who wish to withdraw their graduation application should email  registrar@lagcc.cuny.edu to withdraw their request for graduation.
  • Degree Awarded – Your degree has been officially awarded. You will receive a notification via email.

Important Final Reminder

It is your responsibility to:

  • Ensure any grade changes or incompletes are resolved.
  • Confirm that all academic records are accurate before your degree is posted.

Once your degree is posted, no changes can be made to your academic record.

Search
Search