Graduation FAQs
Congratulations Graduate!
Find answers to the most Frequently Asked Questions below.
General Graduation FAQs
Q : When will I know if I am graduating after I apply?
A : After applying for graduation, it will be several weeks before you hear from the graduation office regarding your graduation. However, no news is good news as this means there are no obvious reasons that would disqualify you from graduation! Graduation Notifications usually go out 3-4 weeks after the Graduation Application Deadline has passed.
If you are currently enrolled, your eligibility for graduation may depend upon your completion and the grade(s) you receive at the end of the semester. Please make sure you check your TVCC email regularly for updates, as you will be notified if there are any issues concerning eligibility after grades have posted.
Q : Do I have to attend the Graduation Commencement Ceremony?
A : TVCC graduates are welcome to attend the Commencement Ceremony at their discretion. We are happy to celebrate this milestone with you, however, if you choose to not attend that is okay too! Be aware that you can only participate in the next available Commencement Ceremony after your graduating semester. If you choose not to attend, you will still receive information regarding ordering and receiving your degree/certificate diploma.
Be aware that students who graduate during the summer semester will not have an available commencement ceremony until the end of the following fall semester, in December.
Q : How soon can I order a transcript after graduation?
A : Transcripts will reflect graduation after final semester grades and the accompanying graduation have been finalized and verified by the Office of the Registrar. When ordering transcripts through Parchment, the option to hold for degree is available and will put off your order until such a time as your graduation has been transcripted, typically 1-2 weeks after graduation.
Graduation Ceremony FAQs
Q : When and where is the Graduation Commencement Ceremony?
A : You TVCC's Graduation Commencement takes place at Athens High School, located at 708 E. College Street, Athens, Texas. You will receive an email prior to graduation with ceremony times and a map of the Athens High School campus that will let you and any guests know where to park. On the day of the event, TVCC will have staff and ushers located throughout the building to assist you and your guests.
It is important to arrive no later than one hour prior to your ceremony start time to check-in, take pictures, and line up for the procession. For example, if your ceremony begins at 10 AM, you should arrive no later than 9 AM. Students who arrive later than one hour prior to their ceremony will not be permitted to enter the Cap Decorating contest.
Q : Which ceremony do I attend (what is my degree)?
A : Students' My Cardinal Connect student portal will list their degree next to the user icon in their Student Planning menu and during their graduation application. The type of degree a student is receiving (AA, AAM, AAT, AAS, Certificate, or Health Sciences if applicable) will dictate which ceremony they should participate in. Dual Credit graduates (those graduating while still enrolled in high school) all attend the same ceremony regardless of degree type; this ceremony will specify that it is for dual credit students. Find ceremony information here.
Q : How do I get my regalia (cap and gown)?
A : Students can pick up their cap and gown from any TVCC bookstore free of charge, during dates specified in their Graduation Notification that will be sent to their TVCC Cardinal Email.
Q : Can I decorate my Graduation Cap?
A : Students are welcome to decorate their Graduation Cap. TVCC's Graduation Cap Decorating Contest winners are announced during graduation and spotlighted in the TVCC website and social media pages. Students who wish to enter the Cap Decorating Contest should arrive at least 1 hour prior to their ceremony start time and present themselves at the judge's table with cap and gown on. Specifications on decorating guidelines can be found in your graduation notice email sent to your TVCC email.
Q : Is there a dress code for what I weat underneath my regalia?
A : Students do not have a specified dress code for graduation. You may dress as formal or as casual as you like, however, students are advised that the graduation procession will require an extensive walk and select the shoes they wear with that in mind.
Q : How many guests can I invite, and do they need a ticket for entry?
A : There is no limit to the number of guests graduates can invite, and guests do not need tickets or anything for entry to the ceremony. Early arrival will guarantee the best seating for your guests, and for those that are unable to attend TVCC's website will have a live stream of ceremonies available from their home page on the day of the event. We do often host many ceremonies in one day, so guests are asked to please make their way out of the bleachers and off campus once their ceremony has ended.
Q : What if I or someone attending my ceremony need special accommodations?
A : It is recommended that graduates notify the ADA coordinator at least 3 weeks prior to the ceremony to allow appropriate time to make or obtain certain accommodations. Contact studentaccess@tvcc.edu as soon as possible, and please be sure to indicate if accommodations are needed for a guest or for the graduate.
Q : Where do I go when I arrive at the ceremony?
A : TVCC will have staff and ushers located throughout the building to ensure you get to the proper spot to check-in and line up for the procession. It is important to arrive one hour prior to your ceremony start time, as the High School campus venue is rather large. Graduates check-in and line up for procession in the old gymnasium at the back of the campus near "Entrance 2" as notated on the TVCC Graduation Map you will receive via your TVCC Email. Once graduates have lined up, they will march down and enter the new gymnasium where all their guests will be seated and waiting to cheer them on.
Q : What order do graduates cross the stage?
A : TVCC does not require gradautes to be in any specific order, with the exception of our BSN graduates who are lined up prior to the rest of our Health Science graduates. This means you are free to line-up so that you are seated with your friends, or to be as early or as late as you choose in the procession line-up.
Q : What if I am late to my Graduation Commencement Ceremony?
A : If you are late to your ceremony, it is important to remain calm and find a TVCC representative as soon as possible. If your classmates have not yet marched out onto the event gymnasium floor, you should find a check-in representative to receive your name card and then proceed to the end of the procession line. In the event that the procession has already begun the march, you will join and be seated at the end of the procession, where you will be allowed to cross the stage last before the ceremony has ended.
Q : Can I or my guests take pictures?
A : A professional photographer will be taking pictures during the ceremony as you receive your diploma from the college president, and immediately after crossing the stage. These can be ordered online at https://thegradtean.com/events/tvcc.
Students who wish to take pictures with their classmates before the event are advised to arrive at least 1 hour prior to the ceremony start time indicated on their graduation email. Pictures taken during the event by guests are welcome and encouraged, however because TVCC often hosts multiple ceremonies in one day, we ask that guests try to make their way out of the bleachers and off campus once their ceremony has ended.
Diploma FAQs
Q : How do I get my diploma or certificate?
A : Students all receive their diploma the same way, regardless of whether they choose to attend the Graduation Commencement Ceremony. Diplomas and certificates must be ordered using the link that will be sent to your TVCC email the week following graduation. TVCC uses a third-party vendor to produce and ship diplomas and certificates. These can only be ordered via the link you will receive via your TVCC Email; TVCC campuses are not able to produce copies of your diploma or certificate.
Q : How soon can I get my diploma or certificate?
A : Eligibility for graduation must be verified after completion of the most recent semester and degrees and certificates must be transcripted before diplomas and certificates can begin going out to students. Please make sure you check your TVCC email regularly as you should receive notice via email once your diploma or certificate are ready to be ordered, typically the week following graduation.
Q : What if I need an extra diploma or certificate?
A : The link sent to your TVCC email the week following graduation can be used to order duplicate copies or replacement diploma or certificates at any time following the initial release of your diploma or certificate.