Apply for Graduation

Undergraduate students must have an approved Graduation Evaluation completed prior to applying to graduate.  The Graduation evaluation is typically requested at least 2 semesters prior to the term of graduation.  Graduate students do not require a Graduation evaluation.  For information on when the Graduation Application will open for your desired term, please review important information on graduation including Graduation Application deadlines

  1. Log into the Penguin Portal. From the home page, select the "Student Dashboard" card.

    Penguin Portal homepage showing the 'Student Dashboard' card  

  2. Under the Records heading, select "Graduation Application"

    Student Dashboard page showing the 'Graduation Application' link under the 'Records' section  

  3. Review your program information listed and select "Continue"

    If you receive an error message regarding not being approved for graduation or the curriculum information not matching the graduation evaluation request, please contact your academic advisor for assistance.

    Graduation application showing academic program information

  4. Select whether you will attend the commencement ceremony, then select "Continue." There is no additional cost to attend the ceremony, so we recommend selecting "Yes" if you are unsure.

    Graduation ceremony attendance page showing selection for attending commencement

    *If you are a graduate student, you will be asked about the submission of a thesis or dissertation. If you are not completing a thesis/dissertation, select "No" and then "Continue." If you are unsure if you are required to complete a thesis/dissertation, please contact your program coordinator.

  5. Enter information for cap and gown ordering. Verify the information is correct before selecting "Continue"

    Cap and gown information section showing entries for height and weight  

  6. Enter your personal non-YSU email and phone number. Verify the information provided is correct before selecting "Continue to Application"

    Contact information section showing entries for personal email address and phone number  

  7. Open the "Term" drop-down, select your curriculum term and current program information, then select "Continue"

    Please note that this selection is associated with your program curriculum information, not your graduation term.

    Curriculum selection page with term drop down selected 

  8. Open the "Graduation Date" drop-down, select your graduation date options provided, then click the "Continue" button.

    Graduation date section with graduation date drop down menu selected  

  9. Open the dropdown to verify your name to be printed on your diploma; it must be your legal name and on file with the YSU Records Office, then select "Continue"

    If you need assistance updating your legal name on your record, please contact the Penguin Service Center at onestop@ysu.edu.

    Graduation application page with dropdown to select a name on record highlighted

  10. Open the dropdown to select an address to mail your diploma from one of your addresses on record. If necessary, enter your new address information.

    Diploma Mailing Address page showing drop down for addresses on record  

  11. Open the drop down to select payment method for the graduation application fee (if applicable), then select "Continue"

    If you're not sure if you will be required to pay the Graduation Application Fee, please visit Graduation Application Fees | YSU for more information.

    Graduation Application Payment page with payment method dropdown selected  

  12. Review your graduation application summary. If the informaiton on the summary is correct, select "Submit Request"

    Graduation application summary page  

  13. If you are required to pay the graduation application fee, you will be prompted to enter your payment information. You will receive a payment receipt to your email address.

    Graduation application fee payment page showing payment options  

  14. After submitting payment, click "OK" on the Payment Confirmation page.

    Payment confirmation page showing 'OK' highlighted  

  15. You will receive a message on the screen that indicates your graduation application has been submitted. Please print out this confirmation page for your records until after you have received your diploma.

    Graduation application acknowledgement page