Frequently Asked Questions

Virtual Graduation

What is a virtual graduation?

A virtual graduation is an online ceremony that will feature speeches, individual graduate recognition and a communal moment through watching the webcast and/or engaging via social media

Is there a dress code for the virtual ceremony pictures?

Caps and gowns are not required in the pictures, but all the pictures should be appropriate for a graduation. Be mindful that this is a formal occasion, please dress appropriately.

What if I do not want my picture or a message to be included in the graduation slide?

Students that do not upload their picture and/or message will have a basic graduate slide with the available information (e.g. Name, Degree, and Honors). Additionally, their name will be recorded, and their slide / audio will be uploaded to the Virtual Ceremony Website.

I am an honors graduate (3.5 or higher cumulative GPA). Will my name be announced acknowledging this at the ceremony?

Honors will be included on the personalized graduate slides. Honor graduate names are printed in the front of the Commencement program under “Santa Fe Scholars.” They also receive a gold seal on their diploma and an “Honor Designation” appears on their official transcript as follows:

B.A.S./B.S. Degrees:
4.0 – Summa Cum Laude
3.75-3.99 – Magna Cum Laude
3.50-3.74 – Cum Laude

A.A./A.S./A.A.S. Degrees:
4.0 – Graduation with Highest Distinction
3.75 -3.99 – Graduation with High Distinction
3.50 – 3.74 – Graduation with Distinction

I am a member of Phi Theta Kappa. Will special recognition be received at the ceremony?

PTK members receive an asterisk beside their name in the commencement program, a gold PTK diploma seal and a comment on their official transcript denoting PTK membership. PTK members have the option to purchase other regalia items (sash, tassel, etc.) directly from the PTK website. Contact your PTK advisor for more information.

Diplomas

What address will my diploma be sent to?

Diploma address labels print directly from the address on your graduation application. To revise diploma address, update your permanent mailing address on your “My Information” screen. It is linked to the diploma address field and will automatically update. Please ensure your diploma is mailed to the correct address by verifying your permanent mailing address.

When will I receive my diploma?

Diplomas are mailed four to six work weeks after grades post at the end of the respective term.

My diploma is incorrect. The A.A. program title does not appear. Why?

Your diploma is correct. All A.A. Diplomas read “Associate in Arts”. The program of study title is not listed. The A.A. program of study title is used as an advisement tool in order to help direct you with your educational plan for upper division coursework and never appears on diplomas.

I want to change my diploma name and/or diploma mailing address. How can I make revisions?

Go to your graduation application, on eSantaFe under “Records” then “Graduation” and click on “modify” to revise diploma name and/or diploma address. Students can make revisions on their applications until the last day of the term. After which point, they must call the Office of the Registrar to request revisions at 352-395-5456.

There is an "accent" mark over part of my name. How do I ensure it will reflect on my diploma?

To ensure an accent mark prints correctly on your diploma, email that information to jacqueline.thomas@sfcollege.edu.

My diploma was damaged, lost, or never received. How can I get a duplicate copy and is there a charge?

Duplicates copies may be obtained from the Graduation Office via requests to: jacqueline.thomas@sfcollege.edu Please allow ten days for receipt. There is no charge for a duplicate copy.

General Graduation Questions

If I apply to graduate, will it stop my Financial Aid?

Graduating will not stop aid for the current term, but it may impact your financial aid eligibility for future coursework at SF. If receiving financial aid of any type, including Bright Futures, contact the Financial Aid Office to discuss the impact of graduating.

Is it possible to apply for more than one degree in the same term?

Yes, for example A.A. and A.S., or A.S. and B.A.S. or B.S. You cannot apply for two A.A. degrees.

When are degrees awarded and appear on official transcripts?

In most cases, degrees are awarded the same day “grades post” at the end of the term and appear on official transcripts at that time. Contact the Office of the Registrar at 352-395-5456 if you applied to graduate and your degree was not awarded.

I am transferring to another institution and need to send a transcript conferring my degree.

Submit a transcript request via eSantaFe, under the “Records” tab and then “Transcripts”. Click on the option to send “after graduation posted” and select the term in which you are graduating. The transcript will generate automatically the night of the degree award and be mailed in three business days. You can also have your transcript sent electronically or pick it up from the Office of the Registrar. If you choose these options, please be sure to check “Send after graduation posted”.

I received approval to waive or substitute graduation requirements via a "Petition to Waive or Substitute Associate in Arts Graduation Requirements" However, my degree audit continues to state “I am not eligible to graduate.” Why?

The degree audit does not update in such special cases. A notification is sent to the student on the outcome of the petition. The Office of the Registrar individually reviews all “ineligible” applications to prepare to graduate students and affixes “overrides” in cases like these. Overrides are done at the end of the term after grades post. Please understand that the section related to your approved petition may not show correctly on your degree audit. As long as the rest of the degree audit shows you have met the A.A. requirements, your degree will be awarded in a timely manner with no delay.

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