The office is responsible for and can also assist you with:
Transcripts and Records
Order a transcript and learn how to find out about your diploma. You can use our services to verify a degree or university enrollment and explore your rights to privacy.
Grade Forgiveness
Grade forgiveness provides you with a second chance at success. Review the policies to make sure you understand the process before you submit a grade forgiveness request.
FERPA
FERPA protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education.
What is FERPA?
The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), passed by Congress in 1974, requires educational institutions to provide students access to their educational records, to allow students to correct inaccurate or misleading information in these records, and to limit the release of information to third parties.The rights parents exercise with respect to their children’s education records transfer to the student when he or she reaches the age of 18 or attends a school beyond the high school level.More information regarding FERPA, including the online FERPA release form, can be found at the link here.
Graduation
The graduation application is the first step you will need to take in order to graduate from USC Union with your Associates degree. Review the application and award processes below to better understand what happens once you submit your application.
Application ProcessComplete the online graduation application in Self Service Carolina. The Apply to Graduate link is located under the Student tab in the bottom right corner of the page. During the application process, you will be asked to verify your program, name, and diploma mailing address. After completing the Self Service Carolina, fill out the Graduation Information Form.
Award Process
Award Timeframe
Your academic unit has 30 days after commencement to complete the task of ensuring all degree requirements have been met and awarding degrees to candidates.
Honors and Distinctions
Each year, undergraduate students earn notable academic honors. Those who excel in their studies may receive designations on their transcript.
Diplomas
The official University of South Carolina diploma details a graduate’s name, college, degree, and honors along with the graduation date. Imprinted with the official seal of the university, your diploma will be signed by the university president, awarding school’s dean, the chairman of the Board of Trustees, and the secretary of the university.
Mailing Address
Your diploma will be mailed to the address identified on your graduation application. Diplomas are typically mailed within three months after you graduate. You can verify your diploma address by viewing your submitted graduation application in Self Service Carolina.
Commencement ExercisesCommencement takes place at USC Union in the Spring of each academic year. All graduates from Fall, Spring and Summer of that year are invited to participate in the ceremony. Information regarding Commencement is sent out prior to the ceremony. A ‘Grad Fair’ is held a few weeks before the ceremony where students can purchase their cap and gown, stoles, and other graduation accessories.
Other information, including diploma replacement and returned diplomas, can be found at the link here.
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