Frequently Asked Questions
Graduation – The NJIT Office of the Registrar is responsible for the graduation process which pertains to the steps needed to obtain your degree. Please see the Graduation section for FAQs related to the Graduation process.
Commencement – The NJIT Office of Special Events is responsible for the Commencement Ceremony which is our celebration for graduation. Please see the Commencement section for some FAQs related to participation in the Commencement Ceremony. For all Commencement Ceremony questions, please visit our Commencement website.
Graduation
Q: Do I have to apply for graduation?
A: Students do not need to apply for graduation. However, you will need to complete the online Diploma Verification form on Highlander Pipeline to verify your degree information. All students must complete a new Diploma Verification Form, even if you completed one in a previous semester.
August Candidates (eligible to participate in Commencement): The Graduation Verification Form will be available in March.
August Candidates (all other candidates): The Graduation Verification Form will be available in August.
December Candidates: The Graduation Verification Form will be available in October.
May Candidates: The Graduation Verification form will be available in March.
Q: How do I access the Diploma Verification form?
A: Log in to Highlander Pipeline --> Campus Wide Services --> Diploma Verification Form
Q: When will I be notified regarding my eligibility for graduation/commencement?
A: You will receive an email with instructions to complete the Diploma Verification Form if you are pre-certified by your academic department. If you do not receive an email, and feel you are eligible to participate, undergraduates may complete the Commencement Appeal Form (instructions below). If you are a graduate student that did not receive an email, you may email Babinski@njit.edu.
Q: Do I need to complete the Commencement Appeal Form?
A: The only students that should complete the Commencement Appeal Form are those undergraduate students who have not received any communication about graduation by the end of February and feel they are eligible to graduate and/or participate in the ceremony. In addition, if your academic department has stated you are not eligible to participate and you feel this information is inaccurate, you may complete the Commencement Appeal Form.
Graduate students, for exceptional circumstances only, may email a request to participate in the May Commencement Ceremony. Please email your request to gso@njit.edu.
Q: What is the fee for graduation?
A: Depending on the semester you started at NJIT, you may have been charged a matriculation fee or a graduation fee that covers all costs associated with graduation, including conferring your degree. You must pay the fee ($160.00) whether you plan to participate in the ceremony or not.
Q: What do I do if I was charged Matriculation Fee and Graduation Fee?
A: Please contact the Office of the Registrar if you were charged both the Matriculation Fee and the Graduation Fee so your account can be credited.
Q: Do I have to pay the Matriculation or Graduation Fee if I do not attend the Commencement Ceremony?
A: Yes, you are responsible for the fee regardless if you attend the Commencement Ceremony or not, as this fee covers the costs associated with conferring your degree.
Q: What do I do if I have a hold?
A: Please review Highlander Pipeline to view holds that are on your account and review the link to determine which department placed the hold on your account. Contact that department to resolve any outstanding issues. Please review financial holds for more information.
Q: What if I have transfer credits from another institution that were not applied to my transcript?
A: The Registrar’s Office requires an official transcript to post transfer credit to your academic record. If you already provided an official transcript to NJIT, please email registrar@njit.edu or stop by the Registrar’s Office in the Student Mall to verify we received your transcript. If you did not provide an official transcript, please send an official transcript immediately. Please allow up to 2 weeks for the credits to post to your account. If you do not see the transfer credits 2 weeks after we received the transcript, please email registrar@njit.edu or stop by the Registrar’s Office in the Student Mall to request a status update.
Q: How do I know which name will appear on my diploma?
A: The name on your diploma will match the name in our system. You may verify the name in our system when you complete the online Graduation Verification form in Highlander Pipeline.
If your name is inaccurate and/or you need to make a change to your name, complete the Request to Change Legal Name and submit required legal documentation to the Office of the Registrar.
Q: How do I get my diploma?
A: Starting for August 2023, all diplomas will be mailed to the graduates. All previous term diplomas diplomas are available for pick up at the Office of the Registrar.
Q: How do I request a transcript with my graduation date?
A: You may request a copy of your transcript here. The graduation date will appear after your department has certified your academic requirements are complete.
Q: What is the official graduation date?
A: The graduation date for each official graduation period is:
Fall Semester Completion – December 31
Spring Semester Completion – May 31
Summer Completion – August 31
Final Graduation Certification is the responsibility of each Academic Department and takes place within 4-6 weeks after the official graduation periods.
Q: What do I do if I have a 4.0?
A: Undergraduate students with a 4.0 will be verified after final grades are posted in May. You will receive email communication via your NJIT account regarding further instructions if you are participating in the Commencement Ceremony.
Q: When will I know if I am graduating with academic honors during the Commencement Ceremony?
A: Academic honors will be calculated after fall grades are posted. They are based off of Fall credits and GPA, prior to the application of special grades according to the qualifications in the Catalog. Your academic transcript will reflect your final honors designation. Academic honor distinctions apply to undergraduate students only.
Cum Laude: GPA of 3.400 – 3.649
Magna Cum Laude: GPA of 3.650 – 3.849
Summa Cum Laude: GPA of 3.850 – 4.000
Commencement
Q: Do I need tickets for the Commencement ceremony?
A: Please visit the Commencement website for more information in early February.
Q: When is the Commencement Ceremony?
A: Commencement ceremony is held in May. We do not have commencement ceremonies in August or December, those graduating in August or December are invited to participate in May.
Q: When will I be notified regarding my eligibility for graduation/commencement?
A: You will receive an email in the Spring Semester with instructions to complete the Graduation Verification Form if you are pre-certified by your academic department. If you do not receive an email and feel you are eligible to participate, please complete the Commencement Appeal Form (Undergraduates) in Highlander Pipeline or email Babinski@njit.edu.
Q: What is the Grad Fair?
A: The Grad Fair is for all Commencement Ceremony participants (undergraduates, graduates and PhD students). At the Grad Fair, you will receive your cap, gown, and academic honor distinction medal (if applicable). Grad Fair will be held during the Spring semester at the NJIT Joel & Diane Bloom Wellness and Events Center (WEC) from 9 am until 4 pm. You can join us any time to drop in and pick up your items. You do not have to stay for the duration of the event.
Q: What if I can not attend the Grad Fair?
A. If you can not attend the Grad Fair, you may send an authorized representative with a copy of your ID, a copy of their ID, and a letter authorizing him/her to pick up your commencement ceremony materials. You may also contact the bookstore, prior to May 6th, to have these items mailed to you for a shipping charge. Please see the Grad Fair website for more information and a sample authorization letter.
Q: When do I pick up my cap and gown?
A: Cap and gowns will be available for pick up at the Grad Fair. If you are not able to attend either day, you may send an authorized representative with a copy of your ID, a copy of their ID, and a letter authorizing him/her to pick up your commencement ceremony materials.
Q: Is there a charge for caps and gown?
A: There is no additional charge for your cap and gown.
Q: When will the list of Commencement participants be available?
A. The May Commencement participant list will be available in April. This will contain all May students who are eligible to participate in the commencement ceremony.
Q: What does it mean to be pre-certified?
A: Your academic department will determine if you are pre-certified for graduation. Pre-certified students are expected to complete all academic requirements for graduation by the end of the term.
Q: What do I do if my department says I am not eligible to graduate?
Undergraduates: You can complete a Commencement Appeal Form on Highlander Pipeline if you wish to appeal your academic department's decision regarding your eligibility. The Commencement Appeal Form closes in March.
Graduates: Please contact the Graduates Studies Office at gso@njit.edu if you have questions regarding your academic department's eligibility determination or to request permission to walk (exceptional circumstances only).
Q: What is the difference between pre-certification and eligible to walk? Who determines if I am pre-certified or eligible to walk?
A: Your academic department will determine if you are pre-certified or eligible to walk. Pre-certified students are expected to complete all undergraduate academic requirements for graduation by the end of the Spring term.
Undergraduates: You are eligible to walk if you are within 2 courses of meeting all academic requirements for graduation and you are registered to take both courses during the Summer term. Eligible students will not appear in the May Commencement Booklet. Your name will appear in the next May Commencement Booklet.
Q: What do I do if my department says I am not eligible to graduate or participate in the Commencement Ceremony?
A: Undergraduates: If you feel you will complete all of your academic requirements by the end of May, or you are within 2 courses completing your degree and you are registered for both classes in Summer, please complete the Commencement Appeal Form in Highlander Pipeline.
Graduates: Please contact the Graduate Studies Office at gso@njit.edu if you have questions regarding your academic department's eligibility determination.
Q: If I anticipate graduating in August, can I participate in the May Commencement Ceremony?
A: Undergraduates: You are eligible to participate in the May Commencement Ceremony if you are within 2 courses of completing your degree and you are registered to complete those last 2 courses in Summer. You may also participate in the next May Commencement Ceremony, if you prefer. However, you may not participate in both ceremonies for the same degree. If you have more than 2 courses to graduate in Summer or you can not register for your last 2 courses in Summer, you are welcome to join us the following May.
Graduates: Prior August graduates may participate in the May Commencement Ceremony. Upcoming August graduates may request permission to participate, for exceptional circumstances only, by emailing gso@njit.edu.
Q: If I graduated in August or December, can I participate in the upcoming May Commencement Ceremony?
A: Yes, if you complete your degree in August or December , you may participate in the upcoming May Commencement Ceremony.
You may not participate in more than one ceremony for the same degree.
Q: Can I order rings and/or a diploma frame?
A: You may order rings and/or diploma frames at the NJIT bookstore or at the Grad Fair.
Q: What is the process for signing up for senior portraits?
A: Visit http://ouryear.com and use School Code 216 --> Select your date and appointment time.
Q: How can I order a Nucleus Yearbook?
A: To buy a Nucleus Yearbook, students can visit www.jostensyearbooks.com or by visiting nucleus.njit.edu and selecting “Order Now”. For assistance in buying a yearbook, or buying with a check/cash, and signing up for a portrait session, students can visit Nucleus in the Campus Center, 8:30am-4:30pm M-F Room 464, by calling Nucleus at 973-596-5620, or by e-mailing nucleus@njit.edu
Q: How do I obtain my veteran cord to wear during the Commencement Ceremony?
A: Veteran cords will be available at the Grad Fair.
Q: How do I obtain my academic honor medal (summa cum laude, magna cum laude, cum laude)?
A: Academic honor medals will be available at the Grad Fair, for undergraduates only.
Q: How do my family members obtain a visa?
A: There is a sample Invitation Letter if you need to provide one for your family members to obtain a visa. NJIT does not issue invitation letters.