Office of the Registrar

These instructions are for undergraduate applications for graduation only. Graduate students should visit the Graduate School's graduation webpage for instructions on submitting applications for graduate credentials. 

This process must be repeated for each credential being pursued.

To submit an application for an undergraduate credential:

1. Click the Apply to Graduate link in the GrizPortal Student Services menu.

2. Select a term to choose the degree curriculum.

• Note: this is NOT the graduation term.
• In most cases, the most recent term should be selected.
• If the curriculum information displayed is not correct (missing a minor, incorrect major, displays a concentration no longer being pursued, etc.), students should contact their advisor to submit a curriculum change.
• This information must be correct before submitting an application.
• Applicants for graduation should make sure that all degrees and certificates they plan to pursue have been added to the student record. 
• Students may not apply for a degree or certificate that is not listed on the student record.

3. Choose a graduation date.

• Select the term of intended graduation. 
• Only three terms are open at one time. 
• Please note the application deadlines. Applications will close for each term once the deadline has passed, and students will need to apply for the following semester.

4. Verify the diploma name. 

• Enter either a new name or select a name already on file. 
• Please be careful. The student is responsible for any errors they might make when entering the diploma name and will be responsible for any costs associated with ordering a corrected diploma.
• Please use standard name capitalization. Entering the name in all capital letters will cause the name to be illegible on the diploma.

5. Verify the diploma mailing address.

• Choose either one of the addresses currently on file or enter a new address. 
• The earliest students usually begin receiving diplomas is 6-8 weeks after the end of the semester. Students should keep this in mind if they will be relocating after graduation and/or make arrangements with the US Postal Service to have their mail forwarded to their new address. 

6. Review and submit the application.

• Before clicking on the Submit Request button, review the information.  If anything is incorrect, use the back button to go back and revise.

7. Acknowledgement of Successful Submission.

• An acknowledgment page will display after successful submission of the graduation application.
• Students will also receive an email from the Office of the Registrar after the application has been reviewed and the application fee has been added to the student's account. 

After Submission

After the graduation application has been submitted, students can go back into their GrizPortal and select Review my Submitted Electronic Grad App from the student services menu. 

If any information on the application needs to be updated, students should email graduation@umontana.edu. Please note that if a paper graduation application was submitted, this information will not be available in GrizPortal.

Unable to Submit an Electronic Application in GrizPortal?

In the rare cases in which a student may not be able to submit an electronic graduation application via GrizPortal, they should email graduation@umontana.edu. If confirmed, the student will use the Undergraduate Graduation Application PDF. (Please note that the fee has increased to $50, but the application deadlines are correct on the paper form). 

In cases where the student did not have a credential added to their record until the semester of desired graduation, they must still use the electronic application and apply for the following semester. Credentials must be added to the student's record by the 15th class day of the semester of desired graduation. 

Fall 2026

Priority Deadline: April 24, 2026

Late Deadline ($15 Late Fee): October 5, 2026

Spring 2027

Priority Deadline: November 13, 2026

Late Deadline ($15 Late Fee): February 1, 2027

Summer 2027

Priority Deadline: February 26, 2027

Late Deadline ($15 Late Fee): June 7, 2027

Fall 2027

Priority Deadline: April 30, 2027

Late Deadline ($15 Late Fee): October 4, 2027

Students are assessed a $50 graduation fee for each graduation application. The fee is applied to the student's account in GrizPortal once an application has been processed. An additional $15 fee is assessed for applications submitted after the priority deadline. 

The graduation application fee contributes to the cost of the commencement ceremony, the cost of printing and shipping diplomas and diploma covers, and the cost of personnel and software associated with degree evaluation and conferral. 

Students applying for multiple baccalaureate degrees or certificates must submit a separate application and will be assessed a fee for each application.

Students electing to complete more than one baccalaureate degree must earn an additional 30 credits for each subsequent baccalaureate degree. See the Degree and Certificate Requirements for Graduation page in the UM Catalog for additional information on graduation policies and procedures.

Students must apply to graduate in order to receive an invitation to commencement. Read more about commencement.

Commencement is an event that celebrates the completion of a degree and takes place before grades are posted at the end of the fall and spring semesters. Walking in the commencement ceremony does not guarantee that students have met all degree requirements or have had a credential formally awarded on their academic transcript. Students should check their progress in Degree Works to ensure that they are on track to meet 100% of their requirements once grades are posted.

Students have officially graduated only once the degree has been awarded on their official transcript. This process begins after grades are posted to transcripts and takes place over the following two to three weeks. Grades post to transcripts the week after final exams at the end of each semester.

Original Diplomas

Diplomas are mailed to the address submitted with the graduation application after a degree has been awarded.

Degree awarding takes place during the two to three weeks after the commencement ceremony, and diploma shipping through the US Postal Service takes four to five weeks after degree conferral. Altogether, the total timeline can range from 6 to 8 weeks after the semester ends for a student to receive their diploma in the mail. 

Do not order a diploma prior to the degree being awarded. Students can verify that a degree has been awarded by checking for a graduation date at the top of their unofficial transcript in GrizPortal.

Replacement Diplomas

The Office of the Registrar does not keep extra diploma copies on file. Students may order a replacement diploma using UM's Online Diploma Service. This service also provides electronic diplomas.

Notarized Diplomas

For notarized diplomas for international use, please follow the apostille instructions.

Graduation Appeals Form

Students should meet with their advisor prior to submitting a graduation appeal. Some exceptions can be entered by advisors in Degree Works without going through the Graduation Appeals Committee.

The Graduation Appeals Committee meets the final Monday of every month, subject to change. Appeal forms are due to the Registrar's Office one week before each meeting.

For general policies and procedures, please refer to the Graduation Appeals Procedures (section 203.50).

For further information, please contact graduation@umontana.edu.