Graduation & Commencement
Congratulations on your progress toward graduation! We want to ensure that your graduation and commencement experience are as enjoyable and stress-free as possible. The following information has been compiled to assist you in completing the necessary steps toward graduation and commencement. If you have any questions please contact Cardinal Central at (208) 769-3311 for assistance.
The Difference Between Graduation and Commencement
Graduation refers to actually receiving a degree or certificate of completion once North Idaho College has verified you as having met all degree or certificate requirements. Upon verification, the degree or certificate is awarded and noted in the NIC student information system so that it displays on NIC transcripts. Diplomas are printed and mailed after the degree or certificate verification process is complete, approximately 6-8 weeks after the end of the semester. Please note that summer graduation is processed just prior to the beginning of the next fall term to accommodate all summer instruction blocks.
Commencement is a ceremony. It is an opportunity for students, families, friends, and the NIC community to celebrate their academic accomplishments. Participation in commencement does not mean that you have graduated and you will not receive your diploma on that day.
Applying for Graduation
In order to be considered as a candidate for graduation, you must complete an Application for Graduation and submit it to Cardinal Central for review. Students must complete the Application for Graduation whether or not they plan to participate in commencement.
Priority processing deadlines for applications are as follows. Applications are accepted after these deadlines.
- November 1 - to graduate at the end of Spring Semester
- April 1 - to graduate at the end of Summer Session (apply by February 1 to participate in Commencement)
- May 1 - to graduate at the end of Fall Semester.
Applications filed after the suggested dates will be accepted. However, early filing enables the Registrar’s Office to evaluate a student’s transcript and determine any course deficiencies in the program of study prior to the student’s final enrollment. A diploma will not be issued if a student has not fulfilled all financial obligations to the college.
Commencement Ceremony
The commencement ceremony is held once each year in May. Students eligible to participate in commencement are matriculating (degree-seeking) candidates for graduation from the previous fall, the current spring, and the following summer.
It is with a deep sense of regret that we inform you that the NIC Commencement for 2020 on May 15 has been canceled. Please do not let this take away from your sense of accomplishment or our sense of pride in you. Your achievement is remarkable and should be celebrated in other ways with your family and friends. Over the next few weeks, we will suggest other ways to celebrate your graduation, from virtual parties to a future department or college commencement.
For more information, contact Cardinal Central at (208) 769-3311 or CardinalCentral@nic.edu.
► 2019 Commencement
The ceremony was May 17, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. in Christianson Gymnasium. If you participated in the ceremony and would like a copy of the picture Leo's Photography took of you after you crossed the stage, you can order photos online through Leo’s Photo Ordering using our school code: GRA181140. In addition, you may purchase a DVD of the ceremony by contacting Andy Finney at (208) 769-3266. The cost is $20.00 per disc.
Academic Policies
For information regarding the academic policies governing graduation please refer to the Academic & Registration Information in the NIC Catalog.