Graduation Checklist FAQs

Undergraduate FAQs

When should I apply for graduation?

You can apply for graduation while completing your final courses in your last term. Don't wait until you have received your grades or have defended your thesis before submitting your application.

  • If you are completing your final courses in December or April, apply during the Fall or Spring term, respectively. Your convocation ceremony will take place in June.
  • If you are completing your final courses in August, apply during the Summer term. Your convocation ceremony will take place in October.

What if the program/major/minor listed isn’t correct?

Contact your departmental advisor to request changes to your program.

What should I do if I finished my courses over three terms ago and want to graduate now?

Contact the Undergraduate Records department at ssugrad@sfu.ca or Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies at gradap@sfu.ca (whichever applies) and use “Graduation Application” as your subject line. They will send you an application form.

How do I pay the application fee if I have a credit on my student account?

The application fee will be deducted from the balance of your student account. If the credit does not cover the entire cost of the fee, you will need to pay the remaining balance.

What should I do if encounter an error with my credit card?

There are a number of actions to try:

  1. Your browser may be the issue. Update and be sure to use Chrome and clear your cache.
  2. Check with your banking institution to make sure your credit card is in good standing.
  3. Contact the Student Accounts department at student_accounts@sfu.ca.

What should I do if I have been erroneously charged the application fee multiple times?

Contact the Undergraduate Records department at ssugrad@sfu.ca to reverse the unnecessary charges.

What should I do if my credit card has been erroneously charged multiple times?

Contact the Student Accounts department at student_accounts@sfu.ca to request a refund.

My credit card has been charged, but I do not see the payment in goSFU, what do I do?

Sometimes credit card payments need to be manually processed. This can be due to internet issues or the use of an outdated browser. Wait at least 2 business days and then return to your student center and check your account activity for the payment. Once posted, you can then continue with the application from your To Do List.

How do I check my graduation application status? 

From the main page in goSFU, select the compass icon in the top right-hand corner, then Self Service>Graduation/Convocation>Grad Application Status.

Your program details and application status will be listed as below:

Application statuses:

  • Applied: Your application has been received.
  • In Review: Your application is under review by your faculty. Status will remain "In Review" until shortly before Senate meets (normally, Senate meets early in September, February, and May).
  • Approved: Your graduation application has been approved by your faculty for recommendation to Senate.  It will remain "Approved" for only a few days prior to being "Awarded."
  • Awarded: Senate has granted your degree: You may now participate in the upcoming Convocation ceremony and receive your degree parchment. You will receive a letter from Senate confirming the awarding of your degree.
  • Denied: Your application for graduation was not approved by your faculty.
  • Pending: Your application is pending, often due to outstanding course credits.
  • Withdrawn: Your application for graduation was withdrawn.

How do I cancel my graduation application?

You may cancel your graduation application up until the first day of classes of the term following your final term of enrollment.

  1. Log into goSFU
  2. Under the “Academics” section, use the drop down menu to select “Cancel Graduation Application”.
  1. Review the credential(s) for which you will be cancelling your graduation application and select “Cancel Application”. You will be asked to confirm the cancellation. Click “OK” then “Next”.
  1. The next page confirms your cancellation. Click “Complete” to finalize your cancellation.

Note: If you do not click “complete” you application will NOT be cancelled.

When you have successfully cancelled your application, the graduation fee will be refunded into your account.

Please note: If your graduation status is set to “Pending” or “Denied,” and it is after the application cancellation deadline, your graduation application will be automatically cancelled a day before Convocation, and the graduation fee reversed on your student account (as seen as an "adjustment").

I need a Credential Completion Letter, how to do get one?

If your graduation application status is “In Review” then you will need to contact your department to request one. If your application status is “Approved” you can generate your own by going to your Student Centre. Under the “Academics” section, use the drop down menu to select “Credential Completion Letter”. Select the credential for which you want the letter and it will be emailed to your SFU email account. If your application status has been changed to "Awarded", you will receive official Senate Letter within a week of the Senate meeting in May or September. 

When do I find out once I’m awarded my degree?

Senate will meet to award your credential(s) in early February, May or September, depending on what term you apply to graduate from. After you have been awarded you will be sent your Senate letter.

I am unable to attend my Convocation ceremony in person – how can I get my parchment?

If you do not attend your convocation ceremony, you may pick up your degree parchment at Student Services, Maggie Benston Centre 3200, Burnaby campus, starting the week after Convocation. Any parchments not picked up by the end of the calendar month of convocation will be mailed out to your mailing address on record. For more information, see "Can’t Attend?"

Graduate FAQs

When should I apply for graduation?

You can apply for graduation while completing your final courses in your last term. Don't wait until you have received your grades or have defended your thesis before submitting your application.

  • If you are completing your final courses in December or April, apply during the Fall or Spring term, respectively. Your convocation ceremony will take place in June.
  • If you are completing your final courses in August, apply during the Summer term. Your convocation ceremony will take place in October.

What if the program listed isn’t correct? 

Contact your graduate program assistant to review and confirm your program plan.

What should I do if I completed my program previously, but, am not enrolled in the current term? 

Contact your graduate program assistant to review readmission options.

How do I check my graduation application status?

From the main page in goSFU, select the compass icon in the top right-hand corner to bring up the Main Menu. Select Menu>Self Service>Graduation/Convocation>Grad Application Status.

Your program details and application status will be listed as below:

Application statuses:

  • Applied: Your application has been received.
  • Approved: Your graduation application has been approved by your faculty for recommendation to Senate.  It will remain "Approved" for only a few days prior to being "Awarded."
  • Awarded: Senate has granted your degree: You may now participate in the upcoming Convocation ceremony and receive your degree parchment. You will receive a letter from Senate confirming the awarding of your degree.
  • Denied: Your application for graduation was not approved by your faculty.
  • Withdrawn: Your application for graduation was withdrawn.

How do I cancel my graduation application?

You may cancel your graduation application up until the first day of classes of the term following your final term of enrollment.

  1. Log into goSFU
  2. Under the “Academics” section, use the drop down menu to select “Cancel Graduation Application”.
  1. Review the credential(s) for which you will be cancelling your graduation application and select “Cancel Application”. You will be asked to confirm the cancellation. Click “OK” then “Next”.
  1. The next page confirms your cancellation. Click “Complete” to finalize your cancellation.

Note: If you do not click “complete” you application will NOT be cancelled.

When you have successfully cancelled your application, the graduation fee will be refunded into your account.

Please note: If your graduation status is set to “Pending” or “Denied,” and it is after the application cancellation deadline, your graduation application will be automatically cancelled a day before Convocation, and the graduation fee reversed on your student account (as seen as an "adjustment").

I need a credential completion letter, how do I get one? 

If your application status is “Approved” you can generate your own by going to your Student Centre. Under the “Academics” section, use the drop-down menu to select “Credential Completion Letter”. Select the credential for which you want the letter and it will be emailed to your SFU email account.

I am unable to attend my Convocation ceremony in person – how can I get my parchment?

If you do not attend your convocation ceremony, you may pick up your parchment at Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, Maggie Benston Centre 1100, Burnaby campus, starting the week after Convocation. Any parchments not picked up by the end of the calendar month of convocation will be mailed out to your mailing address on record. For more information, see "Can’t Attend?"