Commencement

All students must Apply to Graduate through Self-Service Banner [SSB] at least one semester prior to graduating. An application can be completed for up to two degrees and/or certificates. Students applying for more than two degrees/certificates must go through the Student Records Office (email: recordsdept@terra.edu or call: 419.559.2405).

It is your responsibility to make sure that all grade change forms, course substitutions, transfer credits, and incompletes are recorded in the Student Records Office prior to graduation. Petitions are only valid for the semester and program applied. If the requirements are not met during that term, the student must reapply for the new expected graduation term.

Application to Graduate steps

1. Go to https://my.terra.edu
2. Click on LINKS in the yellow bar at the top of the page
3. Click on BANNER SELF SERVICE under external links
4. LOG IN using you terra.edu email and password
5. Go to the four square menu (top left of SSB)
6. Select Banner, then Student, then Apply to Graduate
7. Follow the prompts and submit
   
   • Curriculum Selection - Term you took courses. Not necessarily the term you will graduate.
   • Graduation Date - Term you will complete all program requirements.
   • Remember to verify your Personal Information. Personal E-Mail Address, Permanent Address, and Cell Phone should be validated for reciept of your diploma or certificate from our distributor.

Please remember that in order to receive your regalia in time for graduation, to place your order your regalia before 4/17/2026. The link to order is https://keyplusinc.com/html/Terra_State_Community_College.html 

You may still be able to get your regalia with expedited shipping by calling KeyPlus directly at 866.450.7587.  

Students without regalia will not be able to walk at Commencement.

Commencement provides recognition to those students who are expected to meet the College's requirements for graduation.

Students shall meet the following criteria in order to participate in commencement and be included in the commencement program:

• Complete and submit a graduation application.
• A student’s graduation application must have an approved audit with pending completion status
• The published commencement program will include the following terms:
  • Fall and Spring graduates of the current academic year
  • Summer graduates from the prior Summer term that were not included in the prior academic year’s program.
  • Summer graduation applicants from the upcoming Summer term that have met #2 by the first Monday following the Easter Holiday (April 6, 2026).

This information is available in lieu of Commencement rehearsal.

The Commencement Ceremony will begin on May 15, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. in the Elaine Denman Recktenwald Center (EDRC).

General Instructions

• Associate of Applied Science graduates will check in at Building E.
• All others (Associate of Applied Business, Associate of Arts, Associate of Individual Study, Associate of Science, Associate of Technical Study, and Certificates) will check in at Building A.

Due to limited seating, guest tickets are required. Graduates must pick up tickets for their guests at Student Records by Monday, May 11^th or they will be considered unclaimed. Tickets are limited to 5 per graduate. Beginning Tuesday, May 12^th any unclaimed tickets will be available at Student Records on a first come, first serve basis up to 5. The doors will open at 5:30pm for guests. 

A child younger than twenty-four months old who will be held in an adult’s lap for the entire ceremony does not need a wristband.

Graduation honors for Commencement are based on Fall Semester grade point average (GPA). In order to check your current GPA status, please log onto your Student Portal. Grade point averages are not rounded up for honors. Your diploma will have honors recorded based on your final semester GPA.

All certificate earners are required to wear a blue gown. The cost is $40.00- Includes shipping/taxes (After 4/3/26 $50.00)

All degree graduates are required to wear a blue cap and gown with the appropriate tassel. The cost is $50.00- Includes shipping/taxes (After 4/3/26 $60.00)

Please remember that in order to receive your regalia in time for the ceremony, you must place your order not later than 4/3/2026 by selecting the following link.  https://keyplusinc.com/html/Terra_State_Community_College.html  

If you have earned honors, the honor cord(s) should be picked up at Student Records (Bldg A, Room 200) before noon on the day of Commencement. Please note honors recognized for the ceremony are based on your cumulative GPA at the end of the prior Fall term.

Military Veteran students should pick up their red, white, and blue cords at Student Records (Bldg A, Room 200) before noon on the day of Commencement.

Don't want to keep your gown after graduation? There will be a rack in Building B after the commencement ceremony for you to pay it forward by donating your gown to the Campus Closet.

There will be multiple oportunities to take picutures before and after commencement with your friends and family. We will have a photographer wandering around as well. The ceremony will be available through a live streaming broadcast on Commencement Day. Want to tag us on social media, use #TerraGrad2026.

We are offering these services in order that your family and friends may enjoy the ceremony. Please be advised that only the graduates will be permitted to approach the stage and surrounding area. Please inform your guests that if they need to leave during the ceremony they may do so by the doors on either side of the stage. After the ceremony is completed, the graduates will exit first.

Candidates and guests requiring special handicapped accommodations due to a disability please contact the Student Record's Office at 419.559.2405 or recordsdept@terra.edu.

Hang up your gown or press it before Commencement Day so it will be wrinkle-free

Park in the appropriate parking lot designated in the Commencement email.

Do not bring any personal items with you to Commencement that you will have to carry with you. There are no areas available for storing these items. We recommend you lock personal items in your car or ask a family member to hold them for you.

Arrive early to avoid parking congestion and to arrive at your designated line-up area.

Do not misplace your calling card.

Listen to the announcement of staff when it is time to line up for your degree.

Terra State Community College awards and distributes diplomas/certificates three times per academic year. We have one commencement ceremony in May. It normally takes approximately 4-6 weeks following Commencement for diplomas and certificates to be delivered. Participating in the commencement ceremony does not constitute graduation. 

Students should verify/update their address in Banner Self-Service prior to commencement. To receive your diploma/certificate you must have a zero balance on your account and all library materials returned.

Diploma Timeline

Commencement (Graduation Day) - Students will receive a diploma or certificate cover at the ceremony. For students earning more than one degree/certificate, additional covers may be picked up at Student Records (Bldg A, Room 200). 

Degree/Certificate Conferral - It typically takes at least one week, after the end of a term, for the student degrees and certificate requirements to be validated. Upon completion of validation, students will receive a notice to their personal email on file. 

Digital Diploma - After conferral, you will receive a link to access your digital diploma. This link will be delivered to your personal email account on file from Parchment. PLEASE NOTE: This is NOT spam. Follow the instructions to create your account and access your digital diploma. 

Printed Diploma - Printed diplomas are processed and mailed by Parchment. Processing takes about 7-10 days, after which it will be mailed to your permanent address on file. For domestic addresses it typically takes between 2 and 4 weeks. Students can track shipping via your Parchment Learner dashboard by clicking on Orders.