Graduation Tips & Timeline

Use the following tips and timeline to organize your plans prior to graduation and departure from KSU.

One Semester Before Your Expected Graduation Date

  • File a formal application for graduation with the Office of the Registrar or through Owl Express

Beginning Of Your Final Semester

  • Meet with your academic advisor. Make sure you are completing all requirements for your degree and you will be ready to graduate at the end of the semester.
  • Complete the "Final/Graduation Semester I-20 Updates" e-form in iStart under "4. Student Services."  The e-form is used to determine if your I-20 program end date needs to be updated, provide a reduced course load (RCL) authorization if needed, and collect and provide information about your post-graduation plans. 

Please note: Your DegreeWorks should show that you are on-track to graduate. As a reminder, if you require an RCL authorization for your final semester, you must be enrolled in a minimum of 1 credit of in-person/hybrid instruction. Students may not study fully online in their final semester - including summer semester for students graduating in summer.

Two - Three Months Before Graduation

  • If family and friends are visiting for the commencement ceremony, prepare for their arrival by looking into places for them to stay. If your relatives and friends will need tourist visas to enter the US, remind them to apply for the visa at the US embassy or consulate closest to them. If your relatives would like an invitation letter, you can find out how to write one.
  • Start the job search if you’re interested in staying in the United States for employment.

One Month Before Leaving the U.S. or Graduating and Moving 

  • Notify your landlord or housing office that you will be vacating your apartment. Most leases require 30-days written notice. Check your lease for details.
  • Make sure your roommates are aware of your plans.
  • Agree on a date to have a check-out appointment with your landlord and discuss your deposit if you had one.
  • Call all your utility accounts and newspaper/magazine subscriptions:
    • Phone service
    • Cell phone
    • Gas
    • Water
    • Electric
    • Garbage
    • Cable TV
    • Internet
    • Newspapers/Magazines
    • Renter’s Insurance
  • Make arrangements with your bank to close your account(s).
  • Consider what to do with your vehicle if you have one.
  • Contact health insurance, car insurance, and life insurance companies to discuss coverage options and whether to close the account.
  • Leave a forwarding address at your local Post Office so they can send your mail to your new address.
  • Pay any fines you may have (library, parking, etc.) If you owe money to Kennesaw State University your official transcript will not be released.
  • Return any library books overdue.
  • Contact shipping or storage companies for best rates to ship/store your personal items.
  • Sell miscellaneous furniture, appliances, computers, automobiles, bikes, etc. by holding a garage sale or placing the items on a website such as Craigslist or EBay.
  • You can also give away items to a local thrift shop, such as the Salvation Army or Goodwill.
  • Unsubscribe to e-mail lists you no longer need.
  • Contact the Alumni Association and register yourself to receive updates and establish yourself with the Kennesaw State University Alumni Community!