Registrar - Frequently Asked Questions

I’m thinking of transferring to Franciscan but haven’t applied yet. How can I find out how my classes will transfer?

• If you are choosing classes at another institution before transferring to Franciscan, such as if you are at community college for a year prior to coming here, please send your admissions counselor the other institution’s name and course codes of classes you wish to transfer to Franciscan, and they will let you know if and how they will transfer.

I’ve recently applied to Franciscan with transfer credits. How can I find out how my classes and test scores will transfer?

• Please see our AP and CLEP Scoresheets to see how your test scores will transfer as college credit. These can be found on the Academics & Registration page of The Port.
• If you have credits from another institution, make sure to have an official transcript sent to Franciscan University. You will receive a transfer credit evaluation indicating how your transfer credits will cover requirements for your major at Franciscan from your admissions counselor within a few weeks.

I already go to Franciscan, and I want to take a class somewhere else. What should I do?

• If you are enrolled as a student at Franciscan and wish to transfer credits from another institution for any reason, you must fill out a Petition to Take a Course at Another Institution, found on the Academics & Registration page of The Port.
• Please note that you must select “+ Add Course” beneath the course information in order to submit the Petition, or else the form will be blank when we receive it.
• Once our office has had a chance to review your Petition, you will receive confirmation of whether your Petition has been approved or denied within a few weeks.
• After you have completed and received the final grade for the course, be sure to contact the other institution’s offices and request an official transcript to be sent to Franciscan University’s Registrar’s Office to add those credits to your record here.
• Please note that the last 30 credit hours of a bachelor’s degree and last 15 credit hours of an associate’s degree must be earned at Franciscan University. Your major department chair may choose to waive up to 6 of the final 30 credit hours depending on the circumstances. Please consult with your advisor if you have senior status and wish to take a course elsewhere before submitting a Petition.

I should have AP/CLEP credits on my account. Where do I find those?

• If you recently sent your scores to Franciscan University through the College Board, please allow 2-4 weeks for processing. Once we receive your scores, we will add transfer credit to your academic record. You should see them on your unofficial transcript on The Port, which can be found by searching “unofficial transcript” on The Port.
• Please see our AP and CLEP Scoresheets to see how your test scores will transfer as college credit. These can be found on the Academics & Registration page of The Port.

How do I order an official transcript?

• Official transcripts may be ordered from Parchment. To quickly and efficiently request your official transcript, please go to www.franciscan.edu/registrar. Select “Transcript Request,” then “Transcripts from Parchment,” and follow the prompts to order your transcript. Current students can go to The Port and select the link for “Transcript Request” under “Pages” and “Student.” Please create a new account using a personal email address and not a Franciscan email address.

Where can I find a copy of my unofficial transcript?

• Unofficial transcripts are available to current students on The Port. The easiest way to find it is to search “unofficial transcript” in the search bar on The Port. Past students and alumni who no longer have access to The Port should order an official transcript through Parchment.

I am an employer and need to verify someone’s enrollment/degree. How do I do that?

• Franciscan University uses the National Student Clearinghouse for enrollment and graduation verification for employers. The university code is 003036.

I am a student and have a form to verify my enrollment for insurance/outside scholarships/etc. How do I get my form completed?

• If you have an enrollment verification or letter of academic standing that you need the Registrar’s Office to fill out for you, please bring it to the Enrollment Services Counter in Starvaggi or email it to [email protected].

How do I withdraw from a class?

• To withdraw from a class after the add/drop date, please email the registrar from your student email address with the following information:
  • Full name
  • ID number
  • Course code of the course(s) from which you would like to withdraw.

• Please be sure to copy your professor/class instructor in your email. The last day to withdraw from a course in the Fall 2023 semester is Thursday, November 2. The last day to withdraw from a course in the Spring 2024 semester is Tuesday, April 2. Withdrawal dates for all courses can be found at the Academic Calendar.
• There is no reimbursement for courses you withdraw from unless you fully withdraw from the university.

How do I withdraw from all my classes/withdraw from Franciscan University?

• Full withdrawals from the university are handled by Student Success. Please contact them by visiting their office in the St. John Paul II Library or by emailing [email protected].
• Online undergraduate students may withdraw by contacting Danielle Irwin at [email protected].
• Online graduate students may withdraw by contacting Virginia Garrison at [email protected].
• If you fully withdraw from the university, you may be eligible for a partial reimbursement based on the number of weeks remaining in the semester. Please contact Student Accounts for more information ([email protected]).

I took a semester off school. How do I return?

• If you just took one semester off, contact Admissions to have you account reactivated. This will give you access to register for classes on The Port. The Admissions Office can be reached at [email protected] or 740-283-6226 ext. 1.
• If you require housing, make sure to fill out a housing contract on Symplicity, found through The Port. Please contact [email protected] with any questions or requests concerning on-campus housing.

I took two or more consecutive semesters off school. How do I return to the university?

• If you took two or more consecutive semesters off from the university (excluding summer), you will have to reapply for readmission through the Admissions office. Please contact them for more information at [email protected] or 740-283-6226 ext. 1.
• This time limit includes full withdrawals from the university. For example, if you did not complete any courses in Spring 2023 and Fall 2023, you would have to reapply through Admissions to take classes in Spring 2024. If you take Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 off, you will have to reapply through Admissions to take classes in Fall 2024.

How do I switch from online to main campus?

• Online students wishing to transition to on-ground (main campus) should email the registrar in order to start that process. Please include in your email to the registrar whether you would like or require housing (please see the Student Life housing policy and contact [email protected] with any questions you may have regarding housing).

How do I switch from on-ground to online?

• On-ground students wishing to transition to online should email the registrar in order to declare their intent to move online. Note: this is only applicable to moving fully online for the fall or spring semesters and does not apply to any student taking online summer classes between academic years.

I’m missing a pre-requisite for a class. Can I still enroll?

• In order to enroll in a class for which you are missing a prerequisite, please contact the instructor directly to ask for permission to enroll. Be sure to include why you think you are prepared to take the course despite missing the college-level prerequisites. If they permit you to register for the class, they will grant you the relevant permissions on the Port and then you will add the course to your class schedule on the Add/Drop page of The Port as usual. You will not be automatically registered for the course. 
• If the instructor grants you permission but you are still encountering registration errors, please forward all correspondence between yourself and the instructor to [email protected] and we will assist you.
• Please note that the instructor has full disclosure in approving or denying requests to join his or her course. The Registrar cannot waive pre-requisites for any course or enroll a student without permission of the instructor.

The on-ground class I want to take is full. How do I enter a full on-ground class?

• In order to enroll in a full class, please contact the instructor directly to ask for permission to enroll. If they permit you to register for the class, they will grant you the relevant permissions on the Port and then you will add the course to your class schedule on the Add/Drop page of The Port as usual. You will not be automatically registered for the course. 
• If the instructor grants you permission but you are still encountering registration errors, please forward all correspondence between yourself and the instructor to [email protected] and we will assist you.
• Please note that the instructor has full disclosure in approving or denying requests to join his or her course. The Registrar cannot enroll you in a full on-ground course without the permission of the instructor.

The online class I want to take is full. How do I enter a closed online class?

• If you wish to join a full online class, please fill out the Request to Enter a Closed Online Class, which will be evaluated by the E-Learning Office according to the student’s graduation requirements. Please contact [email protected] with any questions about joining a closed online class.
• Permission is only granted when the course is absolutely required in the requested semester in order to meet graduation requirements.
• Instructors cannot grant permission to join a full online class. The Registrar cannot enroll you in a full online course without the permission of E-Learning.

How many online classes can I take?

• Resident students with freshman standing may take a maximum of one online course per semester (freshman Education majors may take two).
• Full-time resident students with sophomore or higher standing may take a maximum of six online credits per semester.
• There is no online credit limit for off-campus students. A student with only online credits is considered an online student and is not eligible for on-campus housing.
• These restrictions do not apply to summer semesters. Please see the Undergraduate Catalog for more information.

• Undergraduate students may take 100–400 level classes only unless they have been admitted to an accelerated program, which enables them to take a certain number of graduate classes while an undergraduate student.
• However, THE and CAT 500-level courses are reserved for graduate students requiring certain undergraduate background courses. For example, undergraduate students cannot take CAT 517 instead of CAT 204.

Do I need to apply for graduation?

• Yes! All students are required to apply for graduation to receive any degree. Undergraduate graduation applications are due a year prior to the student’s expected graduation date. Graduate students should apply no later than the semester prior to their intended graduation date (during the fall semester for a May graduation, and during the spring for an August or December graduation).
• Click here for a copy of the graduation application, email us for a fillable pdf, or pick up a hard copy at the Enrollment Counter in Starvaggi!
• Consult with your advisor and get their signature before submitting. If you are having trouble contacting your advisor, you may also ask your major department chair for their signature. Online students may contact their online advisor rather than a faculty advisor.
• Submit the completed and signed grad app to the Enrollment Services Counter or email it to [email protected].

What name should I put on my diploma?

• Your legal name should go on your diploma. Middle names are encouraged, but Confirmation names are not permitted.
• If you would like to include a new married name on your diploma, you are required to submit a Name Change form along with a copy of your new social security card or court order for change of name.
• The only exception made is for members of religious communities, who may put their religious names on their diplomas. However, initials for the religious community are not included. For example, “Sister Mary Agnes Smith, TOR”, would be changed to “Sr. Mary Agnes Smith”.

I submitted my application for graduation. When will I hear back about the status of my application?

• You can expect to receive a degree audit around 2-4 weeks after submitting your grad app, although this may be longer if you submit your graduation application during the month of May. Your degree audit will tell you the status of your application, which will be one of the following:
  • In Satisfactory Progress means you are on track to complete your degree according to the courses in which you are currently registered, for which you are pre-registered in a future semester, or which you listed on your grad app. complete all the coursework listed on your grad app, and you will graduate on time!
  • Deficient means you are missing a particular course, total number of credits, or the minimum required GPA (overall and/or in your major), and therefore do not currently meet graduation requirements. Please address all deficiencies with your advisor, as they are best suited to help you address the deficiency. Some options include:
    • taking additional courses, either at Franciscan or another institution over the summer
    • talking to your advisor about possible course substitutions, which will have to be approved by the Academic Advising office.

• All course substitutions and exceptions to academic policy must be approved by Academic Advising. The Registrar’s Office is not able to approve any substitutions or exceptions to academic policy.

When is graduation?

• Degrees are awarded three times a year: August, December, and May. However, there is only one annual commencement (graduation ceremony) in May of each year. Students graduating in August and December are invited to participate in the following May commencement exercises.
• The Commencement Exercises for the 2023-2024 academic year is on Saturday, May 11^th, 2024. Students wishing to change their attendance status must contact the Registrar’s Office by March 31^st.

Where can I find more information about graduation and commencement?

• The Registrar’s Office hosts graduation fairs twice a year: a bigger grad fair in October hosted in the Gentile Gallery, and a smaller fair in February in the Enrollment Services lobby.
• Whether you are graduating in August, December, or May, and whether or not you intend to walk at Commencement in May, all on ground graduates are encouraged to participate in at least one graduation fair in the year prior to their graduation date.
• At the grad fair, you can speak with representatives from the following offices:
  • Registrar: Apply for graduation and check graduation status
  • Financial Aid: Learn about the mandatory student loan exit counseling
  • Student Accounts: Make sure your financial obligations to the university have been met so your diploma and transcripts are not withheld (very important!)
  • Career Services: Learn more about job opportunities, networking, and interview preparation
  • Herff Jones: Order regalia, graduation announcements, class rings, and more from our graduation vendor
  • Win door prizes, raffles, and snacks!

Where can I order my cap and gown? Can I order graduation announcements, a class ring, or a diploma frame?

• Franciscan University works with Herff Jones to offer graduation garb, personalized graduation announcements, diploma frames, and more. You will receive an email from the Registrar’s Office when the online store for regalia opens. Regalia is typically available between February and April preceding graduation.
• For the May 2024 ceremonies:
  • Order for pick up from the Campus Store by March 26, 2024.
  • Order regalia shipped to home address by April 12, 2024.

• Please keep an eye on your email for cap and gown information, as no orders will be taken once the online store closes.

I ordered my regalia for pick up at the campus store. When can I pick up my cap and gown?

• The Campus Store is typically open for cap and gown pickup throughout the week leading up to commencement weekend, including Saturday morning.
• Pick up for the May 2024 ceremonies begins on May 6th, 2024.

I’ve participated in a graduation before. Can I wear my old cap and gown?

• Academic garb cannot be reused from high school or another college. Approved regalia from Herff Jones must be worn at graduation. When you select your degree and major on the online store, Herff Jones will automatically send the appropriate garb. However, please see below for information on what regalia will be needed if you hope to reuse your cap and gown from a previous Franciscan University commencement or borrow from an alum.

• Associate Degrees: Cap, tassel, and gown.
  • An associate’s set is the same as a bachelor’s set, minus the hood. If you are walking with an associate’s now but may walk with a bachelor’s in the future, you can purchase a bachelor’s set and save the hood for the future. Conversely, if you ordered a bachelor’s set before finding out you have to take another semester of coursework, you may use the cap, gown, and tassel to walk with an associate’s now. Just leave the hood at home on the big day!

• Bachelor Degrees: Cap, tassel, gown, and hood
  • Hood colors:

• • • Science: Gold
    • Nursing: Apricot
    • Arts: White

• Master Degrees: Cap, tassel, gown, and hood
  • The master’s cap and tassel are the same as an undergraduate, but the gown and hood cannot be reused or borrowed from a bachelor’s alum. The master’s gown has pointed sleeves extending from the elbows, and the hood is longer with varied colors for different degrees/majors. You will not be permitted to walk for a master’s while wearing a bachelor’s gown and hood, and vice versa. 

• • Hood Colors:
    • Master of Science in Nursing (MSN): Apricot
    • Master of Theological Science (MTS): Scarlet
    • Master of Business Administration (MBA): Drab
    • Master of Science in Education, Master of Science in Educational Administration (MSA): Blue
    • Master of Arts (MA in Catechetics and Evangelization, Catholic Studies, Clinical and Mental Health Counseling, Philosophy, Theology and Christian Ministry, and Theological Studies): White

Will I graduate with honors?

• Latin honors are announced as the student crosses the stage at Commencement according to their cumulative GPA at the end of the fall semester. Only candidates receiving a bachelor’s degree who have earned at least 62 credits at FUS will graduate with Latin honors.
• Latin honors are determined as follows:
  • Cum laude: 3.5-3.69 GPA
  • Magna cum laude: 3.7-3.89 GPA
  • Summa cum laude: 3.9-4.0 GPA
• Students who have completed all 8 semesters of the Honors Program will receive green cords to wear at commencement, and “Honors Program” will be announced as the graduate crosses the stage in addition to any Latin honors earned.
• Because final grades are submitted after commencement, it sometimes happens that the honors which are/are not announced at graduation do not match the honors with which the student actually graduates. Each student’s diploma and official transcript will include the official honors with which the student graduated after all final grades are submitted.

Do I get to wear honors cords?

• Students graduating with Latin honors as determined by their cumulative GPA at the end of the preceding fall semester will receive two gold cords to wear at graduation.
• Students graduating from the Honors Program will receive two green cords to wear at graduation.
• Students graduating with both Latin honors and completion of the Honors Program will receive one gold cord and one green cord at graduation.
• The only cords permitted at graduation are those distributed by the Registrar.
• Honors cords and tickets to the commencement ceremonies will be passed out at the Enrollment Services Counter from 10am-3pm on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday immediately preceding the Commencement Exercises.

How many tickets do I get to my graduation ceremony, and how do I pick them up?

• Each student will receive 5 tickets to their own ceremony to share with guests. No extra tickets will be available, so additional tickets may only be obtained by trading with fellow graduates.
• Students do not require a ticket to their own graduation ceremony. Guests under the age of 2 who will sit on a family member’s lap for the duration of the ceremony do not require a ticket.
• Additional, non-ticketed seating will be available to view the livestreamed commencement exercises in the JC Williams Center.
• The number of tickets a graduate will receive is subject to change based on the number of graduates and will officially be announced in the weeks leading up to graduation.
• Honors cords and tickets to the commencement ceremonies will be passed out at the Enrollment Services Counter from 10am-3pm on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday immediately preceding the Commencement Exercises.

Are tickets required for the Baccalaureate Mass?

• Baccalaureate Mass is typically held in Finnegan Fieldhouse on the Friday evening preceding the commencement exercises. Tickets are not required for Baccalaureate Mass.

Why is my expected graduation date on The Port incorrect?

• If you think the projected graduation date on the dashboard of the Port is incorrect, do not worry! When students are accepted to the university, they are assigned a generic graduation date––five years away for undergraduates and seven years away for graduates––in order to permit plenty of time for degree completion. This will be updated with the date indicated on your graduation application.

How do I change my major and/or minor?

• To change or add a major or minor, please complete a Change of Major/Minor form on the Advising page of The Port.
• If you have an active graduation application, please be sure to email [email protected] so we can make those changes to your application/degree audit. Another graduation application is not required.

I’ve changed my major/minor. Should I submit a new graduation application?

• Rather than submitting a new graduation application, send an email to [email protected] so we can make those changes to your application/degree audit. Another graduation application is not required. Make sure to include in your email any changes to your future class schedules that will be needed to meet the new requirements.

I think something is wrong with my Advising Worksheet/Course Needs. How can I get help?

• If you have questions about your advising worksheet or course needs listed on the Port, please contact your academic advisor or the Academic Advising office at [email protected]. The Registrar’s Office does not work with your advising worksheet or use it to determine your graduation eligibility.

My bill is wrong and/or it’s missing my financial aid! What do I do?

• If your bill is missing financial aid, please make sure your FAFSA has been filled out for the most recent tax year (must be filled out every year), or contact [email protected] to let them know you do not plan to complete your FAFSA. Please accept your financial aid by following the instructions on the Financial Aid & Student Accounts page on the Port before contacting Financial Aid.
• If you have any questions about your financial aid, please email [email protected].
• If you have any questions about your bill and/or student account, please email [email protected].
• If you have any questions about your graduation requirements or advising needs, please contact your academic advising, major department chair, or Academic Advising at [email protected]. We cannot assist students concerning their graduation requirements until they have submitted a graduation application.
• The Registrar cannot assist with these questions. Please contact the corresponding office for assistance.