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Diploma FAQs for Graduating Students
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The following are frequently asked questions regarding diploma processing.
Please note:
- For holds, visit the Holds on Student Records & Accounts page.
- For questions concerning degree checkout and the degree conferral process, please contact your academic advisor(s) or program manager(s).
- For issues with Path@Penn, please contact the SRFS Student Service Center (SSC) via email at pathatpenn@pobox.upenn.edu.
- For issues with PennKey, please contact PennKey Support.
Follow the instructions outlined in the Diploma Checklist for Graduating Students.
Contact diplomas@pobox.upenn.edu with questions or concerns.
Diplomas are issued three times each year (May, August, and December).
- The diplomas of May graduates are expected to be mailed in late July.
- The diplomas of August graduates are expected to be mailed in mid-October.
- The diplomas of December graduates are expected to be mailed in mid-March.
Please note:
If you absolutely require a diploma for employment or travel purposes, we offer early certified electronic diplomas (CeDiploma) for an extra cost.
Please note the following before you place an order for an early CeDiploma:
- Your degree(s) must be awarded before submitting an order with payment. Please check your unofficial transcript via Path@Penn and search for the “Degree Awarded” section. If the “Degree Awarded” section does not appear on your unofficial transcript, your degree has not been awarded/conferred, and you cannot pre-order a certified electronic diploma (CeDiploma).
- After you have confirmed that the “Degree Awarded” appears on your unofficial transcript, you may submit a request for early processing of your certified electronic diploma (CeDiploma). Premature or erroneous submissions will be refunded after 90 days.
- The last day to order an early certified electronic diploma (CeDiploma) for August graduates is Wednesday, August 20, 2025. This feature will become available after the end of Summer term.
- The processing timeframe is typically 10-12 business days.
- The cost for an early CeDiploma is $75.
Please note: If you are a graduate who wants a CeDiploma for each degree, please place separate orders for each awarded degree.
Diploma names are submitted for printing on diploma(s) via the Graduation Application. Once submitted, you cannot change or revise the application. To review information submitted on your Graduation Application(s):
- Log into Path@Penn.
Click the “View my student profile” link:
Click the “Active” link under the Graduation Information section:
The Graduation Application(s) you submitted will open in a new tab. Please review the information carefully.
Important:
- Diploma names must be provided in English. Do not include parentheses, salutations (e.g., Dr., Mr., Ms.), academic degree abbreviations (e.g., MD, MS), or the term “N/A.”
- Your preferred first name may only be used if it matches the legal first name listed in your official student record.
- If the name you want on your diploma differs from your official student record, you must submit both a Legal Name Change or Correction Request and a Diploma Name Change using the Student Data Update Form.
- May graduates must submit a graduation application by March 1st to ensure their names are printed in the university's Commencement program.
- Students who opt-out of FERPA Directory Information will not have their names printed in the Commencement program.
Submit a Diploma Name Change form with the required documentation. Forward the confirmation of the request completion email to diplomas@pobox.upenn.edu. Note: Graduation Application(s) will not reflect this update.
Important:
- Diploma names must be provided in English. Do not include parentheses, salutations (e.g., Dr., Mr., Ms.), academic degree abbreviations (e.g., MD, MS), or the term “N/A.”
- Your preferred first name may only be used if it matches the legal first name listed in your official student record.
- If the name you want on your diploma differs from your official student record, you must submit both a Legal Name Change or Correction Request and a Diploma Name Change using the Student Data Update Form.
- May graduates must submit a graduation application by March 1st to ensure their names are printed in the university's Commencement program.
- Students who opt-out of FERPA Directory Information will not have their names printed in the Commencement program.
Submit a Legal Name Change or Correction form with the required documentation. Forward the confirmation of the request completion email to diplomas@pobox.upenn.edu. Note: Graduation Application(s) will not reflect this update.
Important:
- Diploma names must be provided in English. Do not include parentheses, salutations (e.g., Dr., Mr., Ms.), academic degree abbreviations (e.g., MD, MS), or the term “N/A.”
- Your preferred first name may only be used if it matches the legal first name listed in your official student record.
- If the name you want on your diploma differs from your official student record, you must submit both a Legal Name Change or Correction Request and a Diploma Name Change using the Student Data Update Form.
- May graduates must submit a graduation application by March 1st to ensure their names are printed in the university's Commencement program.
- Students who opt-out of FERPA Directory Information will not have their names printed in the Commencement program.
Diploma mailing addresses are submitted for shipping diploma(s) via the Graduation Application. Once submitted, you cannot change or revise the application. To review information submitted on your Graduation Application(s):
- Log into Path@Penn.
Click the “Update my personal information” link:
Scroll down to the Address section of the screen and click the pencil icon under the Diploma Mailing address:
- Edit your diploma mailing address and click Save.
Note: Graduation Application(s) will not reflect this update.
- Log into Path@Penn.
Click “View my student profile” link:
Click the “Holds” section in the upper right-hand corner:
Click the triangle icon to view holds information:
Note:
- Only a Diploma Hold, a Financial Hold, and/or a Judicial Hold can prevent your diploma from being mailed.
- Update Required Information holds will not prevent the mailing of your diploma.
- If you see the message below, no action is required.
Information on how to remove holds on student records and accounts can be found on the Holds on Student Records & Accounts page.
For questions or concerns, contact the correct office listed under each hold type on the Holds on Student Records & Accounts page.
The name on your transcript is the legal name on file in the student record system, i.e., your Student Record name. If you’ve legally changed your legal name, please submit a Legal Name Change or Correction request, then forward the request completion confirmation email to diplomas@pobox.upenn.edu.
For GNBT students, if you have not yet updated your legal name, please contact our office via email at diplomas@pobox.upenn.edu.
May 2025 graduates should NOT make payments after 12 pm EDT on June 24, 2025. Any payments made past this time without confirmatory communication from diplomas@pobox.upenn.edu will be refunded.
August 2025 graduates, choose your diploma shipping method from the options below. This option is available to students whose diplomas are not distributed during their school ceremonies. Payment links will be shared at a later date—please continue to monitor this space for updates.
- If you choose the default domestic shipping option, no action is needed.
- If you choose the default international shipping, no action is needed.
- If you choose the secure domestic shipping option, pay via a secure online payment form linked below.
- If you choose the secure international shipping option, pay via a secure online payment form linked below.
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Graduates can have their diplomas mailed to a trusted friend or relative. When the online payment option opens, please make sure to enter "c/o First Name Last Name" in the first address line, including the name of your trusted friend or relative based on the shipping method selected.
Yes. After you have confirmed that your degree(s) have been awarded on your unofficial transcript via Path@Penn, you have the following options:
- National Student Clearinghouse, for a small fee, your employer can verify your degree.
- Office of the University Registrar’s Degree Verification Letter, Unofficial Transcript, or Official Transcript.
No. Diplomas are mailed with a generic English translation and a letter from the President. Display accessories are available at the Penn Bookstore, or any store that offers framing.
The size of the current diploma is 9 5/8 inches by 12 1/4 inches.
The University of Pennsylvania diploma has been printed in Latin since its first graduating class in 1757.
Yes. You can order an English translation online by following these steps by following the steps under the "Diploma Translations Services" section of the Diploma/Translation Order Request Form FAQs page.
