Graduation is an exciting milestone and a time to celebrate your accomplishments!
Below you'll find important information to help you, your family, and your friends prepare for the big day - including details about the ceremony, diplomas, and how to request a transcript.
Graduation Application FAQ
Graduate Rehearsal and Information Session FAQ
Cap and Gown FAQ
Graduate Ceremony FAQ
Family and Friends Ceremony FAQ
Diploma FAQ
Transcript FAQ
Graduation Application FAQ
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Do I need to apply for graduation? If so, when should I do this?
Yes! Without an application, we would be unable to determine the specific degree or certificate you're hoping to earn. This includes fall 2025, winter 2026, spring 2026, and summer 2026 graduates who wish to participate in this year’s ceremony.
Students who wish to participate in the June 18 graduation ceremony should have their graduation applications completed by the April deadline. Don’t wait.
Students earning a degree or certificate, please make an appointment with Counseling & Advising as soon as possible to complete your graduation application.
Students completing a CBC high school completion program (GED, High School+, High School Academy, High School Completion, and Soar to Success), please make an appointment with Transitional Studies as soon as possible to complete the process to be eligible.
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Is there a deadline to submit my graduation application?
Yes, if you're eligible to participate in this year's ceremony and have your name in the ceremony program, the deadline to submit is April 30. Plan ahead and schedule your appointment by following the graduation application process outlined above.
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I earned my GED or high school diploma with Transitional Studies. Who do I contact to learn more about the participating in the graduation ceremony?
Students who wish to participate in the June 18 graduation ceremony should have completed the process to be eligible by the April deadline. Don’t wait.
This includes fall 2025, winter 2026, spring 2026, and summer 2026 graduates who wish to participate in this year’s ceremony.
Students completing a CBC high school completion program (GED, High School+, High School Academy, High School Completion, and Soar to Success), please make an appointment with Transitional Studies to complete the process to be eligible.
Graduate Rehearsal and Information Session FAQ
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Is there a rehearsal or an information session for graduates?
Yes. We will have an information session on Wednesday, May 27 at noon in the H building, Gjerde Center. Followed by the first opportunity to pick up your cap and gown at 1 pm.
Online information sessions will be available on the following dates:
Cap and Gown FAQ
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Where and where will I pick up my cap and gown?
Caps and gowns are free. Graduates do not need to pre-order them in advance.
Graduates can pick up a cap and gown during the following dates and times. The location for pick-up is the HUB Congress Room (downstairs H Building) on the Pasco campus.
- Wednesday, May 27: 1 to 7 pm (following the information session at noon)
- Thursday, May 28: 10 am to 7 pm
- Friday, May 29: 10 am to 7 pm
- Monday, June 1: 10 am to 2 pm
- Tuesday, June 2: 10 am to 2 pm
- Friday, June 5: 8 am to noon
- Monday, June 8: 10 am to 2 pm
- Tuesday, June 9: 10 am to 2 pm
- Friday, June 12: 8 am to noon
- Monday, June 15: noon to 2 pm
- Tuesday, June 16: 10 am to 2 pm
Gown sizing is based on the graduate’s height. Family members or friends may pick-up on behalf of a graduate, but it is preferable for the graduate to pick-up the items themselves.
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Will you ship my cap and gown to me?
Unfortunately, caps and gowns cannot be shipped to your residence. In-person pick-up is required. If you have limited experience with campus, please review this Pasco campus map to locate the H Building prior to coming to campus.
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How do I know if I'm receiving honors?
If you earn a bachelor’s degree, associate degree or a one-year certificate from CBC you are eligible to receive scholastic honors as established by the College.
For purposes of the graduation ceremony program and ceremony regalia only, your honors designation is based on your CBC cumulative college-level GPA at the completion of the winter quarter prior to graduation. Don't worry--if your designation changes after winter quarter, we'll make sure it appears correctly on your official transcript and diploma.
If you are participating in the graduation ceremony and qualified for honors at the end of winter quarter, you will receive your honors regalia when you pick-up your cap and gown.
Graduate Ceremony FAQ
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What should graduates bring to the ceremony?
Graduates should bring your cap, gown, tassel, name card and any honors cords or stoles. You may also want to bring bobby pins and safety pins for last-minute adjustments.
A small bag to worn under your gown is acceptable, but please note that larger bags or other items will need to be carried with you, as there is no storage available at the Toyota Center.
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What time should I arrive?
Graduates should arrive at the Toyota Center 30 minutes before their ceremony and enter through the west side entrance.
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Where should I park?
Parking is free at the Toyota Center. We encourage students, families, and friends to ride together, as parking will be limited.
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I am a graduate with a disability. Who do I contact to discuss accommodations for the ceremony?
Graduates that need special ADA accommodations, should contact CBC Disability Support Services (DSS) at 509-542-4412 or%20dssFREECOLUMBIA_BASIN, even if you haven’t used our services before. Help us support you by reaching out early.
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Will there be loud noises at the ceremony?
Yes, there may be loud popping sounds towards the end of the ceremony from the confetti cannons. Confetti cannons can be loud, similar to balloons popping or fireworks, and may be startling if you’re not expecting it.
If you’re sensitive to loud noises or have sensory concerns, we’d suggest bringing earplugs to help reduce the impact of the loud sounds. -
How can I apply to be a Graduate Speaker at the ceremony?
Apply using the link (available February 17)!
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Where can I order graduate announcements?
Graduate announcements can be ordered through the CBC Bookstore starting Wednesday, April 15.
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Am I required to attend the CBC Graduation Ceremony to get my diploma?
No. Participating in the ceremony is completely optional. Diplomas are not given at the ceremony, only diploma covers. Diplomas are mailed to the graduate once their graduation application has been processed, and they have completed all of the requirements for their degree or certificate. If you are not attending the ceremony, you may purchase a diploma cover at the CBC Bookstore.
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What if I've not received my diploma. Can I still participate?
Yes. Students earning a degree or certificate who wish to participate in the June 18 graduation ceremony should have their graduation applications completed by the April deadline. Don’t wait.
This includes fall 2025, winter 2026, spring 2026, and summer 2026 graduates who wish to participate in this year’s ceremony.
Students earning a degree or certificate, please make an appointment with Counseling & Advising as soon as possible to complete your graduation application.
Students completing a CBC high school completion program (GED, High School+, High School Academy, High School Completion, and Soar to Success), please make an appointment with Transitional Studies as soon as possible to complete the process to be eligible.
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If I am graduating with a short-term certificate or certificate, can I participate in the CBC Graduation Ceremony?
Students earning a certificate (20 to 44 credits) or a short-term certificate (under 20 credits) may participate in the graduation ceremony.
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When is the graduation ceremony for Transitional Studies students?
Students completing a Transitional Studies high school completion program (GED, High School+, High School Academy, High School Completion, and Soar to Success) will join the graduation ceremonies at the Toyota Center during the 3:30 p.m. ceremony.
Please make an appointment with Transitional Studies as soon as possible to complete the process to be eligible.
Family and Friends Ceremony FAQ
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Will the ceremony be streamed?
Yes! Links for the graduation ceremony live stream will be updated closer to the event. View last year's full graduation ceremony on CBC YouTube channel.
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What should family and friends know about the Toyota Center prior to arriving?
Family and friends attending the ceremony should not bring drink containers, balloons, strollers, large flower bouquets, noise makers, silly string, confetti or inflatables to the facility. The Toyota Center has a clear bag policy in place for all events. Graduates can purchase clear bags from the CBC bookstore. For questions, please visit the CBC Bookstore.
Concessions will be open for family and friends to purchase non-alcoholic beverages and snacks. Also, parking is limited so we strongly recommend carpooling if at all possible.
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What time should family and friends arrive?
Family and friends may enter through the front doors, which will open one hour before each ceremony begins.
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Where should family and friends park?
Parking is free at the Toyota Center. We encourage students, families, and friends to ride together, as parking will be limited.
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I have a family or friend attending who is disabled. Who do I contact to discuss accommodations for the ceremony?
Family and friends needing special ADA accommodations are encouraged to contact CBC Disability Support Services (DSS) at 509-542-4412 or dssFREECOLUMBIA_BASIN for guidance. We strongly recommend arriving when the venue entrance opens, one hour before each ceremony begins.
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Will there be loud noises at the ceremony?
Yes, there may be loud popping sounds towards the end of the ceremony from the confetti cannons. Confetti cannons can be loud, similar to balloons popping or fireworks, and may be startling if you’re not expecting it.
If you’re sensitive to loud noises or have sensory concerns, we’d suggest bringing earplugs to help reduce the impact of the loud sounds.
Diploma FAQ
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How and when do I get my diploma?
Diplomas will be sent to the address listed on your graduation application after it has been processed. Please allow approximately six to eight weeks for processing after grades have posted for the quarter you completed your requirements or after your graduation application was submitted, whichever was later. All diplomas are mailed via the United States Postal Service, and processing times may vary.
- Watch your CBC email (or text message) for a message from Parchment.com with notification your degree/certificate is on it's way.
- Click on the green button or link in the text message and create a password.
- Verify your mailing address within 72 hours of email/text message receipt (you can contact Parchment support for address change after this time period).
- Access your eDiploma/eCertificate! You can also view the status of your printed
diploma/certificate from your account.
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Something wrong with my diploma, who can help?
- Name misspelled or there is a discrepancy, email Counseling%20%26%20Advising.
- Diploma damaged or not received. No worries, Parchment Support can help and will resend at no charge!
- Need help accessing your digital eDiploma/eCertificate? Check out these steps.
- Need help viewing, downloading or sharing your digital eDiploma/eCertificate? Learn more here.
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How do I know if I'm receiving honors on my diploma?
If you earn a bachelor’s degree, associate degree or a one-year certificate from CBC you are eligible to receive scholastic honors as established by the College.
For purposes of the graduation ceremony only, your honors designation is based on your CBC cumulative college-level GPA at the completion of the winter quarter prior to graduation. Don't worry--if your designation changes after winter quarter, we'll make sure it appears correctly on your transcript and diploma.
Transcript FAQ
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How do I know when my degree has been posted on my transcript?
Go to MyCBC > Student Center (ctcLink) > Academic Records > View Unofficial Transcript to view your unofficial transcript, which will show any degrees or certificates you have earned.
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How do I make sure my degree or certificate is listed on my transcript before I request it to be sent?
When requesting an official transcript, be sure to mark the "After degree is posted for current quarter" option, and we will be sure your degree or certificate is posted before your transcript is sent!
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How do I send an official transcript to a third party (employer or other requester) if my degree or certificate is not listed on my transcript?
Once you’ve submitted your graduation application, you don’t have to wait for your degree to be posted to request your transcript! Just choose “After degree is posted for current quarter” when placing your order.
We’ll hold your request until your degree or certificate is posted, then automatically send it for you.
