Commencement - Graduate Information

The Campus Store has all your 2026 graduation needs, including, caps, tassels, gowns, diploma frames, and SBCC merchandise. Package cost of cap, gown, and tassel is $50.00. Diploma covers will be handed to you at the commencement ceremony. If you are not attending commencement and wish to purchase a diploma cover, please shop online at: https://www.sbccbooks.com/.  Other items that can be purchased include SBCC dated sashes for $44.95 and Medallions are $14.95 while supplies last.  Announcements can be ordered through Rockwell Printing. Please email: graphics@rockprint.com or, you may also call Rockwell Printing at (805)684-0013.

Visit the SBCC Campus Store now to purchase all your graduation needs. We recommend that you make your  purchases early.  Please check the website for hours:   https://www.sbccbooks.com/.

The Campus Store carries a diploma frame for $99.95, which features “Santa Barbara City College” etched into the matte at the lower edge. This is a great way to display your diploma or certificate!

Students earning an Associate degree with a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher (SBCC grades only) will receive a gold tassel at the line up for procession. Summer 2026 graduates will be eligible for gold tassels after summer grades are posted.

If your cumulative GPA as of Fall 2025 was below 3.5 but you believe your Spring 2026 grades will raise your cumulative  GPA to 3.5 or higher, bring written verification of each final Spring grade with an instructor’s signature to Sandra Flores, Room CC-217, no later than Wednesday, May 19, 2026 by 4 p.m. for a manual calculation of your GPA.

3:30 p.m. - Parking Lot 2C

Because the ceremony will be held on the football field, please be conscious of the terrain. Graduates must wear flats or wedge-type shoes.  We suggest that purses and personal belongings be left with family members.

5:00 p.m. - La Playa Stadium

In planning the evening’s activities, allow 2.5 hours for the event. No reservations or invitations are needed for guests as they will sit in the stadium bleachers. You are asked to stay for the entire ceremony. You have earned this day. Enjoy it!

The office of Student Life has arranged to have a professional photographer.  Specific photo instructions will be given the day of graduation. You are under no obligation to purchase photos.

No RSVP is required.

See https://sbcc.edu/counselingcenter/degree_application.php for information about applying for Associate degrees and Certificates of Achievement.

To confirm the status of your degree/certificate application, check your academic transcript in MySBCC. If you already earned a degree, it will state “Awarded." It will state “Pending” if your application has been received and is still in progress.

Yes. You will be lining up in two lines for the Procession onto the field. Stay in the same line to be seated together.

No limit is set, but we would advise you to be mindful of the parking limitations on campus. Please consider carpooling. We encourage you to arrive early.

Early arrival is helpful. There are disabled person parking spaces located throughout the campus lots. The top of the stadium (Lot 1B) will be reserved and has wheelchair access. Check with Security at the kiosk as you enter the Main Campus.

Most parking lots on campus are available to students, their families, and guests. Please arrive early as parking is on a first-come first-served basis. We recommend using West Campus parking lots.

Yes, you are welcome to participate. Your name will be announced.

Diplomas will not be presented at Commencement. Effective Fall 2021, Parchment assumed responsibility for printing and mailing diplomas. You will be notified by Pipeline email when print and digital diplomas are available. Please keep your mailing address up-to-date in MySBCC.

Unless otherwise notified, diplomas will be available by the following:

• Summer graduates: September
  
  
• Fall graduates: March
  
  
• Spring graduates: August

Yes. Diplomas for students earning Associate degrees with a 3.5 or higher will say “With Honors”.

Yes. The Diploma Mailing Request form is available online at https://www.sbcc.edu/diplomas. Diplomas issued for terms earlier than Fall 2021 may also be picked up at Admissions and Records (SS-110)

Questions about diplomas?  

Visit https://www.sbcc.edu/diplomas