Auto-Awarding: Automatic Degree and Certificate Awarding at College of the Redwoods
Auto-Awarding is a student success initiative enacted by California’s Chancellor’s Office that allows more students who have completed programs at their respective California Community College to (automatically) earn awards for them. College of the Redwoods wants to ensure that all students who qualify for a degree or certificate receive those awards. We see the Auto-Award process as a chance to honor the hard work of our students by capturing more of those who are eligible, even when they have not petitioned to graduate. Upon evaluation of students’ records, if we have determined a student is eligible to receive an Associate Degree or Certificate of Achievement with us, students will be awarded them via the process called Auto-Awarding.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Will Auto-Awarding affect my Financial Aid at CR?
No! Receiving these degrees or certificates should not impact your federal and/or state Financial Aid if you continue taking classes towards another eligible degree or certificate. Having an Associate Degree or Certificate of Achievement does not disqualify students from federal or state Financial Aid.
Note: While conducting the Auto-Award process, we will always ensure there is at least one active program for students who are continuing their enrollment at CR. Most types of Financial Aid do require having an active eligible program and this is always taken into consideration during our process.
Can I continue taking classes at CR if I am Auto-Awarded?
Yes, absolutely! Even if you graduate from a program we evaluated for you, you are still eligible to continue taking classes at CR for any other active program(s) you are working to complete. Graduating from one program does not limit your ability to keep taking classes here at CR for your other intended program(s). While conducting the Auto-Award process, we will always ensure there is at least one active program for students continuing their enrollment at CR so registration problems do not arise.
Will I know I am being Auto-Awarded a degree or certificate?
Yes! We send an informational email to your CR Student Email address regarding your Auto-Award when you have been determined to have met eligibility requirements. This email contains helpful information as well as an option to opt-out if desired. If you do not reply to this email asking to opt-out, your award will be processed. A very important note the email will ask you is, if your chosen/lived name differs from the legal name we have on file, please respond to the email indicating what you would like reflected on your diploma!
Will Auto-Awarding affect my F-1 Visa / international student status?
Yes, it would. For this reason, we do not Auto-Award any international students in order to prevent potential issues for the F-1 Visa/international student benefits.
Will an Auto-Award disqualify me from any CR Special Programs?
No! While designing this process, eligibility for CR Special Programs was considered and having an Associate Degree or Certificate or Achievement does not disqualify students from their services. Programs such as EOPS, TRiO, DSPS, the VRC, Athletic Eligibility, the MEC, etc. do not limit services to students with Associate Degrees or Certificates of Achievement.
Does Auto-Awarding impact Priority Registration?
Yes, it does. Please note that one of the requirements for Priority Registration is to “have not earned an Associate’s Degree or higher” for eligibility; there is an appeal option to reinstate priority registration, and having been Auto-Awarded a degree is an eligible reason listed on the form to reinstate priority registration if needed.
Link: Appeal for Priority Registration (this form is submitted to counseling@redwoods.edu)
What is the timeline for the Auto-Awarding process?
The timeline will typically mirror the same process for petitions to graduate.
Degrees/Certificates will be posted to transcripts by:
- Spring Semester: July 15th
- Fall Semester: February 15th
- Summer Semester: September 15th
Degrees/Certificates will be mailed by:
- Spring Semester: September 30th
- Fall Semester: March 30th
- Summer Semester: October 30th
Is there any reason I should still petition to graduate?
Yes, there are several instances where petitioning to graduate is a good idea. Auto-Awards are not necessarily meant to replace the petition to graduate process. If you have degree or certificate requirements that need a Course Substitution, you will want to work with an Advisor/Counselor for this. If you have not been in attendance at CR during the current academic year, you will not be evaluated for an Auto-Award and would therefore need to petition to graduate. In general, the Auto-Award process is not a guarantee your award will be captured in our query, so petitioning to graduate with an Advisor/Counselor is still a good idea! Please reach out to counseling@redwoods.edu or 707-476-4150 to make an appointment (virtual or in-person) with an Advisor/Counselor.
Is there anything else I should know?
When your degree or certificate is awarded, we will be mailing your diploma to you. If your mailing address has changed and now differs from what is on file currently, please complete a Student Information Update form as soon as possible and submit it to admissions@redwoods.edu for processing.