Auto-Award FAQs
Q: What is automatic degree and certificate awarding?
A: Automatic degree and certificate awarding (auto-awarding) is the process by which
your declared certificate or degree is automatically awarded when all program and
college requirements have been met. No application is necessary.
Q: How do I know if I qualify for automatic degree and certificate awarding?
A: We are excited to announce that Allan Hancock College now offers automatic degree
and certificate awarding (auto-awarding) for students who have earned credits at one
of our top 11 feeder schools listed below:
- Cuesta College
- Santa Barbara City College
- Moorpark College
- Oxnard College
- Palomar College
- San Diego Mesa College
- Ventura College
- Bakersfield College
- American River College
- Fresno City College
- Taft College
Previously, only Hancock students with a declared program of study and credits earned exclusively from Hancock courses qualified for auto-awarding. Students with credits from other colleges can still earn a degree or certificate from Hancock, but auto-awarding is not available.
If you attended another college not listed above, please schedule an appointment with a Hancock counselor to determine if you meet the requirements for a degree or certificate.
Q: Will automatic degree and certificate awarding affect my financial aid, veteran benefits
or enrollment in student support programs?
A: No, automatic degree and certificate awarding should not affect federal aid or veteran
benefits. Being automatically awarded a certificate or degree will not have any impact
on a student’s ability to participate in student support programs.
Q: When will I be awarded my certificate or degree?
A: You will be awarded your certificate or degree within three months after your grade
is finalized for the term in which the award is posted. Your completion will be reflected
on your transcripts, which can be accessed and requested in your myHancock account.
You will receive an email notification to your Hancock email account when this has
been finalized. Please make sure that your physical address is also up to date, as
the address you use with your account is where your diploma will be mailed.
Q: If I change my declared program of study how will that impact auto-awarding?
A: It is important to note that automatic degree or certificate awarding is based on
the program you have declared (or are enrolled in). If you change your program of
study it may impact the auto-award process. If you wish to be automatically awarded
a certificate or degree and plan to take classes in a different program of study,
you must wait to change your program of study until after you have been awarded your
degree.
Q: What if I don’t want an automatically awarded degree or certificate?
A: You can opt-out of receiving an automatic degree and/or certificate by filling out this short form. Deadlines for opting-out are listed below.
- Summer: August 1
- Fall: November 1
- Spring: April 1
Still have questions? Contact Counseling at 1-805-922-6966 ext. 3293 or email counseling@hancockcollege.edu