Graduation Guidelines
Graduation Requirements

All candidates for graduation shall file their application not later than 30 days before the end of the regular term and fifteen days before the end of the summer term.

A student shall graduate upon completion of the following requirements:

1. Satisfactory compliance with all the academic, non-academic, and other requirements of the course;

2. Residency for at least one year before graduation for those carrying full load; and

3. Settlement of all financial and property obligations to the University.

No candidate for graduation shall be allowed to attend the Commencement Exercise unless he is certified by the Registrar and the Dean to have completed the academic requirements on or before the said exercise.

No title/degree will be conferred upon any college student until his eligibility to receive the same has been officially certified with the issuance of Special Order by the CHED, or by the Registrars Office for programs with Level II accreditation.

All students enrolled in the initial baccalaureate degree programs must take and complete the NSTP courses. Non-degree courses may not undertake the said program.

Graduating with Honors

The following honors are awarded to graduating students who meet the requirements of academic average, length of residence and academic load.

  1. Summa Cum Laude: 1.00 - 1.25 with no grade lower than 2.5 in any professional subject
  2. Magna Cum Laude: 1.26 - 1.50 with no grade lower than 2.5 in any professional subject
  3. Cum Laude: 1.51 - 1.75 with no grade lower than 2.5 in any professional subjects
  4. Special Academic Award - 1.75 or higher but no grade lower than 3.0 in any professional subjects.

A candidate for honors who meets the grade average prescribed but deficient in the grade requirement of professional subjects will be awarded the next lower academic honor.

A candidate for honors should have not incurred any failure, incomplete and dropped marks in any subject included in the curricular program he is enrolled.

Grades in NSTP and Euthenics are not included in the computation of the average. However, to graduate with honors, a passing grade should be met in those two subjects. Grades earned in subjects which are not included in a particular curriculum will not be considered in the computation of the general average.

Length of Residence and Academic Load

A candidate graduating with special academic award and Cum Laude must have at least two (2) years academic residence or have earned ½ of the required number of units in the university.

A candidate for Summa Cum Laude and Magna Cum Laude must have full residence at Northwestern University.

A candidate for honors must have finished the course he is enrolled within the prescribed number of semesters as defined in the program of studies; overstaying in the program will disqualify him. Moreover, the candidate should have carried the number of units assigned to each semester in the program of studies he is enrolled.

Recognition Awards

To qualify to any of the Recognition Awards, a student nominee must be able to meet the following minimum requirements:

  1. A bona fide student carrying the normal load.
  2. No failing grades, dropped subjects and has not incurred any incomplete grade during the current year.
  3. Only activities participated in during the current year will be considered.

Any graduating/non-graduating student/organization can be nominated to any of the following and not limited to:

  1. Awards for Outstanding Students
    1. Leadership Award
    2. Journalism Award
    3. Cadet of the Year
    4. Performing Arts Award
    5. Athlete of the Year
  2. Special Awards
    1. Most Outstanding College Organization
    2. Most Outstanding College Organization President
    3. Most Outstanding Interest Club
    4. Most Outstanding Interest Club President

Other awards in recognition to accomplishments of students as official representatives of the University in outside academic disciplines.

Scholarships, Grants and Discounts

Scholarships are granted to any student upon enrollment in a regular semester and maybe renewed as long as the grantee meets the criteria determined by the committee on scholarship. All applications for scholarship, grants and discounts shall be filed at the office of the VP for Admissions.

Entrance Scholarship

A high school student who graduated with honors from any public or private school and enrolls in any of the courses offered by the University shall be granted tuition discounts provided that the graduating class is not less than 45.

  • Valedictorian - 100% tuition fee discount
  • Salutatorian - 75% tuition fee discount
  • First Honorable Mention - 50% tuition fee discount
  • Second Honorable Mention - 25% tuition fee discount

An elementary pupil who graduated with honors from any public or private school and belongs to graduating class not less than 45 and enrolls in the University shall be granted tuition discounts.

  • First Honors - 100% tuition fee discount
  • Second Honors - 75% tuition fee discount
  • Third Honors - 50% tuition fee discount
  • Fourth Honors - 25% tuition fee discount

In both cases, a certification from the principal of the school where the student graduated is required. Such certification should include the students class standing and students character.

In any case a freshman student in the high school or college level meets the requirement of an entrance scholar, he or she must apply for the scholarship upon enrollment or before the preliminary period to the office of the President through the Vice President for Admissions. Moreover, an entrance scholar who maintains the required academic rating shall be considered academic scholar; thereby subjecting him to the provisions under the title "Academic Scholarship".