Verification Steps to Confirm Graduating Students from PowerSchool
In order to verify the list of graduating students from a school in PowerSchool, you can follow the steps outlined below:
1. Open your web browser and navigate to the PowerSchool website. Https://cie.powerschool.com/admin
2. Enter your credentials (username and password) to log in to your PowerSchool account.
3. Once logged in, you will be directed to the PowerSchool start page.
1. On the PowerSchool start page, select your list of student.
1. Once the potential list of graduating students is selected, use the Quick Export function to export and review student fields coded in PowerSchool.
2. Take the time to review the list and ensure that all the necessary information is present and accurate. This includes names, student IDs, and any other relevant details.
3. Export the following fields from Power School for all potential graduates:
lastfirst
grade_level
S_SC_STU_X.DiplomaOrdCode
S_SC_STU_X.Diploma_Type
EnrollmentCode
ExitDate
S_SC_STU_X.AwardEarnCode
S_SC_STU_X.AwardOrdCode
S_SC_STU_X.DiplomaOrdID
1. Reach out to the school's administrative staff, guidance counselors, or relevant personnel to confirm the accuracy of the graduation list.
2. Inform them of any discrepancies found during the verification process.
3. Communicate with the graduating students individually to confirm their intention to graduate and verify any missing information.
4. Make changes to data fields as needed for any student.
Give it a day or so to upload before expecting to see changes in the DOTS system.
Pay attention to the information given on the DOTS screen in terms of coding in PS and exit dates, etc. and ordering deadlines.
1. Access the DOTS system and order diplomas as needed
PowerSchool Graduates and Diploma Ordering2. Compare the list of graduating students from PowerSchool with the information in the DOTS system.
3. Check for any discrepancies or missing students between the two systems.
4. Make note of any differences and investigate further to rectify any errors or omissions.
Make the necessary updates and corrections to the graduation list. Remember to have the school's principal confirm and verify the graduate list within 10 days of graduation.
By following these verification steps, you can confirm the list of graduating students from a school in PowerSchool.
Are you having trouble with DOTS? Maybe your students aren't loading from Ed-Fi; or, You are having issues with ordering. Please see the following information:
1. All relevant fields must be coded in PowerSchool. After coding, a waiting period of at least 48-72 hours is required for the data to populate in DOTS.
2. The “Diploma Order” field under “Awards and Recognitions” should have an “F” coded for eligible students.
3. Seniors and third-year graduates are classified as grade 12 students.
4. The enrollment status must be either 0 or 3.
5. Students receiving Employability Credentials and non-diploma recipients should not be coded with an “F.”
6. The graduation date must be accurately populated.
7. Credit Type should be coded as “F.”
If the PowerSchool fields were coded correctly more than 48 hours ago and the data has not yet appeared in DOTS, it is anticipated that the information will be accessible soon. If issues persist, a PowerSchool administrator may need to republish the data or manually push the information to DOTS. Previous issues with the Academic Honors Awards field not populating in DOTS have been resolved. Counselors should check DOTS again and order diplomas separately if necessary. Should the Academic Honors Award field not appear, counselors must provide a list of affected students, including full names and graduation dates, for separate ordering.
For any Winter graduates that appear but have already been ordered, they should be removed from the current list. Verification will occur later. If names remain absent in DOTS, troubleshooting tips provided by Wyatt in the Half-Hour with Ed-Fi recording at approximately 14:52 may be useful.
If issues continue, an Excel spreadsheet containing the first, middle, and last names along with Student IDs should be submitted for further investigation into potential coding issues with PowerSchool.
Lastly, if there is a new principal at the school or a new superintendent in the district, obtaining and sending their signatures is critical. Any uncertainties regarding this should be addressed via email, and communication with Jostens will be facilitated. It is important to note that new signatures may delay diploma ordering by a month.
Accurate use of the Diploma Ordering Tracking System is essential for ensuring that all graduating students are properly recorded and their diplomas are processed without delay. This accuracy is not only important for timely diploma distribution but also for verifying students’ graduation status, which directly impacts their eligibility for state-funded scholarships and grants administered by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education (CHE), including the Palmetto Fellows, LIFE, HOPE, and need-based programs. By maintaining organized and precise tracking, schools help graduates seamlessly access financial aid opportunities, meet application deadlines, and secure the funding necessary to pursue their postsecondary education.
The South Carolina Commission on Higher Education (CHE) offers both merit‑based and need‑based state-funded financial aid to eligible South Carolina residents attending in-state institutions.
Palmetto Fellows Scholarship
Premier merit award for academically exceptional SC high school seniors. Freshmen receive up to $6,700; sophomores through seniors up to $7,500/year. STEM majors may qualify for a Palmetto Enhancement, raising total support up to $10,000/year for select fields including math, science, education, and accounting. Scholarships are renewable for up to eight semesters toward a bachelor’s degree.
LIFE Scholarship (Legislative Incentive for Future Excellence)
Available to students meeting two of three criteria: ≥ 3.0 SC GPA, top 30% class rank, or ≥ 1100 SAT/24 ACT. Awarded up to $5,000/year and renewable for up to eight semesters. STEM majors completing at least 14 credit hours in approved math/science may qualify for an enhancement (up to $7,500/year).
SC HOPE Scholarship
Designed for first-time freshmen at 4‑year institutions who earned a 3.0 GPA but did not qualify for LIFE or Palmetto Fellows. Provides up to $2,800 for the first year only, non‑renewable. Students cannot be awarded more than one merit scholarship concurrently
South Carolina Need-Based Grant
Provides up to $3,500/year for full-time students (half that for part-time) at eligible public institutions. Award amounts vary by financial need and are administered through the FAFSA process. Grant funds are applied after all scholarship aid.
Lottery Tuition Assistance Program
For students at eligible two-year public or independent institutions: currently up to $75/credit hour (with a 15-credit cap), funding subject to change each term based on enrollment and available lottery revenue sceducationlottery.com.
Applicants must be South Carolina residents for tuition purposes at high school graduation and time of enrollment, and U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. Certain criminal history or ineligible residency status can disqualify applicants.
Palmetto Fellows applications must be submitted by high school counselors—applications from students or parents are not accepted.
All awards require annual FAFSA completion. Merit awards do not require separate applications (except Palmetto Fellows) and are administered through student’s colleges and CHE.
Beginning Fall 2025, the CTP (College Transition Program) Scholarship cap will increase from $10,000 to $15,000 annually. This benefit supports foster youth and other transition students across South Carolina institutions.
Link text: Scholarships & Grants for SC Residents — SC Commission on Higher Education
Summary sentence: “This SC CHE webpage provides comprehensive details on state-funded scholarships and grants for eligible South Carolina residents—including Palmetto Fellows, LIFE, HOPE, and need-based grant programs, eligibility criteria, award values, and application requirements.”