This study investigated the upper age educational mandates of 15 states and the policies regarding alternative awards to the regular diploma in 19 states. The study was based on analysis of state policy documents, a 1990 state survey of exiting procedures, and telephone conversations with state education agency officials. The first section addresses the upper age mandates established by the states of Alabama, California, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, and Virginia. Three questions were addressed: (1) the upper age limit for service eligibility in the selected states and whether students are allowed to complete the school year during which they reach this age; (2) conditions placed on serving students over the age of 18; and (3) state provisions allowing local education agencies to determine whether students above the age of 18 will be served. The second section presents information on how state policies define "program completion," as well as what types of awards are given to recognize program completion or graduation. The paper concludes that the most common forms of alternative award were certificates of completion or completion of the Individualized Education Program. States were found to vary widely in their interpretation of "certificate of completion." An appendix, which comprises most of the document, provides excerpts from state policies on this issue. Information is provided for Alabama, California, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, New York, Oklahoma, Texas, and Virginia. (DB)