How to Prepare for Graduation Day

We cannot wait to celebrate your academic achievements and welcome you into the Forever Buff family at the commencement ceremony! Start getting ready for the big day by ensuring you are eligible and prepared to graduate. 

Academics

  • Recommended: Meet with your advisor. Review your degree requirements and graduation deadlines to make sure you are still on track for graduation.
  • Required: Apply for graduation on . Select “BLD” for your academic institution, and select your expected graduation term (fall, spring or summer) and academic program. Then, approve the name that will be on your diploma.
  • Required: Update your permanent address on . This should be the address where you want to receive your diploma.
  • Required: Clear your records. Incompletes (I) and Incomplete Fails (IF) can stop graduation, so check that your professors have cleared any before the deadline. 
  • Required: Drop future courses. If you are graduating but have already registered for courses in an upcoming term, you must drop all your future courses and reapply to the university for a graduate degree or second bachelor’s degree.

Financial

  • Required: Pay outstanding bills. Clear any financial obligations at the Bursar’s Office in Regent 150. This includes any fines, tickets or other fees. You can view and pay your bill on .
  • Required: Sign up for direct deposit. The Bursar’s Office will directly deposit confirmation deposit refunds and less outstanding debt into your bank account. Sign up for direct deposit on to receive your refund.
  • Recommended: Contribute to the senior class gift. Come together with other seniors to make the Seniors Creating Future Buffs Scholarship a reality.

Prepare to Celebrate

  • Required: Purchase your academic regalia. Buy your cap, tassel, gown and other regalia so you are ready to celebrate in style at the commencement ceremony.
  • Recommended: Review recognition ceremony details, including time, location and RSVP requirements. Many colleges, schools, departments and programs hold recognition ceremonies to give you individual acknowledgment in a more intimate setting. Some ceremonies may require registration or an RSVP to attend. Refer to your ceremony website for details.
  • Recommended: Participate in Grad Days. Several events take place the week before final exams to celebrate your upcoming graduation. Check out the Grad Days schedule of events and mark your calendar.

Resources

  • Recommended: Visit the for the opportunity to purchase graduation announcements, a diploma frame and a college ring.
  • Recommended: Contact Career Services for support before and after graduation. Receive help writing your résumé, preparing for interviews and connecting with job opportunities.
  • Recommended: Learn more about the Forever Buffs community. Connect with the Alumni Association to access to a variety of free resources to help you thrive in the next chapter of your life.
  • Recommended: Request an invitation letter to include in visa applications. If you have family members living outside of the U.S., they may need to apply for a visitor visa to attend your commencement ceremony. You may request an invitation letter from the Commencement Office to include in their visa applications.