Graduating student information
Attend the Graduation Fair on Tuesday, March 5
Graduating this year? Or next? Come learn what you need to know about commencement.
The fair will be held from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Tuesday, March 5, in the Wood Center multilevel lounge.
Find out more about:
- Alumni Association
- Announcements
- Cap & gown orders
- Career Services
- Ceremony information
- Class rings
- Deadlines
- Graduate School
- Rehearsal
- Registrar's Office
Apply for graduation
To participate in the May commencement ceremony, you must have have met all the academic requirements and submitted your application before the deadline. If you have questions about your graduation status, contact Graduation Services at 907-474-7523 or 907-474-6177, email registrar@uaf.edu or stop by the office in 102 Signers' Hall.
Graduation Services
Office of Admissions and the Registrar
University of Alaska Fairbanks
PO Box 757480
Fairbanks, Alaska 99775-7495
Graduation fees
An application for graduation and non-refundable fee must be filed with the Office of Admissions and the Registrar during the semester you plan to graduate. If you file your application by the published deadline, the graduation application fee is $50. If you miss that deadline, you still may submit an application for graduation by the published late deadline. The late deadline fee is $80. Applications for graduation filed after the late deadline are processed for graduation the following semester. Students who apply for graduation and who do not complete degree/certificate requirements by the end of the semester must reapply for graduation and pay the fee again.
Caps, gowns and invitations are not included in the graduation fee and must be purchased separately. Contact the bookstore at 907-474-6859.
Academic apparel and accessories
If you’re getting a certificate or an associate or bachelor’s degree, you’ll wear a black gown. Master’s degree candidates wear a black gown with velvet trim and their hood to the ceremony; PhD candidates receive their hood on stage. The deadline to order regalia on the website is April 15. Order at http://www.oakhalli.com/college/universityofalaska/.
If you have questions about ordering your cap and gown, call Heather Saunders at 907-474-6858.
Tips:
- On graduation day you may need bobby pins and safety pins; be sure to bring a small supply.
- How to wear the academic hood
Disability information
We strive to make its commencement ceremonies comfortable and accessible for all graduates and their guests regardless of physical needs.
Students or guests with special access needs, including an elevator, may park at the front of the Carlson Center.
If a graduating student or a member of the audience requires special seating, a large print program, an enhanced audio unit or other assistance at the commencement ceremony, please contact Mary Matthews, Disability Services, at 907-474-5655 or uaf-disabilityservices@alaska.edu. A sign interpreter will be seated onstage; inquire at a Carlson Center information table as to seating for best visibility.
RSVP to attend commencement
Rehearsal
Rehearsal for commencement is on Saturday, May 11, at 10:30 a.m. in the Carlson Center, 2010 2nd Ave. You should definitely plan to attend. If you need special accommodations (ASL interpreter, wheelchair access to the stage, etc.) let us know as soon as possible; please contact Disability Services at 474-5655 or uaf-disabilityservices@alaska.edu.
The Graduate Picnic is right after rehearsal, at the Carlson Center. Just another reason to attend!
Commencement schedule
Commencement line-up and roll call for students is Sunday, May 12, at 12:30 p.m. in the Carlson Center. Family and friends attending the ceremony don’t need tickets. It’s open seating for everyone, and all seats have a good view of the graduates.
Graduation with honors
Final grades aren’t calculated until after commencement, but for the ceremony we do identify students who meet preliminary requirements and who would make honors if they earn all A's as graduating with honors. These “potential honors” will be printed in the commencement program and announced when the degree candidate's name is read. Final determination of honors will be made after all grades have been received and your true GPA calculation has been determined. Honors are designated on the diploma and on your UAF transcript.
The Faculty Senate rules for graduating with honors is at www.uaf.edu/reg/grad/graduating-with-honors/ .
Diplomas
Technically, we can’t confirm you’ve earned your degree until we get your final grades, which means you won’t get your diploma at the ceremony itself. But you will get your diploma, probably in early June. (If you graduated the past August or December, you’ll have already received yours.) At the very least, all graduates get a diploma cover when they walk across the stage.
Please check your current mailing address on UAOnline and make any updates to it by May 18. This will be the address we use to send your diploma. You can update your address on UAOnline or in person at the Office of Admissions and the Registrar, Signers’ Hall.
Financial indebtedness
Please pay your bills, because you won’t get your diploma until you do. (The same thing goes for keeping a university key that’s been issued to you.) Check your financial status at UAOnline or with the Business Office before you leave campus so you don’t get caught by surprise. However, you can still participate in the commencement ceremony even if your university debt has not been settled.
Transcripts
If you’re a May graduate and you need your transcript sent somewhere, don’t order it until you see your final grades and degree posted on UAOnline, otherwise you could end up sending incorrect or unofficial information.