Prepare

Complete your Application for Graduation

All KU and KU Medical Center students with plans to graduate must complete an Application for Graduation. A complete application does not grant graduation approval. You must contact your respective school to confirm that requirements have been met and to finalize details. (Note: Graduate-level degree requirements may not be due until late April.) To complete your Application for Graduation, follow these instructions:

• Log into Enroll & Pay.
• Access the Degree Progress/Graduation page.
• Click on “KU Apply for Graduation.”
• Follow the prompts to verify or update your academic program, major, expected graduation term, and post-graduation email contact. 
• Confirm your name: The way your name is shown in the Diploma Name field is EXACTLY how it will appear on your diploma and in the Commencement book. Please inspect the capitalization, spelling, and accent marks carefully. If you would like to update your name, click on the "Update Diploma Name" button to make edits.

For more detailed instructions, use this guide to filling out the Application for Graduation.

If you completed your Application for Graduation by/on March 2, your name will be included in the Commencement book, unless you checked the Commencement Book Hold box on your application.

Confirm your personal information

While in Enroll & Pay, please confirm contact information for yourself post-graduation and for an emergency contact on the Personal Details page.

Obtain regalia

Participants must wear academic regalia at the KU Commencement ceremony, as well as any school, college, or departmental recognition events unless otherwise noted. Regalia include mortarboards, tams, gowns, tassels, and hoods. Optional commemorative crimson and blue tassels and Jayhawk zipper-pulls are also available.

Honor cords and medallions are distributed by individual schools or programs and are not for sale at the KU Bookstore. Ask your advisor any graduation-related questions about distinction and honors. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) restricts parents or guardians from access to this information.

Attend one of KU’s Grad Fairs to purchase regalia, graduation announcements, diploma frames, and other Commencement needs. Cap and gown portraits will also be available, and KU staff will be available to advise you on the required regalia for your specific graduation circumstances.
 

LAWRENCE CAMPUS GRAD FAIR
10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Wednesday, March 25 and Thursday, March 26
Kansas Union Ballroom, Level 5
1301 Jayhawk Blvd.
Lawrence, KS

EDWARDS CAMPUS GRAD FAIR
2-7 p.m.
Wednesday, March 11
Regents Center, Hawks Nest
12600 Quivira Road
Overland Park, KS

KU MEDICAL CENTER GRAD FAIR
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Tuesday, February 24 and Wednesday, March 4
Orr-Major Building, Room G004
3901 Rainbow Blvd.
Kansas City, KS

You can also purchase Commencement regalia, graduation announcements, and diploma frames at the KU Bookstore or online at the Jostens KU storefront, while supplies last.

Plan for accommodations

We strongly encourage graduates with disabilities to participate in KU recognition and Commencement ceremonies. If you require any accommodations, contact the Student Access Center in advance of the event.

Preregister for official photographs

The Grad Team is the official Commencement photographer for the University of Kansas. They will be photographing school and department recognition events throughout the weekend, as well as the Commencement ceremony on Sunday. To preregister for your photos, please visit The Grad Team website. Under the Future Events section, select the event you will be attending. Enter your contact information and upload a selfie, then select each event you will be participating in. (Go ahead and select the Commencement ceremony even if you aren’t yet sure whether you will be attending.)