Get Ready
Checklist
1. Apply to Graduate
If you plan to earn your degree this Spring, be sure to "Apply to Graduate" through Student Self-Service (formerly Student OASIS) by February 20. Your name will appear in the online Commencement program for the term in which you earn your degree, not the term in which you participate in the Commencement ceremony. You are eligible to participate in the Commencement ceremony one semester prior or up to one year after earning your degree. If you want to participate in Commencement in Spring and you are not earning your degree in Spring please contact the Commencement office at commencement@usf.edu, by February 20. Note: the "Graduation Date" listed on Student Self-Service is the date listed on every graduate's diploma and not necessarily the day you participate in Commencement. Applying to graduate and registering to participate in Commencement are two different processes.
2. Attend Grad Stampede/Order Regalia
Order your regalia (cap, gown, tassel), graduation announcements, invitations, class rings, etc. Grad Stampede: St. Petersburg campus, USF Bookstore: Monday, March 2, 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Tampa campus, USF Bookstore: Tuesday, March 3 - Thursday, March 5, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Sarasota-Manatee campus, USF Bookstore: Thursday, March 12, 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
3. Register for Commencement
Bachelor's and Master's candidates who applied to graduate for the Spring 2026 term through Student Self Service by February 20 will be emailed a personalized Commencement registration link, on Friday, February 27. Doctoral candidates will be emailed a personalized Commencement registration link, after the ETD deadline has passed. The deadline to register for Commencement is April 17. If you would like to participate in the Spring Commencement ceremony but are not earning your degree this Spring, please contact us at commencement@usf.edu, by February 20. Please note: Participation in Commencement is optional. All eligible graduates will receive their diplomas by mail approximately 6–8 weeks after the semester ends.
4. Check Student Self-Service
Check your Student Self-Service account to ensure you have a $0 balance and no holds.
5. Check your Email
Check your email for ceremony updates.
6. Honors Medallion
Undergraduate students with a GPA of 3.5 or higher may choose to purchase and wear a medallion during the ceremony. Eligible graduates will receive an email from the Registrar's office two weeks prior to Commencement weekend inviting them to visit any of the campus bookstores to purchase an honors medallion.
7. International Students
International students who registered for the USF World Sash Ceremony, will receive their sash at the ceremony. Students who did not register for the ceremony or students who registered and did not attend the sash ceremony will not be given a sash.
8. Join Alumni Association
Join your USF Alumni Association!
9. Be Successful
Be successful in your final exams, dissertation defense, or thesis completion.
10. Enjoy Commencement!
Enjoy your Commencement ceremony and congratulations on your graduation from the University of South Florida!