Steps to Commencement for Graduating Students

All your Commencement needs, all in one place

Follow our steps to Commencement below:

Step 1: Academics
Step 2: Clear Any Outstanding Financial Obligations
Step 3: Academic Regalia Still Available for Purchase
Step 4: Invite Your Guests
Step 5: Don't Miss Out on the Fun
Step 6: Stay In-the-Know: Keep Up with University Commencement News and Social Media
Step 7: Prepare to Watch the Commencement Celebrations!

Learn more about each step below.

Step 1: Academics

Stay in communication with your school.

Rutgers University–New Brunswick Students: Log in to Degree Navigator, or other degree auditing tools, to ensure you are on track to complete your degree. If you notice any discrepancies with your major(s) or minor(s) on Degree Navigator, please contact your school’s academic adviser immediately.

Undergraduate students who anticipate completing May 2020 degree requirements must apply for graduation by submitting a diploma application online, or via a hard copy if the deadline has been missed. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the graduation application deadline for New Brunswick undergraduates has been extended to June 1. Please note that all diplomas will be mailed. Please contact the Undergraduate Registrar's Office with any questions. Furthermore, please note that the completion of a diploma application does not imply that graduation requirements have been met.
Students in Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences Schools: Contact your dean’s office directly for graduation requirements.

Mid-year degree recipients can attend Commencement in May.

Most students who expect to receive degrees in October 2019, January 2020, May 2020, or August 2020 are eligible to participate in the May 2020 ceremonies, but it varies by school. Contact your school directly if you have questions.

Step 2: CLEAR ANY OUTSTANDING FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS

All financial obligations to the university must be cleared before you can receive your diploma.

Information on financial holds regarding COVID-19: Spring 2020 tuition and fees, and/or Spring 2020 parking citations are the only financial holds that will be removed at this time. Financial holds related to past semesters, including Fall 2019 and Winter 2020, parking citations, etc. will remain until resolved. All account balances, including any account balance following the adjustment of eligible charges, remains due and payable in full to the university.

More information can be found here regarding COVID-19 Financial Questions.

To learn more about financial holds and loan exit counseling, visit the Student Accounting, Billing, and Cashier Services website.

Step 3: ACADEMIC REGALIA IS STILL AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE

Academic regalia is available through Barnes & Noble at Rutgers. The deadline for purchasing regalia has been extended to June 30, 2020 as all students who participate in potential future in-person ceremonies will be required to wear regalia. Please look on your school website for information regarding future plans to know if regalia will be needed.

Order regalia for:
Rutgers–New Brunswick or RBHS

Step 4: INVITE YOUR GUESTS

It is time to celebrate your accomplishments! Information from University Commencement and your school will soon be available to share. We encourage each of our graduates to invite their family and friends from around the world to watch this year’s unique Commencement celebration.

Step 5: DON'T MISS OUT ON THE FUN

You've worked hard, and now's your chance to...

Participate in the ceremony by submitting a video through Cinebody and celebrate through social media with Commencement-themed frames, GIPHY stickers. Visit Show Your Scarlet Pride for all the details.
Say Thanks: Record a selfie shout-out to the special people who have supported you throughout your college career and tag us @RUCommencement. Don’t forget to use the hashtag #RUShoutOut2020!
Share Your Next Steps: Complete the Career Services survey about your post-graduation plans for your chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card

Step 6: STAY IN-THE-KNOW: KEEP UP WITH UNIVERSITY COMMENCEMENT NEWS AND SOCIAL MEDIA

Check our website frequently and sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date on the latest information.
Follow University Commencement @RUCommencement on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat. #RU2020

STEP 7: PREPARE TO WATCH THE COMMENCEMENT CELEBRATIONS!

Check back for instructions on how to watch the Commencement event online.