Graduating Students

Application for Graduation Candidacy available online for Aiken campus students who wish to graduate in Spring	Dec. 15 - Jan. 31
Graduation application deadline for Aiken campus students who wish to graduate in Spring; online application is available in Self Service Carolina under "Apply to Graduate."	Jan. 31
Early Recognition request deadline for Aiken campus students graduating in August; Summer graduation candidates wishing to be recognized at the May Commencement Ceremony MUST complete the Early/Late Commencement Participation Form	Jan. 31
Graduation clearance forms deadline for May graduates – Advisors only	Mar. 1
GCF reviews completed, students emailed reminders	Mar. 15
Possible honors calculated for May and Early Walk grads using only grades entered on or before this date, students emailed,	Mar. 30
Grad Fest	Apr. 20
Name change forms due	Apr. 1
Commencement program due for printing	Apr. 12
Spring Commencement	May 3
All spring candidates are approved or disapproved	On or before June 14
Diplomas mailed by the University of South Carolina Columbia	On or before Aug. 12

Graduation applications are available online for Aiken campus students who wish to graduate in Summer	May 15 - June 15
Graduation application deadline for Aiken campus students who wish to graduate in Summer; online application is available in Self Service Carolina under "Apply to Graduate."	June 15
Graduation clearance forms deadline for August graduates – Advisors only	June 22
GCF reviews completed, students emailed reminder about late walk in Dec.	July 1
All summer degree candidates are approved or disapproved	On or before Sept. 15
Diplomas mailed by the University of South Carolina Columbia	On or before Nov. 15

Graduation applications are available online for Aiken campus students who wish to graduate in Fall	July 15 - Aug. 31
Graduation application deadline for Aiken campus students who wish to graduate in Fall; online application is available in Self Service Carolina under "Apply to Graduate"	Aug. 31
Late Recognition request deadline for Aiken campus students graduating in August; Summer graduation candidates wishing to be recognized at the December Commencement Ceremony MUST complete the Early/Late Commencement Participation Form	Aug. 31
Graduation clearance forms deadline for December graduates – Advisors only	Oct. 1
GCF reviews completed, students emailed reminders	Oct. 15
Possible honors calculated for December and Late Walk grads using only grades entered on or before this date, students emailed,	Oct. 15
Name change forms due	Nov. 1
Commencement program due for printing	Nov. 22
Grad Fest	Dec. 1
Commencement	Dec. 8
All fall candidates are approved or disapproved	Jan. 25
Diplomas mailed by the University of South Carolina Columbia	On or before Mar. 18

Students wishing to receive a degree from the University of South Carolina Aiken must use the online graduation application on Self Service Carolina (SSC). The online application will not be available after the posted deadline.

Failure to apply for graduation by the deadline will delay your application until another term.

• May (Online Application available from December 15 - January 31)
• August (Online Application available from May 15 - June 15)
• December (Online Application available from July 18 - August 31)

If you experience difficulty with the online graduation application, contact the Office of the Registrar at 803-641-3550 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Additional Information for August Graduates

Any August graduate who wishes to participate in the May ceremony must complete this form no later than January 31 to receive recognition in the USC Aiken Commencement program.

August Graduation Participation Form

If you would like to check on your application, follow these steps:

• Log into SSC
• Click on "Student"
• Click on "Student Profile"
• You should see "Graduation Information: Graduation Applications"
• Click on "Active (1)" to go to a graduation application information page. From here, you can check your diploma name, diploma mailing address, and degree status. Please note that your status will remain pending until final grades are entered.

Cap and gown orders are currently being taken through the Jostens USC Aiken website. Your grad regalia will be shipped to the bookstore and can be picked up in mid-April.

Here are the current prices:

Bachelor Set (includes cap, gown, tassel, and diploma cover): $92.50

Masters Set (includes cap, gown, tassel, Master’s hood, and diploma cover): $117.80

Please make sure to place your order by Thursday, March 10, 2023 to ensure timely arrival before the ceremony. The website will no longer be available after this date as the items will not arrive in time if not ordered by then. 

If you have any questions regarding cap and gown orders, please email the Pacer Shoppe at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Regalia for Honor or Service Organizations

Only students who are members of recognized USC Aiken honor or service organizations are allowed to wear the regalia of these organizations. A list of those organizations is below. Please make sure your organizational advisor knows you are graduating and should receive the regalia.

View list of student organization advisors

Organization	Cord or Stole	Color(s)
African American Student Alliance	Stole	Black
Alpha Kappa Alpha	Stole	Green & Pink
Alpha Omicron Pi	Stole	Red
Alpha Psi Omega (Theatrical Honor Society)	Cord	Blue & Gold
Alpha Sigma Lambda	Stole	Cream
Baptist Collegiate Ministry	Cord	Burgundy & White
Beta Gamma Sigma (Business Honor Society)	Stole	Blue & Gold
Broken Ink	Cord	Pink & White
Circle K	Stole	Navy
CURLS	Cord	Coral, Chocolate & White
Delta Sigma Phi	Stole	White
Delta Sigma Theta	Stole	Black, Red & White
Gamma Beta Phi	Stole	Gold
Habitat for Humanity	Stole	White
Kappa Alpha Psi	Stole	Red & White
Kappa Delta Pi (Education Honor Society)	Medallion & Cord	Teal & Purple
Lambda Chi Alpha	Stole	Green
Lambda Pi Eta (Communication Honor Society)	Cord	Red & White
MAP Mentors	Stole	Black, Green, Red & Yellow
NAACP	Stole	Navy
National Society of Leadership and Success: Sigma Alpha Pi	Stole	Silver
Omega Phi Alpha Service Sorority	Stole	Blue
Omega Psi Phi	Stole	Purple
Omicron Delta Kappa (Leadership Honor Society)	Cord	Black, Blue & White
Order of Omega (Greek Honors)	Cord	Gold & Ivory
Pacer Accounting Club	Cord	Navy, Maroon & Silver
Pacer Spirit	Cord	Navy & Silver
Pacer Times	Cord	Burgundy & Silver
Pacesetters	Cord	Grey & Crimson
Phi Beta Sigma	Stole	Blue & White
Phi Mu	Stole	Pink
Pi Gamma Mu (Science Honor Society)	Cord	Navy & White
Psi Chi (Psychology Honor Society)	Medallion	Blue & Gold
Resident Student Association	Stole	Blue
Rotaract Club	Stole	Red & Yellow
Shutgun Team	Stole	Burgundy
Sigma Gamma Rho	Stole	Blue
Sigma Tau Delta (English Honor Society)	Cord	Black & Red
Sigma Theta Tau International (Nursing Honor Society)	Cord	Lavender & White
Sign Language Club	Cord	Pink & Black
Student Athletic Advisory Committee	Stole	White
Student Government Association	Cord	Red & Navy
Student Nurses' Asociation	Cord	Blue & White
Student Nursing Government	Stole	Burgundy & Gold
Tau Kappa Epsilon	Stole	White
Tri Beta (Biology Honor Society)	Cord	Green & Red
UNITY!	Cord	Purple
Veteran Honor Society	Cord	Red, White & Blue
Zeta Phi Beta	Stole	Blue & White
Zeta Tau Alpha	Stole	Silver

The Chancellor's Medal

Degree candidates who qualify for graduation with honors from the university will wear the Chancellor's Medal. This medal is a gift from the university to those students who have achieved the highest level of academic excellence. If you have been notified that you are likely to graduate with honors, please pick up your medal from the Records Office on the morning of Commencement.  For more information, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Pacer Pursuit Medallion

The Division of Student Affairs will distribute the Pacer Pursuit Medallion.  For more information, contact Ahmed Samaha, Vice Chancellor for Student Engagement and Inclusivity, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Each student must complete a Graduation Update Form to participate in the ceremony. 

Ceremony Ticket and Update Form

For December Graduation Candidates

No tickets are required.

For May and August, Graduation Candidates

ceremony tickets are required. Although graduate tickets are free, you must pick them up in advance at the Alumni House.

Along with graduation, you can participate in the traditional Class Gift Program. With a $25 donation, you will receive an Alumni t-shirt, a special alumni gift, and a one-year membership to the Alumni Association’s Pacer Perks Program. To do this, complete the class gift form and bring or mail both the form and your donation to the Alumni Relations Office in the Alumni House.

By being a member of the Alumni Association, you gain access to our PacerPerks program that provides discounts at retailers, restaurants, travel, and more across the country!

Celebration Brunch/Class Gift Form

Celebrate with your parents, family, and USC Aiken Faculty on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at 10:30 am in the Convocation Center. The Celebration Brunch will allow your family to view the Convocation Center, meet with faculty & staff, and spend part of the day with you.

Graduates receive a free Brunch ticket. Additional tickets are $10 per person ($5 for children ages 2-6). These tickets must be purchased from the Alumni Relations Office in the Alumni House. 

Please purchase family tickets in advance using any of the below methods:

• Mail your check payable to Aiken Partnership and return the form to Alumni Relations - 471 University Parkway, Aiken, SC 29801. Please enclose the Senior/Family Celebration Brunch form.
• Purchase your brunch tickets at the Alumni House on the USC Aiken campus; the address is 471 University Parkway, Aiken, South Carolina, 29801.
• Call the Office of Alumni Relations at 803-641-3480

Class Gift. Along with graduation, you may participate in the traditional Class Gift Program. With a $25 donation, you will receive an Alumni t-shirt, a special alumni gift, and a one-year membership to the Alumni Association’s Pacer Perks Program. To do this, complete the class gift form and bring or mail the form and your donation to the Alumni Relations Office in the Alumni House.

By being a member of the Alumni Association, you gain access to our PacerPerks program that provides discounts at retailers, restaurants, travel, and more across the country!

Have questions about joining the alumni association? Need tips on what to wear? Have questions regarding your diploma? Visit our frequently asked questions page.

Yes. The session will be held at the Convocation Center at 11:30 a.m. on May 3. 

On the day of graduation, there will be an opportunity for students to practice the pronunciation of their names with the commencement speakers. The speakers will phonetically spell out the names to ensure correct pronunciation. This is highly recommended if you think there is a small chance of mispronunciation.  More details about the time and location will be provided once the time of the ceremony is set. 

Name changes must be turned in 4 weeks before to commencement to appear on your diploma. Please contact the Registrar's Office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.

Students receiving bachelor's or master's degrees wear navy-blue gowns and caps. The color of your tassel is determined by your degree. These items should have been purchased at Grad Finale.

Women are strongly encouraged to wear flat or very low-heeled shoes. Some women wear dresses, while others wear dress slacks. Men generally wear dress slacks, a dress shirt and tie, and dress shoes.

Degree candidates should enter the front side entrance of the Convocation Center as marked with green arrows.

View a Map of the Convocation Center

Please note the candidate entrance, seating, and line-up locations are all designated in green. The candidate check-in area is in black.

All degree candidates (as well as guests) will be participating in a security check, and candidates should arrive at 4:30 p.m. to allow enough time to complete the process and allow you to check in by the 5:00 p.m. deadline. By 5:00 p.m., you should be wearing your cap and gown and prepared to begin the line-up.

5:00 p.m. is the check-in deadline - not a suggested time for arrival.

If you miss the Information Session, make sure you know your degree name and approximately where you will be in the order of degree candidates.

Guests must be on time and seated no later than 5:45 p.m. The doors to the arena area will close at 5:50 p.m. for the processional. The ceremony will begin at 6:00 p.m.

If a member of your party needs a sign language interpreter for hearing impairment reasons, please contact Ahmed Samaha, Vice Chancellor for Student Engagement and Inclusivity, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 803-641-3411. 

If an interpreter is requested, there will be a special area of the Convocation Center offering unobstructed views of the sign language interpreter.

Family and friends who cannot attend can still be part of the event by watching a live stream of the entire ceremony. By the evening of commencement, there will be a link to the broadcast on the home page of our website: www.usca.edu. This live stream will begin about 15 minutes before the start of the ceremony.

Send a Letter or Message to Your Graduate

Parents who are unable to attend may send their graduates a special letter or message through our Office of Parent and Family Relations. 

Unfortunately, we will not be able to deliver items other than letters or cards. Please include your graduate's first and last name and middle initial and submit it to the Office of Parents and Family Relations by April 26, 2023. If they are attending the ceremony, we will make sure it is delivered on the day of graduation. Submissions after that date are not guaranteed to be delivered.

Families can email the message to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or send via US Postal Service to:

Parent and Family Relations
"Your Student's Name
USC Aiken 
650 Trolley Line Rd. Graniteville, SC  29829

Food and beverages are strictly prohibited.

Noise Reduction

Please turn off your cellular phones and/or pagers. Cowbells, air horns, whistles, and other loud artificial noisemakers are not allowed.

Families are asked to withhold applause or loud celebrations during the announcement of graduate names so that we don’t prevent any family’s ability to hear clearly, and to refrain from using any noisemakers items or from causing distractions that would prevent others from enjoying the ceremony. We’ll collectively congratulate all of the graduates after all names have been read.

As a courtesy to other audience members, please be aware that sound reverberates in a gymnasium and that even the slightest noise is magnified. Please keep movement to a minimum.

We respectfully ask that younger children not be brought to the ceremony at all since they can become restless and disruptive. Also, no baby strollers are permitted inside the Convocation Center.

Photography

Please do not to step into the aisle during the processional or recessional or rush across the stage to take photographs. The marshals will be instructed to return guests to their seats if they attempt to do this. There will be a photographer taking photos of each graduate during the ceremony.

During Commencement, professional photographers from Grad Images will take photographs throughout the evening. Multiple individual shots of graduates will be taken during the ceremony, which graduates will have the opportunity to purchase later. The Alumni Office is pleased to provide a complimentary photograph of each graduate, which will be mailed approximately 4 weeks after the ceremony.

Additional photos will be available for purchase online at www.gradimages.com.

Graduates, as you finish your senior year and join the ranks of the Alumni, be sure to watch your student email account for instructions to set up your @alumni.usca.edu email account! You will receive a "free" USC Aiken Alumni email address that never changes, even when you change jobs or mail providers. It should arrive within just a few weeks of graduation.

Regular student email accounts are removed after one year of non-activity as a student, but once you switch to your Alumni account, it’s yours for life!

Learn more about alumni email accounts