Important Note: Students who will complete the requirements for a degree in a given semester must complete the online application for graduation candidacy. “Applying for graduation candidacy” means you want your degree conferred and officially recorded on your academic transcript (whether or not you attend the commencement ceremony).
Important Dates to Remember
| Application for Graduation Candidacy available online for Aiken campus students who wish to graduate in Spring | Dec. 15 - Jan. 31 |
| Application for Graduation Candidacy 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 1 |
| 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 |
| Application for Graduation Candidacys are available online for Aiken campus students who wish to graduate in Summer | May 15 - June 15 |
| Application for Graduation Candidacy 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 |
| Application for Graduation Candidacys are available online for Aiken campus students who wish to graduate in Fall | July 15 - Aug. 31 |
| Application for Graduation Candidacy 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 |
| Convocation | Dec. 14 |
| All fall candidates are approved or disapproved | Jan. 25 |
| Diplomas mailed by the University of South Carolina Columbia | On or before Mar. 18 |
Preparing for Graduation Candidacy
Students wishing to receive a degree from the University of South Carolina Aiken must use the online Application for Graduation Candidacy 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 Application for Graduation Candidacy, 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.
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: Application for Graduation Candidacys"
- Click on "Active (1)" to go to the Application for Graduation Candidacy 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 the final grades are entered.
Preparing for the Ceremony
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): $97.15 + Tax
Masters Set (includes cap, gown, tassel, Master’s hood, and diploma cover): $133.89 + Tax
Please make sure to place your order by Sunday, October 22, 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 ensure 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 Office of the Registrar 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 of Student Engagement and Belonging, 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.
No tickets are required for family and friends. ALL GRADUATES must have a ticket to enter the Convocation Center. Tickets can be picked up at Grad Finale (Nov. 30) or at the Alumni House (Dec. 1 through Dec. 13).
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!
Celebrate with your parents, family, and USC Aiken Faculty on Thursday, December 14, 2023, 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 $15 per person ($5 for children ages 2-10). 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 December 14.
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.
Day of the Commencement or Convocation Ceremony
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 of Student Engagement and Belonging, 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 December 7, 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.
After 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!