Checklist for Undergraduate Students

1. Complete the Intent to Graduate Form in Self-Service. This needs to be filled out the semester prior to your graduation semester. The Registrar’s Office needs to verify that you have completed all requirements (general and major/minor). This step initiates the review process.
2. Review of intents will begin after the add/drop period for the respective term you have filed your intent. Degree audits are used to ensure you have met all graduation requirements thus make sure you are not missing a requirement, need a reallocation of a course into a requirement or missing a transfer credit if applicable. After all intents have been reviewed, you will be notified via your Worcester State email of your pre-approval for graduation or a denial which will contain information on why you could not be pre-approved. August 2024, December 2024, and May 2025 graduates are eligible to participate in the May 2025 ceremony.
3. Review your diploma name under your intent to graduate submission in your Self-Service account. This is how your name will appear on your diploma and will be announced on stage at commencement, including eligibility for Latin Honors. If you have corrections, please contact the Registrar’s Office at registrar@worcester.edu. If you have earned Latin Honors, these honors will be announced on stage and the Latin honor cords will be distributed at check in on the morning of the ceremony by the Registrar’s Office.
4. Undergraduate caps and gowns are available for purchase online through Balfour beginning Monday, January 20, 2025. Please visit buildagrad.com/worcesterbachelor to order your cap and gown. Caps and gowns can be sent to school for pick up at the Information Desk or can be shipped home for an extra fee. Caps and gowns are $25 and purchases are non-refundable. A limited amount of caps and gowns will be available for purchase at the Student Center Information Desk for $30 starting on April 22, 2025.
5. Pick up your commencement invitations at the Student Center information desk.
6. Schedule a mandatory Exit Counseling Session if you borrowed a subsidized, unsubsidized, or PLUS loan(s) under the Direct Loan Program or the FFEL Program during your time at Worcester State. Failure to complete a loan counseling session will prevent you from receiving your diploma or official transcripts. Visit studentloans.gov for more information.
7. Reserve guest accommodations at area hotels as soon as possible due to high-demand that weekend. The Worcester area is home to 13 colleges resulting in multiple, coinciding commencement ceremonies.
8. Please fill out the Accessible Seating Request Form* (Due date: April 25, 2025), to make arrangements with the Student Accessibility Services if you or your guests are a person(s) with a disability and require accommodations.
9. Pre-register with professional photographers “The Grad Team” who will be on hand to photograph your special moment as you cross the stage and are congratulated by President Maloney. They will provide portrait photographs of each graduate as well as candid photos of the graduating class. Don’t miss out on these special memories. Pre-register and have your proofs emailed directly to you or a family member.
10. Nominate an Ella M. Whitney Award recipient. This honor is presented to a graduate at commencement to recognize their excellence in scholarship, professional skill, and personal development. The honoree is announced at the Academic Achievement Awards ceremony. The online nomination form will be sent to all students in February via email.
11. Arrive at the DCU Center at 8am on commencement morning to check in before participating in the ceremony. If you are late, you’ll miss the opportunity to process and sit with your major’s section. Store your personal belongings elsewhere during the ceremony as there is no storage at the DCU Center. Parking is available at the Major Taylor Garage for a fee.
12. Tell your family and friends attending the ceremony that the DCU Center doors open at 8:30am for general admission seating.
13. Research health insurance plans if you will not be covered after graduation. Upon graduation, you will lose your student health insurance. Massachusetts’ residents who are 18 and older are required by law to carry health insurance and cannot have more than a 63-day lapse in coverage in a calendar year. Visit betterhealthconnector.com to research which plan is right for you, or call 1-877-MA-ENROLL.

* Worcester State login required to access request form.