FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Graduation is when all degree requirements have been satisfied and a student’s degree is conferred. There are three graduations annually (during the summer, fall, and spring). However, commencement is the actual ceremony to celebrate and recognize all of the graduates from the summer, fall, and spring semesters. Commencement takes place once a year during the spring semester in May.
To be eligible to graduate, a student must satisfy all degree requirements for their major and/or minor during the summer, fall, or spring semester.
To be eligible to participate in commencement, a student must: (1) satisfy all degree requirements for their major and/or minor during the summer, fall, or spring semester, and (2) not have any pending charges, active suspensions, or dismissals by the Student Honor Court. Also, all students who received student loans must complete the financial aid exit counseling process. Additionally, all undergraduate students must complete the Graduating Senior Survey prior to commencement rehearsal. Students will not receive official transcripts or a paper degree until all financial obligations have been satisfied.
Completing the Graduating Senior Survey, helps the university better understand the experience of students at WSSU. Undergraduate students will not receive their diplomas until the Graduating Senior Survey is completed. The graduating seniors on all 16 campuses of the University of North Carolina system are required to participate in this survey. Please contact Institutional Assessment and Research at 336-750-8036 if you have any questions.
Yes, all undergraduate students are required to submit an online graduation application for the semester in which they will satisfy all degree requirements through your Banner RAMS Online account.
All account balances should be satisfied prior to commencement rehearsal, including the $50 graduation application fee. All account balances should be paid in full by Friday, May 6, 2022. Student Accounts is located in 200 Thompson Center. Students also need to check with Police & Public Safety and the Library to clear any outstanding fines or debts. You will not receive your diploma or official transcripts from the Office of the Registrar until your full balance is paid.
It is mandatory for graduating seniors who have received a student loan to complete the exit counseling questionnaire online. The entire loan counseling session will probably take about an hour. For further information, please contact the Financial Aid Office at 336-750-3296. The web site is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you have questions regarding repayment or loan forbearance, please contact the Department of Education at 1-800-433-3243.
Exit interviews for seniors who received funds from the Federal Perkins and University Loans need to be completed online at www.MappingYouFuture.org. For further information, contact the Student Accounts Office, 200 Thompson Center or call Mrs. Anastasia Polk-Bethea at 336-750-2810 to schedule an appointment.
Yes, beginning April 14th all graduates must register online with the Winston-Salem State University Alumni Engagement office.
- Go to - Alumni Engagement
- Scroll down to - Alumni Update Form
- Please complete the form in its entirety. It will be automatically sent to Alumni Engagement.
For further information, contact the Office of Alumni Engagement at alumniengagement@wssu.edu.
Meet with your academic advisor to verify that all graduation requirements have been met. Students who have been certified for graduation by the Office of the Registrar may participate in the Spring 2022 Commencement. Students who have been certified for graduation are those students who have applied for graduation (Fall 2021 and Spring 2022), have satisfied degree requirements.
You will need to submit another graduation application for the semester in which you will satisfy all degree requirements.
Your name will be listed in the commencement program the way you entered it on your graduation application. If you have changed your name please contact the office of the Registrar at Graduation_Services@wssu.edu.
Diplomas and official transcript will be mailed within six weeks of the graduation date. If a graduate has any hold on their record, the diploma and transcript will not be mailed.
Diplomas are shipped through the United States Postal Service. It is important you provide the mailing address on your graduation application that reflects where you will be living two months after graduation rather than where you are currently living.
If your diplomas is damaged in the mail or is incorrect, please email Graduation_Services@wssu.edu
Caps and gowns (regalia), class rings, and announcements may be purchased online at Herff-Jones. You can have your order shipped to the bookstore or to your home. Last day to order your graduation packages without incurring additional fees is Tuesday April 12, 2022.
Honors are calculated using the final cumulative GPA. If it is determined that a student will graduate with honors, they will be notified via email. Honor cords will be distributed to the address used on your graduation application.
No,
Contact commencement@wssu.edu if you have any questions.
Tickets are not required for the May 2022 commencement. While tickets are not required, registration is required for all graduates who plan to participate in the May 2022 commencement ceremony.
Your registration will be compared against a list of cleared graduates to ensure that (1) you have applied for graduation (2) indicated your intent to participate in the commencement ceremony on your graduation application and (3) satisfied all degree requirements.
There is no in-person pick up of commencement related items. All items (e,g, tickets, cords, etc.) related to the commencement will be mailed to you.
Student participant's commencement packet will be mailed to their campus mailbox if you are residential student and to non-residential student's address as listed on the graduation application.
There is no mandatory dress code. Traditionally, dress shirts, slacks, skirts, or dresses are worn under the regalia.
Herff-Jones Caps and gowns (regalia), class rings, and announcements may be purchased online at Herff Jones. You can have your order shipped to the bookstore or to your home. If you chose to ship to the bookstore you will not have your cap and gown until early May. If you choose to ship to your home you will have it within 2 1/2 weeks.