Information for Undergraduate Students
Apply for Graduation
Spring and summer graduates must apply for graduation to participate in the ceremony.
Student Speaker
Share your journey to graduation, inspire your graduating class, and emphasize what is important to you while sharing your talents with friends and family.
Undergraduate students who have at least a 2.8 GPA can apply to be the student speaker for the Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony through the Undergraduate Council. By submitting your application, you authorize the selection committee to access and review your grades, enrollment status, and conduct records.
Graduation Announcements
Share your accomplishment with family and friends by ordering graduation announcements. You can order from any company you choose but UNC recognizes Balfour or you can order through Herff Jones when you rent regalia.
Cap and Gown Rental
Our cap and gown partner, Herff Jones, has made returning your rented items easier than ever. The university does not have your order information or the ability to issue new return labels to you. Please send all questions related to gown and hood returns are sent directly to our partners at Herff Jones.
What Has to be Returned?
Undergraduate Students: Return ONLY their gown. Students keep their caps, tassels and any other accessories purchased from Herff Jones.
Graduate Students: Return ONLY their gown AND hood. Students keep their caps, tassels and any other accessories purchased from Herff Jones.
Returning your Items (Online Orders)
If you placed your order online, you should have been sent a pre-paid FedEx return label with your order. To return your rented items, simply put them back into the box they came in, adhere the provided label, and then take the package to any FedEx drop location. You may also work directly with FedEx to schedule an at home pick-up for your items.
If you placed your order online and you lost your label, or your label was not included with your order, then you can reach out to Herff Jones directly and request a new label.
Returning your Items (In-person/Late Rental Orders):
If you placed your order at the late order event held on campus or at the Herff Jones booth on the day of your ceremony, then you should have received a pre-paid USPS return label. To return your items, simply utilize any appropriately sized box that you have at home, adhere the provided label to the box, and then drop the box off at any USPS drop location.
If you placed your order at the in-person late order event or at the Herff Jones booth on the day of your ceremony and you lost your return label, then you are responsible for making shipping arrangements to get your rented items back to Herff Jones. Returns can be sent to:
Herff Jones
Rental Return Department
1000 N. Market St.
Champaign, IL 61820
When do I Have to Return my Rented Items?
All returns for orders placed on or before May 9, 2021 must be post marked for return by June 1st, 2021.
Regalia Rental Policies
UNC partners with Herff Jones to provide regalia rental to all graduates. Please see their policies below.
Latin Honors
Graduation with honors is determined on your cumulative grade point average, of at least 56 semester hours, at the time of degree completion:
- Summa Cum Laude: 3.9 – 4.0
- Magna Cum Laude: 3.8 – 3.89
- Cum Laude: 3.7 – 3.79
If you meet the qualifications, including grades earned during your final semester, you will have Latin Honors designated on your diploma and official transcript.
