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Distance Education Ceremony Participation Fee

Ceremony Information

Starting with the December 2026 ceremonies, the university will introduce a one-time $100 Commencement Participation Fee (CPF) for distance education (DE) and online accelerated program graduates when they choose to participate in the university-wide ceremonies held at Trask Coliseum.

Graduates who attend their program or departmental events but do not attend the university-wide ceremony at Trask Coliseum will not be required to pay this fee.

Key Details

Who pays the fee?

DE graduates participating in the Trask Coliseum ceremony. (Main campus students already pay a Student Services fee.)

Cost

One-time $100 fee. This does not include the cost of regalia. Students are provided with instructions on how to purchase regalia separately.

Purpose

To ensure a memorable commencement experience for all graduates and guests while keeping fees equitable.

Payment Process & Deadlines

Payment Process

Students must apply to graduate and pay the $12 graduation application fee before paying the Distance Education Ceremony Participation Fee. The $12 graduation application fee covers the cost of printing and mailing your diploma and is not connected to the commencement ceremony.

Once students have applied to graduate, they will gain access to the Commencement TouchNet store to submit the one-time, $100 Ceremony Participation Fee payment.

The Ceremony Participation Fee is not eligible for payment using financial aid. It must be paid directly through the Commencement TouchNet store using a Visa or MasterCard starting Sept. 1.

Once payment is received, students will be added to the Commencement RSVP site (hosted by Tassel) for the dates listed below.

Key Dates & Deadlines

  • Sept. 1 - Nov. 5: Ceremony Participation Fee TouchNet store open for Ceremony Participation Fee payment.
    DE students with an active graduation application on file for Summer or Fall 2026 will receive emailed instructions on September 1.
  • Sept. 17: All graduates who have paid the fee will gain access to the RSVP site when it opens by 5 p.m. on September 18.
    Students will be added weekly on Fridays once Ceremony Participation Fee payment has been received.
  • Oct. 22: Payment deadline to gain access to the RSVP site in time to meet the RSVP deadline.
    Note: Payment is still accepted after this date, but guest tickets are not guaranteed.
  • Nov. 2: Deadline to RSVP for the ceremony to guarantee access to guest tickets.
    Students who pay the Ceremony Participation Fee must also RSVP by this deadline.
  • Nov. 5: Final payment deadline to participate in the ceremony.
    Students cannot be added to the ceremony after this date, and no payments will be accepted.
  • Nov. 6: Guest tickets will become available for claim to students who meet the RSVP deadline.

Regalia Orders

 

DE students will be added to the online regalia store so they may purchase their regalia separately. The cost of regalia is not covered by the DE CPF.

Official UNCW regalia is required in order to walk at the university ceremony. Graduates may also choose to order regalia even if they do not pay the participation fee to attend the university ceremony.

Regalia is sold by Herff Jones with the costs as follows: 

  • Undergraduate Regalia: $70.98 + $14.90 shipping & handling + tax
  • Master's Regalia: $110.98+ $14.90 shipping & handling + tax
  • Doctoral Regalia Rental: $185.98+ $14.90 shipping & handling + tax

Graduates are also able to order other items through the Herff Jones store, including diploma frames, graduation announcements, and more.

Learn more about regalia

Academic Distinction Cords

Distance Education undergraduates who are eligible for latin honors will receive an email approximately 2 weeks after the graduation application closes with a link to purchase an official distinction cord. Distinction cords are $13.95 + $4.95 shipping & handling + tax.

Refund Policy

The DE Commencement Participation Fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. If your graduation application is moved to a future term and you are no longer eligible to participate in the Commencement ceremony, please contact commencement@uncw.edu for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. The Commencement Participation Fee for distance education graduates applies only to those participating in the university-wide ceremonies in Trask Coliseum.

Commencement is primarily funded by the Student Services Fee, which distance education students do not pay. The Ceremony Participation Fee ensures equitable funding, allowing us to provide a high-quality experience for all participants.

Yes. The university-wide ceremony will be live-streamed for family, friends and graduates who are unable to attend in person. The live stream can be accessed via the Commencement website. Only graduates who participate in person will have their names read aloud. All graduates will be listed in the Commemorative Commencement program. Distance education graduates do not need to pay the Ceremony Participation Fee if they intend to watch the live stream.

No. The Nov. 5, 2026, final payment deadline to participate in the ceremony is firm. Students cannot be added to the ceremony after this date, and no payments will be accepted.

The one-time fee for distance education supports the costs associated with hosting the ceremony, including the venue, staffing, equipment, guest tickets, diploma covers, commemorative programs and other resources necessary to provide a memorable experience for graduates and their guests. Main campus students already pay a Student Services Fee that supports commencement.

Once you have paid the Ceremony Participation Fee (CPF), you will be added to the Tassel Graduate RSVP system. Once added, you must also complete your RSVP for the ceremony and manually claim your guest tickets by the published deadlines. Refunds will not be given for failure to complete all necessary steps to complete your RSVP and claim your guest tickets.

No. Diplomas are not distributed at the commencement ceremonies. Diplomas will be mailed to graduates approximately 6-8 weeks after final grades are posted and degree requirements are confirmed. This service is covered by the $12 Graduation Application Fee and is not connected to the Ceremony Participation Fee (CPF).

No. The Ceremony Participation Fee (CPF) for distance education graduates is not eligible for payment using financial aid. It must be paid directly through the Commencement TouchNet store using a Visa or MasterCard. American Express is not accepted.

Distance education graduates who pay the Ceremony Participation Fee by Oct. 22 and complete their RSVP by Nov. 2 are guaranteed an allotment of guest tickets equal to the number of tickets offered to main campus students. The number of tickets will be determined based on capacity and the number of participants.

Once the initial ticketing deadline has passed, all remaining guest tickets will be eligible to claim. All ceremony participants will have an equal opportunity to claim guest tickets, regardless of campus type.

No. The Ceremony Participation Fee for distance education graduates is non-refundable and non-transferable. Each fee is tied to the individual graduate’s participation.

Yes. Parking will be available for the ceremony. Visit the Commencement Parking webpage for more information.

Children under the age of 3 do not require a ticket but must sit on a guest’s lap throughout the ceremony. All other attendees must have a ticket with a unique QR code to enter Trask Coliseum.

We are committed to ensuring an inclusive and comfortable experience for everyone. During the RSVP process, graduates can request accessibility accommodations for themselves or a guest in attendance. For questions about available accommodations, please contact commencement@uncw.edu.