Graduates
Congratulations graduates! This page includes important information regarding your participation and planning for Commencement Weekend. We look forward to celebrating with you!
Top FAQs for Graduating Students
Are tickets required for Commencement?
Yes. Tickets will be required for the main Commencement ceremony in Stanford Stadium. Tickets or registration may also be required for other weekend events.
How many Commencement tickets can each graduate request?
Graduates can request as many tickets as they need for their family and friends.
How do I know if I am eligible to participate and request tickets?
You are automatically eligible if you:
- Conferred a degree in Summer 2025, Autumn 2025, or Winter 2026.
- Are expected to confer your degree in Spring 2026 or Summer 2026.
- Are a co-term student who began your undergraduate degree in Autumn 2022.
- Have an approved Commencement Participation Request.
To check your eligibility:
Note: the form does not work for students who have already graduated. If you graduated in one of the terms listed above, you are eligible and do not need to double-check.
- Log into Axess.
- Go to the "My Academics" drop-down menu.
- Select "Univ. Commencement Eligibility."
You'll be directed to a page that will indicate Eligible or Not Eligible, based on your student record. If eligible, no further action is needed. If you are ineligible but want to participate and request tickets, you need to complete the linked Commencement Participation Request form.
NOTE: If you plan to apply to graduate in Summer 2026 but have a different expected graduation date than listed above, follow the exception request process above.
How do I request tickets?
Information about how to request tickets will be published in early spring quarter.
I am an international student. Do my family members need a visa to attend Commencement Weekend?
For students who are confirmed eligible to graduate in June 2026, if your family members are not United States citizens or permanent residents of the United States, they will need a temporary tourist visa. For more information regarding visa types and the application process, please visit the U.S. Department of State website. Your family may also reach out to their nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for information related to their application process.
I am an international student eligible to graduate in 2026. Does Stanford need to provide any documents for my family related to the visa application process?
There are no letters or documents required by the U.S. Department of State from Stanford University, its schools, or departments related to your family/visitor’s visa application process. For information about the official application process and documentation, visit the U.S. Department of State’s website. We have provided a brief summary page related to the B-2 visa process for general reference purposes. If you have additional questions, please contact Stanford's Bechtel International Center.
Will the Commencement ceremony be viewable online for those who cannot attend in person?
Yes, the main Commencement ceremony will be streamed live on the Commencement website beginning at 9:30 a.m. Pacific Time on Sunday, June 14, 2026. It will also be broadcast on Stanford’s radio station KZSU 90.1FM and kzsu.stanford.edu. A complete recording of the event will be available on the Stanford YouTube channel and shared on this website shortly after the event.
Important dates for 2026 graduating students
March 5 (Thu): Application to Graduate opens for Spring.
April 10 (Fri, 5 p.m.): Application deadline for Spring Quarter degree conferral. Late application fee after this date is $50.
May 29 (Fri, 5 p.m.): Late application deadline for Spring Quarter degree conferral ($50 fee). No applications accepted after this date.
June 18 (Thu): Posting of degrees; degrees will be awarded with a conferral date of Commencement. Graduates will have access to official degree certifications and transcripts the day after degrees are posted.
Dates to be confirmed: Rental regalia ordering and Grad Fair
International Visa & Travel Information
If you have family members outside of the United States who hope to attend Commencement in person, please review the International Visa & Travel Information page.
Info for Undergraduates
You are automatically eligible to participate in the main Commencement ceremony if you are expected to confer your degree in Spring 2026 or Summer 2026.
Eligibility to participate in the university's Commencement ceremony is based on a student’s actual OR expected graduation term. Expected Graduation Terms are based on matriculation year (e.g. 4 years after matriculation for an undergraduate student). Undergraduate students who began their undergraduate program in Autumn 2022 have an Expected Graduation Term of Spring 2026 and therefore do not need to apply to graduate in order to be eligible to participate in the main Commencement ceremony.
To graduate, you must file your graduation application by the application deadline (see the academic calendar for dates). Instructions for applying to graduate, as well as a graduation checklist, can be found of the Student Services website.
Undergraduate Degree Requirements
Undergraduate Degree Progress
Info for Coterms
You are automatically eligible to participate in the main Commencement ceremony if you are a coterm student who began your undergraduate degree program in Autumn 2022.
Eligibility to participate in the university's Commencement ceremony is based on a student’s actual OR expected graduation term. Expected Graduation Terms are based on matriculation year (e.g. 4 years after matriculation for an undergraduate student). Undergraduate students and coterminal students who began their undergraduate program in Autumn 2022 have an Expected Graduation Term of Spring 2026 and therefore do not need to apply to graduate in order to be eligible to participate in the main Commencement ceremony.
Info for Advanced Degrees
You are automatically eligible to participate in the main Commencement ceremony if you are expected to confer your degree in Spring 2026 or Summer 2026.
Eligibility to participate in the university's Commencement ceremony is based on a student’s actual OR expected graduation term. Expected Graduation Terms are calculated differently for graduate students. Graduate students should plan to apply to graduate or request an exception if they want to participate.
To graduate, you must file your graduation application by the application deadline (see the academic calendar for dates). Instructions for applying to graduate, as well as a graduation checklist, can be found of the Student Services website.
Info for Summer, Autumn, Winter Grads
You are automatically eligible to participate in the main Commencement ceremony if you have previously conferred a degree in Summer 2025, Autumn 2025, or Winter 2026.
The only thing you need to do is update your email address and set up your Alumni account to receive Commencement Weekend emails after your @stanford.edu email expires.
Info for Alumni
If you were eligible to participate in last year's Commencement ceremony but were unable to attend and would like to participate in the ceremony this year, you may request an exception. Follow the instructions on the Student Academic Services website to check eligibility and submit a request to participate.
Info for Double Majors & Dual Degrees
If you are planning on conferring more than one degree — for example, an undergraduate and graduate degree, a PhD and master's degree — a separate application to graduate must be submitted for each degree.
As most school and department ceremonies occur on Sunday afternoon following the main Commencement ceremony, you should check with both departments to confirm their planned schedules to see if it would be possible to attend both, however you may need to choose which ceremony you prefer to attend.
Get Graduation Gear from the Stanford Bookstore
Rental regalia, graduation gifts, announcements, and more will be available to order through the Stanford Bookstore.
Ordering dates and details will be published in early 2026.
Student Services Graduation Information
Review the appropriate information on the Student Services website.