Class of 2026 Checklist

Pre-Graduation Checklist for the Class of 2026

Here are the steps graduating seniors must take prior to graduation. Steps indicated with an asterisk (*) are required and will be listed on your personalized pre-graduation checklist on My 探花社区 and marked with a date once completed.

Please note: Your pre-graduation checklist on My 探花社区 will not be visible until you submit your graduation application.

SUBMIT YOUR GRADUATION APPLICATION:* The application is found in your My 探花社区 account at the following path, My 探花社区 () > Student tab > Registrar’s Office > Graduation Information. Graduation applications must be received by March 2, 2026, or you may not be eligible to walk, and the conferral of your degree may be delayed by a term.
MONITOR YOUR DEGREE PROGRESS: Work closely with your advisor to ensure all requirements for completion will be met, and monitor your email for any correspondence from the Office of the Registrar in case they have questions about your degree progress. You also can check in with the Office of the Registrar (o-registrar@coe.edu) if you have questions. Please do not wait until the last minute as response times may vary due to the volume of requests.
GRADE CHANGE REQUESTS: If you choose to nullify a P/NP grade, it must be done before close of business on the last day of finals. Please contact the Office of the Registrar (o-registrar@coe.edu) if you have any questions.
ORDERING A TRANSCRIPT: If you wish to have an academic transcript sent after graduation, you may order one by going to . Please be sure to mark “after grades are posted” or “after degree is awarded.”
COMPLETE LOAN EXIT COUNSELING:* The exit counseling is different for each loan type and will provide information about the rights and responsibilities associated with each loan.
- Federal Direct Loan: The Office of Student Financial Services will send you an email on how to complete the exit counseling for your Federal Direct Loan. Counseling can be completed now at: . If you have additional questions, contact the Office of Student Financial Services at o-financialaid@coe.edu or 319.399.8540.
- Canfield Loan, Smith Loan, McElroy Loan, Crimson and Gold Loan and/or Federal Perkins Loan: Heartland/ECSI (探花社区's loan servicer) will send you an email with instructions on how to complete exit counseling for your Federal Perkins Loan, Canfield Loan, Smith Loan and/or McElroy Loan. If you have additional questions, contact the Office of Student Student Accounts at coestudentaccounts@coe.edu or 319.399.8525.
COMPLETE THE SENIOR FIRST DESTINATION SURVEY:* Starting March 27, go to your profile and click on Career Center and the First Destination link to complete your senior survey. You also will receive emails with a direct link. All surveys must be completed by May 6.
PAY YOUR STUDENT ACCOUNT BALANCE:* Verify that your 探花社区 student account balance is paid in full by April 25 contacting the Office of Student Financial Services.
UPDATE YOUR MAILING ADDRESS ON MY COE: Please update your mailing address on My 探花社区 to a non-探花社区 address. This address will be used by the college to send future communications. In addition, please update your address with subscription services, your bank, family members, etc to a non-探花社区 address. Only certain types of mail can be forwarded following graduation. Most mail will be returned to the sender.
UPDATE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS: If you are using your 探花社区 email address for any non-探花社区 purpose, please update to a personal address. Your 探花社区 email account will be closed following graduation (by approximately July 25). The Senior First Destination Survey will request that you provide 探花社区 with a personal email address to be used by the college upon graduation.
ORDER YOUR CAP AND GOWN: Order your cap and gown online at . The cap, gown and tassel package is $45 (plus tax) for a bachelor’s degree. The last day to order is March 31, 2026 at 10:59 PM. You must complete your pre-graduation checklist on My 探花社区 in order to pick up your cap and gown. Pickup will take place the week of May 4, 2026. Cap and gown pickup times and locations will be shared at a later date.
- DOUBLE MAJORS: If you wish to purchase additional tassels, you may do so by emailing thekohawkshop@coe.edu and placing an order prior to March 31. Pick up and payment of the additional tassels will be in the Kohawk Shop the week of May 4.

Class of 2026 Senior Calendar

NOW | As soon as possible

Apply for graduation ASAP if you haven’t already done so | My 探花社区 () >> Student tab >> Registrar’s Office > Graduation Information | Students who have not applied for graduation by March 2, 2026, will not be eligible to walk.

NOW-March 31 | As soon as possible

Order your cap and gown online at .
Order graduation announcements and diploma frames through Herff-Jones online at .

NOW - MAY 15 | Anytime

Confirm your current address to have your diploma mailed | Update your current address on My 探花社区 () under the icon in the top right of your screen >> My profile & settings >> contact information by May 17, so we can mail your diploma. Diplomas take roughly 6 to 8 weeks to process and arrive at the indicated address. Financial obligations must be settled prior to leaving campus to avoid a delay in processing.

MARCH 9 - APRIL 15 | 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Confirm pronunciation of your name | Provost's Office | If you expect that you will be unable to attend commencement rehearsal, please email a recording of your name pronunciation to provost@coe.edu, and confirm the spelling of your diploma name.

MID-MARCH

Complete required loan exit counseling | See the Pre-Graduation Checklist or contact the Office of Student Financial Services at o-financialaid@coe.edu.

MARCH 27-MAY 6 | Anytime

Complete the Senior First Destination Survey | | Click on Career Center and the First Destination link to complete your senior survey by April 30. This is required before you can pick up your cap and gown. You also will receive emails with a direct link to the survey, so watch for these.

APRIL 25 | By Midnight

Pay any outstanding account balances | Transact/CASHNet via My 探花社区 () | Your billing account balance is due April 25.

APRIL 28-MAY 1 | 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Pick up honors cords | Registrar’s Office, Voorhees
Pick up club cords and stoles | Check with your club coordinator

May 4 - MAY 8 | TBD

Check your email for issues that may hinder your graduation. | Contact the Registrar’s Office (o-registrar@coe.edu) with questions.
Pick up your cap, gown and tassel. Pickup locations and times will be shared at a later date.

MAY 7 | 6:00 PM

Senior Celebration | Eastbank Venue & Lounge

MAY 8 | 2:30 PM | Commencement rehearsal | Stewart Memorial Library quad

In case of rain, rehearsal will be in Kohawk Arena. Rehearsal lasts 45 minutes. Attendance is required.

MAY 9

11:00 AM | Baccalaureate^ | Sinclair Auditorium | Baccalaureate service of word and song will take place. Family and friends are invited. This is not a mandatory event but a once-in-a-lifetime occasion.
1:00 PM | Nurses’ Pinning Ceremony | Dows Theatre
1:30 PM | Phi Beta Kappa Initiation | Perrine Gallery, Stewart Memorial Library
2:30 PM | Honors Convocation*^ | Sinclair Auditorium | Academic awards and prizes will be announced, showcasing student accomplishments for parents and friends.

MAY 10

7:00 AM | Kohawk Family Graduation Celebration
8:00 AM-2:00 PM | The Kohawk Shop | Open in Lower Gage
9:00 AM | Processional forms & Bell Ringing begins | North quad between the P.U.B. and Eby Fieldhouse | All graduates should line up at 9:00 AM.
10:00 AM | Commencement*^ | Stewart Memorial Library quad | About 2,500 seats will be available on chairs and bleachers. Family members may also bring blankets or lawn chairs to use if they desire. Umbrellas and windbreakers are strongly recommended in case of rain or cool conditions. In case of severe weather, Commencement will be held in Kohawk Arena. This event will be live streamed at .

MAY 14 | Anytime

Check to see that your grades are posted correctly | My 探花社区 ()

*ASL interpreter will be present.
All events are handicap accessible.
^Events will be livestreamed.