Lana Oconnell
The cost of caps and gowns for graduation is a significant expense for students, with some students struggling to afford these items. While some institutions require students to purchase caps and gowns, others offer rental options or allow students to borrow them. The mandatory fees associated with graduation ceremonies have been criticised as discriminatory towards low-income students, with some students unable to attend their graduation due to financial constraints. To address this issue, some schools offer fee waivers, while others rely on external organisations or donations to provide caps and gowns for those in need.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mandatory fees for caps and gowns | $75, $100, $125, $1,000 |
| Discrimination against low-income students | Yes |
| Fee waiver | Yes |
| Renting caps and gowns | Yes |
| Borrowing caps and gowns | Yes |
| Buying caps and gowns | Yes |
| Schools and colleges paying for caps and gowns | Yes |
| Teachers paying for caps and gowns | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
Schools charging mandatory graduation fees
Many high schools and colleges across the US charge students mandatory graduation fees, sometimes called a "walking fee", to participate in their graduation ceremonies. These fees can include the cost of renting or purchasing a cap and gown, as well as other graduation fees. While some schools have set up funds or partnered with organisations to help students pay, critics argue that these fees discriminate against low-income students.
In some cases, students are required to pay a fee just to "apply to graduate", on top of the cost of the cap and gown. These graduation fees can vary significantly, from $40 to $500 at the high school level, and over $100 for a cap, gown, and tassel at the college level. For doctoral students, regalia can cost upwards of $1,000.
Some states, such as California and Minnesota, have taken steps to eliminate mandatory graduation fees in public schools. However, in other states, there have been proposals for strict penalties for students who cannot pay off graduation fees, such as withholding graduation for high school students with outstanding lunch bills.
The argument against mandatory graduation fees is that they prevent low-income, marginalised students from fully participating in their education milestones. Even when schools offer fee waivers or alternative options, such as borrowing a cap and gown, critics argue that the process can be humiliating and time-consuming. Additionally, some students may not have the financial means to save for these extra fees, especially after covering essential expenses like food, housing, textbooks, and transportation.
While schools defend these fees as necessary to cover administrative costs and venue rentals, critics suggest that these expenses should be covered by tuition fees or other sources of funding to ensure that all students can celebrate their academic achievements regardless of their financial background.
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Students relying on external organisations
Students who cannot afford to purchase their own caps and gowns are often forced to rely on external organisations for support. This is due to the mandatory fees charged by many high schools and colleges for students to attend their graduation ceremonies, which can be extremely expensive and prohibitive for those from low-income backgrounds.
Some schools have attempted to address this issue by offering fee waivers or allowing students to borrow or rent caps and gowns. However, not all institutions provide these options, and even when they do, some students may find it humiliating to disclose their financial situation to the school administration. This means that many students are still left with no choice but to turn to external sources for assistance.
One example of an external organisation providing support is Just C, a non-profit organisation founded by Chenice Brown-Johnson. Just C has provided 210 caps and gowns to high school students in Virginia since 2020, ensuring that financial hardship does not prevent them from participating in their commencement ceremonies. Similarly, some schools have a stockpile of caps and gowns that students can borrow, either from the school itself or from other students who have graduated and no longer need them.
In some cases, teachers and school staff may also contribute financially to help students cover the cost of their caps and gowns. However, this is not always the case, and it is not the responsibility of teachers to fund these expenses. Instead, it has been suggested that organisations like the PTA should be involved in providing assistance to students who cannot afford these mandatory fees.
The reliance on external organisations to cover these costs highlights the financial burden that caps and gowns can place on students, particularly those from low-income backgrounds. While some organisations are stepping up to provide support, it is important to address the underlying issue of mandatory graduation fees and the potential discrimination that they can cause.
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Fee waivers and the humiliation of paperwork
While some schools across the US have addressed the issue of mandatory graduation fees by allowing students to apply for fee waivers, the process of doing so can be humiliating. Students may be required to fill out detailed paperwork about their family's finances and share this information with their school administration. This can be an invasion of privacy and may cause embarrassment for those who feel their financial situation is being scrutinised.
The process of applying for a fee waiver can also be time-consuming and burdensome, adding to the stress of an already busy time for students. It may involve multiple meetings with staff, as well as providing extensive documentation and financial records. For students who are already facing financial difficulties, the additional burden of navigating a potentially complex and bureaucratic fee waiver process can be overwhelming.
In some cases, students may feel pressured to provide sensitive financial information to their school, even if they do not feel comfortable doing so. This can create a power dynamic where students feel they have no choice but to comply with the school's demands, even if they feel their privacy is being invaded. This dynamic can be particularly challenging for students from low-income or marginalised backgrounds, who may already feel stigmatised or vulnerable due to their financial situation.
The fee waiver process may also vary depending on the school and district, leading to inconsistencies in how students are treated. Some schools may have more stringent requirements or more invasive questions on their fee waiver applications, while others may have a simpler process that is more respectful of students' privacy. This lack of standardisation can lead to further confusion and frustration for students who are already facing financial challenges.
To address these concerns, schools can take steps to streamline and simplify the fee waiver process, minimising the amount of personal financial information that students are required to disclose. Schools can also offer alternative options for students who are unable or unwilling to provide detailed financial information, such as allowing students to borrow a cap and gown or providing scholarships or awards to cover the cost. By providing a range of options and respecting students' privacy, schools can help to reduce the potential humiliation associated with applying for a fee waiver.
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Schools prioritising profits over students
For-profit colleges and schools are owned by private companies and businesses and are focused on earning revenue through student tuition and fees, as well as money from investors. This can often mean that they prioritise profits over student learning outcomes. For example, for-profit schools may have less rigorous admission standards, and they may spend less per pupil than they receive from the government, reducing personnel expenditures by paying teachers less or increasing class sizes.
Nonprofit colleges and universities, on the other hand, typically put a large percentage of their federal funding directly into education and student resources, which leads to higher retention and graduation rates.
The choice between a for-profit and a nonprofit school can have a significant impact on a student's experience and their career opportunities after graduation. For-profit schools often offer career-oriented programs, but they may do so without fulfilling other elements of the traditional college experience.
In addition, for-profit schools typically have higher costs for students. For example, many schools require students to pay mandatory fees for their caps and gowns at graduation, which can be costly and discriminatory towards low-income students. Some schools have addressed this issue by allowing students to apply for waivers or awards that would cover the cost of the cap and gown. However, not all schools offer these programs, and some students may still be unable to participate in graduation ceremonies due to financial hardship.
While for-profit schools may provide benefits such as smaller class sizes and a focus on pastoral care, they often prioritise revenue over the quality of instruction and learning outcomes. This can lead to higher costs for students and potentially negative consequences for their education and future careers.
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Students borrowing caps and gowns
The mandatory graduation fees required by many high schools and colleges across the US can present a significant financial barrier for low-income students. While some students are able to borrow caps and gowns from friends or family, others are not so fortunate. This has led to an increase in programs and initiatives that allow students to borrow or be awarded a cap and gown, ensuring they can participate in their graduation ceremony.
Santa Fe College, for example, has implemented a program that allows students to apply to borrow a cap and gown. Similarly, UC Davis offers students the opportunity to apply for an award that covers the cost of the cap and gown fee. Other colleges, such as Northwestern State University, have established 'Gowns for Grads' closets, where students can borrow graduation regalia in the university's colours. These initiatives are often supported by donations from alumni and student organisations.
Some students have also turned to external organisations for assistance. Just C, a non-profit organisation, has provided caps and gowns to high school students in Virginia who would otherwise be unable to participate in their commencement ceremonies. This approach addresses the financial burden on students while avoiding the potential embarrassment of applying for a fee waiver.
While these programs provide a valuable solution for students in need, they are not universally available. As a result, some students continue to face the difficult choice between paying for their graduation ceremony and forgoing other essential expenses, such as food and housing. This has led to criticism of the mandatory graduation fee system, with advocates arguing that financial hardship should not prevent students from participating in graduation.
To address this issue, some have suggested including the cost of graduation attire in the initial tuition fee or providing the option to rent caps and gowns at a lower price. These alternatives could reduce the financial strain on students and ensure that graduation ceremonies are accessible to all, regardless of their economic background.
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Frequently asked questions
Some schools allow students to apply for a waiver or award that covers the cost of caps and gowns. Alternatively, some schools have a stock of second-hand caps and gowns that students can borrow. In some cases, teachers or other school staff members may pay or chip in for students who cannot afford to buy their own.
Yes, some schools offer caps and gowns for rent. This is often cheaper than buying, and can be more environmentally friendly.
Students could consider applying for external scholarships or awards to cover the cost of a cap and gown. They could also reach out to non-profit organizations that provide caps and gowns to students in need.
