Graduation is single-handedly the most gratifying day of a student’s life, until you realize how much money you have to shell out to get through the big day.

When I got the email saying graduation registration was open, I was ecstatic until I realized I had to pay a $61 non-refundable deposit just to see if I could graduate.

Then, I had to pay $38 for my college stole, $43 for my regalia and $45 to participate in the Chicano/Latino Commencement Ceremony. 

With taxes and fees, my total was a little over $187 just for the essentials. This doesn’t count photography costs, dress clothes and things of that nature, which aren’t necessities, but make graduation special.

Media, Communications and Journalism Broadcast majors Makenna Deeth and Jarrett Smith had similar experiences.

“I unfortunately was a victim of the grad box scam,” Deeth said. “I went and I bought it and I thought I was going to get my cap and my gown and I didn’t get any of that stuff.”

Smith was also unhappy with the graduation prices just to celebrate his accomplishments.

“The school can do the students a favor and make the process a lot clearer,” Smith said. “Instead of clouding it to where we find out, ‘Oh we have to pay for all this extra stuff to be able to be celebrated.’”

Prices could be worse, but considering the thousands of dollars spent in tuition, an extra $200 to graduate seems like an unnecessary flick to the forehead.

When graduating from Merced College, we had the option to pay a rental deposit for regalia instead of buying it. All we had to purchase out of pocket was our $7 tassel.

This was great because no one ever uses their regalia after graduation anyway. 

The diploma expense does count toward the actual graduation, but student fees are increasing; I think the administration can find a way to make graduation more affordable for already broke college students next year.