Graduation Weighs on Wallets

The Whole Story

Graduation

Why this story is important: I feel that this story is important because it shows students how much graduation costs. It helps to let students who are close to graduation know how much to save up for the items they want to buy, such as rings, diploma frames and invitations.

What I did to get this story: I did a lot of my research online through Balfour, Signature Announcements, VSU, The Holiday Inn and The Hampton Inn. I also, interviewed Katie Ziemann, senior English major, who is graduating in May. She provided me with information and I took pictures of her trying on and buying her graduation cap, gown and tassel. Finally, I interviewed Chuck Hudson to find out about what the $25 application for graduation fee is used for.

Online links to the information used in this story: http://services.valdosta.edu/bookstore, http://ww2.balfour.com/college, http://www.graduationannouncements.net

With graduation quickly approaching, just how much are students spending to walk across the stage for their diplomas? While not everyone participates in all of the graduation festivities, those who do know the bill can add up.

Before students can graduate, they must pay a $25 application for graduation fee. According to the VSU Web site, students are urged to do so at least two semesters before they plan to graduate.

“The graduation fee is used to pay for the students diploma, mailing cost for the diploma, awards at graduation and some other administrative costs associated with the commencement,” Chuck Hudson, registrar, said.

In May, Katie Ziemann, senior English major, will be receiving her bachelor’s degree and she had to pay the application fee like every other graduate.

“I think that [the application fee] is an understandable fee for the printing of the diploma and the shipping, but since I’m not getting any other awards I wouldn’t have minded paying less,” she said.

During the semester, the VSU bookstore sells a cap, gown and tassel package to graduates. Students receiving their Bachelor’s Degree pay $26.95, those receiving their Masters pay $28.95 and those receiving their Doctorate pay $33.95. The bookstore also sells diploma frames, with prices ranging from $99.95 to $199.95, depending on size, color and wood type. All products are available in stores or online at http://services.valdosta.edu/bookstore/.

As a graduation present, Ziemann said her mom is buying her a diploma frame from the VSU bookstore with the school’s seal, which costs $99.95.

For invitations, students can go through Balfour or Signature Announcements. Both offer packages to save students money and provide them with the most products for their money. According to Balfour’s Web site, they have a basic graduation pack for $75.95, an essential package for $99.95 and a deluxe package for $139.95. All packages vary in amount of announcements, address labels, thank you notes, etc. According to Signature Announcements, the package prices are a couple dollars less and contain the same products.

Ziemann recently ordered a package including 25 invitations for $100 from Balfour, which she feels is reasonable.

“I think that the price is understandable considering that you are getting well made invitations that include the schools emblem, as well as your personal information,” Katie said. “They are very formal looking as well.”

Balfour also sells a variety of graduation rings to students. According to their Web site, prices range from $229 to $1,650, depending on what karat gold students want and whether they want diamonds or cubic zirconia.

However, Katie is one of many students who won’t be buying graduation rings.

“I do not see myself wearing a college graduation ring in the future, so spending so much money on something that will end up sitting in a box is not worth it,” she said.

Along with the VSU bookstore, Signature announcements sell diploma frames. According to their Web site, prices range from $110 to $150, depending on size, color and wood type. Students can receive discounts in diploma frames when they purchase invitation packages.

Many graduating students will also have families visiting from out of town, so they will need to book hotels. According to The Holiday Inn Web site, a one night stay for four people costs $104.99. According to The Hampton Inn Web site, a one night stay for four people costs $101.00. However, prices will vary depending on where guests choose to stay.

While families visit their graduating students, they will also have to spend money on food. Most restaurants cost about $10 per person, but it varies on where people go and what they eat. Depending on how long families stay, they’ll need to pay for about three meals a day per person, which can add up.

Ziemann plans on going out to dinner after graduation, estimating that it will cost $100 for her family of four.

Everything that goes along with making graduation a special day can cost a lot, but the amount spent varies on what the students can afford to share their day with family, friends and fellow graduates.

“Personally, I would not have participated in the actual graduation if it were not for my parents,” Katie said. “I feel that while it is a big event in my life I could find other ways to spend the money that I have spent on graduation, like living expenses that I will be having directly after graduating.”

For more information about some of the graduation products available, visit http://ww2.balfour.com/college/default.aspx or http://www.graduationannouncements.net/