Council of Graduate Students
at The Ohio State University

Academic Regalia Lending Library

Purpose

The CGS Academic Regalia Lending Library was established to increase graduate student participation in University Commencement through a free rental of academic regalia (i.e. gown, tam, tassel, and hood) to graduating students. 

Eligibility 

Any currently enrolled graduate student at The Ohio State University (O.S.U.) is eligible to apply. This includes main and regional campuses of O.S.U. Furthermore, only graduate students who have applied to graduate through Grad Forms in the current semester are eligible to apply for a zero-cost regalia rental. For example, for autumn 2025 graduation & commencement, an enrolled graduate student must have applied to graduate prior to September 12, 2025 to be eligible for a zero-cost rental. 

Application Link & Selection  

Eligible graduate students are selected for a zero-cost rental of academic regalia based on a lottery system. For a chance to be selected, eligible graduate students can apply here. If selected, graduate students will be notified via email and, as a condition of rental, expected to fill out and return an agreement outlining terms & conditions of the zero-cost rental (attached above). Questions regarding the agreement’s terms & conditions can be directed to cgs@osu.edu.

Timeline for Spring 2026 Commencement 

Deadline to apply for graduation via Grad Forms: January 30, 2026

Deadline to apply for a zero-cost rental through the CGS Academic Regalia Lending Library: March 9, 2026

Notification of selection: March 16, 2026

Deadline to sign CGS Academic Regalia Lending Library Agreement: March 23, 2026

Pick-up regalia rental: May 9, 2026

Commencement: May 10, 2026

Return regalia rental: May 11, 2026

Assessment, notification, and payment of regalia rental damages & completeness: May 12-27, 2026

Rationale 

Graduation is a time of celebration and recognition of all the sacrifices students have made and the time they have dedicated to the advancement of their academic and professional careers. As a part of this celebratory ceremony, all students are required to wear the proper academic regalia to participate in commencement. However, CGS recognizes that lack of funds introduces barriers to participating in this experience and may induce feelings of anxiety rather than joy, particularly for graduate students who incur significant regalia costs. To that end, and in accordance with CGS Resolution 2223-SP-002: Affordability of Academic Regalia, the goal of this initiative was to clothe at least 10% of graduate students at OSU Commencement in Lending Library regalia. This initiative is expected to expand in the coming years.

FAQ

  1. How random is the lottery? If I apply earlier or if I’m an older graduate student (2nd year master’s vs. 6th year Ph.D.) am I more likely to receive a rental? 
    • The selection of graduate students receiving a rental is entirely random, with each graduate student having the same chance of being selected for a rental as another. Applying earlier, being a master’s or Ph.D. student, or any other student demographic does not make you more or less likely to be selected.

If you have additional questions, recommendations, or concerns, please email cgs@osu.edu.