Sacramento State University has recently announced a $90 fee for credential candidates to participate in the commencement ceremony. This announcement came only ONE WEEK prior to the event, leaving students with little to no time to prepare financially for this unexpected expense.  The graduate credential programs at Sacramento State demand equal levels of application, commitment, time, and workload as undergraduate degrees. On top of the financial strain, othering the credential candidates like this is disrespectful and unjust.

Candidates committed to being present at commencement for Winter 2025 have already made plans to attend, invited close friends and family, and are eagerly waiting for the ceremony, all to receive this notice within the middle of an email. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Liking" a Facebook page is more important to the university than notifying its graduating students about a deceiving payment.

There was no mention of a fee when students were first notified to sign up for commencement. No mention of a fee on the website itself. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Although the College of Education states that this was "recently decided", there are multiple claims that students were expected to pay this commencement fee in previous years as well. They too were told last minute about it. This begs the question: Has Sacramento State University been deliberately withholding information from its graduating students?

For many, the commencement ceremony represents the culmination of their educational efforts and an opportunity to celebrate this achievement with friends, family, and peers. Imposing such a fee on short notice is not only unfair but also places an unnecessary financial burden on students, many of whom are already facing significant student loan debt.

The cost of higher education is already high, and adding last-minute fees, like this commencement fee, only exacerbates the financial struggle for students. Alongside standard tuition fees, candidates obtaining teaching credentials spend about an additional $1,200 worth of mandatory tests and resources required to pass the program. Taking account for the increase of student fees and tuition at CSUS for the 2025-2026 school year, adding on additional unplanned expenses only adds to this burden.

We urge Sacramento State University to immediately abolish this $90 commencement fee for credential candidates, allowing them to partake in the commencement ceremony without additional financial strain. Join us in signing this petition to demand that Sacramento State University retract this fee and ensure that all students can celebrate their academic achievements without undue financial hardship. Together, we can stand against unnecessary financial barriers to education. Thank you.