GRAD FAQ (Jan 2026)

How do I purchase my cap and gown package?
How do I find my size?
  • Gowns come in two different fits: Regular and Full. Only the length of a gown changes as the size goes up – not the width! Our size chart gives gown size recommendations based on your height – your gown should fall around the middle of your calf. Full fit sizes are the same length as regular fit sizes but allow for more room in the hips and chest.
  • The Main Campus shop at NAIT store has sample sizes for you to try ahead of time, starting from March 16th, 2026. If you have questions about your gown, we are here to help.
Can I purchase the different pieces of grad apparel separately?
  • Yes! shop at NAIT will have caps available to purchase separately. However, you will need your gown and hood in order to attend Convocation. Please note that you must still be eligible to convocate in order to purchase the tassel and charm.
    • Gowns are not sold separately – only caps!
What if I missed the deadline to order my cap and gown package?
  • If you miss the window to order your package online, then you will be able to order and pickup your gown packages at the Convocation Centre.
  • If you still aren’t able to place an order at this time, shop at NAIT will have a limited ability to sell you a package on-site before your convocation ceremony. We cannot guarantee the availability of all sizes by this point. You will be required to arrive at the venue at least 2 hours before your ceremony, with your NAIT OneCard.
Am I allowed to decorate my cap?
  • Absolutely! Students are encouraged to do so! Share your creative work with us by posting your picture on Instagram or Facebook and tag @ShopatNAIT. Students who post their caps between June 22nd and June 26th will be entered into daily draws to win their own Stuffed Ook with a grad gown. We will then have a Social Media contest for our NAIT students to vote on their favorite out of the 4 winners. The Top pick will have their Grad Gown packaged fully refunded! (Value of $64.95)
Can I make any changes to my order?
  • Yes! Please contact mailorders@nait.ca for assistance if you have not yet picked up your order.
Can I pick up my cap and gown package earlier?
  • Unfortunately, pick up will only be available from June 8, 2026 to June 13, 2026, at NAIT’s Main Campus. We are unable to offer shipping on these packages.
What if I missed the window to pick up my cap and gown?
  • If you missed the window to pick up in-store from June 8 to June 13, you can pick up your gown from the Edmonton Convention Centre on the day of your ceremony. Please arrive at the venue 2 hours in advance, with your NAIT One Card.
Can someone else pick up my gown package for me?
  • Yes! Make sure you email mailorders@nait.ca with your order number and the full name of the person who will be picking up in your place. When that person comes to pick up your order, they will need a piece of their own government-issued photo ID, the order number, and your student ID number.
What is a “Grad Hood”?
  • Your grad hood is a garment worn across your shoulders, over top of your gown. The type of hood you will be given depends on the type of program you completed! Some programs will receive a liripipe (a long rectangular piece of fabric worn over your left shoulder) instead of a hood.
  • These hoods and liripipes belong to NAIT and MUST be returned to shop at NAIT.
    • At the end of each ceremony, you will find bins set up around the venue to drop off your hood/liripipe. If you want to hang on to your hood/liripipe – to take pictures, for example – you MUST return your hood to shop at NAIT directly by July 17, 2026.
    • Failure to return the hood by the deadline will incur a $125 fine and if not paid you will be placed on financial hold, preventing access to your transcript and most NAIT services. Excessive damage to the hood will be charged to the students accordingly.
Can I purchase more items with my cap and gown package?
  • Absolutely! You will be able to add additional grad-related merchandise to your order at the time of purchase. BuildAGrad - shopgrad at NAIT
  • If you would like to pick up your additional items before the week of June 8 to June 13, please place a separate order using our regular website.
What if I ordered more items, and they are missing or damaged?
  • If you have any issues with an online order, please reach out to mailorders@nait.ca with your order number and a description of the issue.
Do I need to return my cap and gown package?
  • The gown and the cap are both yours to keep. Only the hood or liripipe needs to be returned.
If I got the wrong gown size, can I exchange it?
  • Yes! Please return to the Main Campus shop at NAIT location as soon as possible.
    • If this isn’t an option, you can do it on the day of your ceremony – but we will not be able to guarantee the availability of all sizes at this point. If you need to exchange sizes on the day of your ceremony, make sure to arrive at the venue at least 2 hours in advance, with your NAIT One Card.
If I don’t have my NAIT OneCard, can I use any other ID to pick up my gown?
  • Yes! You may use any government-issued photo ID to pick up your gown. However, you will still need to provide your student ID number.
If I don’t attend the ceremony, can I return my cap and gown package?
  • All sales of grad cap and gown packages are final.
    • In the rare case where a student finds out they do not qualify to attend convocation after buying their cap and gown package, the package may be refunded. A letter from the Office of the Registrar will be required for any return.