Grading and Grade Point Averages

Grading is done by the traditional method of “A” through “F.”  Grades are assigned a numerical value when determining a student’s Grade Point Average (GPA).

Grading System

Grading Scale

The College grading scale is:

* Please note: Some program specific courses within the College may adopt a different grading scale due to accreditation requirements. Students should consult course syllabi for specific scale information.

Translating Course Grades into GPA

By taking the number of semester hours assigned to a course and multiplying that credit value by the value of the grade, you determine the grade points for each course attempted.  Example:  If you take five courses that are assigned a total of 18 semester hours, you may determine your term GPA in the following manner:

Divide the total quality points by the number of credit hours attempted (per the example this is 47 divided by 18) and that will give you your GPA; in this case 2.61 is the GPA. If a course was repeated, only use the course with the best grade when calculating the GPA. For example, if ENG-111 was taken in the spring 2020 term with an earned grade of D and then it was retaken in the fall 2020 term with a grade of B, you will only include the attempt from fall 2020 which has the highest grade. Only the highest grade per course is used in the GPA calculation at CFCC.

Final Grades

Final grades will be available through Self Service for students after the end of each academic session.  Course grades, along with semester and cumulative grade point average (GPA), will be displayed.  Grade reports are not mailed to students.

Incomplete Grades

A grade of incomplete (I) will be given only when circumstances justify additional time to complete a class. Students must contact their instructor in writing to request a grade of incomplete at least one week prior to the last day of classes of the section for which they are requesting an incomplete. Students must have successfully completed at least 75% of the required coursework for a class to be eligible to receive a grade of incomplete. Students may be required to provide documentation of the circumstances justifying their request for additional time. When an incomplete is granted, the class requirements must be completed within six weeks of the beginning date of the next academic semester (including summer). Incompletes (I) not finalized within the appropriate time frame will convert to a grade of “F”. After the Incomplete Grade form has been approved by the student, the student must proceed with the Incomplete and cannot later request to be issued another grade such as a “W” for withdrawal. Extensions to the six-week time frame may be requested by faculty and must be approved by the Vice President of Academic Affairs in consideration of students’ extenuating circumstances.

Course Repeat Policy

Courses that are repeated fall into three different categories:

1. Courses with an earned grade of “C” or better may be repeated two times.

2. Courses with an earned grade of “D,” “F,” “W,” “WP,” “XF,” or “WF” may be repeated until successfully completed.

3. Audit courses may be repeated a maximum of two times unless an exception is made.

When a course has been repeated, the higher grade will be used in the Grade Point Average (GPA) calculation.  Lower grades will be removed from GPA calculation; however, these grades will continue to appear on the academic transcript.

Students who receive veteran benefits or financial aid should be advised that they may not receive funds for repeating courses which they have already passed.

Also, students who have received a degree from CFCC should be advised that the policy will not apply to courses which were taken to fulfill previous graduation requirements.  A final student program GPA is computed at the time of graduation, and this GPA may not be recalculated as courses are repeated.

Academic Forgiveness

Academic Forgiveness is designed to provide returning students with low grades a fresh start upon re-enrolling after at least three terms of non-enrollment at CFCC (one full year). Prior to applying for academic forgiveness, the student must demonstrate a renewed academic interest and effort by earning at least a 2.0 term GPA in the first six (6) semester hours completed after re-enrollment. Developmental course credits will not count toward the first six (6) hours. At the time of application for Academic Forgiveness, the student should not have any failing grades during the re-enrollment period. Students returning to their same program of study may be best served by retaking courses for replacement grades instead of pursuing Academic Forgiveness.

 After completing 6 credit hours with a 2.0 or higher term GPA, students should consult with their CFCC assigned academic advisor and/or counselor to determine if they are eligible for academic forgiveness. If the determination is made that the student is eligible for academic forgiveness, then the student must complete and submit the Academic Forgiveness form. Once submitted, the Registrar’s Office will review the student’s academic record for eligibility and students will be notified of a decision via their CFCC student email account.

The following points apply regarding the consideration of academic forgiveness:

1. Academic forgiveness is not reversible and may only be applied once during an academic career at CFCC.

2. Students granted academic forgiveness will have their cumulative grade point averages recalculated. While the forgiven grades will continue to appear on the official transcript, they will be marked as forgiven.

3. Grades which may be disregarded from students’ grade point averages are “F,” “XF,” “WF,” and “NC.” Grades of D may be forgiven if it is determined by the Registrar that the course is unable to be retaken for a better grade.

4. Courses that have been applied toward an awarded certificate, diploma, or degree at CFCC are not eligible for academic forgiveness.

5. Grades that are included in academic forgiveness are not exempt from academic progress relating to financial aid and VA educational benefits.

6. Since developmental course work does not count in the student’s cumulative GPA, developmental course grades are not eligible for academic forgiveness.

7. Academic Forgiveness has no bearing on any other institution or how they calculate grade point averages. Students planning to transfer should ask their receiving institution how Academic Forgiveness will be considered.

Note: The three-term period of non-enrollment starts the term after the last enrollment and goes for three full terms. For example, if the student stops attending after the Fall term, they must not enroll the following Spring, Summer, or Fall to be eligible.

Grade Appeal Procedure

The purpose of the Student Grade Appeal Procedure is to provide an orderly and equitable process for resolving differences between students and faculty relating to final grades where the student believes he/she is being treated unfairly or arbitrarily.

Procedure

Step 1. The student with the conflict must first make an appeal in writing to the class instructor to attempt to resolve the difference. This initial appeal must be made by the student within five (5) weekdays of the posting of final grades for the term. Every reasonable effort should be made to resolve the matter at this level (Step 1). The instructor will notify his/her department chair in writing of the grade appeal.

Step 2. If the student is not satisfied with the decision of his/her instructor in Step 1, he/she may, within five (5) weekdays of the date of notification of the instructor’s decision on the grade appeal, file a written appeal to the instructional dean responsible for the course in question. The dean will review and evaluate the appeal to determine what action, if any, should be taken to resolve the conflict. Written notification of that determination will be sent to the student within five (5) weekdays of receipt of student’s written notice.

Step 3. If the student is dissatisfied with the outcome of Step 2, he/she may, within five (5) weekdays of the date of notification of Step 2, file a written notice of appeal to the Vice President for Student Services. The Vice President for Student Services will convene the Academic Subcommittee of the Judicial Board to hear the appeal and make a determination regarding the appeal. The Vice President for Student Services will then notify, in writing, the student, the dean, the department chair, and the instructor of the Academic Subcommittee’s decision. The student may appeal the Academic Subcommittee’s decision to the President of the College or his/her designee. This appeal must be made within ten (10) weekdays of the student’s receipt of the Academic Subcommittee’s decision. The appeal process consists of the President of the College or his/her designee reviewing the written record submitted to date and does not involve an additional hearing. The President of the College or his/her designee will respond with his/her final decision to the appeal within ten (10) weekdays of receipt of the appeal.

Students dismissed from the clinical area in Health Sciences and Nursing programs will follow the appeals process outlined in the program student handbook.