Failing a Course

Q.      What happens if I fail a course?

If you fail one course, you may re-enroll to repeat the course the next time that course is offered. If that course is a pre-requisite for another course, you cannot progress to that course until you have successfully completed the failed course. You will be put in Conditional or Probationary Academic Standing. See Academic Progression section below.

If you fail a course or do not take a course in the required sequence you may have a sequencing problem because courses may be taught only once per year and you may not be able to take the failed course for at least another full year. This may mean it will cost you time to get back in proper course sequence. Refer to the program model route for current pre-requisite requirements. When you fail a course, you cannot be guaranteed the opportunity to repeat the course the next time it is offered. This will depend on available space after all regularly scheduled students have registered for the course.

Q.      If I fail a course and repeat the same course successfully, will my GPA include both attempts?

No. Only the attempt that has the higher mark will be used to calculate your GPA. However, both attempts will appear on your academic transcript.

Q.   How many times can I repeat a course?

You are allowed to repeat a course two times. A third repeat will require the Dean or a designate’s approval.

Q.      What is an “I” grade? How long does an “I” grade remain on my transcript?

An Incomplete (I) grade is a temporary grade intended to be an acknowledgement of a legitimate reason for granting a one-time, limited extension to the time normally allowed to complete all course requirements.

Students have time after the scheduled end of the course to successfully complete required additional work as determined by the faculty member who assigned the grade (up to 12 calendar months) in order to qualify for a passing grade. After 12 calendar months, Incomplete grades are converted to a failing grade and the student must repeat the course in order to achieve a passing grade.

Withdrawing from a Course or Program

If you decide to withdraw from a course or program, you must meet with the Success Advisor to discuss the implications of dropping a course or withdrawing from the program.

Withdrawing from a course or program without academic penalty must be done officially by submitting a Withdrawal Form or Course Add/Drop Form to the Enrolment Services Office before or by the withdrawal deadline date.

Q.      If I decide to drop a course, will I get a ‘F’ grade?

If you drop a course before the deadline date, no grade is assigned and the course is removed from your record. Make sure you complete the Course Add/Drop Form, have it signed by your Success Advisor and submit it to Enrolment Services on or before the deadline date.

Courses on a student’s record after the withdrawal deadline become a part of the student’s permanent official record. Therefore, if you stop attending class/completing course activities without officially withdrawing you may be assigned a Failure or Failure, Non-Attendance (FNA) grade at the end of the semester. An FNA may be assigned when a student has been absent without permission from required course meetings or have not participated in/completed course activities/assignments. This grade is counted as a failure in the calculation of your GPA and academic standing.

Q.      Will I get a refund if I withdraw from a course?

You will receive a partial refund of fees only if you officially withdraw within the first ten days of the semester. Some fees, however, such as the OSAP fee-deferral charge and administration fees, are not refundable.

Q.      What are some possible consequences of withdrawing from a course or program?

Withdrawing from a course or program or reducing the number of courses in which you are enrolled in the semester can have some significant consequences. Some of the consequences may include the following:

• Your eligibility for an OSAP loan may change.
• The duration of your studies may be extended and/or graduation may be delayed.
• You may need to incur additional fees.
• Any sponsorship arrangements you have in place may be affected.
• Your eligibility for inter-collegiate sports may be affected.
• Prerequisites for upcoming semesters may be impacted.

NOTE: If you are thinking of dropping a course, please see your success advisor Michele Cauch: mcauch@centennialcollege.ca