How HCC Calculates GPA
Grade points earned in a course equal the letter grade's point value multiplied by the course's semester credit hours. A semester or cumulative GPA is the total grade points earned divided by the total semester hours completed (GPA Units), carried to three decimal places and rounded to two.
- Grades of I, W, U, R, P, CR, NC, #, NR, NP, X and * are recorded on the transcript but are not counted toward GPA or toward total hours completed.
- Only HCC courses numbered 100 level or above are averaged into GPA; developmental education courses are excluded.
- Repeated courses: the highest grade earned is used in the GPA calculation; the lower grade stays on the transcript (with a repeat notation) but is not factored into GPA. Students may repeat a course as many times as they wish, though financial aid eligibility may be affected.
- Academic Amnesty: a student who has not enrolled at HCC for three consecutive academic years and, upon return, completes at least 12 college-level credit hours with a 2.0 GPA and no grade below C may request forgiveness of prior F grades earned within a consecutive 12-month period. Forgiven F's are excluded from the official GPA but remain on the transcript with an amnesty notation, and cannot be used to meet graduation requirements or prerequisites.
Source: Student Handbook, Enrollment and Academics: Grades / Academic Amnesty sections — verified Aug 2026
Academic Probation & Good Standing
A student is placed on academic probation for falling below the minimum cumulative GPA required for good standing at their total hours attempted:
| Total Hours Attempted | GPA Required for Good Standing |
|---|---|
| 9-16 | 1.50 |
| 17-32 | 1.70 |
| 33-48 | 1.85 |
| 49+ | 2.00 |
A student on probation must earn at least a 2.0 GPA in the next semester. If the cumulative GPA also meets the required threshold, the student returns to Good Standing; if only the term GPA is met, the student moves to Continuing Probation; if neither is met, the student is placed on Dismissed Status and must sit out a semester (dismissal at the end of fall means sitting out spring; end of spring means sitting out summer and fall; end of summer means sitting out fall), with mandatory Success Coach meetings possible upon return.
Source: Student Handbook, Enrollment and Academics: Academic Standing section — verified Aug 2026
GPA Requirements for Graduation
- Associate in Arts, Science, General Studies, and Engineering Science degrees: a cumulative GPA of 2.0 for all coursework attempted at HCC.
- Associate in Applied Science degree: a 2.0 GPA in the courses required for the degree; allied health program students must complete program-designated courses with a minimum grade of C.
- Certificates: a 2.0 GPA in the courses required for the certificate.
Source: Student Handbook, Enrollment and Academics: Graduation Requirements section — verified Aug 2026
Dean's List
Published at the end of each fall and spring semester:
- Full-Time Student Dean's List: students enrolled in 12 or more semester hours of college-level courses who earned at least a 3.5 GPA for the semester.
- Part-Time Student Dean's List: students enrolled in 6 to 11 semester hours of college-level courses who earned at least a 3.5 GPA for the semester.
Source: Student Handbook, Enrollment and Academics: Dean's List section — verified Aug 2026
Transfer Credit
Students transferring to Heartland must send official transcripts from all previously attended colleges to the HCC Records Office for evaluation before meeting with an academic advisor.
HCC participates in the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): completing the IAI General Education Core Curriculum satisfies lower-division general education requirements at participating Illinois institutions, and completing an AA or AS degree at HCC confers junior standing upon transfer to an Illinois public college or university. HCC also participates in transfer agreements and baccalaureate completion programs with several colleges and universities.
Note: transferring students should be aware that other schools may calculate GPA differently.
Source: Student Handbook, Enrollment and Academics: Transfer sections — verified Aug 2026