How the cumulative index is calculated
The cumulative index (GPA) is computed by dividing total quality points earned by total credits attempted. Grades of P (Passing), U (Unsatisfactory), H (Audit) and SP (Satisfactory Progress) carry no quality points and are not counted. An unresolved "I" (Incomplete) converts to an "F" if a grade change is not filed by the deadline in the academic calendar.
If a course is repeated, both grades appear on the transcript and both are included in the semester and cumulative index (the course counts only once toward credits earned); a grade of "F" is counted every time it is earned. The exception is First-Year Amnesty: a student may repeat one course from their first year in which they earned a D or F, and if the second attempt earns a C or higher, only that higher second grade is calculated into the cumulative GPA.
Full-time juniors and seniors with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher may take one elective per semester on an index-free basis, graded P/U instead of a letter grade, which does not affect the GPA.
Under the Fresh Start Rule, a student with a cumulative index below 2.0 who leaves the University and is readmitted after a lapse of three or more calendar years may apply for a fresh start: credits earned before reinstatement are treated as transfer credits (not included in the recalculated cumulative index), and the student must complete a minimum of 30 credits after return, maintaining the required 2.0 index.
Source: official document — verified Aug 2026
Good standing, academic recovery and suspension
Based on fall/spring performance, students fall into one of four levels of good standing: Honors Level (cumulative index of 3.5 or higher, without rounding), Preferred Level (2.5 or higher), Acceptable Level (semester and cumulative index of 2.0 or higher), and Probationary Level (semester or cumulative index below 2.0).
Students are placed on academic recovery whenever their semester, major, or cumulative index falls below 2.0. Continued enrollment requires achieving a term/cumulative GPA and major GPA of 2.0 or higher, among other conditions. Failure to meet academic-recovery conditions may result in Academic Suspension (a temporary separation, usually at least one full term, requiring an application and letter of appeal for reinstatement) or, on a repeat failure after reinstatement, Academic Dismissal (a permanent separation).
Source: official document — verified Aug 2026
GPA requirement for graduation
To be eligible for graduation, students must earn a minimum of 120 credits (some BS degrees require more), complete all degree-program requirements including the capstone, and maintain a minimum average of "C" (2.0) in both their major index and their overall cumulative index.
Source: official document — verified Aug 2026
Dean's List and graduation honors
A full-time student with a scholarship index of at least 3.5 and no grade less than "C" in a given semester (excluding index-free credits) is placed on the Dean's Honor List. Part-time matriculated undergraduates completing 12 or more credits in an academic year with a scholarship index of at least 3.5 are eligible for Dean's Recognition.
Undergraduate Latin Honors, for students entering as new freshmen, are awarded on cumulative GPA as follows:
| Cumulative GPA | Latin Honor |
|---|---|
| 3.900 or higher | Summa Cum Laude |
| 3.750 to 3.899 | Magna Cum Laude |
| 3.500 to 3.749 | Cum Laude |
Students entering as transfers qualify per the same table but must complete a minimum of 56 credits in residence; transfer students with 30-55 Iona credits in residence and an index of 3.500 or higher graduate with Distinction. Only courses taken at Iona are included when computing the final index for honors. The Honors Program requires students to maintain a 3.33 cumulative GPA to remain in the program.
Source: official document — verified Aug 2026
How transfer credit affects the GPA
Only course credits transfer to Iona for the student record — grades never transfer, so transfer coursework does not affect the Iona GPA. Grades of C- or higher (outside major or major-related courses) are eligible for transfer, provided the grade is equivalent to or higher than a C- at Iona.
A matriculated undergraduate in good academic standing (GPA 2.0 or above) may take up to two courses or six credits at another institution while enrolled at Iona (Study Abroad and other approved off-campus programs are excepted from this limit), with prior authorization from the Center for Advising and Academic Services.
Source: official document — verified Aug 2026