GPA & Grade Rules
The Grade Point Average is calculated by multiplying each course's letter-grade points by its credit hours, summing the quality points earned, and dividing by the total credit hours that carry quality points.
- Developmental courses (graded AP, BP, CP, DP, FQ, Q, or P) are excluded entirely from both the semester and cumulative GPA calculation — their credit hours are not part of the divisor.
- An Incomplete ("I") grade has an immediate effect on the student's semester GPA; the instructor and student agree on a timeline for completing the work, up to a maximum of one year.
- For repeated courses, all attempts remain on the transcript, but only the most recent grade earned counts toward the cumulative GPA and toward satisfying a prerequisite.
- An audited course (grade "N") carries no credit and does not factor into GPA. A "W" (withdrawal) is a transcript notation, not a graded course, and also does not factor into GPA; failing to officially withdraw results in a recorded "F".
- Requital of Grades: a student who has not attended any college in the prior two years may apply (before completing 12 credit hours) to have prior grades excluded from future GPA and credit calculations, once, after earning a 2.00 GPA over the next 12 credit hours.
Source: 2026-2027 Student Handbook, "Grade and Cumulative Grade Point Average", "Grades Earned in Repeated Courses", and "Requital Of Grades" sections — verified Aug 2026
Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress
To remain eligible for federal and state financial aid and veterans benefits, students must meet three standards each term: complete at least 67% of attempted credit hours (Pace), complete their program within 150% of its published credit hours (Maximum Time Frame), and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00.
A student who first fails to meet these standards is placed on Financial Aid Warning for one term. Continued failure makes the student Academically Ineligible for aid until the standards are met, or until an approved appeal reinstates aid on a one-term probationary basis.
Source: 2026-2027 Student Handbook, "Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy" section — verified Aug 2026
Honors & Recognition
- President's List: a 4.0 GPA for the semester (not cumulative).
- Dean's List: a 3.5–3.99 GPA for the semester (not cumulative). Both require at least 6 credit hours that carry quality points that semester, and both exclude developmental coursework from eligibility.
- Iowa Central Honor Society: a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher after the fall semester, for students meeting that year's graduation credit-hour requirements (developmental courses excluded).
- Phi Theta Kappa: a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher and at least 12 completed college credit hours (developmental courses excluded); a one-time $80 membership fee applies.
Source: 2026-2027 Student Handbook, "President's List/Dean's List", "Honor Society", and "Phi Theta Kappa" sections — verified Aug 2026