Grade Substitution Policy

First-time first-year who receive a grade of D or F in a course within their first two terms in residence are eligible to repeat the course and have the original grade excluded from the computation of academic average. Grade substitution may be used only once per course, with a maximum of two courses total. More information is outlined at www.registrar.gatech.edu.

Impact of Grade Substitution Policy on the HOPE Scholarship

All credit hours attempted after high school graduation are calculated when determining HOPE Scholarship eligibility, even if a course is forgiven by the institution. Therefore, if a student utilizes the Grade Substitution Policy and repeats a course, the credits and grades issued in both occurrences are included in the HOPE calculations. For example, if a student takes MATH 1501 (Calculus I) and earns a "D" in the course, retakes the course and earns a "B," then applies for a grade substitution, both Calculus courses would be included in his HOPE Attempted Hours and GPA. Note that HOPE is also subject to the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy discussed below.

Impact of Grade Substitution Policy on Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

Georgia Tech's SAP policy has three components. Click here for the complete policy.

The quantitative and maximum time frame standards refer to number of attempted hours and are not impacted by this policy. It is important to note, however, that repeated coursework does not count as additional hours earned for purposes of determining Satisfactory Academic Progress. This is true whether or not grade substitution is requested for the repeated class.

The Qualitative Standard, the third component of the SAP Policy, looks at a student's official cumulative Georgia Tech GPA to determine if it meets the requirement for the student's grade level. If a student's official GPA is recalculated, eligibility from that date forward is evaluated based on the new GPA. Any change in eligibility would not be retroactive to prior terms. Similarly, decisions about eligibility may not be based on anticipated changes to GPA. The requirements are that the student must maintain a cumulative minimum grade-point average of 1.7 as a first-year, 1.9 as a second-year, 2.0 as a third- and fourth-year, and 2.7 as a graduate student.