In response to the challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic has presented students in their educational and personal lives, South Central College (SCC) is providing the following grading options to support students' completion of the Spring 2020 semester.
- Standard Grading (A–F): Letter grades are assigned in each credit course as an evaluation of their performance. Grades are available in your e-Services account following the end of the semester.
- Pass/No Credit (P/NC): You may request a change in grade for any Spring 2020 class from the standard grades of “A–D” to “P” and from “D- or F” to “NC.” This option is available for Spring 2020 classes only.
- Incomplete (I): You may request an “I” grade from your instructor when there is a reasonable expectation that you can complete the unfinished course requirements. For Spring 2020 courses, you must complete the unfinished course requirements by the end of the Fall 2020 semester. Please note, you do not need to register for the incomplete class again for Fall 2020.
- Withdraw (W): You may withdraw from a full-semester course (begin in Jan–end in May) through May 1, 2020 in your e-Services account.
Additional information about these options is available in the SCC Spring 2020 Grading Options Diagram.
Every student’s situation is unique. Your graduation timeline, Satisfactory Academic Progress, or financial aid disbursements could be affected by the grading option you choose. Please consult with an academic or financial aid advisor about which option is best for you.
Additional information about the pass/no credit option for the Spring 2020 Semester
What is Pass/No Credit?
Pass/No Credit (P/NC) is an alternate grading method available to students enrolled in Spring 2020 semester courses only.
How Do I request a Pass/No Credit Grade?
To earn a P/NC grade for the Spring 2020 Semester, you must first complete your course activities and assessments. Once the semester is complete and your grades are posted, you may request the P/NC grade option via the Grade Change to Pass/No-Credit Form. Please remember that the P/NC option is only available for the Spring 2020 Semester and all grade change requests must be submitted by December 2020. Requests after this date will not be processed.
How does the Spring 2020 Semester Pass/No Credit option work?
- You may request to change the grade(s) earned for any completed Spring 2020 course to P/NC.
- There is no limit to the number of Spring 2020 courses or credit hours that may be taken as P/NC.
- If you request the P/NC option, grades of “A–D” will change to “P” and the number of credit hours designated for the course will be earned. Grades of “D- or F” will change to “NC” and no credits will be earned for that course.
- Courses with a grade of “P” will satisfy SCC general education and graduation requirements. Courses with a grade of “NC” will not.
- The “P/NC” grading option aligns with similar practices across the state. As a result, “P” grades awarded in Spring 2020 will be accepted by all colleges and universities in the Minnesota State system. Because “NC” grades equate to zero credits, there will be no credits to transfer.
- Grades of “P” and “NC” will not affect your grade point average.
- Grades of “P” and “NC” Should not have a negative impact on your Financial Aid or Satisfactory Academic Progress for the Spring 2020 Semester. However, please consult with an academic or financial aid advisor before selecting these options to be sure.
Is Pass/No Credit the Right Choice for Me?
Before deciding to choose the P/NC option, you should discuss it with your instructor and/or an academic advisor to ensure there are no consequences that result from switching to P/NC grading.
- Courses earning a grade of “P” will count toward credits to graduate, but courses earning a grade of “NC” do not earn credits.
- Course prerequisites that require a grade of “C or higher” may not be satisfied with a “P” grade and will not be satisfied with a “NC” grade.
- If a course counts as part of a group of courses required for admission to a program in which grades are averaged, “P” will not be included in the GPA calculation.
- Program accreditation requirements may prohibit P/NC grades for program courses, as well as pre-requisite courses required for admittance into these programs.
- If you are on academic warning or probation should check with the Advising Office to determine the effect P/NC grades might have on their academic standing.
- If you are on financial aid warning or probation should check with the Financial Aid Office to determine the effect P/NC grades might have on their financial aid status.
