COVID-19 Grading Accommodation
Pass/Unsatisfactory Option and the Conversion of Failing Grades (F, X) to Protect GPA
Due to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, for the Spring Semester 2020, Wright State University graduate and undergraduate students had the option to convert any of their courses to Pass/Unsatisfactory grading, excluding A-term courses and X-term courses that ended before March 9, 2020. Courses in the M.D. or Psy.D. degree programs were not covered by this option. Failing grades of F or X were automatically converted to Unsatisfactory (U or XU).
Additionally, recognizing the difficulties many students faced during the pandemic that may have impacted their ability to perform at their best level, Wright State University provided the automatic conversion of failing grades for undergraduate courses for the following semesters: Summer 2020, Fall 2020, Spring 2021, and Summer 2021. This was to minimize long-term damage to these students’ GPAs during the less-than-ideal conditions of the pandemic.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Do I have to request the conversion of failing grades?
No. Automatic conversions are completed by the Office of the Registrar after final grades are assigned and processed for each of the eligible terms. Note, however, if a student received an F grade in a course as part of an academic integrity hearing, the F grade will stand.
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How will the conversion of failing grades impact my GPA?
F and X grades lower your GPA. Converting these failing grades protects your GPA, since U or XU grades are not included in the grade point average calculation.
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Will this impact my eligibility for financial aid or scholarships?
There are limits to the amount and time frame in which you can receive federal, state, and institutional financial aid. Courses in which credit is not earned (F, X, U, XU, W, N, NR, and NU) may need to be repeated, delaying your degree completion and potentially exhausting your financial aid eligibility. You can view the limits to various types of aid programs on the Financial Aid web page, by calling Enrollment Services at 937-775-4000 or by emailing RaiderConnect@wright.edu.
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What is a X or XU grade and how does it impact my financial aid?
Both the X and XU grade denote that a student attended or participated in a course effort but did not complete the course or officially withdraw. If all the grades you receive for the semester are some combination of X, XU, W, N, NR, NU, and K, you are considered to have unofficially withdrawn and are subject to Return of Title IV financial aid funds.
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Which grade will appear on my transcript?
After final grades are processed, if you earned an F or an X grade for the semester, this grade will be converted to either U (for F) or XU (for X) and only this newly converted grade will appear on the transcript.
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Are my Incomplete (I) grades from Spring Semester 2020 eligible for the Pass/Unsatisfactory Option?
Yes. Incomplete (I) grades given for eligible courses during Spring Semester 2020 qualify for the P/U Option. You may petition to convert any Incomplete (I) grade that resulted in either a B or C grade for Spring 2020 to a P grade. You may petition to convert any Incomplete (I) grade that resulted in a D grade for Spring 2020 to Unsatisfactory (U). Unsatisfactory performance indicates work below C quality. Credit is not earned and the grade is not computed in the GPA. Choosing this option will prevent a D from negatively impacting a student’s GPA; however, if the course is required, the student will need to repeat the course. Students may choose to keep the grade of D rather than U in order to earn credits and accept the impact on their GPA. See https://policy.wright.edu/policy/4010-grading-system.
It is important that you work closely with your academic advisor or a graduate program director before deciding to convert a letter grade to Pass or Unsatisfactory to ensure doing so does not cause unintended consequences given degree requirements or future plans. Before filing a petition, consult with an academic advisor or a graduate program director for an analysis of the impact on your GPA and academic progress. For additional information about how this change impacts you and about the petition process, contact:
For information about any impact to your financial aid:
- Dayton Campus students, please contact Enrollment Services at 937-775-4000 or RaiderConnect@wright.edu.
- Lake Campus students, please contact Enrollment Services at 419-586-0232 or LakeEnrollmentServices@wright.edu.
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Are my Incomplete (I) grades from Spring 2020, Summer 2020, Fall 2020, Spring 2021, Summer 2021 eligible for the failing grade conversion?
Yes. Incomplete (I) grades given for eligible courses during the above-listed academic terms qualify for the failing grade conversion. Incomplete (I) grades that resulted in either an F or an X are automatically converted from F to U and from X to XU. The conversion is completed after grades are assigned and processed and your GPA is recalculated to remove the impact of failing grades resulting from an Incomplete (I) grade.
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Is this process available for graduate students?
Eligible graduate courses taken during Spring Semester 2020 only qualify for the Pass/Unsatisfactory Option and the failing grade conversion. Graduate courses taken Summer 2020, Fall 2020, Spring 2021, and Summer 2021 are not eligible.
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How does this option impact my career decisions related to licensure, further graduate study, or employment?
It is strongly recommended that you discuss with your academic advisor or a graduate program director the implications that choosing the P/U option may have on licensure, employment, continued graduate studies, or other career choices. For some students, earning a P grade may not be perceived to be acceptable. For this and other specific concerns, please consult with your academic advisor or graduate program director.
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How will this affect students who need a certain grade in a course, either for degree requirements or course prerequisite?
A pass grade (P) will satisfy any grade requirements of at least a C grade. If students need to have a B or an A in a course, they should consider opting to have the letter grade posted for the semester. A grade of C or better is required to satisfy all prerequisites at the graduate level, and many graduate prerequisites require at least a B. Please check with an academic advisor or program director to understand the implications for your degree program. A grade of U will not satisfy course prerequisites or degree requirements.
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Will this impact F grades that were issued as part of an academic integrity procedure?
No. If a student received an F grade in a course as part of an academic integrity hearing, the F grade will stand.
