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Student Grades and GPA

Letter Grades

Letter Grades Chart
Letter Grade Performance Grade Points Per Semester Hour
A Superior 4.0
B Good 3.0
C Average 2.0
D Poor 1.0
E Failure (ended Spring 2005) 0.0
F Failure (started Summer 2005) 0.0
WF Withdrawal-Failure (ended Fall 2004) 0.0
Other Grades & Symbols not used in GPA Calculation Chart
Grade/Symbol Definition
AU Audit
AW Administrative Withdrawal (started Spring 2005)
CIP Course in Progress
CR Satisfactory for Proficiency, CLEP, Advanced Placement, & courses designated as Pass/No Credit
I Incomplete
NC No Credit for courses designated as Pass/No Credit
NR Not Reported
R Course Repeated
S Satisfactory
U Unsatisfactory
W Withdrawal
Z Drop Grace Period (started Summer 2014, ended Spring 2020)

Related Administrative Procedures

See applicable administrative procedures for details:

Calculation of Grade Point Average (GPA)

Grade Point Average (GPA) - indicates the quality of a student’s work for one semester.

Cumulative GPA - indicates the quality of all work a student has completed at the college through one or more semesters for courses numbered 100 and above only.

  • A, B, C, D, E, WF, and F - are used to calculate a GPA.
  • W, AW, S, U, AU, CR, and NC - are not used to calculate a GPA.
  • I (incomplete) - used in the calculation when completed within 120 calendar days after the last day of the semester. The college registrar will record a failing grade (F) for courses not completed. Under extreme circumstances, a student may obtain an extension from the instructor involved and file a formal, written extension form in the Records office.

How to Improve Your GPA

If you’ve received a few low grades, don’t despair. You can do many things to improve your study habits, understand the course material, and bring your GPA to where you want it to be.

  • Take a few minutes after class to connect or stop by during your instructor’s posted office hours. ECC instructors want to see you succeed.
  • We offer free tutoring in more than 50 subjects and general topics like study skills and overcoming testing anxiety. Join a study skills class or sign up for private tutoring—either way, our professional tutors will help you learn and thrive. Make a tutoring appointment.
  • Your advisor can help you navigate the resources available to you. Make an appointment with your advisor.
  • If personal issues are getting in the way of your academic progress, a wellness professional might be able to help. Make an appointment with Wellness Services.

Calculation of GPA Example

Calculation of GPA Example
Course Grade Grade Value Credit Hours Total Grade Points
ENG 101 B 3 x 3 = 9
PSY 100 A 4 x 3 = 12
MTH 112 C 2 x 4 = 8
BIO 110 D 1 x 4 = 4
PHC 170 A 4 x 1 = 4
Semester Total 15 37
GPA: 37 / 15 = 2.466
Proficiency credit and CLEP from ECC appear on the transcript but do not carry a grade value and do not affect a GPA.

Lower than 2.0 GPA or Suspension

Satisfactory academic progress is defined as the attainment of a 2.0 cumulative GPA or higher. Get Familiar with Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy for those receiving financial aid.

Grade Reports

All students receive a semester cumulative grade report at the end of every semester or session unless they have an outstanding financial obligation to the college. Final grades are recorded on the student's permanent record in the Records Office.

Midterm grade reports are sent to students. Students receiving a D or an F at midterm should meet with their instructor, academic advisor, or tutor.

Final grades for developmental education and general studies courses do not appear on a student's official college transcript and are not counted in the official grade point average (GPA), but they are mailed to the student. Those grades will appear on a "mixed" transcript or "all history" transcript.

Students with outstanding financial obligations to the college at the end of a semester do not receive a final grade report until the obligation is paid.

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847-214-7386
Fax: 847-214-7356

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