04.01.07 Course Forgiveness

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Original Approval: 04/01/2022
Last Updated:  05/13/2025
Last Reviewed: 05/13/2025

Policy/Purpose:

It is the policy of Coastal Alabama Community College to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations as well as Alabama Community College System (ACCS) policies related to Instructional Programs and regarding the level of credit awarded for courses taught at all colleges within the ACCS, regardless of the format or mode of delivery. The ACCS requires all institutions in the System to operate on a semester system.

It is the policy of Coastal Alabama Community College to allow for course forgiveness under specific circumstances.

NOTE: This policy is subject to change at any time without notification. ACCS policies related to Academic Instruction supersede this policy.

The following ACCS policies are referenced in this policy:

Scope:

This policy applies to all Coastal Alabama Community College students and employees during any activity involving the College, including the workday. In addition, visitors, vendors, contractors, and all other non-employees are expected to recognize and comply with College policies.

Definitions:

Course Forgiveness: Course forgiveness is implemented when a student repeats a course and the higher/highest grade awarded (excluding the grades of W and WP) replaces all previous grades for that course in the computation of the cumulative grade point average. The official transcript will list the course and grade each time it is attempted.  

Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA): The grade point average based on all hours attempted at the institution based on a 4-point scale.

Grade Point Average (GPA): The grade point average based on all hours attempted during any one semester at the institution based on a 4-point scale.

Withdrawal: The grade (W) earned when a student officially withdraws from a course or from the institution within the time designated by the institution.

Details:

  1. The grade point average during the term in which the course was first attempted will not be affected.
  2. When a student completes a course more than once, the highest grade will be counted in the GPA and all other grades excluded from the GPA. Official transcripts will list each course in which a student was enrolled.
  3. A student may repeat a course more than once, but that course may be counted only once toward fulfillment of credit hours for graduation.

  4. Granting of course forgiveness status at a college does not guarantee other institutions will honor the status. The determination will be made by the respective transfer institution(s).

    NOTE: STUDENTS SHOULD CHECK FINANCIAL AID REGULATIONS REGARDING REPETITION OF COURSES. 

Procedure(s):

  1. A student must request, by submission of the appropriate form, that the Registrar implement the "Course Forgiveness" policy after a course has been repeated. Refer to the Course Forgiveness Request Form at https://www.coastalalabama.edu/admissions-aid/student-records/registrar-forms.

Additional Provisions/Information

Refer to Financial Aid Policy if receiving any type of financial aid regarding repetition of courses.

Instructional Affairs