College of Arts and Sciences Advising Center:

FAQ’s

 

What is the forgiveness policy?

 

The forgiveness policy is basically a “do over.”  It allows a student to repeat a course and substitute the second grade for the first.  When a forgiveness policy is used, the first grade stays on the transcript, but only the second grade will be calculated in the FIU institutional/cumulative GPA.

 

So if for instance you got a D in PHI2011, but you take PHI2011 again and get a B, the D is taken out of your GPA (forgiven) and the B is put in instead.

 

To use the forgiveness policy you have to complete a form in the Registrar's office requesting substitution of the second (better) grade for the first (poorer) grade.

 

Do NOT complete the forgiveness policy form until after you have repeated the class the second time and see your grade. If you complete the form too soon and the second grade is lower, your GPA will decrease not increase because only the second grade is counted in the GPA.

 

  • Remember you can only use the Forgiveness Policy THREE (3) times.  Choose wisely.
  • Many professional school’s (such as Medical Schools) disregard FIU’s forgiveness policy and calculate your FIU GPA based on all the course work showing on your transcript.  So for them, there is no forgiveness.

 

 

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Arts & Sciences Advising Center