College Policy 6Hx28: 4-7: Academic Progress, Course Attendance and Grades, and Withdrawals
Course Attempt Limits
State Rule 6A-14.0301 limits students to three attempts per course at Valencia College. Attempts include original graded attempts, repeated attempts, and withdrawals after the Drop/Refund Deadline. Being enrolled in a course beyond the Drop/Refund Deadline constitutes an attempt. Courses deemed equivalent by Valencia College count as attempts even if the course number has changed. Dual Enrollment students may not attempt a course a third time.
Third Attempt Conditions
On the third attempt of a course:
- Students are charged the full cost of instruction (no fee waivers)
- Final grades will be A, B, C, D, F, or I
- Students who withdraw or are withdrawn will receive a grade of F
Fourth or Subsequent Attempts (Appeals)
Permission for a fourth attempt may be requested only for major extenuating circumstances through the academic appeals process.
- The Fourth Attempt Appeal Application must be submitted no later than five business days before the start of the term.
- The same conditions applicable to third attempts apply to approved fourth attempts.
- The Fourth Attempt Appeal form is available in MyVC.
Developmental education courses:
- After three unsuccessful attempts, students may be required to seek instruction from public/private providers and retest before re-enrolling.
- Permission for a fourth or subsequent attempt may also be requested through the academic appeals process.
Grade Forgiveness
Students may not repeat a course for credit if they have previously earned a grade of A, B, or C, or if they have already attempted the course three times at Valencia College.
Grade forgiveness means one grade in a course replaces a prior grade in the same course (or equivalent) for GPA calculation purposes.
Conditions for grade forgiveness:
- Grade forgiveness applies automatically when conditions are met.
- There is no limit to the number of different courses for which forgiveness may apply.
- Forgiven grades remain on the transcript.
- Only the highest grade is computed in GPA.
- Grades of W or I do not forgive letter grades.
- Multiple credit courses (e.g., ensembles, internships, selected topics) may be repeated for credit but are not eligible for grade forgiveness.
- Students may not receive credit for repeating coursework previously awarded through alternative award of credit mechanisms (e.g., AP, IB, CLEP, DANTES/DSST, local credit-by-exam, experiential learning) or internships.
- Grade forgiveness cannot be applied after a degree has been awarded for coursework applied to that degree.
Students enrolled in limited access programs are not guaranteed repeat enrollment and should consult their Academic Dean or Program Director regarding program-specific policies.
Policies regarding repeated courses and grade forgiveness vary among transfer institutions. Students are responsible for understanding the policies of intended transfer destinations.
Financial Aid and Scholarship Considerations
Agencies that provide financial assistance (including federal, state, and private financial aid and scholarship programs) may have policies regarding course attempts, course withdrawals, and grade forgiveness that differ from College policies. Students are responsible for understanding how enrollment decisions may affect their eligibility, continued funding, and repayment obligations.
