Freshman Forgiveness Policy
Effective September 1, 2020, the college has implemented the following Freshman Forgiveness Policy. This policy will apply to all lower freshman students, as defined below, who enrolled at the college in the Spring 2020 term or thereafter.
In accordance with this policy, if a student passes the suite of freshman courses, they will receive the grade earned which will carry the designated GPA. If a student fails a course(s), upon request to the Registrar's Office, the failing grade (F, FIN) will be administratively converted to “NC – No Credit,” and have no impact on the student's GPA. Once the grade is changed, the student and the faculty member who assigned the original grade, will receive an email confirming the change of grade. Students can then repeat these courses, ideally at their first available opportunity. A student who repeats a course that has been assigned an NC grade in the prior term will receive a standard letter grade on the second attempt. The "NC" grade will remain on student transcripts. The Office of Undergraduate Studies will communicate opportunities for students to complete these courses with extra support to best ensure their success in passing the course.
Students who receive grades of "NC" are not eligible for the Dean's List for that semester or that year for part-time students. For the purpose of calculating Latin Honor’s at the time a student's degree is conferred, "NC" grades will be treated as failing grades.
Who does this policy apply to?
This policy applies only to a freshman student (attending full-time or part-time) in their first freshman semester, (aka., Lower Freshman).
- A lower freshman is defined as a new student who has not previously matriculated in a college, as a degree-seeking student, prior to their first term of attendance at John Jay.
- A lower freshman is coded by the Office of Admissions as being in the “FRSH” Student Group in CUNYFirst.
- Entering freshman with up to or less than 14.9 college credits earned through College Now, Regents Examination, AP credit, or other exams (i.e., CLEP), or other early or pre-college programs offered to high school students are still eligible for forgiveness under this policy. (Approved by College Council September 2022)
- Transfer students, coded as “TRNS,” who enter into the Upper Freshman level or beyond are not eligible for forgiveness under this policy.
Restrictions
- This policy is effective for lower freshman students enrolled in the college beginning the Spring 2020 term and thereafter. It cannot be applied retroactively to any semester prior to Spring 2020.
- This policy will not apply to readmitted students who return to the freshman term. For this restriction, a readmitted student is considered a student who attended the college and received letter grades.
- This policy applies to matriculated, undergraduate, degree-seeking students. Non-degree students are ineligible for forgiveness under this policy.
Limitations
- The Freshman Forgiveness Policy only applies to courses taken in the first, lower freshman semester of matriculation. It will not apply to any courses taken thereafter.
- Freshman students enrolled less than full-time in the lower freshman semester will be permitted to apply the forgiveness policy to the first 18 credits earned at John Jay College.
- This policy applies only to courses taken at John Jay College. Courses taken at another college (CUNY or otherwise) are not eligible for forgiveness under this policy.
- Courses with a grade assigned of “NC-No Credit” may negatively impact a student’s financial aid, (i.e., Satisfactory Academic Progress, Program Pursuit and Credit Accumulation) eligibility. It is strongly recommended that students meet with a financial aid counselor prior to the forgiveness policy being applied.
The chart below outlines how the Office of the Registrar will treat the original grades.
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Original Grade
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Grade Action
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Effect on Credits Earned and GPA
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A, B, C, D, P, CR, (including all plus / minus grades)
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None
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Grades are factored into GPA and credits are earned.
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F, FIN
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Administratively Changed to “NC-No Credit” for Lower Freshmen
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GPA will increase due to a grade change from failing to NC. No credits are earned for NC courses
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INC, PEN
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None
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Considered “in progress” grades. If failing grades are ultimately assigned, forgiveness rules apply
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W, WA, WN, WU
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None
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No effect on GPA – No credits are earned for courses
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