If a student used a selective withdrawal recently and in direct response to the online format, could we allow a “free” return to that course given the new grading options?
Posted: March 27, 2020 at 11:29 am
Unfortunately, no. Students must be currently registered in the class in order to select the alternative grading mode.
Will choosing the alternative grading mode have any effect on my financial aid or scholarships?
Posted: March 27, 2020 at 11:29 am, Last Updated: February 11, 2021 at 12:02 pm
It depends. State Grant programs (Commonwealth and VGAP) require that an undergraduate student have a 2.0 GPA to award. If an undergraduate student’s GPA is below 2.0 now (based on previous terms), or if this is the student’s first semester and they select all alternate grades, they would not qualify for state grants if the […]
How will cross-registration grades (Study Elsewhere, Consortium) grades be affected?
Posted: March 27, 2020 at 11:29 am, Last Updated: November 17, 2025 at 2:30 pm
Study Elsewhere grades are subject to the grading policies in place at the visited institution and are subject to Mason’s transfer eligibility rules. Consortium courses are also subject to the grading policies in place at the visited institution, but the grade received there will appear on the Mason transcript.
How will Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) be calculated by the Office of Financial Aid for Spring 2020?
Posted: March 26, 2020 at 12:31 pm, Last Updated: April 1, 2020 at 1:55 pm
The U.S. Department of Education is still requiring that we calculate Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) at the end of spring semester, as of now. If students elect the standard grading system, SAP calculates as normal. Students who matriculated at Mason in spring 2020 will have issues with the SAP GPA rule if they elect all […]
If I choose the alternative grading mode, how will my GPA be calculated?
Posted: March 26, 2020 at 12:23 pm, Last Updated: February 11, 2021 at 12:02 pm
Students who select the alternative grade mode for all of their classes will not have a GPA for the term, and their cumulative GPA will be unaffected. Students who select the alternative grading mode for some classes will have their GPA calculated by the remaining A-F graded courses. If the student does not select the […]
Will there be a comment on my transcript associated with Spring 2020 indicating that there was a special grading scheme in place?
Posted: March 26, 2020 at 12:22 pm, Last Updated: March 27, 2020 at 11:30 am
Yes. The academic transcript will have a notation associated with Spring 2020 that briefly highlights the Covid-19 response. Additional information about the grades themselves will be included in the transcript key.
Do I have to change all of my classes to the alternative grading mode?
Posted: March 26, 2020 at 12:21 pm, Last Updated: February 11, 2021 at 12:05 pm
No, students can pick and choose among their classes to select the alternative grading mode on an individual class-by-class basis. Students may select the alternative grading mode for all of their classes, none of their classes, or some of their classes, at the student’s discretion.
How will the classes graded with the alternative grading mode appear on my transcript?
Posted: March 26, 2020 at 12:19 pm, Last Updated: February 11, 2021 at 12:05 pm
Classes with the alternative grading mode will appear on your academic transcript just like any other course. The only difference will be the grade associated with the course. Either XS, XP, or XN will be printed as the final grade.
Are classes graded with the alternative grading mode eligible to fulfill prerequisites?
Posted: March 26, 2020 at 12:17 pm, Last Updated: February 11, 2021 at 12:05 pm
For classes that require a minimum grade threshold to be achieved in order to allow registration, students may be able to meet that prereq requirement using the alternative grade mode. For undergraduate courses (numbered 100-499), students earning an XS grade can fulfill minimum grade thresholds of C or better associated with subsequent classes. For graduate […]
Are classes graded with the alternative grading mode eligible to fulfill degree requirements?
Posted: March 26, 2020 at 12:16 pm, Last Updated: February 11, 2021 at 12:05 pm
Undergraduate classes (numbered 100-499) graded with the alternative grading mode are only eligible to fulfill degree requirements if grades of XS or XP are received. Undergraduate classes receiving an XS grade are eligible to fulfill general education requirements and major requirements that have a minimum grade threshold. Undergraduate classes receiving an XP grade are eligible […]