What Happens When You Fail a Course in College?

When you fail a college course, you lower your grade point average and, depending on whether or not the course is a required course for your major, you may have to take it again -- and pay for it again. Much depends on your college’s own policies, but there are generally similar choices for you to make.

Ill Effects

Failing a class can tank your grade point average (GPA). GPA is calculated by assigning a number to grades and then averaging them. An A is a four, B a three and so forth, leaving a failing grade as a zero. Therefore, five courses in which you had a B, B, C, A and F would add up to a 2.4 GPA if all the courses were for the same amount of credits. You add each semester’s grades to the next to get a final GPA.

Time Frame

If you get an "F," or fail a course that is required for your field of study, you will have to repeat the course. You need to check with your adviser on how soon you need to retake the class. Some courses require a prerequisite, and if the failed course was the prerequisite, you must repeat it before you can take the next course. If the course was not a required course, you can choose to let the grade stand, but it will continue to affect your GPA.

Try, Try Again

Most schools give you the chance to bring up your GPA whether it is a required course or not. Each school has its own set of rules on how this is handled. The F grade usually remains on the record but the new grade replaces the old in the overall GPA, or both of your scores are counted. In either case, the GPA improves and, if a required course, you have taken care of the requirement.

Consider Failure a Warning

Failing one or two courses in a college career is not unheard of, and you can bounce back. Continually failing courses is a problem. Many schools use repeated failing grades as grounds for dismissal. In addition, failing grades cost more money in tuition, and you end up staying longer in school.

Additionally, repeated failures should also be a warning for you. Multiple failures should prompt your thinking about whether or not you are in the right major and taking the best classes for your strengths or interests.

If you repeatedly fail a certain course that is required for your major, consider talking with your advisor. One, some majors may have limits on the number of times a course can be repeated. Second, your adviser can help you determine if you need a tutor or additional help to successfully complete the course. Lastly, an advisor can help you determine if you should consider switching majors.

Monetary Considerations

One final consideration is for students with grants or loans. Failing a class while on financial aid may have serious implications for you. Many grants and loans require some repayment of the monies if you fail a class. Some grants require you to keep your GPA at a certain level for the continuation of the grant. You need to look closely at all of your grants and loans and see what their policies are. Sometimes you may lose some of your financial aid for one semester but can get it back when you repeat the course.

Many scholarships are merit based, which means you must maintain a certain GPA to keep your funding. It is important to check with your financial aid office or scholarship funder to determine if a failed course or courses will negatively affect your ability to maintain funding, or worse yet, have to pay back a portion of the money.

Be Proactive

When you find you are failing a class, try to take steps to stave off that failing grade before it is officially posted. A meeting with your professor that acknowledges your failure, discusses your situation and investigates how close you were to passing, could yield some options that avoid failure or at least give you some insight into how to do better the next time you take the class. Though rare, you may be able to complete last minute extra credit, withdraw from the class or take an incomplete to avoid the F.