The Department of Education has implemented regulations governing repeated coursework effective July 1, 2011, per federal regulations (Title 34 CFR Section 668.2). The regulations have been implemented to improve the pace of graduation completion for students, which in turn should reduce loan indebtedness and preserve grant funding levels.
Repeating courses may significantly impact Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and eligibility for Title IV federal financial aid and institutional aid. Grades of D or better in repeated courses will be counted as earned credits. All course repeats will count as attempted credits and be used in the quantitative and maximum time frame components of the SAP policy. Students should consult with a financial aid advisor before registering for a repeated course. Students may be full-time or part-time.
The rules regarding repeated coursework will further impact recipients of Title IV federal financial aid funding. Students are allowed to repeat coursework under these circumstances for federal financial aid, Reference: Title 34 CFR Section 668.2(b):
- May repeat a previously passed course only once (and receive aid for the repeated course). Federal financial aid applicable for students cannot be applied for any previously passed course that has been repeated more than once.
- May repeat a failed course until it is passed with eligible federal financial aid.
- May not repeat a previously passed course due only to a student's failure to pass other coursework.
See the following examples for how the Repeated Coursework Policy affects financial aid:
Example 1: A student has received an F in a class. The student then receives an F in the same class next semester, and the semester following that. Financial aid will count those courses toward their enrollment for programs that require certain enrollment statuses. After the fourth try, the student receives a D. The student decides that they will try to get a better grade next semester. The following semester, the student receives another F. Financial aid will no longer pay for that course for subsequent semesters.
Example 2: A student has received a C in a class. The student takes the class again in hopes of achieving a better grade, but then receives an F in the same class next semester. Financial aid will not pay for the course again. The student would be responsible for payment of the course if they register for it again.
More examples:
- Allowable: Repeated coursework may be included if the student received a failing grade or withdrew from the class. There is no limit on the number of repeats if the student does not pass the class.
- Allowable: A student takes Biology 110 and receives a grade of W or F. The student repeats the class and receives a D. For financial aid, the student is considered to have now passed the class. The student may repeat the class only one more time and receive financial aid. If on the third attempt the student receives a W, then the student can repeat the class again, but if the grade assigned is an F, then the student cannot repeat the course again and the class cannot be counted for enrollment purposes for financial aid.
- Allowable: Courses that are intended to be repeated multiple times such as Independent Studies, Special Topics, Thesis, or Dissertation.
- Not Allowable: A student takes Biology 110 and receives a D. The student repeats the course and receives a B. The Biology 110 course cannot be considered for financial aid enrollment on the third repeat.
- Not Allowable: A student is enrolled in 12 credit hours, including three credit hours that are considered to be a third repeat, therefore only nine credits will count toward financial aid eligibility.
The programs that New York Institute of Technology offers for which minimum grades are required and courses can be repeated include:
- Computer Science
- Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Nursing
- Life Sciences/Physical Therapy
- Physician Assistant Studies
Students in these programs may have one time to repeat a course in which they received a grade of C or below. Please refer to course descriptions to determine individual courses with minimum grade requirements for these programs.
New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (NYS HESC) has different regulations regarding repeat coursework as it pertains to eligibility for the Tuition Assistance Program grant (TAP) and other NYS HESC grants and scholarships. A student can repeat a course for which they did not previously earn credit (i.e., F, W, or UW grade), and have the course count as part of the minimum full-time or part-time course load for NYS financial aid purposes. However, receiving W or UW grades can negatively impact NYS HESC pursuit of program requirements.
Other circumstances where a student can repeat a course and have it count toward the minimum credit requirement are:
- The grade earned is considered a passing grade at the institution, but not considered a passing grade in a particular degree program
- The course can be repeated and credit earned each time, such as certain independent study courses
Additionally, a course repeated only to improve the cumulative GPA cannot be counted toward the minimum course-load or pursuit of program requirements for NYS HESC grants and scholarships.
Reference: 2023–2024 FSA Handbook, Vol. 3, Ch. 1, pp. 4–30: Academic Years, Academic Calendars, Payment Periods, and Disbursements