Penn State Mark

Deferred Grades

If a student is prevented from completing a course within the prescribed amount of time, it is possible to have the grade for that course deferred and be completed at a later date (policy 48-40).

  • Approval needs to be granted prior to the beginning of the final exam period of the semester in which the course is taken.
  • Approval for a deferred grade must be given by the instructor of the course. If the instructor cannot be reached, authorization may be given by the student's college dean.
  • A "DF" symbol will be entered on the student's transcript in place of a grade.
  • Courses with a deferred grade will not be included in the grade-point average calculations.

Deadline for Courses taken Prior to Spring 2012

Receives "DF" in: Grade Due:
Spring, with summer registration last day of the second six-week summer session
Spring with no summer registration six weeks into the fall semester
Summer six weeks into the fall semester
Fall six weeks into the spring semester
  • Graduate and law students follow the same schedule as above with the exception of having nine-weeks to complete the course.
  • Extension beyond six weeks may be granted for extenuating circumstances only, with the concurrence of your course instructor. To obtain an extension of a deferred grade, contact your college dean or the director of the Division of Undergraduate Studies.

Deadline for courses taken Spring 2012 and Later

Student Level: Grade Due:
Undergraduate 10 weeks after course end date
Law 10 weeks after course end date
Graduate 25 weeks after course end date
  • Deadlines apply to spring, summer and fall semesters.
  • Extension beyond deadline may be granted for extenuating circumstances only, with the concurrence of your course instructor. To obtain an extension of a deferred grade, contact your college dean or the director of the Division of Undergraduate Studies.