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. Undergraduate students should refer to policy (policy 48-40). Graduate students may find the academic policy regarding deferred grades in GCAC-401 Grading System.

  • 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. Exception: Undergraduate students may obtain authorization from their college dean if the instructor cannot be reached.
  • A "DF" symbol will be entered on the student's transcript in place of a quality grade.
  • Courses with a deferred grade will not be included in the grade-point average calculations.

Deadline for Courses taken after Fall 2016

When grades are due to replace a deferred grade taken after fall 2016
Student Level: Grade Due:
Undergraduate 10 weeks after final grade reporting date
Law 10 weeks after final grade reporting date
Graduate Refer to GCAC-401 Grading System

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, undergraduate students should contact their instructor; graduate students must work directly with their instructors as noted in GCAC-401 Grading System; and law students should contact the Penn State Law Registrar's Office.

Effective Fall 2014

Graduate students follow the policy on Deferred Grades set by Graduate Council and detailed in GCAC-401 Grading System.

Deadline for Courses taken Spring 2012 - Fall 2016

When grades are due to replace a deferred grade taken spring 2012 and later
Student Level: Grade Due:
Undergraduate 10 weeks after course end date
Law 10 weeks after course end date
Graduate Refer to the GCAC-401 Grading System

Deadlines apply to spring, summer and fall semesters.

Deadline for Courses taken Prior to Spring 2012

When grades are due to replace a deferred grade 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.