Understanding Your GPA

You are graded according to a grade point system. Information on the grade point system and about grading policies are available:

It is important to understand the difference between a term GPA and a cumulative GPA:

  • Term GPA is a combined GPA or grade point average of all grades you have earned in a semester or term.
  • Cumulative GPA is the overall GPA or grade point average of all cumulative GPA's you have earned in all semesters and all the courses in an academic term.

How Your GPA Affects Financial Aid

You are required to maintain a cumulative and term 2.0 GPA,  and the 67% completion rate requirements based on calculations at the end of the term, in order to be eligible for Financial Aid.

Students who do not meet the cumulative 2.0 GPA and 67% completion rate minimum each term will be placed on financial aid warning. Students who do not meet the minimum requirements their next term of attendance will not be eligible for financial aid.

If you have questions about how your GPA affects financial aid, contact the financial aid office.

How Your GPA Affects Transferring to a Four-Year Institution

Schools will be looking at cumulative GPA. Any student under a 2.0 cumulative GPA would not be eligible for consideration of admissions by any of the UNC system schools.

If you have questions about how your GPA affects transferring to a four-year institution, contact the Transfer Resource Center.

How Your GPA Affects Graduation

Program GPA, rather than cumulative GPA, is used for graduation. As long as the program GPA is at least 2.0, you are eligible for graduation.

GPA Cords:
GPA cords are based on all classes taken within the specific program that the student has applied for until the cutoff date. It is not determined by the Cumulative GPA.

Cutoff Dates for GPA cords:
The cutoff date for Potential Spring graduates is December 31st (then end of the Fall term).
The cutoff date for potential Summer/Fall graduates is August 1st. This is done in hopes that all summer grades will be posted, and prior to the start of fall classes. This makes the calculation fair for everyone.

How GPA Cords Are Awarded:
The GPA cords are based upon the average GPA for all of your classes taken within the particular program for which you have applied for graduation and been found eligible.

The GPA Cords are based on the following GPAs:

  • 3.5 to 3.69 is White
  • 3.7 to 3.99 is Purple
  • 4.0 is Gold

Students may only receive one GPA cord for their progress. Those who have earned more than one degree and are walking in the ceremony for more than one at the same time will be awarded the highest GPA cord.

GPA cords are in no way related to the Dean's List or the President's List. 

If you have questions about how your GPA affects graduation, contact the graduation office.

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