Grade Point Average

Grade Point Average (GPA)
The scholastic standing of students at Trinidad State College is indicated by letter grades, which have the following interpretation:

GRADE EARNED ~ QUALITY POINTS EARNED
A – Superior ~ 4 credit points per credit hour.
B – Good ~  3 credit points per credit hour.
C – Average ~ 2 credit points per credit hour.
D – Deficient ~ 1 credit point per credit hour.
F - Failure ~ 0 credit points per credit hour.
S – Satisfactory ~ 0 credit points per credit hour.
U – Unsatisfactory ~ 0 credit points per credit hour.
W - Withdrawal ~ 0 credit points per credit hour.
AU – Audit ~ 0 credit points per credit hour.
SP- Satisfactory Progress ~ 0 credit points per credit hour.

Grades of “AU”, “I”, “S”, “U”, and “W” are not assigned quality points and are not computed into the grade point average.

The computation of a student’s grade point average takes into consideration the grades received for successful completion of classes, the quality points earned for those classes, and the total number of completed credit hours. Please note, transfer credits do not include the transfer of quality points or calculated grade point average.

Total credit hours completed (11). Total quality points (35).
The grade point average (GPA) is computed as follows:
GPA = Total Quality Points (35), divided by total credit hours earned (11), 35/11= 3.1818 GPA.

Cumulative Grade Point Average
To compute the cumulative GPA, add the # of credit hours earned for each semester completed and add the total quality points earned for each semester. Divide the total quality points by the total credit hours earned.

72/28 = 2.57 cumulative GPA. A cumulative GPA of 2.0 is required to graduate with a degree or certificate.

AU - Audit
By auditing a course, a student may participate in course activities, but does not receive a formal transcript grade. Students must indicate intent to audit a course at registration or by the deadline listed in the course schedule. Audited courses are not eligible for the College Opportunity Fund stipend. Students will be responsible for the full in-state or out-of-state tuition and all applicable fees. Audited courses do not meet the credit hour requirements for financial aid or veteran benefits and may not be applied to certificates or degrees.

Incomplete
The “Incomplete” (I) grade is a temporary grade and is designed for students who, because of documented illness or circumstances beyond their control, are unable to complete their course work within the semester, but have completed a majority of the course work (defined as at least 75% of all course assignments and tests) in a satisfactory manner (grade C or better).

Students are encouraged to let instructors know, as soon as possible (before withdraw date), if they are having difficulties that may prevent them from completing a test or assignments at the end of the term. In requesting an Incomplete grade the student must present to the instructor the documentation of circumstances justifying an Incomplete grade.

Instructors will fill out an “Incomplete Contract Agreement” with the terms, i.e. assignments and/or tests to be completed and deadlines for completion. The agreement will be signed by the instructor and student.

In the event that a student and instructor cannot reach resolution concerning an Incomplete, the student can seek mediation with the appropriate Dean.

Military personnel and emergency management officials who are required to go TDY in the middle of a term should contact their instructor for special consideration. Documentation of an official TDY assignment is required and must be approved by the appropriate Dean.

Incomplete grades that are not converted to a letter grade by the instructor after one subsequent semester (not including the summer semester) will revert to an F grade unless a higher default grade has been assigned by the instructor.