The grade of incomplete (I) is a temporary grade that indicates that a student has not completed all course requirements, but that there is a possibility that he or she will pass the course when the remaining work is completed. The grade of incomplete is therefore appropriate for students who have attended and participated in classes, but for valid reasons cannot complete all course assignments before the end of the term. The grade of incomplete is not appropriate for students who have a poor attendance record, since it is not possible to make up missed classes. (Students who have missed a lot of classes for health reasons should contact the Gallatin Office of Student Affairs about the possibility of a medical withdrawal from the course). Nor is the incomplete appropriate for students who have simply fallen behind in submitting required work; they must meet the instructor's deadlines.
Main Navigation
Incomplete Policy
Policy
- The student must request an incomplete from the instructor before the final grades are due; if the written request is not made, the instructor will submit a final grade based on work completed to that point.
- If the students request for an incomplete is approved:
- the student must complete the necessary work by the date specified by the instructor. For Gallatin courses, this date can be no later than the end of classes in the following full term (i.e., by the end of the spring term for a fall or January course or by the end of the fall term for a spring or summer course). For courses offered by other NYU schools, students should confer with the department to confirm the duration of a grade of I (incomplete).*These deadlines also apply to students who maintain matriculation the term the work is due.
- the grade of “I” is temporarily posted to the student’s transcript to indicate that the student has, for good reason, not completed all of the course work but that there is a possibility that he or she will pass the course when all the requirements have been met.
- If the required work is not completed by the deadline, the temporary grade of “I” will become an “F.” The grade of “F” is a permanent grade which will be computed into the student’s GPA and it will not be removed from the transcript under any circumstance.
- the student must complete the necessary work by the date specified by the instructor. For Gallatin courses, this date can be no later than the end of classes in the following full term (i.e., by the end of the spring term for a fall or January course or by the end of the fall term for a spring or summer course). For courses offered by other NYU schools, students should confer with the department to confirm the duration of a grade of I (incomplete).*These deadlines also apply to students who maintain matriculation the term the work is due.
- Students who receive a grade of Incomplete are automatically ineligible for the Dean’s List in that semester. This exclusion applies only for the semester in which the Incomplete was received; students may be eligible in subsequent semesters, providing they meet the other criteria for the Dean’s List.
Exclusion from the Dean’s List: Students who receive a grade of Incomplete are automatically ineligible for the Dean’s List in that semester. This exclusion applies only for the semester in which the Incomplete was received; students may be eligible in subsequent semesters, providing they meet the other criteria for the Dean’s List.
Impact on Financial Aid: Full-time undergraduates who are receiving financial aid should be aware that most financial aid awards are contingent upon their “satisfactory progress toward the degree.” Since financial aid is awarded for a total of 8 semesters, “satisfactory progress” means that full-time undergraduate students must complete 16 credits per semester or 32 credits per full-time academic year. The Financial Aid Office may cancel a student’s financial aid award if he or she does not earn enough credits to show satisfactory progress, e.g. if a student does not complete all course work.
Other Considerations: Students should also be aware that having an outstanding incomplete grade may affect their eligibility for athletic teams and/or for special educational opportunities such as non-NYU study abroad, concurrent registration, or membership in the Dean’s Honor Society.
Failure to Meet the Deadline: If a student does not satisfactorily complete the course requirements by any agreed-upon deadline, the grade of I will automatically revert to the grade of F. Once the grade has changed, it will not be changed back under any circumstances. The student may elect to repeat the course to earn a passing grade, which will supersede the F in the calculation of the GPA (although the F will remain on the transcript).
For a Gallatin course:
Before the last day of classes, submit the electronic Request for Grade of Incomplete form to your instructor for approval.
- Submit all outstanding work to your instructor within the time limit specified by your instructor. If you miss this deadline, your grade may lapse to an F.
- Your instructor will submit your grade, which you will be able to view on Albert. If you have questions about the posting of your grade, you should contact your instructor.
In extraordinary circumstances serious illness, family crisis, etc. you may need an additional extension of the incomplete grade. In order to obtain that extension, you will need permission from the Associate Dean of Gallatin, and you will need to document and explain those extraordinary circumstances.
Procedure for both Gallatin and non-Gallatin courses
Pick up a Petition form at the Gallatin Office of Student Services (1 Washington Pl, 8th floor).
- Make an appointment to meet with your instructor well before specified or default deadline, to discuss the possibility of receiving an extension of your incomplete.
- If the instructor approves your request, ask for a written approval along with the new deadline. Submit the completed petition form (which must be signed by your academic adviser) along with the instricutor's written approval to Gallatin’s Office of the Associate Dean (1 Washington Pl., 8th floor) no later than the date your incomplete work would have been due to your instructor.
