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Manage a grade of Incomplete

Sometimes you can’t finish your coursework by the end of the semester. Here’s how to request and complete a grade of Incomplete (I).

Request an Incomplete grade

You can ask your instructor for a grade of Incomplete (I) if you satisfactorily completed a substantial portion of your coursework but had extenuating circumstances during the term that prevented you from completing all coursework as of the end of the semester.

Your instructor will outline any missing course requirements and the deadline by which those must be completed, which cannot exceed one year from the end of the term in which you enrolled in the course.

  • In some cases, your instructor might recommend—or require—that you attend another term (or portion of a term) of the course to remove your Incomplete (I). In this case, do not register for the course a second time. Instead, arrange with your instructor to sit in as required.
  • If you’re sitting in on a course during a different semester to finish incomplete requirements, this will not count as part of your full-time or part-time load for financial aid purposes or for loan deferments.

Some academic schools place restrictions on students with outstanding Incomplete (I) grades so be sure to also talk to your advisor if you are considering asking for an incomplete.

Receiving a final grade

Once you finish all missing course requirements, your instructor will submit a grade change to update the Incomplete (I) grade with a final grade.

If your instructor determines that it is not feasible for you to complete the required work, you may be given a grade based on the work completed, or allowed to withdraw from the course if no grade is feasible.

If you fail to complete the coursework and turn it in to your instructor in the time allowed, your Incomplete (I) will automatically become an F.

If your original instructor isn’t available or is no longer with IU Indianapolis, contact the chair of the school or department that offers the course for assistance.

IU Indianapolis

Office of the Registrar

Campus Center, Room 250
420 University Blvd
Indianapolis, IN 46202
USA

+1-317-274-1519

indyregr@iu.edu