Repeated Coursework

Federal regulations limit the number of times an undergraduate, graduate or professional student can enroll in the same course and the course’s credit hours be included in determining the student’s enrollment status for Federal Student Aid (FSA) purposes.

Repeated courses affect a student's grade point average, maximum time frame, and completion rate of the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards. Each time a course is taken, it counts as an attempt, and only the first time a passing grade is received is counted as a completion.

Generally, a previously passed course can be repeated only once and the course is included in determining the student’s enrollment status for FSA purposes.

A repeated course can be included in determining your enrollment status under the following circumstances:

• You have received a failing grade each time you previously enrolled in the course.
• You have passed the course with a D or higher grade. You can attempt the course one additional time. This repeat limit applies even if on your second attempt you earn a failing grade or earn a grade that is lower than what is required for your degree program (earned a C, but a B or better is required).
• The course is specified as repeatable for degree credit up to a maximum number of credit hours as defined by academics and records. For example, HIS 6395 is a three credit hour course repeatable for a maximum of 6 credit hours.

Your enrollment status for Federal Student Aid (FSA) will be recalculated if you enroll in a course that cannot be included in determining your enrollment status. This in turn may result in a reduction of your FSA eligibility for the term and a requirement to repay funds disbursed to your account.

Enrollment Scenarios and Effects on Financial Aid

The following charts demonstrate the different enrollment scenarios and their effects on financial aid (FA) eligibility.

Example 1

The student passed the course during fall 2023. Attempted the course one time and failed. The student loses financial aid eligibility for the third attempt.

Example 2

There is no limit on the number of attempts allowed for the student to repeat a course, as long as he/she does not receive a passing grade in any of the previously repeated courses.

If you are enrolled in a course that was previously repeated (at least twice) and received a passing grade, you will be ineligible for Title IV aid to cover the repeated class taken for the third time. For example, if you are enrolled in a total of 12 credit hours and 3 credit hours you have repeated and passed previously, you will only be considered enrolled in 9 credit hours for financial aid purposes.

Repeated courses can impact a student’s renewal eligibility for programs with specific grade and hour requirements such as institutional and state grants and scholarships.

Please Note:

A course that a student is repeating, after having previously completed with a passing grade and then subsequently repeating with an incomplete grade, may not count towards enrollment status with regards to the awarding of Title IV funds.

If your federal financial aid is not posted or has not been disbursed for repeated coursework in which you are enrolled, you may be registered for coursework with the same course name, but different subject content. You may submit a General Action Request Form and your coursework will be evaluated for federal aid eligibility.

Repeated courses may impact excess credit hour surcharges.

Find more details about the repeat policy in UNF Policy Number 2.0460P.