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The NG symbol is used in place of a grade for two different reasons: (1) To identify a course in progress or (2) to identify a course for which a student did not receive a grade at the end of the semester/session.
NG for a Course in Progress
NG for No Grade Reported
Impact on the Student's Record
Student Action
Deadline for Changing NG to a Grade
When NG is used for a course that is still in progress at the time of grade reporting, it is changed to a grade/symbol upon completion of the course or when the time limit for completion of the course is reached.
When an NG is on the student's record in place of a grade, it means one of three things: (1) the Registrar's office has not received the student's course grade from the instructor, (2) there was a reporting error, or (3) the instructor submitted an NG instead of a grade. (If the instructor submits an NG, it must be accompanied by a memo to his/her department, explaining why the NG was given instead of a deferred grade or an F.)
Impact on the Student's Record
Degree Audit: If students have NGs, their degree audits will include a section titled Incomplete Courses and list the courses with NGs (see section 6 of this sample degree audit).
Transcript and Grade Reports: When a student receives an NG in place of a permanent grade, the grade-point average is calculated and appears with the letter "I" (incomplete) printed next to it on the grade report and transcript. A student with an NG on his/her transcript will not be allowed to graduate, even if the course in which the NG was recorded is not required for graduation in the student's degree program.
When an NG on a student's record is replaced by a grade, the grade-point average is recalculated and the student is notified by e-mail to check eLion for the corrected grade.
The student should contact his/her instructor (or the department offering the course) as soon as possible to determine what needs to be done so that a grade can be assigned.
Deadline for Changing NG to a Grade
Effective spring 2012, the NG must be reconciled within five weeks following the posting of the NG. This deadline applies whether or not the student is enrolled in the following semester/session. If a grade is not entered by the deadline, the NG will be changed to an F. The instructor and the instructor's department head will be notified that the F was recorded. The student will receive an updated grade report.
| Student receives NG for | NG notation is changed to an F |
|---|---|
| Fall 2011 | 02/06/12 |
| Spring 2012 | 06/15/12 * |
| Summer 2012 | 09/21/12 * |
| Fall 2012 | 02/11/13 * |
* Based on the Registrar's implementation of new no-grade policy.
Note: NGs recorded prior to fall 1989 are not affected by this policy.
The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. Please consult a Penn State academic adviser for more detailed information.
This page is part of the University Undergraduate Advising Handbook, which is maintained by the Division of Undergraduate Studies, DUS@psu.edu.
Last Update: January 2012