Grading & Enrollment Options

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

When a class isn’t going as planned

At some point during your time at UCSC, you may find yourself in a class that isn’t going as planned. Whether you’re overwhelmed by the material, struggling to manage your time, or facing personal circumstances that affect your academics, there are several options available to help you navigate these challenges without derailing your degree progress.

This page outlines your enrollment and grading options throughout the quarter. Some choices—like changing your grading option or dropping a class—are straightforward, while others may require a deeper conversation with your advisor. Every student’s situation is different, and advisors are here to help you think through what’s best for you.

What are my enrollment options during the quarter?

Making academic decisions isn’t always easy, and deadlines and policies can feel overwhelming. To help, we’ve created the charts below as visual guides to show how enrollment deadlines and policies affect your options throughout the quarter. If you have questions or feel unsure, reach out to your advisor team—we’re here to support you.

Option	When	Transcript Impact	GPA Impact	Credit Earned?	Notes
Drop a Class	Through Week 3	Not listed	None	No	Class disappears as if never taken; must remain enrolled in at least 12 credits
Withdraw (W Grade)	Week 4–6	“W” listed	None	No	Doesn’t affect GPA, but counts as one attempt at the class
Opt for No Pass (NP Grade)	Week 7–9 (if eligible)	“NP” listed	None	No	Must be in good standing
Change Grading Option	Through Week 9 (if eligible)	“P” or “NP” listed	None	Yes, for “P” grade	Must be in good standing; “P” grade counts toward your the 25% limit
Request Incomplete (I Grade)	After Week 9 (if eligible)	“I” listed until completed	No GPA impact until resolved	Pending	Requires instructor approval; must complete coursework within the allowed timeframe
Medical or Emergency Withdrawal	After Week 6 (with documentation)	“W” listed	None	No	Must be supported by documentation; talk to your college advisor

What are my enrollment options during this quarter?

View chart of enrollment options during a quarter

Use the scrollbar under this chart to see more by scrolling left and right.

What are my options for taking time off? Before, during and after this quarter?

View chart of enrollment options during a quarter: Taking time off

Use the scrollbar under this chart to see more by scrolling left and right.

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Not sure what to do?

You’re not alone. These decisions can feel overwhelming, but that’s exactly why your college and major advisors are here. They’ll help you think through:

How a decision might impact your GPA, major progress, or graduation timeline
What resources are available (academic support, tutoring, health and wellness)
Whether taking action now is the best choice—or if there are alternatives to explore first

Reach out to your advisor early. The sooner you start the conversation, the more options you’ll have.

Before you decide: Key things to consider

Topic	Why It Matters	Where to Verify / Get Help
P/NP (Pass/No Pass) vs. Letter Grades	Many majors do not accept P/NP for core or prerequisite courses. Switching without checking could delay major qualification or graduation.	Review your major’s requirements in the General Catalog.• Confirm with your major advisor using the contact info in “Finding Your Advisors”
Withdrawing for a W or NP	A W/NP keeps your GPA intact, but counts as an attempt at the class and may trigger unit-progress or aid issues.	See Withdrawing from a Class (W or NP) for deadlines, step-by-step instructions, impacts on repeats, financial aid, visas, and more.
Repeating Courses	Most classes can only be taken twice without a petition; a W or NP still counts as an attempt. A third attempt (“triple take”) requires formal approval.	Policy basics: Repeating Courses Triple takes: see the Double-Repeat/Triple-Take Petition Process and talk with your college advisor before enrolling a third time.
Financial Aid & Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)	Dropping below 12 units, piling up W/NP grades, or falling behind the 36-unit minimum per academic year can jeopardize aid eligibility.	Check the Undergraduate SAP Policy. Unsure? Email or meet with Financial Aid.
International Students (F-1 / J-1)	U.S. immigration rules require full-time enrollment (≥ 12 units) each quarter unless ISSS approves a reduced course load before you drop or withdraw.	Review ISSS: Maintaining Full-Time Status. Contact an ISSS advisor for individual guidance.
Student-Athletes, Veterans, Scholars Programs	Many special programs set their own minimum-unit rules or GPA benchmarks. Falling below can affect eligibility, housing, or stipends.	Student-Athletes: consult your Athletics eligibility coordinator. Veterans: connect with the Veteran Benefits Services Office.
Time-to-Degree & Graduation Planning	Even one fewer class can shift your four-year plan (especially for sequenced STEM majors). You might need a summer class or a heavier load later.	Use your Degree Planner in MyUCSC. Map scenarios with a college or major advisor before committing.
Part-Time Program (≤ 10 units)	Offers reduced tuition and fees, but you must submit the Part-Time Enrollment petition by the published deadline (usually Week 3). Applies only to fall, winter, and spring; limited to students with documented work, family, health, or other qualifying circumstances. Part-time status can affect financial aid, housing guarantees, and your time-to-degree.	Program details & petition: Part-Time Enrollment Procedure. Discuss eligibility and impacts with your college advisor and, if you receive aid, a Financial Aid Advisor.

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