Policy Rationale
Grade Point Averages (GPAs) provide an indication for how well a student is performing in their studies. GPAs are the basis for several calculations including good academic standing ; athletic eligibility; federal aid eligibility; progression in degree programs; Dean’s, President’s, and Part-Time Honors distinctions; and graduation honors.
Policy
Vermont State University (VTSU) calculates student GPAs by assigning quality point values to course grades, multiplying those quality points by the GPA credits for each course to calculate grade point values, summing up the total grade point values , and dividing by the total number of GPA credits.
GPAs may be calculated on a cumulative, semester, or program level. Cumulative GPAs are used for measuring good academic standing; athletic eligibility; federal aid eligibility; progression in degree programs; and graduation honors. Semester GPAs are used for Dean’s, President’s, and Part-Time Honors distinctions. Some academic programs require minimum program GPAs for eligibility to continue with the degree.
Specified courses may be taken as Pass /No Pass rather than a letter grade. Credit is received for P (Pass) grades, but the grades do not affect a student’s GPA. Failing work is recorded as NP (No Pass). NP grades do not earn credit nor do the grades affect the student’s grade point average.
VTSU defines the following undergraduate course letter grade and quality point value equivalencies, which are used to calculate GPAs:
|
Course Letter Grade
|
Quality Point Value
|
|
A+
|
4.00
|
|
A
|
4.00
|
|
A-
|
3.70
|
|
B+
|
3.30
|
|
B
|
3.00
|
|
B-
|
2.70
|
|
C+
|
2.30
|
|
C
|
2.00
|
|
C-
|
1.70
|
|
D+
|
1.30
|
|
D
|
1.00
|
|
D-
|
0.70
|
|
F
|
0.00
|
Example of a GPA calculation:
|
Course
|
Credits
|
Letter Grade
|
Quality Point Value
|
Grade Point Value
(Credits x Quality Point Values)
|
|
Connections 1: Intro to Natural Science
|
4
|
B+
|
3.30
|
13.20
|
|
Intro to Biology
|
4
|
A
|
4.00
|
16.00
|
|
Intro to Psychology
|
3
|
B-
|
2.70
|
8.10
|
|
English Composition
|
3
|
A-
|
3.70
|
11.10
|
|
Yoga
|
1
|
A+
|
4.00
|
4.00
|
|
Totals:
|
15
|
|
|
52.40
|
|
Grade Point Average (GPA)
(Total Grade Point Values divided by Total Graded Credits Attempted):
|
|
52.40/15 = 3.493
|
Responsibilities
Students:
- Maintain good academic standing by tracking their GPAs.
- When applicable, work with advisors to improve academic performance if GPA falls below the level required for good academic standing.
Registrars’ Office:
Related Policies
Academic Standing, Academic Notice & Academic Dismissal
Course Grades
Dean’s, President’s & Part-Time Honors Lists
Graduating with Distinction and/or Honors
Pass/No-Pass Option for Course Grades
Date of Last Approved Revision: March 2025
|
