It’s important to ask the question, “What happens if you fail a class in college?“, especially if you want to keep a prestigious GPA.
There’s a common misbelief that colleges and universities are lax when it comes to getting an education.
However, you’ll find the problems that stem from failing classes in post-secondary institutions are similar to high school.
What Are the Consequences of Failing a College Class?
Depending on the type of institution you’re studying at, the consequences of failing can be quite severe. With that said, just because you fail a single class doesn’t mean you’ll get kicked out of your school.
Most often, colleges will consider your transcripts, student history, and other extenuating circumstances when dealing with more severe punishments.
Let’s review some of the most common problems students could face if they allow themselves to fail a class.
Bad Transcripts and GPA
Your transcripts are one of the essential documents you’ll receive while attending college.
These documents transcribe all of the information about your in-school performance, including extracurricular activities.
However, the most crucial part of your transcripts is your GPA, which is your golden ticket into college.
A good GPA allows you to join honors societies, graduate with honors, and determine what classes you can and can’t take.
The higher your GPA is, the more likely you’ll graduate with honors which can significantly improve life after college.
Students who don’t heed the importance of maintaining a high GPA could find themselves stuck in college.
Every failing grade you receive can significantly decrease your GPA, which is important to note for graduate programs.
As graduate programs are incredibly competitive, so you’ll need one of the best GPAs out of all applicants.
The more classes you’ve failed, the less likely you’ll continue with schooling past your undergrad degree.
Financial Detriments
The amount of money that students invest into post-secondary schooling isn’t something to be taken lightly.
Depending on where you live, some degrees can cost well above $50,000, which is a significant investment.
When you fail, you’ll be forced to retake the class, which can be an additional cost on top of your current expenses.
This issue is vital because every degree has a certain amount of credits that you need to earn.
For example, you could require 40 credits to obtain a Bachelor of Arts and Science.
If you were to fail one of your classes worth two credits, you’d fall short at 38/40 credits at graduation.
If you continually fail a class, you have to put more money into your education than expected.
Not to mention, you’ll also be responsible for other costs, such as new learning materials and on-campus housing.
Loss of Financial Aid
Another significant issue with failing your classes in college pertains to financial aid.
The vast majority of monetary assistance programs you receive for college require students to maintain a specific GPA.
If applicants fail classes, which then causes their GPA to plummet, they could get withdrawn from financial aid programs.
Unfortunately, this could mean that students lose their opportunity to study at the school of their dreams.
Or lose the opportunity to acquire a post-secondary degree at all.
Other considerable factors to consider are the terms and agreements of the financial aid program you’re in.
Sometimes, these organizations require students to pay back their financial aid if they fail.
For example, if you’ve received a $20,000 grant and fail, you could be required to pay the total amount back.
However, most financial aid programs have a moderate amount of leniency, allowing students to retake the class.
If you’re able to retake the class and pass, your financial aid could be reinstated, and no fees could be due.
It’s important to check the fine print before accepting a grant, especially if you have a strenuous course load ahead of you.
Inability To Play Sports
This point is significant for athletes, especially if you’re attending a school on a sports scholarship.
Did you know that all college players are required to maintain a specific GPA to be allowed to play on a team?
This process helps ensure that every athlete obtains adequate education while also enhancing their sports skills.
Students who are known to fail classes repetitively are at a higher risk of being kicked off their team.
It’s also likely that you could also lose your spot on a sports team if you don’t maintain a specific GPA.
If you’re struggling, at risk of losing a scholarship, or being let go from a roster, consider a tutor.
School Dismissal
One of the worst things that can happen to students if they fail classes at college is to be let go from the school entirely.
This penalty isn’t likely to affect students who have failed one or two courses over their entire school career.
Still, if you’re a repeat offender, the admissions office is bound to take notice.
Every school has specific policies in place about student performance, especially with more competitive institutions.
Suppose you’re in an Ivy League school, for example. In that case, you’ll be expected to maintain a specific GPA to continue your studies.
Students who fail multiple classes and show no interest in furthering their post-secondary careers are likely to be removed.
Being dismissed isn’t the only problem you’ll face if you get kicked out for failing, as it’s on your transcripts.
If you decide to reapply to the same school or another school at any point in the future, it’s a black mark on your record.
It’s a far better alternative to put as much effort as possible into your studies so you can benefit from good grades.
What Happens if You Fail a Class in College: Final Thoughts
If you’ve ever wondered, “What happens if you fail a class in college?“, there are a few significant issues you could experience.
From losing scholarships to being kicked out, there are several repercussions you could be facing.
Putting all of your efforts into your studies is a sure-fire way never to have to worry about a plummeting GPA.
