COVID-19 Policy Updates

Please see below for FAQs regarding policy changes due to COVID-19. As well as important reminders, dates, and resources for the upcoming Fall 2021 registration period.

**Please check the SDSU Flex page for the 2020/2021 plan, a list of in-person classes, and Fall 2021 course offerings.**

Visit Enrollment Services COVID-19 Updates for academic policy and process changes.

Final Updates to COVID-19 Policy

Enrollment Services COVID-19 Updates:

Due to the uncertainty of COVID-19, a number of academic policies, requirements, and processes have been adjusted. This page is intended to provide more detail surrounding these temporary academic changes. Additional information regarding SDSU’s response to COVID-19 can be found on SDSU’s COVID-19 web page.

Grading Basis: Credit/No Credit (CR/NC)

The deadline to request a change of grading basis from letter grade to credit/no credit for spring 2021 semester by May 6, 2021 at 11:59 p.m.. Please visit the new Grading Basis: Credit/No Credit (CR/NC) web page.

CR/NC grades are not factored into your grade point average, academic probation or disqualification procedures. Credit earned in spring 2020 and fall 2020 will not apply toward the 15 unit maximum allowed for CR/NC grading towards your bachelor’s degree.

Undergraduate Students: A grade of Credit is awarded for work equivalent to a letter grade of C (2.0) or better. No Credit is awarded for work equivalent to letter grades less than 2.0 grade points (C- through F).

Graduate Students: A grade of Credit is awarded for work equivalent to a letter grade of B (3.0) or better. No Credit is awarded for work equivalent to letter grades less than 3.0 grade points (B- through F).

Financial Aid Impact: Receiving Credit or No Credit in a course could have an impact on your financial aid eligibility. If you receive “no credit” in a course, it may impact your future financial aid eligibility, if overall, during the academic year (summer 2020, fall 2020, spring 2021) you did not complete 75% of your courses.

Course Repeat and Course Forgiveness

Students who earn a CR grade in spring 2020 may subsequently repeat a course for a letter grade within the next academic year.

Students are allowed to use up to 16 units for course forgiveness according to campus policy. Any course forgiveness used in spring 2020 will not be counted toward the 16 unit maximum. Course forgiveness is automatically applied for coursework with both attempts at SDSU. More information about the university course repeat and course forgiveness policy is available on the Course Repeat and Course Forgiveness web page.

Frequently Asked Questions

I earned a CR in my course from spring 2020, but it will not allow me to register for it in fall 2020.: If you earned a CR grade in a spring 2020 course and choose to repeat the course, it must be repeated within the next academic year and the request for this exception can be made by filling out the COVID-19 Course Repeat Petition form.

If I receive CR in a course during spring 2020 and wish to repeat it in the future for a letter grade, will both courses count in my total units earned?

No, if you are an undergraduate student, only the units earned from the first attempt of the course will apply towards your total units earned. The units attempted and grade points from your second attempt of the course will count in your GPA, but not the units earned.

I earned a CR in spring 2020 and will be repeating the course in fall 2020 for a letter grade. May I use course forgiveness?

No, you may not use course forgiveness. The CR grade is not factored into your GPA. Only the second attempt with the letter grade will be factored into your GPA.

Spring 2020 Withdrawal (W)

You have a flexible withdrawal option to withdraw from one or more classes of your choice, with approval from the assistant dean of your college. Once approved, a “W” will appear on your transcript for the course. You can initiate the request for withdrawal by completing a request for Retroactive Withdrawal available on the Office of the Registrar Withdrawal web page.

Withdrawal (W) grades are not factored into your grade point average, academic probation or disqualification procedures, or as a repeat for enrollment purposes.

Financial Aid Impact: For information on how withdrawal might affect your financial aid, review this document.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I withdraw from a course that I believe I will not successfully complete and I don’t want factored into my GPA?: It may be in your best interest to consider withdrawing from a course rather than receiving a deficient grade or NC. Speak to your assistant dean regarding which course(s) you are concerned about for possible options.




I was currently repeating a course during spring 2020 and I don’t think I will be successful in my second attempt. Should I withdraw? If I do, will that have an impact on my future registration for the course?: If you withdraw from your spring 2020 course, it will not count as a second attempt. You will be able to register for the class again in the future, which will count as your second attempt.

Academic Status: Probation/Disqualification

Student academic standing will not be negatively impacted by spring 2020 grade point averages. Earned grades will be included and calculated in SDSU and cumulative grade point averages. However, the processes to place students on academic probation or disqualification are suspended for spring 2020.

Undergraduate students with below a 2.0 GPA average for the spring 2020 semester will not be placed on academic probation. Students who are currently on probation will not be subject to academic disqualification.

Graduate students with below a 2.85 GPA average for the spring 2020 semester will not be placed on academic probation. Graduate students who are currently on academic probation will not be subject to academic qualification.

Both undergraduate and graduate students who achieve their academic benchmarks (2.0 and 2.85 campus and cumulative GPAs, respectively) will be returned to normal status, and no longer on academic probation.

Frequently Asked Questions

I am currently on academic probation and I anticipate raising my GPA to the minimum needed to be in good academic standing. What will my academic status be at the end of spring 2020?: If you are an undergraduate student currently on academic probation and you raise your SDSU and/or your cumulative GPA to at least a 2.0, you will be removed from academic probation and will be in good academic standing.





I am currently on academic probation during spring 2020. Will I continue to be on academic probation for fall 2020?: Spring 2020 is a “do no harm” semester. If you are an undergraduate student and you do not earn the minimum 2.0 SDSU and/or the 2.0 cumulative GPA, which is required to remove from academic probation, your current academic status from spring 2020 will carry over to fall 2020, which means your academic status will stay the same without additional consequences.


I am currently in good standing. However after spring 2020 grades, my SDSU GPA is below a 2.0. Am I placed on academic probation after spring 2020?: No. Spring 2020 is a “do no harm” semester. Undergraduate students will not be placed on first semester academic probation after spring 2020.

Final Updates to COVID-19 Policy

International Experience/Study Abroad Requirement

Due to COVID-19, study abroad programs have been suspended temporarily. If you are impacted by the study abroad suspensions, then the University will offer flexibility to you. If you have an international experience or study abroad requirement in your major or minor, please speak to the adviser in your academic department to determine options.

Additional information is available on the Study Abroad FAQs (see right-hand screen for FAQs and expand the Study Abroad accordion).

Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement/Writing Placement Assessment

The Writing Placement Assessment (WPA) has been temporarily suspended and waived for upper division students. Upper division students can register directly for approved upper division writing courses. Completing the approved upper division writing course with a C or better will satisfy the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement.

If you previously had a WPA hold on your record, which would have impacted fall 2020 or spring 2021 registration, the WPA hold was lifted and you can now register directly into an upper division writing course.

If you previously took the WPA and you scored a 6 or below and placed into RWS 280/LING 281, you no longer need to complete RWS 280/LING 281 with a C or better. You can enroll directly into one of the approved upper division writing courses. Log in to the SDSU WebPortal and review your updated Degree Evaluation.

Frequently Asked Questions










I was supposed to take the WPA but it was canceled. Can I just take the writing course?: If you are an upper division student, you will be able to register directly into one of the approved upper division writing courses to satisfy the GWAR.






I’m not sure whether I should register for RWS 280/LING 281 or an approved upper division writing course. How do I know which one I should register for?: Please contact Jamie Madden at jmadden@sdsu.edu in the Rhetoric and Writing Studies (RWS) department for guidance on which course(s) would be best to register for.










I am currently enrolled in RWS 280/LING 281 this semester. What happens if I receive a C- or lower grade?: You can use course forgiveness if you decide to repeat RWS 280/LING 281 to strengthen your writing skills or you can register for an approved upper division writing course to satisfy the GWAR.




I am a strong writer and I believe I would pass the WPA if it was available to take. Can I wait and take the WPA later?: Due to the uncertainty of COVID-19, we do not know when the WPA will be offered.




If I take an approved upper division writing course now, will I have to take the WPA later when it is offered again?: No. You will not be required to take the WPA during future semesters.




I took the WPA and received an 8 and was planning to retake the WPA to try to improve my score to earn a 10. What should I do now?: Due to the uncertainty of COVID-19, we do not know when the WPA will be offered.




I took the WPA and received a 6 and was supposed to take RWS 280 this next semester. Can I register for an upper division writing course or am I required to take RWS 280 first?: Yes, you may register for an approved upper division writing course to satisfy the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR).




Can I get a refund for the WPA test since I already registered and paid for the test?: Please review the SDSU Testing Services website and the Frequently Asked Questions regarding your canceled registration for the WPA. Contact SDSU Testing Services at staar@sdsu.edu if you have any additional questions.



Which courses are the approved upper division writing courses that I can register for?: Please check your degree evaluation to determine if you are required to complete a specific upper division writing course. If you are not required to enroll in a specific course, you can choose from the list of approved writing courses from the General Catalog (refer to Graduation Requirements section of the General Catalog).



I really want to try to take the WPA later. Do I have to take a writing course this summer or fall 2020?: Due to the uncertainty of COVID-19, we do not know when the WPA may be offered. You are not required to complete the GWAR this summer or fall 2020. However, if you are close to graduating, we recommend you complete the GWAR as soon as possible.



I passed an upper division writing course with a “C” or better. Can I still take RWS 280 or LING 281?: Yes. As long as you have not yet passed RWS 280 or LING 281 with a “C” or better, you may enroll in the course, even if you have already completed an approved upper division writing course.



What if the WPA is reinstated in fall 2020? Will I be required to take the WPA in fall 2020 or will I still have the option of registering for an upper division writing class?: Due to the uncertainty of COVID-19, we do not know when the WPA may be offered. However, you will not be required to take the WPA in future semesters.

Transcript Notation

SDSU transcripts will include a brief statement under the spring 2020 term to reflect the COVID-19 pandemic, which occurred this semester. This applies to both unofficial and official SDSU transcripts, and for all students with enrollment information during the spring 2020 term.

For more information about ordering transcripts, please review the Transcript Frequently Asked Questions Related to COVID-19.

Fall 2020 Registration

Registration for the fall 2020 semester began Monday, April 13. SDSU has postponed the tuition prepayment requirement for currently enrolled students who are registering for fall 2020 courses. Students will be able to register for fall 2020 courses even if the SDSU WebPortal notes that fees have not yet been paid.

The fee-payment deadline is now June 15, 2020 for fall 2020 classes. Beginning June 15, students will be unable to add courses to their fall 2020 schedule, change sections of a course, or enroll from a wait list without having paid fall basic tuition and fees.

More information about the fall 2020 postponement of the prepayment requirement is available on the Student Account Services COVID-19 Information page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I be dropped from my courses after June 15 if I have not paid my tuition?: You may be dropped from your fall 2020 courses if you do not pay your tuition and fees or if financial aid is not set up by June 15, 2020. Please contact the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships for information on possible eligibility.


I’m trying to enroll in summer 2020 courses but haven’t paid my fees yet. Is there an exception for my summer fees?
: No. Registration for summer 2020 courses continues to require prepayment of basic tuition and fees before you enroll in courses.

I am currently enrolled in an in-person course(s) but I am unable to attend due to COVID-related concerns, who should I contact?

Students who are unable to attend an in-person course during the fall 2020 semester due to COVID-related concerns should complete the following form to request a letter from Student Ability Success Center (SASC) that the student can share with their instructor and their Assistant Dean: SDSU Flex – Request for SASC Letter Regarding In-Person Attendance.

Once the form has been submitted the student will receive a letter from SASC within five (5) business days of the submission date. The letter will be emailed to the email address provided in the form submission.

Once the student has received the letter, they should provide it to their instructor and assistant dean in their college as soon as possible in order for the appropriate accommodations to be made with your scheduled course. If you decide to drop or postpone taking the impacted course for a later semester, you are strongly encouraged to work with your academic advisor to understand if there will be any impacts on your academic progress.

If I am unable to attend an in-person course, will I be able to complete the course virtually?

All in-person courses were carefully selected due to the pedagogical (teaching and learning) needs of the course content. It has been determined that the student learning outcomes associated with the specific course are best met through in-person delivery. Therefore, while faculty and the Student Ability Success Center will work to identify possible accommodations for students who may not be able to attend portions of an in-person course, in some cases the instructor may not be able to accommodate a student who needs to take the entire in-person course virtually. Students in this situation are strongly encouraged to talk with their academic advisor and/or the assistant dean in their college to understand if there will be an impact on their academic progress should they delay taking the course, or otherwise drop the course for the fall semester.