Overview
Academic Forgiveness at Minnesota State Mankato allows undergraduate students a one-time opportunity to reset their GPA by excluding certain low grades, either after a long break (3 years) or a change in major. To qualify, students must complete at least 12 credits with a GPA of 2.0 or higher and a grade of “C” or better in each course after the point of forgiveness.
Undergraduate Academic Forgiveness
Academic Forgiveness allows undergraduate students a one-time chance to reset their GPA — but only for Mankato coursework. It does not affect financial aid eligibility calculations. For detailed information review the Academic Forgiveness for Undergraduate Students Policy.
Who Can Apply?
You must meet one of these conditions:
- Not enrolled at Minnesota State Mankato for 3 consecutive academic years,
OR
- Changed majors due to an unsuitable previous major.
AND
- After returning or changing majors, you must complete at least 12 credits at Mankato with:
- A term GPA of 2.0 or higher
- A grade of “C” or better in each course
Steps to Apply
- Meet with an academic advisor to confirm eligibility.
- Ensure all courses in the qualifying semester (s) meet the GPA and grade requirements.
- Complete the application.
What Can Be Forgiven?
You may request to exclude:
- All grades of F/NC
- Or all grades of D+, D, D-, and F/NC
Exceptions:
- Courses already used for a degree, certificate, graduation requirement (major/minor, general education, MnTC, etc.), or consortium courses are not eligible for academic forgiveness.
- After a degree or credential is posted, courses taken prior to the degree or credential posting date are not eligible for forgiveness.
- Courses taken with Veteran’s Benefits or used for athletic eligibility may not qualify.
Important Notes:
- Forgiven courses won’t count toward any academic requirements.
- Forgiven courses still appear on your transcript in brackets but won’t affect your GPA.
- Financial aid calculations still include these grades.
- Changing majors just to qualify and then switching back is not allowed.
Why Use Academic Forgiveness?
To improve GPA for:
- Program admission
- Graduate school applications, prior to graduating
- Academic standing at Mankato
FAQ
What is an unsuitable major?
At Minnesota State University, Mankato, an unsuitable major refers to a program of study that did not align well with a student’s academic strengths or interests, resulting in academic performance below their actual ability. If a student changes to a major in a different discipline and demonstrates improved academic success, they may qualify for Academic Forgiveness under this condition.
If I already graduated, and need to improve my GPA for graduate school, is Academic Forgiveness an option?
No, Academic Forgiveness is not an option if you have already graduated from Minnesota State University, Mankato. According to the policy, courses taken prior to the posting of a degree or credential are not eligible for forgiveness. This means once your degree is officially awarded, you cannot retroactively apply Academic Forgiveness to improve your GPA for graduate school.
Are transfer credits eligible for forgiveness?
No, transfer credits and consortium credits are not eligible for Academic Forgiveness at Minnesota State University, Mankato.
More Resources
Still Need Help?
Contact Registration and Academic Records