What Happens If I Fail a College Class?

Key Takeaways

Most institutions consider any score below 65 percent to be a failing grade.
Your GPA, financial aid, and academic standing may be impacted if you fail a class.
You can turn your failing grade into an opportunity by retaking the class and creating habits that prevent it from happening again.

Introduction

Admit it.

The thought crosses your mind every so often: What happens if I fail a college class?

Maybe you tanked an exam.

Or slept through a lecture.

Perhaps an assignment didn’t get turned in.

Most of the time, we ask the question rhetorically – but if it becomes your reality, take a deep breath.

You can recover from the consequences.

In fact, failure often paves the way to success.

What Grade Do You Need to Pass a College Class?

You typically need at least a D, or 65 percent, to pass a class in college.

Anything below 64 percent would be considered a failing grade.

However, an institution may choose to set a different cutoff point. For example, some universities deem 60 percent to be the passing threshold, similar to high school grading scales.

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What Happens If You Fail a Class in College?

Some of the repercussions of failing a college class include:

Lower GPA: You earn 0 points toward your grade point average (GPA) if you don’t pass a class, which can lower it significantly. For example, if you took four classes and received A’s in three of them, but failed one, your GPA drops from a 4.0 to a 3.0.
Delayed graduation: You’ll likely need to retake classes required for your major which could impact when you can register for other classes and create a domino effect that causes you to graduate later than expected.
Wasted money: When you fail a class, you lose the money spent on tuition, fees, and textbooks. Another attempt at it brings those same costs.
Lost financial aid and scholarships: Grants, loans, and other types of assistance require you to maintain a minimum GPA, usually a 2.0 or higher. If it falls below that because of a failed class, you risk losing funding for your education.
Academic standing changes: Institutions issue a warning, known as academic probation, when your GPA drops under 2.0. It limits your ability to participate in extracurricular activities and mandates tutoring. If your grades don’t improve by the following semester you risk suspension.

Can You Retake a Failed College Class?

Yes. Universities allow you to repeat a class if you fail it.

Depending on the school, the new grade may replace the old one on your transcript, or the college could average both grades to determine your earned credits.

What to Do If You Fail (or Think You Might)

Failing a class can be an overwhelming experience.

However, don’t panic or give up – consider it an opportunity to create better habits that will serve you well in the future.

Here’s how you can do that.

Talk to your professor

Set up a meeting or go to your professor’s office hours and ask for advice on how to get your grade back on track.

They want to see you succeed. Professors sometimes allow students to submit missing assignments or offer extra credit. They can also answer your questions on the material during this time.

Meet with your academic advisor

Each institution maintains different policies about failing grades. Your advisor can outline the options available to you based on your school’s rules. They may also be able to connect you to study groups and other on-campus resources.

Consider other ways to continue your education

When you fail a college class, contemplate what went wrong.

Do you need to improve your time management or would transferring to another program better align with your learning style and career goals?

With Portage Learning, an accredited institution, you can complete eight general education courses for under $5,000. Its online, self-directed format allows you to keep your college goals moving forward while you figure it out. The package includes:
Portage Learning’s Student Success team also walks alongside you as you work through the classes, helping with time management, grade calculations, and more.

Explore tutoring

Tutors can help you better understand a subject, improve study habits, and prepare for exams. Most colleges offer it to students for free, making it a great way to reinforce your learning and the support received from your professor.

Make a plan for next semester

Decide whether to retake the class you failed and determine how to lock in, so it doesn’t happen again. Do you need to switch majors? Or change how you study?

Dropping vs. Withdrawing vs. Failing a Class in College

If a class challenges you early on – and no amount of tutoring or extra studying helps – you can quit without a permanent GPA-crushing “F” on your transcript.

Dropping a college class

When you drop a class, you unenroll from it before your college’s drop/add deadline, which often falls during the first few weeks of the semester.

The class won’t be recorded on your transcript, and you don’t need to pay the tuition and fees for it.

During this period, you can register for another class if required to maintain your enrollment status.

Withdrawing from a college class

Leaving a class after your institution’s drop/add deadline would be considered a withdrawal. When this occurs, a “W” appears on your transcript. It doesn’t affect your GPA, but you won’t receive a refund.

How to Avoid Failing a Class in College

What if we wondered, “How can I set myself up to succeed?” rather than ask, “What happens if I fail a college class?”

That shift in mindset can help you avoid failing – and its consequences – by:

Attending class consistently
Starting assignments early
Asking for help
Building a study schedule
Communicating with professors

It also reminds you that a single setback doesn’t define your academic journey.

Instead, with the right habits and support, you can spend more time focusing on achieving your educational goals.

Still looking for answers?

Check out the FAQs about this article below.

FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

What grade do you need to pass a college class?

Students usually need a D, or 65 percent, to pass a college class.

What happens if you fail a class in college?

By failing a college class, students may experience a lower GPA, a delayed graduation, academic standing changes, or the loss of financial aid and scholarships.

Can you retake a failed college class?

Yes, students are allowed to repeat failed college classes. Some universities may replace the old grade on an official transcript if it is retaken.

What to do if you fail a class?

Steps students can take after failing a class include speaking with their professors, meeting with an academic advisor, finding a tutor, and planning for future semesters.