Understanding my GPA

UNC Bears Understanding my GPA

Your grades matter as a Bear because you need a 2.0+ to graduate. After that, it will depend on your career and post-graduation plans. Visit Academic Advising's Advising Resources for Students Links to an external site. website and the Center for Career Readiness Links to an external site. if you aren't sure how important your GPA will be in the long-run. 

 What is a GPA?

Your GPA depends on what grades you earn and how many courses you complete. Your Grade Point Average (GPA) Links to an external site. is a math equation based on the Quality Points you earn for each class and the GPA Hours you have taken at UNC. The math problem looks like this:

$X(QualityPoints) \div Y(GPAHours) = Z(GPA)$

You have two types of GPA on your transcript (view your transcript in Ursa). Your term GPA is probably different from your cumulative GPA unless this is your first semester:

1. Term GPA each Semester = Semester Quality Points/Semester GPA Hours
   • Your term GPA is listed under each semester on your transcript.
2. Cumulative GPA = Total Quality Points/Total GPA Hours
   • Your cumulative GPA is listed near the end of your transcript. Your cumulative GPA doesn't include non-UNC grades, like the "B" you earned at a community college over the summer.

The Quality Points you earn are based on the grade for the class. Only standard letter grades (A-F) have quality points, while S+, S, U, W, and I are excluded from your GPA equation. Visit the Undergraduate Catalog's Grading Links to an external site. website for more information.

 Academic standing is based on GPA

Your GPA matters because our 4.00 +/- grade point system (Links to an external site.) is connected to your "standing." If you are at a 2.0 and higher, you are in "Good Standing" and eligible to graduate (unless your specific major requires a higher GPA). If you are below 2.0, you are in Academic Review/Probation and won't be able to graduate until you raise it back up. And if you GPA stays below a 2.0 for more than 24 credits in a row, you will face suspension where you can't register for more classes until you are readmitted. See the Undergraduate Catalog's Grading Links to an external site. website for more information.

  GPA also matters for scholarships and financial aid 

The Office of Financial Aid Links to an external site. in Bear Central has resources to help you find, understand, and keep money towards your degree. You need to talk with this office and review your award offers before making changes to your course schedule and if your grades are coming in below a "C" or 2.0. Visit The Office of Financial Aid's Rights and Responsibilities Links to an external site. website for more information.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) (Links to an external site.) is the standard to remain eligible for your financial aid. If you use financial aid, review the SAP Policy each semester: review that right now on the Maintaining Your Aid Links to an external site. website and set a reminder for next semester.

 Bonus materials

Check out these additional resources and ways to apply this content to your life: