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MCC Daily Tribune Archive

Please Inform Your Students: Repeated Courses and Financial Aid


Many students do not realize that repeating courses can have an adverse effect on their financial aid eligibility. This primarily occurs in regards to New York State Financial Aid programs, such as TAP. For instance, if a student retakes a course in which they have received a passing grade (D- or higher), the course cannot be counted as part of the student’s course load which determines the students eligibility for state financial aid programs.

However, as in most instances, there are a few exceptions to this rule:

-- A passing grade is received for a course, but a higher grade is necessary to meet the degree requirements. i.e. A student receives a grade of “D” in FIN 200, however the program requires that the student has a grade of “C” or higher in order to graduate from that program.

-- A passing grade is received for a course, but a higher grade is necessary to take the next course in the sequence. i.e. A student receives a grade of “D” in FIN 201, however the program requires that the student has a grade of “C” or higher in order to take FIN 202.

-- A student must take and pass two associated courses concurrently and a passing grade is received in only one of the courses. i.e. Course FIN 200 requires that concurrently take FIN 201 and the student receives a “B” in FIN 200 and an “F” in FIN 201.

-- When a course may be repeated and credit earned toward the degree each time it is taken, such as physical education courses.

Students who have questions regarding repeating coursework and maintaining their financial aid eligibility, should review pages 35-38 of the MCC 2008-2009 College Catalog and Student Handbook or contact the MCC Financial Aid Office.

Ramon L. Rodriguez
Financial Aid
03/13/2009