Incomplete Grades
This page provides guidance for students and faculty on the University's Incomplete Grade academic regulation, including when an "I" grade is appropriate, what must be submitted when one is assigned, and how the process works in PeopleSoft.
The Incomplete Grade regulation takes effect for grade rosters starting with the Fall 2026 (2271) term and applies across all careers (undergraduate, graduate, and professional). The full text of the regulation is available from the Office of the Provost: Incomplete Grade Regulation.
General Information
| Important: The "I" grade replaces the previous G and NG grade notations, which are being retired beginning with the Fall 2026 term and will no longer be available on any grade roster, in any career. Coursework that previously might have been marked G should now be recorded and resolved as an "I." |
General Frequently Asked Questions
- When can an instructor assign an "I" grade?
An instructor may assign an "I" when a student has been making satisfactory progress, has been active in the course, and is able to independently complete the remaining requirements without attending additional classes or receiving further instruction.
- What is submitted when an "I" is assigned?
Rather than simply flagging the coursework as unfinished, the instructor submits three things at the same time the "I" is assigned:
- A lapse grade reflecting what the student has earned to that point
- A description of the outstanding work
- An agreed-upon deadline for completing it (the Lapse Deadline)
The instructor and student are also required to document their agreement in writing, including the outstanding work, the completion deadline, and the grade that will result if the work is not completed.
- How far out can the Lapse Deadline be set?
The Lapse Deadline can be no longer than one year beyond the end of the term in which the class was taken. Instructors may allow the full year or enter an earlier date if they and the student agree to a shorter completion window.
| Important: The Lapse Deadline entered is the exact date the lapse process runs. There is no grace period once that date is reached — the recorded Lapse Grade is applied immediately. Faculty are encouraged to consider this carefully when selecting the date, and to discuss the Lapse Deadline directly with the student. |
- Can the Lapse Deadline be changed after the grade roster has been submitted?
Yes, if the grade currently on record is already an "I." The instructor can use the Grade Change Workflow to update the Lapse Grade and/or the Lapse Deadline, as long as the new deadline remains within one year of the course's last day. If the grade is no longer an "I" (it has already lapsed to a final grade, or the student was never assigned one), assigning an incomplete at that point is handled as an exception requested through the Dean's or Campus President's Office; the instructor provides justification to their dean's office, which then contacts the Office of the University Registrar.
- What happens if the work isn't finished by the Lapse Deadline?
If the deadline passes with no grade change submitted, the system automatically replaces the "I" with the lapse grade that was recorded when the incomplete was assigned. That lapse grade becomes the student's final grade.
- Is there a shorter deadline for students who are graduating?
Yes. If the student plans to graduate at the end of the current term, the Lapse Deadline cannot be set more than one week beyond the end of that term. Students will not graduate with an unresolved "I" on their record, even if the course is not required for the degree.
- Can an "I" grade be used for dissertation research or other work that spans multiple terms?
No. The "I" grade is intended for coursework that can reasonably be finished within the one-year lapse window. It should not be used for study that extends across multiple terms, such as dissertation research, thesis work, or other extended independent study. For work that spans multiple terms, a grade of S/U (Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory) can be assigned instead.
- What happened to the G and NG grade notations?
The G grade notation is being retired and will no longer be available on any grade roster, in any career, beginning with the Fall 2026 term. The related NG notation, which the Office of the University Registrar applied when a G grade lapsed unresolved, is also being retired; it was never a grade instructors submitted directly
- Where can I find the full regulation?
The full text of the Incomplete Grade regulation is available from the Office of the Provost: Here.
Students
Student Frequently Asked Questions
- What does it mean if my instructor assigns me an "I" grade?
It means your instructor has determined you were making satisfactory progress but were not able to complete all the coursework by the end of the term. Along with the "I," your instructor records a lapse grade (what you've earned so far), a description of the outstanding work, and a deadline for completing it (the Lapse Deadline).
- How long do I have to complete the outstanding work?
The Lapse Deadline can be no longer than one year beyond the end of the term in which you took the class, though your instructor may set an earlier date if you both agree to a shorter completion window.
- What happens if I don't finish the work by the Lapse Deadline?
Your "I" grade automatically converts to the lapse grade your instructor recorded when the incomplete was assigned, and that becomes your final grade for the course.
Your "I" grade automatically converts to the lapse grade your instructor recorded when the incomplete was assigned, and that becomes your final grade for the course.
- Will I need to sign anything?
Yes. You and your instructor are required to document your agreement in writing, including the outstanding coursework, the completion deadline, and the grade that will result if the work is not completed.
- Will I be reminded before the Lapse Deadline arrives?
Once Pitt Digital's I-grade completion plan application is available, you and your instructor can expect deadline reminders 30 and 15 days before the plan's completion deadline, and 2 days before the grade change deadline. You'll also be notified if you request revisions to the plan or decline it, and when the plan reaches a final status, such as Completed, Grade Lapsed, or Declined.
- I'm graduating this term. Does that change my deadline?
Yes. If you plan to graduate at the end of the current term, the Lapse Deadline on any "I" grade cannot be set more than one week beyond the end of that term. You will not be able to graduate with an unresolved "I" on your record, even if the course isn't required for your degree.
- Can an "I" grade be used for a thesis or dissertation that spans multiple terms?
No. The "I" grade is meant for coursework that can be finished within the one-year lapse window. For work that spans multiple terms, such as dissertation research or thesis work, a grade of S/U (Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory) can be assigned instead.
- Who do I contact with questions about an "I" grade on my record?
Start with the instructor who assigned the grade. For general questions about the regulation, contact the Office of the University Registrar at grades@registrar.pitt.edu.
Faculty
| Entering the Grade in PeopleSoft: Complete, step-by-step instructions with screenshots are available in Entering an Incomplete (I) Grade in PeopleSoft: Faculty Step-by-Step Instructions. The guide covers opening your grade roster, selecting the "I" grade, entering the Lapse Grade and Lapse Deadline, saving and submitting the roster for approval, and documenting the incomplete. |
| Important Notice for Faculty: An "I" grade cannot be selected in the HighPoint/Campus Experience (HCX) interface, and a roster containing an "I" cannot be entered or approved in HCX or Canvas. You must go into PeopleSoft directly to enter the grade and to set the roster's status to Approved. |
Faculty Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Incomplete Grade form, and do I need to complete it?
There is not yet a university-wide form. Document the Incomplete according to your school's process for recording the outstanding coursework and the agreed-upon completion date with the student. Pitt Digital is developing a university-wide form and process (an I-grade completion plan application), which will be added to the instructions once available.
- What if the student is graduating at the end of this term?
The Lapse Deadline cannot be set more than one week beyond the end of the current term for a student who plans to graduate that term. Students will not graduate with an unresolved "I" on their record, even if the course is not required for the degree.
- Will I be reminded before the Lapse Deadline arrives?
Once Pitt Digital's I-grade completion plan application is available, the following notifications are expected: a weekly "action needed" email every Thursday listing your posted "I" grades without a completion plan; a notice if the student requests revisions to a plan or declines it; deadline reminders 30 and 15 days before the plan's completion deadline, and 2 days before the grade change deadline; and a notice when a plan reaches a final status, such as Completed, Grade Lapsed, or Declined.
- Can I still make changes once I've entered an "I" and saved the roster?
Once you enter an "I" for a student on the roster, that student's row locks after posting. Any further changes must go through a standard grade change request rather than a roster edit. You can still return to the grade roster at any time to view the Lapse Deadline recorded for a student.
- Can I use the grade roster to enter an "I" grade after it has posted?
No. Once a class section's grade roster has been posted, the roster can no longer be used to assign or modify an "I" grade. If the grade currently on record is already an "I," you can use the Grade Change Workflow to update the Lapse Grade or Lapse Deadline. If the grade is something other than "I," it cannot be converted to an incomplete through the standard Grade Change Workflow. That change is made only at the request of your dean's office; provide your dean's office with justification, and they will contact the Office of the University Registrar.
- Can I change the date of a Lapse Grade?
Yes, if the grade currently on record is already an "I." Use the Grade Change Workflow to update the Lapse Grade or the Lapse Deadline, as long as the new deadline remains within one year of the course's last day. If the grade is no longer an "I," it cannot be changed back to one through this process. That change is made only at the request of your dean's office; provide your dean's office with justification, and they will contact the Office of the University Registrar.
- How do I resolve an Incomplete once the student finishes the work?
As soon as the student completes the outstanding work, submit a standard grade change through your normal grade change workflow to record the final grade. This must be submitted before the Lapse Deadline; if the deadline passes with the "I" still in place, the recorded lapse grade automatically becomes the final grade.
- Questions?
Contact the Office of the University Registrar Grades Email