The Grainger College of Engineering
Undergraduate Academic Advising

Incomplete Grades

Incomplete (I) Grade Request for Engineering Students – Undergraduates 

What is an Incomplete (I) grade? 

An Incomplete (I) grade may be granted when a student is unable to complete the final exam or other limited requirements due during the last part of the semester (from the 15th week through the end of finals) because of illness or other extraordinary, unexpected circumstances. In these cases, a short extension of time may be approved to complete the remaining work. The process requires a "Request for an Incomplete (I) Grade" initiated by the College Advising Team.

Please note: Incomplete Grade Requests are NOT for personal events such as family gatherings, birthday, travel, or weddings.

What students and instructors should know before starting the process for Incomplete (I) grade request?

  • Incomplete grades are authorized only by the College (in consultation with the instructor). Instructors play a key role in providing details about missing work and a completion plan, but they do not grant Incompletes on their own.

  • An Incomplete is not guaranteed. Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis, based on documentation and circumstances.

  • Incompletes are not approved for students who had the opportunity to complete coursework earlier in the semester but did not. They are limited to work due from the 15th week through the end of finals.

Steps to request an incomplete (I) grade:

  • The student first communicates with their instructor(s) about the possible need for an Incomplete (I) and discusses a plan for finishing the outstanding work.
  • The student then meets with a dean/advisor in the Grainger Academic Advising Center (4th floor Grainger Library) or contacts engineering@illinois.edu (in-person/zoom/email/phone). Do not attend in-person if you are ill.
    • Students should provide documentation of extenuating circumstances (e.g. letter from McKinley, Office of Dean of Students, etc.) when available.
  • The dean/advisor completes the official request form (one per course).
  • Once submitted, the instructor receives the form, provides details on the amount of work missing, current performance, and the completion plan, and then returns it electronically.
  • The dean/advisor reviews the instructor input, any supporting documentation, and the student’s overall situation before making a decision.
  • The student is notified of the decision by email.

If the Incomplete (I) grade is approved:

  • An ‘I’ grade is not included in GPA computation.
  • All outstanding coursework must be finished by the end of the 8th week of the following semester (not including summer).
  • Once work is completed, the instructor submits the grade earned.
  • If the ‘I’ grade is not resolved by the 8th week deadline, it automatically becomes a failing (F) grade, per the Student Code.
  • See Student Code § 3-104 for complete policy.

Important Notes

  • The last day to begin the incomplete request process is the last business day of finals for the semester.
  • It is the student's responsibility to ensure completion of all remaining work.
  • If the Incomplete is a prerequisite course for the next semester, it MUST be resolved before enrolling the subsequent (unless a passing outcome is certain at the time of registration and the department makes an exception).
  • All Incomplete (I) grades must be resolved by the end of the 8th week of the following semester (not including summer). Any Incomplete not resolved by this deadline will automatically convert to a failing (F) grade, in accordance with the Student Code.