Academic Clemency

Academic Clemency is an exception available to students who have a successful return semester after an absence from the George Mason University of at least three calendar years. Academic Clemency allows these students to request up to 16 credits of previous coursework removed from the calculation of their cumulative GPA. 

Please note: 

• Grades approved for Academic Clemency will remain on the transcript, but they will not count toward the cumulative GPA. 
• An “Academic Clemency” notation will be added to the transcript for each course grade that is approved. 

Eligibility Criteria for Students within the Costello College of Business 

To request Academic Clemency, students must meet with a Business Academic Advisor for an initial review before registering for their return semester. The request should then be submitted at the end of their return semester and will not be considered unless these criteria are met: 

• Must have been absent from the university for at least three consecutive calendar years. 
• Must complete at least 6 credits during the first semester back at Mason and earn a GPA of 3.0 or higher, with no grade below a “C.” 
• A clemency petition must be submitted within 12 months of the first day of the re-enrollment term. 
• You must be an active undergraduate student. Clemency cannot be applied retroactively to courses that count toward a completed degree. Once a student has graduated, the transcript is sealed and cannot be changed.