Admissions and Records

Academic Renewal

Academic Renewal allows students to improve their GPA by removing past low grades — D, F, NC, or NP — that no longer reflect their current academic ability. Fullerton College follows California Administrative Code 51318, which recognizes that students can grow and perform better over time.

Ready to apply? Make sure your transcripts from all schools are on file with A&R before submitting.

Complete the Form Online

📚 Up to 24 Units

You may remove up to 24 units of substandard grades — only from Fullerton College courses.

📊 Eligible Grades

Only D, F, NC, or NP grades qualify. They stay on your transcript but are excluded from your GPA.

⏳ One-Time Only

Academic Renewal can only be used once and cannot be reversed after it appears on your transcript.

📋 Transcripts Required

Official transcripts from every college you have attended must be on file before your request is reviewed.

Transferring? Fullerton College cannot guarantee that other institutions will honor Academic Renewal GPA changes. Verify with your transfer school before submitting.

How to Apply

Complete the online form using the button above. Before submitting, confirm that official transcripts from every college or university you have attended are already on file with the Admissions and Records Office — including institutions attended before Fullerton College. If any transcripts are missing when your request is reviewed, your request will be denied.

Submitting transcripts: Official electronic transcripts must be sent directly from the institution or its authorized vendor to transcript@fullcoll.edu, or by mail to Admissions & Records, 321 East Chapman Ave, Fullerton, CA 92832.

How It Appears on Your Record

Grades are not deleted or replaced. They are marked and excluded from your cumulative GPA calculation but remain visible on your official transcript, keeping your academic record complete. Other institutions — such as four-year universities or professional programs — may not recognize Academic Renewal when evaluating your record.

Rules for Academic Renewal

  1. Unit cap: You may remove up to 24 units of substandard grades, but only from courses taken at Fullerton College — not other schools.
  2. Eligible grades: Only grades of D, F, NC, or NP can be removed.
  3. Subsequent record: Since the most recent semester you are seeking to remove low grades from, you must have completed at least 12 new college units with a GPA of 2.5 or higher. These units may come from any accredited college or university.
  4. Time elapsed: At least one full academic year must have passed since your most recent substandard grade.
  5. Transcripts: Official transcripts from every college or university you have attended must be on file — including schools attended before enrolling at Fullerton College. Missing transcripts will result in denial.
  6. Repeated courses: If a course was already excluded from your GPA due to repetition, it may not qualify for Academic Renewal.
  7. Degree-applicable courses: Courses used to earn an Associate Degree or General Education Certification cannot be removed.
  8. Transfer institutions: Fullerton College cannot guarantee that other institutions outside the district will honor Academic Renewal GPA changes.
  9. One-time use: Academic Renewal may only be applied once. Once it is reflected on your transcript, it cannot be reversed or modified.