I have tremendous empathy for situations like this. As a former college instructor, I hated giving an “F” even when the student earned it. The truth is that an “F” is a big deal in a lot of ways – the least of which is the student’s sense of shame, but in reality, that “F” is going to hang around forever. This is a tough one, but let’s talk about it.
What Happens With The College?
Permanent Record
An F in a dual enrollment class becomes part of your teen’s permanent college transcript. When applying to future colleges, they are required to disclose all college coursework, including grades.
How will they know?
I knew you were going to ask that. Colleges typically use a centralized system (like the National Student Clearinghouse) to verify prior college enrollment, so it’s best to be transparent from the start to avoid complications later. Technically, if a college finds out, they can take action. Your student will have signed a document that they agreed to disclose and that they consented to the college’s actions if they didn’t.
- Admission Revocation: If the omission is found after acceptance, the college may revoke admission.
- Degree Revocation: If the omission is discovered after graduation, the college could even revoke the degree.
What about grade replacement?
I knew you were going to suggest retaking the class to “overwrite” the bad grade. Unlike regular college students, dual enrollment programs often deny this option to high school (non-degree-seeking) students. Many colleges have a specific written policy, while others may review case by case. Policies vary, so it’s essential to check your specific college’s retake rules.
Academic Probation Risks
If your teen plans to continue taking dual enrollment classes or enroll at the same college after high school, a failed grade could place them on academic probation. When a student only has a few classes, their college GPA can drop in a big way with one poor grade. Being placed on academic probation is a lot of pressure and stress for any student.
After High School
A failed grade can affect your teen’s eligibility for financial aid in the future. Colleges use Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) to determine financial aid eligibility, and an F may lower their GPA or completion rate, putting them at risk of losing aid. This is another reason to carefully assess whether to stay in a challenging class or withdraw with a W.
Is There is Still Time?
When is the Last Day to Drop?
On the first day of class (or TODAY!) find out the last day to withdraw with a W and mark it in HUGE LETTERS on your calendar. Circle it in red marker. No less than two weeks before this deadline, start calculating your teen’s current and projected grade. Use real numbers to create “if-then” scenarios, such as: If they score X on the next test, what will their final grade be? If they turn in and pass everything, can they still pass the class? If you are getting close to the W date and your teen is on the line, you can still pull out of the nosedive by withdrawing.
Withdrawing Early is Better Than Failing
If your teen is struggling, withdrawing from the course early to receive a “W” (withdrawal) is far better than letting it devolve into a failed grade. A W does not affect GPA like an F does and may not carry the same long-term consequences. If you discover that you’ve missed the “W” date there are, then pause the rest of the homeschool classes and put 100% of your attention on helping them get their grades up.
PRO TIP: Officially withdrawing from a class will always require filing paperwork. If you don’t withdraw, you will receive an F.
Do the Math, Can You Pass?
All colleges use a grade scale that is printed in the syllabus with exact percentages and break down for points. Do the math and calculate exactly where your student is and whether or not there are enough available points in the course to pull up. If you’ve not calculated the real numbers, you are only guessing whether or not your teen “can pass” and you really need to have the exact numbers. If you can’t figure this out yourself, ask the instructor for help. You can also type the grades into ChatGPT and it will calculate for you. If you’re still stuck, message me and I’ll help you. You have to know the real numbers and then act accordingly.
Never Land in This Situation
- Mitigate Risk with Low-Stakes Programs
Dual enrollment (Type 1 in our College Credit Guide) is highly transferable but carries significant risk. If you’re uncertain about your teen’s readiness, consider starting with lower-risk programs like:- ASU Universal Learner (Pay only if you like the grade)
- CLEP exams (Disclosure of failed grades is not required, pass/fail only)
- ACE credit programs (Disclosure of failed grades is not required. Studycom, Sophia, Straighterline, see our guide for a complete list)
- Homeschool Transcript Flexibility
As the homeschool parent, you may have the option to omit the failed grade from your teen’s high school transcript if your state does not require the reporting of all grades. While this won’t erase the grade from their permanent college transcript, it can help preserve their high school GPA and avoid further negative impacts. Always double-check your state’s homeschool legal requirements to ensure compliance. - Start with the Spark Phase
- The best way to prevent situations like this is to ease into college credit with low-risk options. In our Spark Phase, we recommend you start by picking guaranteed winners. That looks different for every family. (see below)
What’s Done is Done
Above all, your teen’s well-being and mental health should be the priority. Struggling in a dual enrollment class is not a reflection of their worth or potential—it’s part of the learning process. As the homeschool administrator, you have a vital role in ensuring your teen is set up for success and not thrown into the deep end unprepared.
For their next classes, lean in and administer the process. Be their homeschool guidance counselor and help them with the “stuff” of college. Reading a syllabus, how to email a teacher, when items are due, how to upload and download files. All of those skills take time to develop, and really have nothing to do with whether or not they are academically ready to learn college algebra.
By carefully selecting their first college experiences, monitoring progress, and stepping in to make adjustments as needed, you can create an environment where they feel supported and confident.
Together, you can turn challenges into valuable life lessons while keeping their mental and emotional health at the forefront.
