1. Create Account
  2. Login
StudyUSA
Match Me
  • Create Account
  • Login
  • School Search
  • Resources
    • All Resources
    • Articles
    • Student Voices
    • Videos
    • Magazines
    • Podcasts
  • Services
    • All Services
    • Accommodation
    • Support
    • Career
    • Financial
    • Insurance
    • Testing
    • Other
  • Chat
  • Success Stories
  • TOEFL Testing

Handling Grade Disputes: A Guide

Handling Grade Disputes: A Guide

Oct 23, 2021

If you’re anything like me, you keep a close eye on your grades throughout the semester. For every assignment you receive back with a grade, you meticulously go over each and every point you missed — asking yourself why. 

At many universities, there is a process for handling a grade dispute that is often outlined in your student handbook or in a resource guide somewhere online. But in case you attend a university that doesn’t seem to have an obvious policy in place, here’s how you should go about handling a grade dispute:

1. Gather all of the facts

Grade disputes are pretty serious accusations, so before you begin the process of filing one, make sure you have all of your ducks in a row. The biggest piece of advice I can give you is to document everything. You’ll want to have a copy of the syllabus for the course, the breakdown of grades, any email correspondence you’ve had with your professor, etc. If you have an in-person conversation with a professor about your grades, it’s smart to send a follow-up email to create a paper trail with an overview of the conversation summarized in the body of the email. You’ll need this for when you walk into a committee meeting regarding your final grade!

2. Make sure you have legitimate documentation

Don’t think you can show up to a grade dispute hearing (and yes, that’s probably what they’ll call it) without proper documentation. Print off emails, rubrics, directions, feedback, and any other information you might have that a committee would find helpful. Organize all the information you have in a timeline — labeled, color-coded, however you want to handle it. The more legible and easier to interpret you make your case, the more likely the outcome will land in your favor. As the student in the situation, you need to have all the documentation that’s out there in order to make your case clear.

3. Avoid “blindsiding” your professor

It’s completely unprofessional to file an official grade dispute with a professor without talking to them first. Once you file something with the university, it creates a paper trail and ignites a whole process for how to deal with the complaint. There are many times that this whole process can be avoided, as most professors will deal with the dispute privately, in-person, with you. This will save you both a ton of time at the end of the semester. They’ll likely want to keep an officially filed grade dispute off their record, and it’s much easier to smooth over if you haven’t gotten administrators involved.

4. Your peers’ grades do not hold any weight 

You cannot argue that you deserve a higher grade because so-and-so wrote a crappy paper and “got an ‘A’.” Don’t plan on using any information you have from your peers in the actual grade dispute. Professors cannot discuss the grades or performance of your peers due to FERPA, the Family Educational Rights Privacy Act. They cannot discuss any of your peers’ grades with you, so that does not qualify as “grounds for a grade dispute.” Don’t plan on using this information in a hearing. 

5. Too many grade disputes makes for an irresponsible student

If you get in the habit of disputing your grades too often, your reputation isn’t going to be too great. Saving actual grade disputes for times when you know you deserve at least a letter-grade higher. A few points aren’t going to make much of a difference, and filing an official grade dispute is going to be a lot of effort for just a few points. Try not to become so obsessed with your grades that you forget the bigger picture — what have you learned? How can you do better next time? The difference between an “A” and an “A-” on your final transcript might not be worth the hoops you have to jump through in order to successfully complete a grade dispute.

6. Get advice from peers/mentors/advisors

Discuss a possible grade dispute with people you trust — like an advisor, mentor, or trusted peer. There are several ways to go about ensuring you handle a grade dispute in a professional manner. Instead of trying to navigate new waters by yourself, look for some direction with advice from someone you trust.

7. Don’t feel guilty about filing a grade dispute

You are paying for this education — and it’s likely that you’ve taken out a lot of student loans to finance it yourself. If you’re border-lining between an “A” and a “B” and you think you’ve been unfairly graded, it’s time to dispute it with the professor. You absolutely have every right to a conversation with your professor about the way they’ve graded your assignments. Professors have to be able to back up their thinking and grading process just like you would have to defend yourself if you were accused of plagiarizing a paper.

8. Anticipate having to give a statement

Before you walk into a grade dispute hearing, I suggest you practice giving a statement about the problem at hand. There’s nothing more unprofessional than listening to a student say “um” five hundred times in a two-paragraph statement. Write up a draft of what you’re going to say. Practice it in front of your roommate. Make sure you list all the important points, and leave out anything that’s worthless. The committee listening to your dispute will be much more willing to listen if you show up with your crap together.

Disputing grades can be intimidating for college students. And in the scenario where it’s a student against a faculty member, you are the weaker team. You have to prove yourself beyond reasonable doubt. You have to show up with everything in line, documented, and organized. Provide explanations for everything and look like a professional. Though grade disputes can be a long process, it’ll be worth it in the end.   

Follow us:
Written by

L. Roberts


L. Roberts graduated from the University of Tennessee Knoxville with a degree in psychology. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her pup at the dog park and binge watching Netflix with endless cups of hot cocoa.

Get matched to the best program for you

Let us know what you're looking for so we can find the best school for you.

Get matched
Call to action background image. Decorative.

Useful Articles

Main image for the article titled Ready to Start Your U.S. College Journey? We’re Here to Help You Every Step of the Way!
Ready to Start Your U.S. College Journey? We’re Here to Help You Every Step of the Way!
Main image for the article titled Why Study at the International Language Institute (ILI)?
Why Study at the International Language Institute (ILI)?
Main image for the article titled How CSU, Chico Transformed Sourabh Kulkarni's Journey to Success in Computer Science
How CSU, Chico Transformed Sourabh Kulkarni's Journey to Success in Computer Science
Main image for the article titled Discover Scholarships Up to $45K: Your Grad School Journey Starts Here
Discover Scholarships Up to $45K: Your Grad School Journey Starts Here
Read more

Check Out These Schools

Study Massachusetts

Study Massachusetts

$5,000—$10,000 Session

Certificate/Short Term Masters Summer
Contact
Joliet Junior College

Joliet Junior College

$10,000 — $15,000 Year

Undergraduate Certificate/Short Term Summer
Contact
Portland Community College

Portland Community College

$10,000 — $15,000 Year

English Programs Undergraduate Certificate/Short Term
Contact

Featured Programs

Santa Rosa Junior College

Typical cost per Year: $10,000 — $15,000

Certificate/Short Term 2yr/Community College - 2+2 Programs Online
Learn More

Glendale Community College

Typical cost per Year: $5,000—$10,000

Bachelor Degree English Programs 2yr/Community College - 2+2 Programs
Learn More

University of Mississippi

Typical cost per Semester: $10,000 — $15,000

Bachelor Degree Masters Secondary/Boarding
Learn More

Related Stories

Applying for Admission to a U.S. Program

Main image for the article titled Applying for Admission to a U.S. Program
What to Consider when Applying for Universities in the U.S.

Main image for the article titled What to Consider when Applying for Universities in the U.S.
Tips for Applying to Internships

Main image for the article titled Tips for Applying to Internships
Tips for Applying to Internships

Main image for the article titled Tips for Applying to Internships

Start your U.S. adventure with Study in the USA

What's your dream? We can guide, advise, and connect you with your perfect U.S. school. We can also help you with the application process.
More about us
Partner Services

Learn About U.S. education financing, housing, and more

Partner service logo for Find an Advisor

Find an Advisor

Study in the USA’s advisors can work with you to navigate the requirements to study abroad in the USA, UK, Canada, and Australia. We help you find the right school and apply.

Read more
Partner service logo for Find the perfect student housing with Unilodgers

Find the perfect student housing with Unilodgers

Choose an entire apartment, a studio, a shared room, or a private room, with 24x7 assistance from Personal Student Advisors. Book Now!

Read more
Partner service logo for Renters Insurance

Renters Insurance

SURE offers hassle-free renters insurance that'll protect your clothes, furniture, and even yourself from unexpected damages and injuries. The SURE team will get you set up with a free quote and the correct coverage that you need!

Read more

Resources

Learn about American culture and education direct from our experts at Study in the USA. Read more

Achieving Your Goal
Admissions and Placement Testing
Beyond the Basics
Education System in the USA
Financing Your U.S. Education
Frequently Asked Questions
Life in the USA
Resources
Student Experiences
For students age 10-18
Study in Canada
Podcasts
Magazines
Videos
Student Voices
Ask StudyUSA.com

Subscribe to get the latest from Study in the USA

You can unsubscribe at any time.


StudyUSA
Explore

  • School Search
  • Resources
  •   Articles
  •   Student Voices
  •   Videos
  •   Magazines
  • Partner Services
  •   Accommodation
  •   Career
  •   Financial
  •   Insurance
  •   Other
  •   Support
  •   Testing
  • TOEFL Testing
  • Apply
  • Chat
Information

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Course Index
  • Featured Programs
  • Article Index
  • Create account
  • Sign in
  • For Educators & Institutions
Match Me
  • English
    العربيـة English Español Français Bahasa Indonesia 日本語 한국어 Português Русский ภาษาไทย Türkçe Tiếng Việt 简体中文 繁體中文

  • Privacy & Policy
  • /
  • Terms

Study in the USA logo

© 2025 Study in the USA. All Rights Reserved.

Global Study logo
A member of the Global Study network

When you visit or interact with our sites, services or tools, we or our authorised service providers may use cookies for storing information to help provide you with a better, faster and safer experience and for marketing purposes.