As noted in the Student Code, the "I" grade means temporarily excused.

Incomplete. Approved extension of time to complete the final examination or other requirements of the course. Applies to both undergraduate and graduate students. (Entitles the student to an examination later without fee, or to additional time to complete other requirements of the course. The final grade will be reported via the Online Grade Change system.) (Art. 3-106).

Incomplete Grades are granted by a Dean in the student's college office, and each college may have a different process. Students must discuss with their College Office to determine options.

Undergraduate Students

Only the dean of the student’s college may authorize such extension of time in individual cases. A grade of “incomplete” that is not removed by the end of the first eight weeks of instruction in the next semester in which the student is enrolled on the Urbana-Champaign campus becomes the grade of F.

With the approval of the dean of his or her college, the student who has not made up an “incomplete” examination may be withdrawn from the course retroactively, provided such withdrawal is completed before the grade of “incomplete” automatically becomes a grade of F.

In exceptional cases, a student who, because of absence for active military service, physical disability, or other sufficient cause, is unable to comply with the rule by removing the I grade within the specified time may be granted a limited extension by the dean of his or her college. A student whose status cannot be determined because of “incomplete” grades may register again only with the approval of the dean of his or her college. (See §§ 3‑313 and 3‑201.) Student Code

Graduate Students

The instructor may authorize such extension of time for a graduate student regardless of the level of the course. Reasonable extensions of time are granted by the Graduate College for justifiable reasons. Student Code

LAS College (Undergraduate Students)

LAS College "I" Website (Additional information about the process)

The LAS Student Handbook further identifies the "I" grade as the appropriate remedy when a student must delay completion of a final requirement.

Only LAS Student Academic Affairs can authorize extensions for completion of other assignments (papers, reports, presentations) after the end of the term.

An "I" grade extends to the student the formal right to complete specific missed work, generally confined to the final assignments of the course, by midterm of the subsequent semester. It is the student's responsibility to communicate with the instructor in the course regarding the schedule and expectations for outstanding work.

If a student fails to complete this work as expected, and no grounds exist for consideration by the college of a retroactive drop of the class, the "I" grade automatically converts to an "F" grade in one year's time.