diff --git a/lms/static/sass/elements/_system-feedback.scss b/lms/static/sass/elements/_system-feedback.scss
index fb1968e71a..9f934f7660 100644
--- a/lms/static/sass/elements/_system-feedback.scss
+++ b/lms/static/sass/elements/_system-feedback.scss
@@ -168,10 +168,8 @@
   @include box-sizing(border-box);
   @extend %t-strong;
   display: none;
-  border-bottom: 2px solid $yellow-d2;
   margin: 0 0 $baseline 0;
   padding: ($baseline/2) $baseline;
-  background: $yellow-d1;
   color: $white;
 
   .feedback-symbol {
diff --git a/lms/static/sass/multicourse/_dashboard.scss b/lms/static/sass/multicourse/_dashboard.scss
index 308356f5be..5718bc4d72 100644
--- a/lms/static/sass/multicourse/_dashboard.scss
+++ b/lms/static/sass/multicourse/_dashboard.scss
@@ -24,7 +24,6 @@
       @include clearfix();
       box-sizing: border-box;
       padding: $baseline;
-      background-color: $body-bg;
       border: 1px solid $border-color-l3;
       .advertise-message {
         @include font-size(12);
@@ -196,7 +195,6 @@
         @include clearfix();
         box-sizing: border-box;
         padding: $baseline;
-        background-color: $body-bg;
         border: 1px solid $border-color-l3;
 
         .list--nav {
@@ -275,11 +273,10 @@
 
       .course-item {
         margin-bottom: $baseline;
-        border-bottom: 4px solid $border-color-l4;
         padding-bottom: $baseline;
 
         .course-container {
-          border: 1px solid $border-color-l4;
+          border: 2px solid $border-color-l4;
           border-radius: 3px;
         }
 
@@ -600,8 +597,7 @@
         display: none;
         margin: $baseline 0 ($baseline/2) 0;
         padding: ($baseline/2) $baseline;
-        background: $gray-l5;
-        border: 1px solid $gray-l4;
+        border-top: 1px solid $gray-l4;
         color: $base-font-color; // Overrides the normal white color in this one case
 
         // STATE: shown
@@ -795,11 +791,6 @@
           .message-copy {
             @extend %t-copy-sub1;
             margin: 0;
-
-            .grade-value {
-              font-size: 1.2rem;
-              font-weight: bold;
-            }
           }
 
           .credit-action {
diff --git a/lms/static/sass/partials/base/_variables.scss b/lms/static/sass/partials/base/_variables.scss
index 4d9d7b8734..e4c2c5b6f2 100644
--- a/lms/static/sass/partials/base/_variables.scss
+++ b/lms/static/sass/partials/base/_variables.scss
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 // #UNITS:          Basic units of measurement
 // #GRID:           Grid and layout variables
 // #COLORS:         Base, palette and theme color definitions + application
+// #COLORS-EDX-SPECIFIC: edX specific colors not yet refactored to use updated color scheme
 // #TYPOGRAPHY:     Font definitions and scales
 // #DEPTH:          UI depth-based scale
 // #SPACING:        General UI spacing variables and scale
@@ -219,7 +220,13 @@ $alert-color: rgb(212, 64, 64) !default;
 $warning-color: rgb(237, 189, 60) !default;
 $success-color: rgb(37, 184, 90) !default;
 
-// newer color variables
+
+// ----------------------------
+// #COLORS- EDX-SPECIFIC
+// ----------------------------
+
+// old color variables
+// DEPRECATED: Do not continue to use these colors, instead use pattern libary and base colors above.
 $dark-gray1: rgb(74,74,74);
 $light-gray1: rgb(242,242,242);
 $light-gray2: rgb(171,171,171);
@@ -232,6 +239,7 @@ $green1: rgb(97,161,46);
 $red1: rgb(208,2,27);
 
 // edx-specific: marketing site variables
+// DEPRECATED: Do not continue to use these colors, instead use pattern libary and base colors above.
 $m-gray: rgb(138,140,143); //C8F
 $m-gray-l1: rgb(151,153,155);
 $m-gray-l2: rgb(164,166,168);