Did You Know...?
January 17, 2019 | Compliance
Did you know...?
A student-athlete must be enrolled full-time to be eligible for practice, financial aid, and competition. If a student-athlete drops a class and becomes less than full-time, he or she is immediately ineligible for practice and competition. When adding a course to become full-time, the student is eligible for practice and competition once the course has been approved by the appropriate department head and submitted to the registrar. See Bylaw 14.2 below for more information.
14.2 Full-Time Enrollment.
14.2.1 Requirement for Practice. To be eligible to participate in organized practice sessions, a student-athlete shall be enrolled in a minimum full-time program of studies leading to a baccalaureate or equivalent degree as defined by the regulations of the certifying institution. (See Bylaw 12.8.2.5.) [D] (Revised: 1/10/92, 10/28/99,3/27/18)
14.2.1.2 Drop/Add Course. A student-athlete no longer shall be considered enrolled in a minimum full-time program of studies (after dropping a course that places the student below full-time status) when the dropped course becomes official in accordance with procedures determined by the institution for all students. A student who is adding a course to reach full-time status shall become eligible for practice and competition once the course has been approved by the appropriate department head (or designated representative) and submitted to the registrar. (Adopted: 1/10/92)
14.2.1.3 Exception—Final Semester/Quarter. A student-athlete with athletics eligibility remaining may participate in organized practice sessions while enrolled in less than a minimum full-time program of studies, provided the student is enrolled in the final semester or quarter of the baccalaureate or graduate degree program and the institution certifies that the student is carrying (for credit) the courses necessary to complete the degree requirements, as determined by the faculty of the institution. (Revised: 3/27/18)
14.2.1.3.1 Eligibility Following Final Term. A student-athlete who is eligible for practice while enrolled less than full time during his or her final term remains eligible for practice during the remainder of the institution's season, including postseason events. (See Bylaw 12.8.) (Adopted: 3/27/18)
14.2.1.6 Exception—Practice During First Week of Class. A student-athlete may practice, but may not compete, during the institution's first five days of classes if the student-athlete is enrolled in less than a minimum full-time program of studies, provided the student is otherwise eligible under all institutional, conference and NCAA requirements. (Adopted: 1/10/95 effective 8/1/95)
14.2.2 Requirement for Competition. To be eligible for competition, a student-athlete shall be enrolled in at least a minimum full-time program of studies leading to a baccalaureate or equivalent degree, which shall not be less than 12 semester or quarter hours. (Revised: 6/1/07)
14.2.2.1 Exceptions. The following exceptions to the minimum 12-semester or 12-quarter-hour enrollment requirement are permitted:
14.2.2.1.1 Competition Prior to Initial Enrollment. A student-athlete may compete during the official vacation period immediately preceding initial enrollment, provided the student has been accepted by the institution for enrollment in a regular, full-time program of studies at the time of the individual's initial participation; is no longer enrolled in the previous educational institution; and is eligible under all institutional and NCAA requirements. (See Bylaw 16.8.2.1.)
14.2.2.1.2 Eligibility Between Terms. To be eligible for competition that takes place between terms (including competition between a student-athlete's final term as an undergraduate student and first term as a graduate or post baccalaureate student), the student-athlete shall: (Revised: 1/11/89, 3/27/18)
    (a) Have been registered for the required minimum full-time load (see Bylaw 14.2.2) at the conclusion of the term immediately preceding the date of competition, if the     student is continuing enrollment; or
    (b) Be accepted for enrollment as a regular full-time student for the regular term immediately following if the student is either continuing enrollment or beginning enrollment     (see Bylaw 14.4.3.4).
14.2.2.1.3 Final Semester/Quarter. A student-athlete may compete while enrolled in less than a minimum full-time program of studies, provided the student is enrolled in the final semester or quarter of the baccalaureate or graduate degree program and the institution certifies that the student is carrying (for credit) the courses necessary to complete degree requirements. Thereafter, the student shall forfeit eligibility in all sports, unless the student completes all degree requirements during that semester or quarter and is eligible to receive the baccalaureate diploma on the institution's next degree-granting date. (Revised: 1/10/92, 1/16/93, 1/10/95, 2/1/05, 11/1/07 effective 8/1/08, 1/14/12, 8/21/12, 3/27/18)
14.2.2.1.3.1 Eligibility Following Final Term. A student-athlete who is eligible to compete while enrolled less than full time during his or her final term remains eligible for regular-season competition that occurs after the term and any postseason event that begins within 60 days following the term. A student-athlete who attends a quarter-system institution and who graduates at the end of the winter quarter may compete in any postseason event (and preceding regular-season competition) that occurs during the same academic year following the completion of the winter quarter. (See Bylaw 12.8.) (Adopted: 4/29/04 effective 8/1/04, Revised: 3/27/18)
