Chesney Allen & Matt Hanson NAIA Legislative Services Eligibility 101 - The Basics Chesney Allen & Matt Hanson NAIA Legislative Services

Today’s Focus: Fundamentals and Processes Academic Eligibility Athletic Experience Transfer Situations Campus Responsibilities Eligibility Forms & Documents

Academic Eligibility Athletic Eligibility Terms of Attendance (TOA) Limit of 10 semesters; 15 quarters Athletic Eligibility Seasons of Competition (SOC) Limit of 4 seasons of competition in a given sport

All first-time NAIA participants must register at www. playnaia All first-time NAIA participants must register at www.playnaia.org and receive an eligible determination prior to participating in any contest (scrimmage, exhibition or regular season). EC Reviews: EC Does Not Review: Terms of Attendance Amateurism Seasons of Competition Transfer Releases Academic Eligibility Suspension Residency Graduation Eligibility Certification

Eligibility Center: Reviews and Appeals Request for review: An internal review by Eligibility Center management. Should be based upon the discovery of new information, or an error in the determination. Request for appeal: Review by a national committee (National Eligibility Committee or Competitive Experience Committee). Can be based upon: Misapplication of the rule; Decision was reached in an arbitrary or capricious manner; or There was bias or discrimination in the decision-making process.

Academic Eligibility

Academic Eligibility: Terms of Attendance An NAIA student may only compete during the first 10 semester terms of attendance or 15 quarter terms of attendance. TOA is any term (excluding summer sessions) in which the student becomes identified with an institution. Identification: An association between the student and institution recognized by the NAIA. Participation in an intercollegiate contest Enrollment in 12 institutional credit hours as noted on the student’s official transcript (Freshman Exception)

Terms of Attendance & Identification Tricks of the Trade: Terms of Attendance & Identification The impact of institutional credits on identification Identification at one institution and then transfer to another institution Identification at one institution and then a total withdrawal Within 21 days of the start of classes Outside of 21 days from the start of classes

Academic Eligibility: 12-hour Enrollment Article V, Section C, Item 3 Academic Eligibility: 12-hour Enrollment To compete, a student must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 institutional credit hours. At least 9 institutional credit hours must be at the NAIA institution Up to 3 institution credit hours from another institution - with prior permission from NAIA registrar – will count toward satisfying this rule. If a student drops below 12 hours at any time, student must immediately stop competing.

Academic Eligibility: Entering Freshman Requirements Article V, Section C, Item 2 Academic Eligibility: Entering Freshman Requirements A student is considered an entering freshman until he/she has identified with a post-secondary institution of higher education for at least 2 semesters/3 quarters. Freshmen must meet 2 out of 3 requirements: 2.0 Cumulative GPA Finish in top half of the student’s graduating class Minimum standardized test scores of: 18 on the ACT; or 860 on the SAT (Math & Reading only) Early determination are available after a student’s 6th and/or 7th semesters of high school.

Academic Eligibility: Freshman Exceptions Home Schooled Students: Test score requirement: 20 ACT / 950 SAT; OR Individualized review by the NAIA Homes School Committee Students with Learning Disabilities: Meet entering freshman eligibility requirements; OR Individualized review by the LDAC and NEC

Academic Eligibility: 2nd Term Freshman Article V, Section C, Item 5 Academic Eligibility: 2nd Term Freshman To participate in the student’s second TOA, the student must: Have met entering freshman requirements (2 of 3); and Have earned at least 9 credits prior to the second term Can’t count pre-identification hours Quarter School Note: To participate in the student’s third quarter TOA, the student must have earned 24 credits over the students first 2 TOAs.

Academic Eligibility: Continuing Eligibility 24/36-Hour Rule: Passing coursework and earning credits in a manner consistent with the expectations of a full-time student. Considers terms of attendance and earning expected credits over previous 2 semester/3 quarter TOAs Progress Rule: Earning credits so that one’s academic achievement aligns with one’s athletic experience Considers seasons of competition and earning expected credits prior to the start of the next SOC

Academic Eligibility: 24|36-Hour Rule Article V, Section C, Item 6 Academic Eligibility: 24|36-Hour Rule To compete, a student must have earned: 24 credits during the student’s previous two semester TOAs; or 36 credits during the student’s previous three quarter TOAs. This calculation may include: “Non-term” hours earned after the student’s 2nd most recent TOA. No more than 12 non-term hours can apply to the calculation.

Academic Eligibility: 24|36-Hour Rule Article V, Section C, Item 6 NAIA Rules Education Academic Eligibility: 24|36-Hour Rule 4th academic year 1st Academic Year: Fall – 12 credits Spring – 12 credits Meets 24/36-Hour Rule for Fall of the 2nd Academic Year Rules Education • National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics • www.naia.org

Academic Eligibility: 24|36-Hour Rule Article V, Section C, Item 6 NAIA Rules Education Academic Eligibility: 24|36-Hour Rule Meets 24/36-Hour Rule for Fall of the 3rd Academic Year 4th academic year 1st Academic Year: Fall – 12 credits Spring – 12 credits Summer – 3 credits 2nd Academic Year: Fall – 15 credits Spring – 6 credits Rules Education • National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics • www.naia.org

Academic Eligibility: 24|36-Hour Rule Article V, Section C, Item 6 NAIA Rules Education Academic Eligibility: 24|36-Hour Rule 3rd Academic Year: Fall – 12 credits Spring – Did not Identify (0 credits) 4th academic year 1st Academic Year: Fall – 12 credits Spring – 12 credits Summer – 3 credits 2nd Academic Year: Fall – 15 credits Spring – 6 credits Does not meet 24/36-Hour Rule for Fall of the 4th Academic Year Rules Education • National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics • www.naia.org

Academic Eligibility: Progress Rule Article V, Section C, Item 9 Academic Eligibility: Progress Rule To compete in a student’s 2nd SOC: 24 semester / 36 quarter institutional credits accumulated. To compete in a student’s 3rd SOC: 48 semester / 72 quarter institutional credits accumulated. To compete in a student’s 4th SOC: 72 semester / 108 quarter institutional credits accumulated. 48 semester / 72 quarter general education and/or major institutional credits accumulated.

Academic Eligibility: 2.0 GPA Requirement Article V, Section C, Items 8 & 9 Academic Eligibility: 2.0 GPA Requirement Junior academically and/or 3rd Season of Competition, or Senior Academically and/or 4th Season of Competition Calculating GPA First TOA at your institution: cumulative GPA from all transcripts Total Quality Points achieved Total GPA Hrs. attempted After initial TOA at your institution: use institution's cumulative GPA policy for all students Retention/Graduation GPA is only used if it is the only GPA If multiple “cumulative GPAs” appear, use whichever GPA institution uses to determine honors, graduation, etc. Cum GPA =

Athletic Eligibility: Seasons of Competition Article V, Section B, Item 18 Athletic Eligibility: Seasons of Competition

Athletic Eligibility: Seasons of Competition Article V, Section B, Item 18 Athletic Eligibility: Seasons of Competition A student may compete in 4 SOC that include a combination of: Intercollegiate competition Varsity and subvarsity (JV and/or freshman) Transfer students’ previous SOC are determined by previous athletic association Non-intercollegiate competition (elite-level) Participation in leagues or experiences that meet the evaluative criteria for determining a chargeable league PSAY – 12 month “grace period” after high school

Athletic Eligibility: Intercollegiate SOC Article V, Section B, Item 18 Article V, Section M Athletic Eligibility: Intercollegiate SOC A student is charged one season of competition for any participation in an exhibition or intercollegiate contest One pitch, one play, one second Medical Hardships Season-ending injury verified by the treating physician Student must not have exceeded competition limits Injury cannot occur in last regular season or postseason contest Only restores intercollege SOC. Does not restore TOA.

P P P Athletic Eligibility: Hardship Waiver Forms Article V, Section M NAIA Rules Education Athletic Eligibility: Hardship Waiver Forms P Coach / AD / FAR must complete portions 1-4 Transcript is required Competition dates – be prepared to submit verifying stats Signatures P P Rules Education • National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics • www.naia.org

P P P P Athletic Eligibility: Hardship Waiver Forms Article V, Section M NAIA Rules Education Athletic Eligibility: Hardship Waiver Forms Doctor (M.D. or D.O only) must complete portion 5 Answer and initial all questions Date for return must be given – must be at least specific to the month Signature P P P P Rules Education • National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics • www.naia.org

Athletic Eligibility: Non-Collegiate Competition Article V, Section B, Item 18(b) Athletic Eligibility: Non-Collegiate Competition Who is subject to a competitive experience review? Eligibility Center Determinations Any student who will enroll at an NAIA institution a year or more after high school graduation. Campus Certification Any student with a break in full-time enrollment. Any student who, while at a non-NAIA institution, was not charged seasons of competition for every year of full-time enrollment.

Athletic Eligibility: Directory of Competition Article V, Section B, Item 18 Athletic Eligibility: Directory of Competition The Directory of Competition within PlayNAIA Manager allows institutions to see if a league/event is chargeable as elite-level competition. NOTE: The Directory is not exhaustive and only contains those leagues evaluated by the Eligibility Center.

Article V, Sections F-H Transfer Rules

Transfer Rules Definition of a Transfer Article V, Sections F-H Transfer Rules Definition of a Transfer A student who becomes identified with an NAIA school after having been previously identified with another institution. General Transfer Residency Rule A student with prior participation at a 4-year institution must serve a 16-week residency period prior to NAIA participation. Residency Rule Exceptions: Most recent intercollegiate participation was at 2-year institution Did not participate at the most recent 4-year institution Has both a 2.0 GPA and written release

Article V, Sections F-H Transfer Rules Transfer student who represents 2 institutions in one academic year can be charged 2 SOCs in a 12-month period JuCo Exception: JuCo grad who participated at JuCO, transfers to NAIA school in same sport season and is otherwise eligible Mid-Year Transfers and Spring Events Student must be certified as eligible to participate in next SOC Applies even for spring scrimmages, where student won’t be charged a SOC

Tying it All Together

Eligibility Certification Forms Article V, Section J Eligibility Certification Forms Required: NAIA Official Eligibility Certificate NAIA Certificate of Clearance Students may not compete until all necessary forms are completed and sent to conference eligibility chair When applicable: Transfer Eligibility Statement Eligibility Certificate for Entering Freshmen Competitive Experience Form

Conference Eligibility Chair Article V, Section L; Article VI, Section B&E NAIA Forms and Processes Self Report Violation Exception Request Appeal of Previous Ruling Send to: Conference Eligibility Chair Send to: National Office

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