1. Brenda White & Eric Bensing NAIA Legislative Services
Eligibility 2.0:
Advanced Applications
Brenda White & Eric Bensing
NAIA Legislative Services

2. Applications and Intricacies
Today’s Focus:
Applications and Intricacies
Academic Eligibility
Athletic Experience
Transfer Situations
Campus Responsibilities
Eligibility Forms & Documents

3. From our Eligibility Basics Presentation we learned:
Who needs to register with the Eligibility Center
What the EC reviews
What the EC does not review

4. Eligibility Center: Reactivation
Reactivation: The process by which the NAIA Eligibility Center provides an updated eligibility determination.
Reactivation is determined based on the NAIA Eligibility Center Situation Analysis. Reactivation is required:
“Not eligible” determination
“Eligible”, no competition, break in enrollment
“Eligible”, no competition, transfer
Registration, no NAIA enrollment
“Eligible” in sport A, subject to Competitive Experience Rule, competition in sport B before competition in sport A.

5. Term of Attendance, Identification, and everything in between…

6. Academic Eligibility: Terms of Attendance vs. Inter-Term
TOA is any term (excluding summer sessions, inter-terms)
in which the student becomes identified with an institution.
Inter-term
Not a term of attendance
Student can identify by enrolling in 3/4 of normal academic load
Note: use 2/3 if inter-term course load is divisible by 3
Participation
Establishing residency
Things to think about when choosing Inter-term certification
The time in which you certify is important to consider!
Article V, Section B, Item 19
Article I, Section M

7. Academic Eligibility: Inter-term & Recertification
Option a. Stand Alone (Default option)
Inter-term is not attached to a term of attendance.
Recertify at end of Fall term and inter-term
Option b. Attach to First Term
Recertify at end of inter-term
Ineligible Fall students cannot gain eligibility until end of inter-term
Option c. Attach to Spring Term
Recertify at end of Fall term
Students who become ineligible at end of Fall terms cannot gain eligibility until end of Spring term
Article I, Section M

8. Academic Eligibility: Identification
Identification: The association between the student-athlete and institution as recognized by the NAIA.
Two ways to identify with an institution:
Participation in an intercollegiate contest
Enrollment in 12 institutional credit hours as noted on the student’s official transcript
There is a Freshman Exception for courses that do not meet institutional credit hour definition.
Article V, Section B, Item 8

9. Academic Eligibility: Institutional Credit Hours
Definition: Any credit hour attributed to a course that is recorded on the transcript with a grade and credit hours earned.
Article V, Section B, Item 9

10. Identification: Freshman Exception
An entering freshman will identify with an institution during the student’s first two semesters/ three quarter terms:
Participation in an intercollegiate contest
Enrollment in 12 credit hours as noted on the student’s official transcript.
Exception allows for remedial/ developmental courses
Article V, Section B, Item 8

11. Academic Eligibility: Identification & Prospective Students
Prospective Student: A student-athlete remains a prospective student until they meet the definition of Identification.
A Prospective Student-Athlete must identify first with an institution to allow for:
Practice and compete with an institution’s team during the summer (May 16th- July 31st).
Practice and compete prior to the start of the institution’s academic term or between regular academic terms (inter-term).
Article V, Section B, Item 8

12. Identification: 21 Day Withdraw
If a student identified with an institution officially withdraws from that institution within 21 calendar days and returns at a later date- student will not be charged a term of attendance for the term in which the student originally withdrew.
21 calendar days as defined by the official opening date of classes as stated in the institutional catalog
Student cannot become identified with another institution during this time period
21 Day withdraw period can apply to any institution of higher education (not just NAIA institutions)
Article V, Section F, Item 3

13. 21 Day Withdraw & Academic Eligibility
Identification:
21 Day Withdraw & Academic Eligibility
Student identifies with institution and totally withdraws within 21 calendar days and subsequently becomes identified at an NAIA institution after remaining out of school for two full consecutive semesters (or equivalent)
The term will not count in application of Nine-Hour Rule or 24/36-Hour Rule
But if student participates during the 21 days before withdrawing- the transfer rule will apply and the term will be counted in application of the Nine-Hour Rule or 24/36-Hour Rule
Student will be charged a TOA regardless
Article V, Section F, Item 4

14. Academic
Eligibility
Benchmarks

15. Academic Eligibility: 12-Hour Enrollment
To compete in any term, a student must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 institutional credit hours
Article V, Section C, Item 3

16. 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 (or equivalent).
Freshman 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 (taken before March 2016),16 on the ACT (taken March 2016 or later); or
860 on the SAT (Math & Reading only)
Early determinations are available after a student’s 6th and/or 7th semesters of high school.
Article V, Section C, Item 2

17. Academic Eligibility: Entering Freshman Requirements
2.0 Cumulative GPA Requirement
Multiple GPAs:
If multiple GPAs exist on the transcript, the Eligibility Center will use the GPA used to determine class rank
If multiple ranks exist, the EC will use the rank for determining the valedictorian
If the selection for a valedictorian does not exist, the EC will use weighted over unweighted rank
If the school does not rank their students but offer Academic GPA vs. Overall GPA:
Use Overall GPA
(Academic GPA: typically does not include activity or elective classes)
Academic Eligibility:
Entering Freshman Requirements
Article V, Section C, Item 2

18. Academic Eligibility: Entering Freshman Requirements
Class Rank Requirement
Only accept class rank calculated after the date of high school graduation.
Multiple Class Ranks:
If there are multiple variations of class rank:
Use rank used to determine valedictorian
If no class rank appears on the transcript:
Can accept a letter from the principal/headmaster, assistant/vice principles, guidance counselors and registrars certifying student graduated in top 50%
Article V, Section C, Item 2

19. Academic Eligibility: Entering Freshman Requirements
Standardized Test Scores
“Super Scores” not accepted
SAT: Critical Reading and Math section only; Writing section not applicable
Must be earned prior to start of semester to be used for eligibility
Vacated Scores:
No longer count toward eligibility requirement
If student has already participated, does not constitute ineligible participation
Article V, Section C, Item 2

20. 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
Article V, Section C, Item 5

21. Academic Eligibility: Continuing Eligibility
24|36-Hour Rule:
Intention of bylaw- passing coursework and earning credits in a manner consistent with the expectations for a full time student.
Bylaw focuses on terms of attendance and earning required credits over previous 2 semester/3 quarter TOA.
Progress Rule:
Intention of bylaw- earning credits so that one’s academic achievement aligns with one’s athletic experience.
Bylaw focuses on seasons of competition and earning expected credits prior to the start of the next SOC.
Article V, Section C, Item 6
Article V, Section C, Item 7
Article V, Section C, Item 9

22. Academic Eligibility: 24|36-Hour Rule Exceptions
Exception 1. Student participation and withdrawal
Student identifies with institution by participating before school begins.
TOA will not apply to 24/36 hour rule if enrollment does not show on transcript after leaving institution.
Exception 2. AA Degree from a Junior College
No more than 5 semester/7 quarter TOAs used at Junior College
Passed all hours required for graduation in term of graduation
Less than 24 hours needed in last 2 semesters/3 quarters
Article V, Section C, Item 6
Exceptions on page 56-57

23. Academic Eligibility: 24|36-Hour Rule Exceptions
Exception 3. First term student initially competes in any intercollegiate sport
Provided the student has not previously participated in any intercollegiate sport at any institution.
If student is within first 4 semester/ 6 quarter TOAs: freshman eligibility requirements may be used instead.
If student completes 4 semesters/ 6 quarter TOAs: cumulative 2.0 GPA on 4.0 scale may be used instead.
Article V, Section C, Item 6
Exceptions on page 56-57

24. Academic Eligibility:24|36-Hour Rule
Transfers/Mixed-Terms:
If a student has mixed terms (quarter and semester):
Credits always taken at face value
Never convert
Always based on original transcript
Unless student has three consecutive quarter TOAs, always use the two most recent TOAs
For previous two terms, students needs 24 hours
Example: Semester / Quarter / Quarter
Article V, Section C, Item 6

25. 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.
Of the total credits: 48 semester / 72 quarter credits must be general education and/or major institutional credits accumulated
Article V, Section C, Item 9

26. Academic Eligibility: Progress Rule
Incoming Transfers
First term of identification
Take all past transcripts at face value
Check for institutional credit hours, not just cumulative total
Second term of identification
Hours will be determined based on institution’s transcript
Credits will depend on what the institution allowed to transfer
Tip: Think ahead to prevent problems from loss of hours
Article V, Section C, Item 9

27. Academic Eligibility: 24/36-Hour Rule
Timing of Credits
Credits must be earned prior to the term in which the student wishes to compete
Cannot use mini-course within a TOA to earn eligibility
(For 24/36-Hour Rule) Cannot use summer credits if credits earned are prior to first of the two terms of attendance
Summer Credits
Non-identified student and summer classes-
A prospective student who has not identified with your institution prior may use all prior institutional credit taken at face value. Even if your institution does not accept the credit.
Identified student and summer classes-
Continuously identified students who enroll in summer courses outside of their institution and earn institutional credit not accepted by your institution cannot use these credits toward the 24/36-Hour Rule.
Student who transfers to NAIA institution has 3 credits of D work taken over the summer from JC- can these be used to satisfy requirement?
YES- even if school will not accept them as transfer credit
Student who attended NAIA institution, took 3 credits at JC over the summer and received a D, can he use these to satisfy requirement?
ONLY if the institution accepts D work as transfer credit
Article I, Section N, Item 1
Article V, Section C, Item 6

28. Academic Eligibility: Repeat Course Rule
Courses previously passed with a “D” in any term, (including summer, non-term) and then passed with a “C” or better in the second attempt, can both count towards satisfying the 24/36-Hour Rule.
Excludes: Failed classes and classes for which student did not receive any credit.
Article V, Section C, Item 12

29. Academic Eligibility: Repeat Course Rule
One repeat course/term previously passed with a “D” may be counted towards 12 hour enrollment rule.
Repeat: sufficiently similar in content and description
Course catalog description and registrars on campus
Structure, credits awarded, supplementary components, for majors or non-majors, where the course is in the sequence
Article V, Section C, Item 12

30. 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.
Article V, Section C, Items 8 & 9

31. Academic Eligibility: Military Service Exception
When released from military service, immediately eligible if enroll in 12 institutional credit hours
Minimum 1+ year of continuous active duty
Applies first 2 semester/3 quarters terms following release from active duty
To retain eligibility in 2nd term:
24/36 hours in last 2 semester/3 quarter TOAs, OR
For 2nd term students, earn 9 hours in immediately previous TOA
SOC Exception: No SOC charged if representing military (base or intra-military team) in non-intercollegiate competition
Article V, Section C, Items 8 & 9

32. Athletic Eligibility: Seasons of Competition

33. Athletic Eligibility: Seasons of Competition
A student may compete in 4 SOC that include a combination of:
Intercollegiate competition
Varsity and non-varsity (JV and/or freshman)
Transfer students’ SOC are determined by previous association
Non-collegiate 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.
Article V, Section B, Item 18

34. Athletic Eligibility: Non-Collegiate Competition
12-Month Window
In general, a student cannot be charged two seasons of competition in a single 12-month period
Exception: Mid-year transfer
In-progress Season: participation after May 15th
Non-collegiate participation after May 15th (summer or fall) will be charged with participation occurring in the subsequent academic year.
Exception: If a student is identified with an NAIA institution in the Spring and following Fall terms without a break in enrollment will not be subject to competitive experience review for competition occurring over the summer
Article V, Section B, Item 18(b)

35. Seasons of Competition: 12-Month Window
Academic
1st SOC
1st SOC
Athletic
1st
season
HS Grad.
Fall 2015
Sp. 2016
Sm. 2016
Article V, Section B, Item 18

36. Identified Fall Semester Identified Both Semesters
Seasons of Competition:
12-Month Window
Identified Fall Semester
Break in Enrollment
Identified Both Semesters
Academic
1st SOC
2nd SOC
2nd SOC
Non-Collegiate
Athletic
1st
season
HS Grad.
Fall 2014
Sp. 2015
Sm. 2015
Fall 2015
Sm. 2016
Sp. 2016
Article V, Section B, Item 18

37. Identified Fall Semester
Seasons of Competition:
Participation after May 15th
Identified Fall Semester
Academic
Break in Enrollment
1st SOC
1st SOC
Athletic ?
1st
season
HS Grad.
Fall 2014
Sm. 2015
Fall 2015
Article V, Section B, Item 18

38. Transfer Rules
Article V, Sections F-H

39. Transfer Rules Definition of a Transfer
A student who becomes identified with an NAIA institution after having been previously identified with another institution.
Article V, Sections F

40. Transfer Rules General Transfer Residency Rule
A student with prior participation at a 4-year institution must sit a 16-week residency period prior to NAIA participation.
Residency Rule Exceptions:
The student’s most recent intercollegiate participation was at 2-year institution
The student did not participate at the most recent 4-year institution
The student has a 2.0 GPA and written release from AD
Article V, Sections F

41. Transfer Rules Implications for Graduate Students
Student who has earned a baccalaureate degree and is now transferring to another institution to peruse a graduate degree, will still need to meet the following:
16-week Residency Rule, and
2.0 cumulative GPA per the residency rule.
PROPOSED LEGISLATION

42. Transfer Rules: Release vs. Permission to Contact
This concept is particular to NCAA- not recognized in the NAIA
Per NAIA Bylaws, contact refers to the requirement when a student makes contact with institution- institution must notify home institution within 10 days of first contact
Release
This concept per NAIA bylaws refers to the exception to Transfer Residency requirement
Release must be signed by Athletic Director of students former institution
Article V, Sections F

43. PROPOSED LEGISLATION Transfer Rules: Release vs. Permission to Contact
10-day written notification will not be required for graduate students who have met graduation requirements, have earned a baccalaureate degree, and are transferring to an NAIA institution.

44. Transfer Rules: Suspensions
Transfer suspended for any reason, including athletic dept. policy:
Student must sit 2 semesters/3 quarters of residency at NAIA school, OR
Fulfill terms/period of original suspension
Exception: Not required if:
Suspension was academic but student-athlete meets NAIA rules, AND
not played college sports for 1 calendar year from suspension

45. Additional Eligibility Rules: Emerging & Invitational Sports

46. Eligibility Certification: Emerging and Year 1 Invitational Sports
Emerging Sports and Year 1 Invitational Sports:
Not governed by NAIA rules
The sport’s national governing body determines eligibility rules
Certification is required
Contact eligibility chair on specifics of to certify
Year 2 Invitational Sports:
All NAIA eligibility rules apply, including the requirement of an Eligibility Center determination

47. Eligibility Center Determinations
Invitational Sports
Eligibility Center Determinations
First-time NAIA participants require a determination before they will be eligible to play beginning in the second year of invitational status
Students who participated in NAIA competition and were properly certified for such during first year of invitational status do not need to have EC determination
Students may be charged SOC’s for past club and/ or intercollegiate experience.
CFAR Policy Section III

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