NCAA ELIGIBILITY OF STUDENT-ATHLETES
14.1.8 Full-Time Enrollment
14.1.8.1 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. Violations of this bylaw shall be considered institutional
violations per Constitution 2.8.1; however, the violation shall not affect the student-athlete’s eligibility.
(See Bylaw 14.01.2 for the requirements for student-athletes enrolled in two-year degree programs.)
14.1.8.1.2 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 fulltime 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. (See Bylaw 14.01.2 for the requirements for studentathletes enrolled in two-year degree programs.)
14.1.8.1.3 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 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.
14.2 SEASONS OF PARTICIPATION: 10-SEMESTER/15-QUARTER RULE
A student-athlete shall not engage in more than four seasons of intercollegiate participation in any one
sport (see Bylaw 14.2.4.1).
14.2.2 Ten Semester/Fifteen-Quarter Rule.
A student-athlete shall complete his or her seasons of participation during the first 10 semesters or 15
quarters in which the student is enrolled in a collegiate institution in at least a minimum full-time
program of studies, as determined by the regulations of that institution. For an institution that conducts
registration other than on a traditional semester or quarter basis, the Management Council shall
determine an equivalent enrollment period.
14.2.2.1 Use of Semester or Quarter
A student-athlete is considered to have used a semester or quarter under this rule when the student
attends any class while officially registered in a collegiate institution (domestic or foreign) in a regular
term of an academic year for a minimum full-time program of studies, as determined by the institution,
even if the student-athlete drops to part-time status at any time during the term, including his or her
first day of attendance (see Bylaw 14.2.3).
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14.2.4 Criteria for Determining Season of Eligibility
A season of intercollegiate participation shall be counted when a student-athlete participates (practices
or competes) during or after the first contest in the traditional segment following the student-athlete's
initial participation of that academic year at that institution or when the student-athlete engages in
intercollegiate competition during the nontraditional segment. This provision is applicable to
intercollegiate athletics participation (practice or competition) conducted by a Division III collegiate
institution at the varsity, junior varsity or freshman team level. (Revised: 1/11/94, 1/11/00 effective
8/1/00, 1/8/01, 1/12/04 effective 8/1/04, for any athletics participation occurring on or after 8/1/04,
9/21/05, 11/16/05, 1/8/07 effective 8/1/07, for participation occurring on or after 8/1/07)
14.2.4.1.1 Exception
A season of participation shall not be counted during the traditional segment when a studentathlete participates in a preseason scrimmage or preseason exhibition conducted prior to the
first contest following the student-athlete's initial participation of that academic year at that
institution. (Adopted: 1/12/04 effective 8/1/04, for athletics participation occurring on or after
8/1/04, Revised: 1/10/05, 1/8/07 effective 8/1/07, for participation occurring on or after 8/1/07)
14.2.4.3.2 Activities Constituting Use of Season. An individual shall utilize a season of participation
per Bylaw 14.2.4.3 if the individual engages in activities that meet any of the following criteria:
(Adopted 1/14/02 effective 8/1/02, Revised: 1/12/04 effective 8/1/04, for any athletics participation
occurring on or after August 1, 2004)
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
Any team competition or training in which pay in any form is provided to any of the
participants above actual and necessary expenses;
Any individual competition or training in which the individual accepts pay in any form
based on his or her place finish or any competition or training in which the individual
accepts pay in any form above actual and necessary expenses;
Any competition pursuant to the signing of a contract for athletics participation or
entering a professional draft; or
Any competition funded by a representative of an institution’s athletics interest that is
not open to all participants. (Adopted: 1/14/02 effective 8/1/02)
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