UTK - NCAA
INITIAL ELIGIBILITY
GUIDELINES
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.
OVERVIEW ................................................................................ Page 2
2.
UNIVERSITY ADMISSION STANDARDS ....................................... Page 3
3.
NCAA INITIAL ELIGIBILITY AND
QUALIFICATION STATUS DEFINED ............................................ Page 5
4.
NCAA CORE-CURRICULUM REQUIREMENTS ............................. Page 7
5.
NCAA TEST SCORE REQUIREMENTS ....................................... Page 12
6.
NCAA NONQUALIFIER . . . . . . . . . ............................................ Page 15
7.
SEC INITIAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS .............................. Page 16
8.
STUDENTS WITH EDUCATION-IMPACTING DISABILITIES ........ Page 23
9.
INITIAL ELIGIBILITY FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ........... Page 24
10. PROCEDURES FOR INITIAL
ELIGIBILITY CERTIFICATION .................................................. Page 31
11. INITIAL ELIGIBILITY CERTIFICATION FLOW CHART…………..Page 40
Comments and questions can be directed to Dr. Earl Schliesman
(865) 974-9351
schlies@utk.edu
1
1. OVERVIEW
Prospective student-athletes who wish to participate in intercollegiate athletics
at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville must meet admission criteria as
determined by the University. Additionally, prospective student-athletes must
meet initial eligibility standards established by the National Collegiate Athletic
Association and the South Eastern Conference. The Admissions office and the
Office of the University Registrar participate in the procedures outlined in this
document. The Director of Admissions determines the admissibility of each
prospective student-athlete while the University Registrar has the final
authority to certify that initial eligibility requirements have been met. In the
absence of the Director of Admissions and/or the University Registrar, a
designee may sign.
Any initial eligibility problems discovered during the certification process
should be reported immediately to the Director of the Thornton Center.
The areas of consideration for initial eligibility certification have been separated
into nine major sections which correspond to University of Tennessee, NCAA
and SEC regulations. The areas of consideration include:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
J.
University Admission Standards
NCAA Initial Eligibility and Qualification Status Defined
NCAA Core-Curriculum Requirements
NCAA Test Score Requirements
NCAA Non-qualifier
SEC Initial Eligibility Requirements
Students with Education-Impacting Disabilities
Initial Eligibility for International Students
Procedures for Initial Eligibility Certification
Initial Eligibility Certification Flow Chart
2
2. UNIVERSITY ADMISSION STANDARDS
Admission Criteria.
Freshmen admission decisions are based on the following elements:
1.
Completion of core academic subjects comprising the 14 units
required for college admission:
English
4 units
Algebra
2 units
Geometry, trigonometry,
advanced math, or calculus
1 unit
Natural science, including at
least 1 unit of biology,
chemistry, or physics
2 units
American history
1 unit
European history, world
history, or world geography
1 unit
A single foreign language
2 units
Visual or performing arts
1 unit
New Requirements Effective for Students Entering Fall 2011
English
4 units
Algebra
2 units
Geometry, trigonometry,
advanced math, or calculus
2 unit
Natural science, including at
least 1 unit of biology,
chemistry, or physics
3 units
American history
1 unit
European history, world
history, or world geography
2 unit
A single foreign language
2 units
3
Visual or performing arts
1 unit
2.
GPA in these core academic subjects, weighted by UT to reflect
honors and dual-enrollment courses (0.5 quality points added),
and Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB)
courses (1.0 quality points added). UT will use un-weighted high
school course grades as the basis for the core GPA calculation.
3.
Standardized test scores, either ACT or SAT. UT uses “super
scoring” and combines the highest sub-scores from all test
dates/scores on file for a new composite “super score.”
An example of “super scoring:”
Your
ACT
English
20
Math
21
Reading
24
Science
23
Composite 22
1st
4.
Your 2nd
ACT
23
22
21
26
23
Your Best
Scores
23
22
24
26
24
Your “Super
Score”
23
22
24
26
24
Other relevant factors, including but not limited to the student’s
optional personal statement on the application, extracurricular or
leadership activities, special talents or skills, rigor of the
applicant’s curriculum, and difficulty of senior-year coursework.
Admission Decisions. Admissions decisions are made holistically, taking into
consideration each of the above listed factors as well as many others. There is
no threshold criteria which automatically places a prospective student into the
admit or deny category, nor is there any criteria which differentiates in-state
4
from out-of-state prospects.
Admissions Documentation. Admissions documentation, i.e., application,
application fee, official high school transcript(s), official test scores, and
student scholarship status may be submitted either directly to the Office of
Admissions or to the Athletic Academic Counselor in the Thornton Center.
Official high school transcripts that are sent to the Academic Counselor must
be delivered, unopened, to the admissions office.
Entering Term
Application Submitted
All documents received
Spring 2010
November 1, 2009
November 1, 2009
Summer 2010
April 1, 2010
December 1, 2009
Fall 2010
June 1, 2010
December 1, 2009
3. NCAA INITIAL ELIGIBILITY AND QUALIFICATION STATUS DEFINED
Regulation
Eligibility for Financial Aid, Practice and Competition. A student-athlete
who enrolls in a member institution as an entering freshman with no
previous full-time college attendance shall meet the following academic
requirements, as certified by the NCAA Eligibility Center, as approved by
the Executive Committee, and any applicable institutional and
conference regulations, to be considered a qualifier and thus be eligible
for financial aid, practice and competition during the first academic
year in residence. 14.3.1
Application of Initial Eligibility and Qualification Status
Participation Prior to Certification 14.3.5.1
Recruited Student-Athlete. If a recruited student-athlete reports for athletics
participation before his or her qualification status has been certified, the
student may practice, but not compete, during a 14-day period, provided the
student meets all other requirements to be eligible to practice. An institution
shall not provide athletically related financial aid to the student during this
period. After the 14-day period, the student shall have established minimum
requirements as a qualifier (as certified by the NCAA Eligibility Center) to
continue practicing or to compete and receive athletically related financial aid.
14.3.5.1.1
Nonrecruited Student-Athlete. If a non-recruited student-athlete reports for
athletics participation before his or her qualification status has been certified,
the student may practice, but not compete, during a 45-day period, provided
the student meets all other requirements to be eligible to practice. An
institution shall not provide athletically related financial aid to the student
5
during this period. After the 45-day period, the student shall have established
minimum requirements as a qualifier (as certified by the NCAA Eligibility
Center) to continue practicing or to compete and receive athletically related
financial aid. 14.3.5.1.2
Exception-Women’s Rowing. A non-recruited student in women’s rowing may
practice, but not compete, during the nonchampionship season in that sport.
Thereafter, the student shall have established minimum-eligibility
requirements as a qualifier (as certified by the NCAA Eligibility Center) to
continue practicing or compete. 14.3.5.1.2.1
Validity of Academic Credentials. As a condition and obligation of
membership, it is the responsibility of a member institution to determine the
validity of the information on which the eligibility of a student-athlete is based.
Therefore, it is the responsibility of a member institution to determine whether
a transcript is valid for purposes of applying appropriate NCAA legislation to
the eligibility of a student-athlete when the institution receives notification, or
otherwise has cause to believe, that a student-athlete’s high-school,
preparatory school or two-year college transcript is not valid. 14.1.2
Advanced Placement. If the student-athlete is admitted with a minimum of
24 semester hours or a minimum of 36 quarter hours of advanced placement
from a College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB) examination (or from a
similar proficiency examination) and/or concurrent high-school/college credit
without previous enrollment at a collegiate institution, the student-athlete shall
be immediately eligible. Credits earned from extension or summer-session
courses may not be counted in satisfaction of this requirement. 14.3.5.4
Verifying Qualification Status. The NCAA Compliance Specialists obtain
verification of the student’s qualifier status via the Eligibility Center website.
In cases where turn-around time is limited, and in lieu of Eligibility Center
website verification, the Eligibility Center Hot Line is consulted. Upon
verification of the qualifier status, the NCAA Compliance Specialists make the
appropriate status code adjustments on the squad list.
Early Admissions Program Waiver. A waiver may be granted by the
Academics Cabinet for a student who left high school after completion of the
junior year or during the senior year to enter a member institution under an
early admissions program (open to students solely on the basis of outstanding
academic performance and promise), provided the following conditions are met:
For the last four semesters completed in high school, the student maintained a
cumulative, minimum grade point average of 3.500 (based on a maximum of
4.000) and ranked in the top 20 percent of the student's class;
6
The student has not met the requirements for graduation from high school;
and
Any remaining deficiency must be in the core-course area of English (i.e., the
student is lacking only the fourth year of English). 14.3.1.4
Qualifier. A qualifier is defined as one who is a high school graduate and who
presented the following academic qualifications (see 14.3.1.1):
A minimum cumulative grade-point average as specified by Bylaw 14.3.1.1.2
(based on a maximum 4.00) in a successfully completed core curriculum of at
least 16 academic courses per Bylaw 14.3.1.2.
A minimum combined score on the SAT critical reading and math sections or a
minimum sum score on the ACT as specified in Bylaw 14.3.1.1.2. The required
SAT or ACT score must be achieved under national testing conditions on a
national testing date [no residual (campus) testing or regional testing dates]
except that a state administered ACT may be used to meet the test-score
requirement. 14.3.1.1
Nonqualifier. A nonqualifier is a student who has not graduated from high
school or who, at the time specified in the regulation (see 14.3), did not present
the core curriculum grade point average and/or SAT/ACT score required for a
qualifier. 14.3.2.1
4.
NCAA CORE-CURRICULUM REQUIREMENTS
Regulation
A qualifier is defined as one who is a high-school graduate and who
presented the following academic qualifications:
(a) A minimum cumulative grade-point average as specified by Bylaw
14.3.1.1.2 (based on a maximum 4.00) in a successfully completed core
curriculum of at least 16 academic courses per Bylaw 14.3.1.2,
including the following:
Effective for those student-athletes first entering a collegiate
institution on or after August 1, 2008.
7
English
----
4 years
Mathematics
Mathematics courses at the
level of Algebra I or higher
3 years
Natural or physical
science
Including at least one
laboratory course, if offered
by the high school.
Computer science courses
containing significant
programming elements that
meet graduation
requirements in the area of
natural or physical science
also may be accepted.
2 years
Additional course
In English, mathematics, or
natural or physical science
1 year
Social science
Additional academic
courses
---In any of the above areas or
foreign language,
philosophy or non-doctrinal
religion(e.g., comparative
religion) courses
2 years
4 years
14.3.1.1
Application of Core-Curriculum Requirements
Certification of Core-Curriculum. The record of the above courses and course
grades must be certified by the NCAA Eligibility Center using either an official
high school transcript forwarded directly from the high school or a high school
transcript forwarded by an institution’s admissions office. 14.3.1.1(a)
Core-Curriculum Requirements. For purposes of meeting the corecurriculum requirement to establish eligibility at a member institution, a “core
course” must meet all of the following criteria:
8
A course must be a recognized academic course and qualify for high
school graduation credit in one or a combination of the following
areas: English, mathematics, natural/physical science, social science,
foreign language or non-doctrinal religion/philosophy;
A course must be considered college preparatory by the high school.
College preparatory is defined for these purposes as any course that
prepares a student academically to enter a four-year collegiate
institution upon graduation from high school;
A mathematics course must be at the level of Algebra I or a higher
level mathematics course;
A course must be taught by a qualified instructor as defined by the
appropriate academic authority (e.g., high school, school district or
state agency with authority of such matters); and
A course must be taught at or above the high school’s regular
academic level (i.e., remedial, special education or compensatory
courses shall not be considered core courses). However, the
prohibition against the use of remedial or compensatory courses is
not applicable to courses designed for students with educationimpacting disabilities (see Bylaw 14.3.1.2.1.2). 14.3.1.2
Core-Curriculum Time Limitation. A prospective student-athlete must
complete his or her core-curriculum requirements not later than the high
school graduation date of the prospective student-athlete’s class [as determined
by the first year of enrollment in high school (ninth grade) or the international
equivalent as specified in the NCAA Guide to International Academic Standards
for Athletics Eligibility]. Graduation from high school or secondary school shall
be based on the prospective student-athlete’s prescribed educational path in
his or her country. 14.3.1.2.1
Courses after Graduation--Students with Education-Impacting Disabilities.
The Eligibility Center, pursuant to policies and procedures prescribed by the
Academics Cabinet, may approve the use of all core courses completed by a
student diagnosed with an education-impacting disability prior to initial fulltime enrollment at a collegiate institution. 14.3.1.2.1.2
Courses after Graduation--Students with Education-Impacting Disabilities
Effective August 1, 2010
9
If a prospective student-athlete with a diagnosed education-impacting disability
graduates from high school within the core-curriculum time limitation, he or
she may use up to three core courses completed after high school graduation
to satisfy the core-curriculum or minimum grade-point average requirements
or both. The prospective student-athlete may complete the core courses at a
location other than the high school from which he or she graduated and may
initially enroll full time at a collegiate institution at anytime after completion of
the core courses. A prospective student-athlete may not use a core course
completed after graduation if he or she receives institutional financial aid while
enrolled in a course during the summer after the high school graduation date
of his or her class (see Bylaw 15.2.8.1.4). 14.3.1.2.1.2
Nontraditional Courses. Courses taught via the Internet, distance learning,
independent study, individualized instruction, correspondence, and courses
taught by similar means may be used to satisfy NCAA core-course
requirements if all of the following conditions are satisfied:
The course meets all requirements for a core course as defined by Bylaw
14.3.1.2;
The instructor and the student have access to one another during the
duration of the course for purposes of teaching, evaluating and providing
assistance to the student;
Evaluation of the student’s work is conducted by the appropriate
academic authorities in accordance with the high school’s established
academic policies; and
The course is acceptable for any student and is placed on the highschool transcript(s). 14.3.1.2.2
College Courses. College courses may be used to satisfy core curriculum
requirements if accepted by the high school, provided the courses are accepted
for any other student, meet all other requirements for core courses, and are
placed on the student's high school transcript(s). 14.3.1.2.3
English as a Second Language Course. It is permissible to use an advanced
level English as a Second Language (ESL) course to satisfy core curriculum
requirements, provided it is reviewed through the NCAA Initial-Eligibility
Waiver process. Other ESL courses taught in disciplines other than English
(e.g., social studies) may satisfy a core course requirement, provided they are
qualitatively and quantitatively the same as the comparison course in the
regular course offering. 14.3.1.2.4
10
Courses for Students with Education-Impacting Disabilities. High-school
courses for students with education-impacting disabilities may be used to fulfill
the core curriculum requirements, even if such courses appear to be taught at
a level below the high school's regular academic instructional level (e.g., special
education courses), if the high-school principal submits a written statement to
the NCAA Eligibility Center indicating that the courses are substantially
comparable, quantitatively and qualitatively, to similar core course offerings in
that academic discipline and the courses appear on the high school’s list of
approved core courses. Students with education-impacting disabilities still
must complete the required core courses and achieve the minimum required
grade-point average in the core curriculum. The fact that the title of a course
includes a designation such as "remedial," "special education," "special needs,"
or other similar titles used for courses designed for students with educationimpacting disabilities does not, in and of itself, disqualify a course from
satisfying core-curriculum requirements. 14.3.1.2.5
Grade Value of Core Courses.
The following is effective for those student-athletes first entering
a collegiate institution full-time on or after August 1, 2008.
The following grade values are to be used in determining a student's
grade-point average in the core courses: A = 4 quality points, B =3 quality
points, C = 2 quality points, D = 1 quality point. In determining the
core-curriculum grade-point average, each grade earned in a course (including
all numerical grades) must be converted to this 4.000 scale on an
individual-course basis. Pluses or minuses within a grade level shall not
receive greater or lesser quality points. A school's normal practice of weighting
honors or advanced courses may be used to compute the quality points
awarded in those courses and the cumulative grade-point average, provided a
written statement verifying the grading policy accompanies the prospective
student-athlete's official grade transcript(s). An honors or advanced course
shall receive no greater than 1.00 additional quality point (e.g., A=5.000). In
calculating the grade in a weighted honors or advanced course, if a high school
does not assign quality points to its courses, quality points shall be added to
each course prior to calculating the student's grade-point average and not
added to a student's cumulative core-course grade-point average. The core
curriculum grade-point average may be calculated using the student's 16 best
grades from courses that meet the distribution requirements of the core
curriculum. Additional core courses (beyond the 16 required) may be used to
meet the core-curriculum grade-point average provided the distribution
requirements are met. 14.3.1.2.6
11
Pass-Fail Grades. Courses that are awarded pass-fail grades may be used to
satisfy core-curriculum requirements. The NCAA Eligibility Center shall assign
the course the lowest passing grade that the high school assigns for a pass-fail
course. 14.3.1.2.7
Repeat Courses. A repeated course may be used only once to satisfy
core-curriculum requirements. The best grade in that course may be used to
calculate the grade-point average in the core curriculum. 14.3.1.2.8
GED Test/Equivalency Diploma. A prospective student-athlete who does not
graduate from high school but who subsequently completes the General
Educational Development (GED) test and obtains a state high-school
equivalency diploma may satisfy the graduation requirements of 14.3, but not
the core-curriculum or test-score requirement, if the following conditions are
met:
Only scores from a GED test taken by the prospective student-athlete on
or after the date of the prospective student-athlete’s high school class
would normally have graduated from high school (i.e., the last class of
which the student was a member while enrolled in high school) shall be
used.
The prospective student-athlete must present the state high school
equivalency diploma prior to initial enrollment as a full-time, regularly
matriculated student in a collegiate institution, and
To qualify for financial aid, practice and competition, the prospective
student athlete must meet the core-curriculum grade-point average and
test score requirements (see Bylaw 14.3.1.1) in addition to presenting a
minimum average score of 45 (450 on the post-2001 exam) on the five–
part GED test. 14.3.5.3
Multiple High-School Attendance. For a student-athlete who attends more
than one high school, a Form 48-H (core-course form) and an official
transcript(s) from each high school the student-athlete attended must be used.
However, the NCAA Eligibility Center may receive the official transcript from
either the student-athlete's original high school or the high school from which
the student-athlete graduated or an institution’s admissions office. 14.3.1.2.9
International Academic Standards. A student from a foreign country shall
satisfy both the requirements outlined in the NCAA Guide to International
Academic Standards for Athletics Eligibility and the test-score requirements set
forth in Bylaws 14.3.11-(b). 14.3.5.5
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5.
NCAA TEST SCORE REQUIREMENTS
Regulation
A minimum combined score on the SAT critical reading and math
sections or a minimum sum score on the ACT as specified by Bylaw
14.3.1.1.2. The required SAT or ACT score must be achieved under
national testing conditions on national testing date [i.e., no residual
(campus) testing or regional testing dates] except that a state
administered ACT may be used to meet the test score requirement.
14.3.1.1(b)
Initial-Eligibility Index. Freshmen may establish eligibility using the
following eligibility index:
The following applies to those student-athletes first entering a
collegiate institution on or after August 1, 2008.
Core GPA
3.550& above
3.525
3.500
3.475
3.450
3.425
3.400
3.375
3.350
3.325
3.300
3.275
3.250
3.225
3.200
3.175
3.150
3.125
3.100
3.075
3.050
3.025
3.000
2.975
SAT
400
410
420
430
440
450
460
470
480
490
500
510
520
530
540
550
560
570
580
590
600
610
620
630
SUM ACT
37
38
39
40
41
41
42
42
43
44
44
45
46
46
47
47
48
49
49
50
50
51
52
52
13
2.950
2.925
2.900
2.875
2.850
2.825
2.725
2.700
2.675
2.650
2.625
2.600
2.575
2.550
2.525
2.500
2.475
2.450
2.425
2.400
2.375
2.350
2.325
2.300
2.275
2.250
2.225
2.200
2.175
2.150
2.125
2.100
2.075
2.050
2.025
2.000
640
650
660
670
680
690
730
730
740-750
760
770
780
790
800
810
820
830
840-850
860
860
870
880
890
900
910
920
930
940
950
960
960
970
980
990
1000
1010
53
53
54
55
56
56
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
Application of Test Score Requirements
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Test-Score Requirements. The minimum required SAT or ACT score [see
14.3.1.1] must be achieved under national testing conditions on a national
testing date [i.e., no residual (campus) testing or regional testing dates], except
that a state-administered ACT may be used to meet the test-score requirement.
14.3.1.3
Test-Score Time Limitation. The minimum required SAT or ACT score shall
be achieved prior to registering for a minimum full-time program of studies (as
determined by the institution) and attending classes in a regular term (e.g.,
semester or quarter) of an academic year at the collegiate institution.
14.3.1.3.1
Combined Test Scores. For students utilizing the SAT examination, the
highest scores achieved on the critical reading and mathematics sections of the
SAT from two different national testing dates may be combined in determining
whether the student has met the minimum test-score requirements. For
students using the ACT examination, the highest scores achieved on the
individual subtests of the ACT from more than one national testing date or
state administered examination may be combined in determining whether the
student's sum score has met the minimum test-score requirement. 14.3.1.3.2
Nonstandard Test Administration. Students with education-impacting
disabilities may use scores achieved during a nonstandard administration of
the SAT or ACT. A student who takes a non-standard SAT or ACT still must
achieve the minimum required test score; however, the test does not have to be
administered on a national testing date. 14.3.1.3.3
6.
NCAA NONQUALIFIER
Regulation
Non-qualifier Definition. A non-qualifier is a student who has not
graduated from high school or who, at the time specified in the
regulation (see 14.3), did not present the core-curriculum grade-point
average and SAT/ACT score required for a qualifier. 14.3.2.1
Application of Non-qualifier Criteria
Eligibility for Aid, Practice, and Competition. An entering freshman with no
previous college attendance who was a nonqualifier at the time of enrollment in
a Division I institution shall not be eligible for regular-season competition or
practice during the first academic year in residence. However, such a student
shall be eligible for non-athletics institutional financial aid that is not from an
15
athletics source and is based on financial need only, consistent with
institutional and conference regulations. 14.3.2.1.1
Residence Requirement – Non-qualifier. A nonqualifier must fulfill an
academic year of residence in order to be eligible for practice, competition and
athletically related financial aid (See Bylaw 14.3.2.1.1). The requirements that
must be met to fulfill an academic year of residence are set forth in Bylaw
14.5.1.1. A nonqualifier admitted after the 12th class day may not use that
semester or quarter for the purpose of establishing residency. 14.3.4
Residence. Residence is enrollment in a full-time academic program (as
defined by the institution) at a collegiate institution during a regular term of an
academic year. To satisfy an academic year of residence, a student shall meet
the requirements of Bylaw 14.5.1.1. A summer term may not be used to satisfy
a term of residence. 14.02.11
GED Test/Equivalency Diploma. A prospective student-athlete who does not
graduate from high school but who subsequently completes the General
Educational Development (GED) test and obtains a state high school
equivalency diploma may satisfy the graduation requirement of 14.3, but not
the core-curriculum or test-score requirement, if the following conditions are
met:
Only scores from a GED test taken by the prospective student-athlete on or
after the date the prospect’s high school class would normally have graduated
from high school (i.e., the last class of which the student was a member while
enrolled in high school) shall be used.
The prospective student-athlete must present the state high school equivalency
diploma prior to initial enrollment as a full-time, regularly matriculated student
in a collegiate institution; and
To qualify for financial aid, practice and competition, the prospective studentathlete must meet the core-curriculum grade-point average and test score
requirements (see Bylaw14.3.1.1) in addition to presenting a minimum average
score of 45 (450 on the post-2001 exam) on the five–part GED test. 14.3.5.3
Practice-Session Attendance. A student-athlete who is a non-qualifier and
who, therefore, is not eligible for practice may not attend any practice sessions
in any capacity, nor may the student-athlete attend any meeting characterized
as practice. 14.3.2.2
Seasons of Competition - Nonqualifier. Nonqualifiers, recruited or nonrecruited, shall not engage in more than three seasons of competition in any
16
one sport. A student who transfers to a Division I member institution from
another collegiate institution shall not engage in more than four seasons of
competition with not more than three of those seasons in Division I. 14.3.3
Fourth Season of Competition – Not a qualifier. A fourth season of
intercollegiate competition shall be granted to a student-athlete who is not a
qualifier provided that at the beginning of the fifth academic year following the
student-athlete’s initial, full-time collegiate enrollment, the student-athlete has
completed at least 80 percent of his/her designated degree program. 14.3.3.1
7.
SEC INITIAL ELIGIBILITY REGULATIONS
Regulation
Eligibility for Financial Aid, Practice, and Competition
Non-Qualifiers 14.3.2
A non-qualifier (as defined by NCAA Bylaw 14.3.2.1) who initially enrolls at an
SEC institution subsequent to August 1, 1993, shall not be eligible for
athletically-related financial aid, or for practice, or competition during his or
her first year in residence. Such a student shall be eligible for nonathletics
institutional financial aid that is not from an athletics source and is based on
financial need only, consistent with institutional regulations.
A limited number (see limits in subsection 14.3.2.1 (c) below) of studentathletes who enroll at an SEC institution as freshmen or as 4-4 transfer
students and who are non-qualifiers (or were non-qualifiers at the time of their
original enrollment in college may become eligible for athletically-related
financial aid, practice, and competition after their freshmen year, provided that
(i) each such student presents and average high school GPA of at least 2.0 (as
confirmed and certified by the NCAA Eligibility Center) in at least twelve core
courses, and (ii) the Commissioner issues a favorable determination with
respect to such student in accordance with the procedures set forth in
subsection 14.3.2.1(g) below. Even though such non-qualifier may not receive
athletically-related financial aid, the non-qualifier shall count in the
institution’s team financial aid limits. In equivalency sports, such nonqualifier shall count as one-half of a full athletic grant-in-aid the first year; in
subsequent years, the actual grant-in-aid value shall count.
There shall be an annual limit on the number of student-athletes who are nonqualifiers and who may become eligible after their freshman year for
athletically-related financial aid, practice, and competition, whether such
student-athletes are enrolled as freshmen or as 4-4 transfer students. (These
17
limits do not apply to two-year college transfer students, see Bylaw 14.5.4.2.)
The limits, which are applied on an annual basis with no carry-over of unused
numbers to following years, are set forth as follows:
For men’s sports a total of four non-qualifiers enrolled in a particular academic
year (either as first year students or 4-4 transfers) may become eligible to
receive athletically-related financial aid, or for practice or competition. Of these
four, no more than two are permitted to become eligible in football, and no
more than one may become eligible in any other sport.
For women’s sports a total of four non-qualifiers enrolled in a particular
academic year (either as first year students or 4-4 transfers) may become
eligible to receive athletically-related financial aid, or for practice or
competition. Of these four, no more than two are permitted to become eligible
in any one sport.
The annual limits set forth in subsection 14.3.2.1 (c) shall not apply to any
student-athlete who has been certified by the NCAA as learning disabled and
who is otherwise eligible for enrollment hereunder.
In the event that an SEC institution enrolls a student-athlete as a freshman
who is a non-qualifier and who does not present an average high school GPA of
at least 2.0 (as confirmed and certified by the NCAA Eligibility Center) in at
least twelve core courses, or in the event that the Commissioner issues an
unfavorable determination with respect to any such student in accordance with
the procedures set forth in subsection 14.3.2.1(g) below, such student may
never become eligible for athletically-related financial aid, or for practice or
competition, at such institution. Before enrolling a student who may be
affected by this Bylaw 14.3.2.1(e), the SEC institution should inform the
student that SEC Bylaw 14.5 may afford the student a path to possible
eligibility, in the event, for example, that the student chooses to attend a two
year college. If and to the extent otherwise allowed by NCAA Bylaws, a transfer
student from a two year college may be eligible for athletically-related financial
aid, practice, and competition for up to four years.
Prospective student-athletes with disabilities are subject to and must satisfy
the eligibility standards set forth in this Bylaw 14.3.2.1; provided, however,
that (i) in satisfying such standards, such students may take advantage of
NCAA Bylaws 14.3.2.1.2 and 14.3.1.2.5, and any other applicable NCAA or
SEC Bylaws that have the purpose or effect of providing reasonable
accommodation to disabled individuals, and (ii) the Commissioner may waive
or modify the standards in this Bylaw 14.3.2.1, in his sole discretion, if and as
necessary or appropriate to comply with applicable laws or regulations.
18
For each non-qualifier admitted pursuant to subsection 14.3.2.1 (b) above
other than 4-4 transfer students, at or before the time of the non-qualifier’s
enrollment, the member institution must submit a Special Report to the
Commissioner with all of the information, data, and documentation listed in
subsections (d)(2)-(d)(4) and (d)(6)-(d)(7) of Bylaw 14.1.2.2 (except that the
President or Chancellor need make no certification concerning eligibility as is
contemplated by the last phrase in subsection 14.1.2.2(d)(7)), as well as all of
the information, data, and documentation listed in subsections 14.1.2.2(e)(2)
and (3) if and to the extent applicable. The Special Report shall also include
the information described in subsection 14.1.2.2(f) if applicable. The
Commissioner shall review such Special Report under the standards and
procedures set forth in subsection 14.1.2.2(g) and (h), and shall issue a
determination whether the non-qualifier shall be allowed to become eligible for
athletically-related financial aid, practice, and competition after completion of
his or her freshmen year in the event that the non-qualifier meets or exceeds
all applicable academic performance requirements (and all other requirements)
for eligibility.
The June 1, 2008 amendments to Article 14 (primarily including but not
limited to the amendments to this Bylaw 14.3.2.1) shall be effective
immediately for all prospective and current students; provided, however, that
any requirements, conditions, or standards newly imposed by such
amendments shall be waived by the Commissioner if and to the extent that the
application of such new requirements, conditions, or standards would
adversely affect the current or future eligibility (for athletically-related financial
aid, practice or competition) of any student enrolled at a member institution as
of September 15, 2007. 14.3.2.1
SEC Regulation regarding test score validation
Validity of Academic Credentials.
Each SEC member institution bears primary responsibility for reviewing and
ensuring the validity of the NCAA Eligibility Center certification of initial
eligibility of each prospective student-athlete (PSA) who has been offered an
athletic scholarship in accordance with this Bylaw 14.1.2
Before admitting any PSA, each SEC member institution must review and
ensure that all the academic credentials (including but not limited to
transcripts and standardized test scores) (herein the “Credentials”) supplied to
the NCAA Eligibility Center by each PSA are valid, accurate, and fairly reflect
the academic abilities and qualifications of the PSA, whether the NCAA
Eligibility Center challenges or specially reviews those Credentials or not.
19
Each SEC member institution shall establish and maintain its own process for
the review of Credentials required by subsection (a) of this Bylaw 14.1.2.2. The
guidelines and policies governing such processes shall be reduced to writing,
and periodically revised and updated as appropriate. A copy thereof shall be
provided annually (on or about July 1) by each member institution’s President
or Chancellor to the SEC Commissioner.
Even if an SEC member institution has admitted a PSA and determined in
accordance with its own process that the NCAA Eligibility Center certification of
eligibility is based upon valid and accurate Credentials that fairly reflect the
academic abilities and qualifications of the PSA, the member institution shall
provide a special written report (the “Special Report”) to the SEC
Commissioner, in accordance with subsections (d) and (e) of this Bylaw
14.1.2.2, concerning such PSA if:
Any one or more of the PSA’s college entrance examination scores or sub scores
have varied (higher or lower) from any other college entrance examination score
in an amount equal to or greater than the security standards of ACT and/or
SAT);
The PSA transfers or withdraws from high school in his or her senior year;
The number of core courses taken during the PSA’s senior year is
disproportionate to the number of core courses completed prior to the PSA’s
senior year;
The PSA has been enrolled in sequential courses in a single academic year or
term;
Core courses have been taken out of sequence by the PSA;
Revisions (other than to correct clerical errors) are made to the PSA’s transcript
that raise the PSA’s grade in one or more core courses or;
The PSA has completed core coursework through nontraditional means (e.g.,
virtual high school or a correspondence course). Bylaw 14.1.2
Guidelines for Special Reports Submitted to the Commissioner.
Each Special Report to be submitted to the Commissioner as required by
subsection (c) of this Bylaw 14.1.2.2 shall:
Specify which of the numbered subparagraphs of subsection (c) of this Bylaw
14.1.2.2 triggered the requirement for a Special Report;
20
Attach complete and correct copies of all the PSA’s Credentials supplied to the
NCAA Eligibility Center and to the SEC member institution;
Set forth in detail the review made by the member institution to determine
whether the credentials are valid, accurate, and fairly reflect the academic
abilities and qualifications of the PSA;
Include such supporting material as is reasonably necessary and appropriate
under the circumstances to establish that the PSA’s credentials are valid,
accurate, and fairly reflect the academic abilities and qualifications of the PSA;
Be submitted no later than August 15 prior to the PSA’s initial full time
enrollment in a fall academic term, or not later than February 1 immediately
following the PSA’s initial full time enrollment in a spring academic term, or
prior to the PSA’s initial participation in intercollegiate competition, whichever
is earlier. Waiver of this deadline may be granted by the Commissioner based
on extenuating circumstances that prevent the report from being submitted in
accordance with the deadline;
Include a certification by the President or Chancellor of the member institution
affirming that he or she has personally reviewed and approved the Special
Report and the decision made by the member institution concerning the
admission of and eligibility of the PSA; and
The current street address and telephone number of the PSA.
The supporting material required by subparagraph (4) of subsection (d) of this
Bylaw 14.1.2.2 shall include the following, to the extent applicable:
If, but only if, the requirement for a Special Report is triggered in whole or in
part by numbered subparagraph (1) of subsection (c) of this Bylaw 14.1.2.2,
the Special Report shall include verification of college entrance examination
scores from the testing authority (i.e., College Board or the ACT, Inc.)
If, but only if, the requirement for a Special Report is triggered in whole or in
part by numbered subparagraph (2) of subsection (c) of this Bylaw 14.1.2.2,
the Special Report shall include a full and complete explanation of the
circumstances and cause for the withdrawal or transfer, and verification that
the transfer was not for the purpose of avoiding inadequate grades in core
course(s) (or for the purpose of securing adequate grades in core course(s)
without actually meeting the academic requirements of such courses and;
If, but only if, the requirement for a Special Report is triggered in whole or in
part by any of numbered subparagraphs (3) – (7) of subsection (c) of this Bylaw
14.1.2.2, the Special Report shall include verification that the PSA is in fact
21
properly completed and satisfied the academic requirements of all core courses
and that the PSA’s grades in those courses are valid and accurate, and reflect
the academic abilities and qualifications of PSA.
The member institution may also include in the Special Report such additional
information and materials as may be of assistance to the Commissioner in
making the determination required under subsection (h) of this Bylaw
14.1.2.2.
The Special Report shall specifically call to the attention of the Commissioner
and provide full and complete information concerning any known disabilities
identified by the PSA that might bear on the validity of the Credentials of the
PSA, or on the PSA’s academic abilities and qualifications. Prospective
student-athletes with disabilities are subject to and must comply with the
standards and procedures set forth in this Bylaw 14.1.2.2; provided, however,
that (i) in satisfying such standards, such students may take advantage of any
applicable NCAA or SEC Bylaws that have the purpose or effect of providing
reasonable accommodation to disabled individuals, and (ii) the Commissioner
may waive or modify the standards in this Bylaw 14.1.2.2, in his sole
discretion, if and as necessary or appropriate to comply with applicable laws or
regulations.
Prior to the Commissioner determining pursuant to subsection (h) of this Bylaw
14.1.2.2 that a PSA is not eligible for intercollegiate athletic competition at an
SEC member institution, the Conference shall provide the PSA with a copy of
the Special Report by overnight courier service (to the address of the PSA
specified in the Report), along with a copy of this Bylaw 14.1.2.2. The PSA may
then submit any and all reasonable materials to the Commissioner that the
PSA wants the Commissioner to consider, provided that the PSA’s submission
was received by the Conference office within fifteen (15) calendar days after the
Special Report is deposited with the overnight courier service for delivery to the
PSA. If the PSA’s submits materials to the Commissioner, the PSA shall
simultaneously provide a copy of the entire submission to the SEC member
institution at which the PSA proposes to participate in intercollegiate athletics.
In such event, the SEC institution may, at it’s option, provided a supplemental
submission must be furnished to the Commissioner, with a copy to the PSA at
the address specified in the Report (or such other address as may be specified
in the PSA’s submission), within thirty (30) calendar days after the Special
Report is deposited with the overnight courier service for delivery to the PSA.
As expeditiously as is reasonably feasible after receiving the Special Report and
any submissions pursuant to subsection (g) of this Bylaw 14.1.2.2, the
Commissioner shall issue a determination of the PSA’s eligibility to compete in
intercollegiate athletic competition, based on the following criteria:
22
The burden of demonstrating to the reasonable satisfaction of the
Commissioner that the PSA’s Credentials are valid, accurate, and fairly reflect
the academic abilities and qualifications of the PSA shall be on the SEC
member institution. If the SEC member institution fails to meet that burden,
the Commissioner shall determine that the PSA is ineligible.
The Commissioner shall not conduct an independent review, but shall base his
or her determination on the Special Report and on any submission the PSA
may choose to make pursuant to subsection (g) of this Bylaw 14.1.2.2.
The Special Report must adequately address and resolve all material factual
issues concerning the validity and accuracy of the Credentials, or concerning
whether those Credentials fairly reflect the academic abilities and qualifications
of the PSA.
The Commissioner shall take into account and comply with any applicable
legal requirements concerning the rights of persons with disabilities in making
his or her determinations.
The Commissioner’s determination shall be final and not subject to appeal or
review.
A PSA for whom a Special Report is required to be submitted pursuant to
subsection (c) of this Bylaw 14.1.2.2 shall not be eligible to participate in
intercollegiate athletic competition at an SEC member institution unless and
until the Commissioner has determined that the PSA is eligible as
contemplated by subsection (h). Bylaw 14.1.2.2
8. STUDENTS WITH EDUCATION-IMPACTING DISABILITIES
Regulation
Students With Education-Impacting Disabilities. The Academics/
Eligibility/Compliance Cabinet may approve, for a student diagnosed
with an education-impacting disability is permitted to use all core
courses completed prior to initial full-time enrollment at a collegiate
institution. The determination as to whether courses taken at a high
school are core courses shall be made on the basis of the 48-H
confirmation statement issued to the high school where the student
completed the classes. Courses taken at a collegiate institution must be
approved by the Academics/ Eligibility/Compliance Cabinet. 14.3.1.2.1.2
Courses for Students with Disabilities. High-school courses for students
with education-impacting disabilities may be used to fulfill the core-curriculum
23
requirements, even if such courses appear to be taught at a level below the
high school's regular academic instructional level (e.g., special education
courses), if the high-school principal submits a written statement to the NCAA
Eligibility Center indicating that the courses are substantially comparable,
quantitatively and qualitatively, to similar core course offerings in that
academic discipline and the courses appear on the high school’s list of
approved core courses. Students with education-impacting disabilities still
must complete the required core courses and achieve the minimum required
grade-point average in the core curriculum. The fact that the title of a course
includes a designation such as "remedial," "special education," "special needs,"
or other similar titles used for courses designed for students with educationimpacting disabilities does not, in and of itself, disqualify a course from
satisfying core-curriculum requirements. 14.3.1.2.5
Nonstandard Test Administration. Students with education-impacting
disabilities may use scores achieved during a nonstandard administration of
the SAT or ACT. A student who takes a non-standard SAT or ACT still must
achieve the minimum required test score; however, the test is not required to
be administered on a national testing date. 14.3.1.3.3
Procedures. The procedures for earning a fourth season of competition
pursuant to 14.3.3.2 are as follows:
(a) At any time subsequent to a student-athlete’s freshman year, the student
shall take a copy of his or her diagnosed disability, Individualized Education
Program (IEP) or disability assessment and college transcript(s) to the
recognized professional staff on campus that evaluates and/or assists students
with disabilities for review
(b) The on-campus professional is responsible for evaluating whether the
student-athlete’s diagnosed disability is such that the student-athlete will not
progress at a rate to earn a baccalaureate degree by the beginning of his or her
fifth year of full-time enrollment. In the event that no such professional staff
exists on campus, the off-campus professionals normally used by the
institution shall make such evaluation. Additional evidence supporting a
student-athlete meeting these criteria include a student’s need to take a
reduced course load during a term or terms. The professional staff is not
required to retest the student-athlete for the disability; and
(c) If the professional staff is satisfied that the student-athlete meets the
criteria set forth in subparagraphs (a) and (b), a letter of confirmation should
be sent to the athletics department and the student. The letter of confirmation
from the professional staff and a copy of the student-athlete’s diagnosed
disability, individualized education plan (IEP) or disability assessment shall be
maintained on file at the institution. It shall be available for examination on
24
request by the NCAA national office, and if the institution is a member of a
conference, an authorized conference representative. 14.3.3.2.1
9. ADMISSSION AND INITIAL ELIGIBILITY FOR INTERNATIONAL
STUDENTS
Admission.
Application Process. Prospective international student-athletes must take the
following steps in order to be considered or admission and be issued an I-20.
Step 1: Complete and submit an application using your name as it will
appear on your passport. If you need a non-immigrant (F-1) visa to enter the
U.S., you must include an international address on the application.
Step 2: Non-Refundable application fee. Please refer to the on-line
application for current fee amounts, for 2010-11, currently $30. An additional
fee is required if applying for student housing. Credit card or electronic check
payment is required for the online application.
Step 3: Applicants are required to submit official copies of their academic
transcripts to a third-party evaluation agency for an official evaluation of their
transcripts that is a member of NACES (National Association of Credential
Evaluation Services), or from AACRAO (American Association of Collegiate
Registrars and Admissions Officers). The University of Tennessee, Knoxville,
will be able to process an application only after receiving the necessary report
from the third-party evaluation company.
Entering First Year Students: An evaluation of the secondary degree earned,
with a statement of equivalency to study in the United States, is required. A
calculated Grade Point Average (GPA) is preferred.
Companies offering these evaluation services and their appropriate evaluations
include:
 AACRAO- “Basic Statement of Comparability Evaluation”
 Academic Evaluation Services, Inc.- “Grade Evaluation”
 Educational Credential Evaluators- “General Evaluation” with grade
average
 Josef Silny & Associates, Inc.
 World Education Services, Inc. (WES)
25
Note: Students applying for admission to the UT College of Engineering must also
submit an official SAT score to The University of Tennessee, Office of
Undergraduate Admissions.
Step 4: Demonstrate English Proficiency: If your native language is not
English, unless you are a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident, this can be
done in one of the following ways:
 TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of 523 on the
paper-based test, 193 on the computer-based test, or 70 on the internetbased (iBT).
 Completion of the University of Tennessee English Language Institute’s
(ELI) core intensive curriculum with recommendation from the ELI
faculty.
 Two semesters or three quarters of college-level English composition with
a grade of C or better at an accredited college or university in the United
States.
 ACT (English sub-score of 21 is required) or SAT (verbal score of 510 is
required) for U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents. Scores must be
received from the Educational Testing Service (copies are not acceptable).
 IELTS (International English Language Testing System)- a minimum
score of 6.5.
 ELS- completion of the ELS 112 intensive program
Note: Students who receive a CONDITIONAL ADMISSION must meet English
proficiency requirements before being admitted to a degree program, and before
being allowed to enroll in non-ESL courses. Conditionally admitted students who
wish to enter the U.S. using UT’s I-20 must attend the University of Tennessee’s
English Language Institute.
A Holistic Review Committee will evaluate students whose performance is
slightly below the minimum requirements. Listed below are factors taken into
consideration during a Holistic Review include but are not limited to:
Personal Background
1. Cultural experiences
2. Socio-economic and educational background
Academic Performance
1. Core GPA and pattern or trends in grade improvement
2. Quality of the curriculum
a. College-prep curriculum
b. Strength of senior year courses
c. Exceeding core courses
d. Number of advance level courses in the high school curriculum
26
3.
4.
5.
6.
e. Number and grades of English language courses in the high
school curriculum
Test scores
Personal Statement
Class Rank
Letters of Recommendation
Step 5: All F-1 and J-1 visa status students must submit financial
documentation. After an offer of admissions is made, the Center for
International Education (CIE) will provide information concerning the
submission of financial documentation, including a completed Financial
Support Statement and an official bank statement reflecting a balance of at
least $30,645.00 USD. Currently, athletes on a full scholarship only need to
show $2500 which is the “miscellaneous” portion of the estimate of expenses.
Refer to http.utk.edu/~globe/students/expenses.shtml. The money needs to
be in a bank account, NOT a credit card account. If your government is
sponsoring you, you must submit a letter from the government stating that
they will cover all expenses during your academic studies at The University of
Tennessee.
Step 6: A copy of the photo page of the applicant’s passport. must be sent
with the applicant’s financial documentation, if it was not submitted with the
application for admission.
Step 7: Ensure that all documents are postmarked by the deadline dates
indicated below:
Entering Term
All documents received
Spring 2010
October 1, 2009
Summer 2010
February 15, 2010
Fall 2010
May 15, 2010
Step 8: Apply for an appropriate U.S. visa.
Initial Eligibility Standards.
NCAA Eligibility Center
1.
Register with the Eligibility Center at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net
2.
Send the student’s original records in the language of issue or true
copies as certified by an appropriate educational authority (foreign and
United States). All documents (transcripts, annual grade reports,
certificates, statement of marks) representative of secondary-school
education should be sent to the eligibility center. If in doubt, include the
documents.
Student Records must be sent to:
27
NCAA Eligibility Center
International Certification
1802 Alonzo Watford Sr. Grive
Indianapolis, IN 46202
877/262-1492 (Domestic callers only)
317/223-0700 (International callers)
3.
Complete, literal word-for-word, line-by-line certified English
translations for all documents in the same format as the original
documents are required
 English translations must be provided by a person not
related to OR associated with the student or the athletics
department at the institution the college-bound studentathlete plans to attend.
 The English translator must provide a letter, including any
appropriate stamps or seals, explaining his or her
qualifications as a translator.
 The English translator must provide full name, mailing
address, telephone number, email address, or any other
means by which the authenticity of the translation can be
verified.
 It is recommended that English translations be performed by
a college or university instructor of the language or a
professionally certified English translator.
 English translations must accompany the original
documents written in the native language.
 English translations not in accordance WITH the above
specifications will not be accepted.
4.
A copy of the student’s SAT or ACT scores (must be sent directly
from the testing agency).
Failure to include any of these items will delay review of the student’s
records.
International Academic Standards. A student from a foreign country shall
satisfy both the requirements outlined in the NCAA Guide to International
Academic Standards for Athletics Eligibility and the test-score requirements as
set forth in Bylaw 14.3.1.1(b). 14.3.5.5
English as a Second Language Course. It is permissible to use an advanced
level English as a Second Language (ESL) course to satisfy core-curriculum
requirements, provided it is reviewed through the NCAA Initial-Eligibility
Waiver process. Other ESL courses taught in disciplines other than English
(e.g., social studies) may satisfy a core-course requirement, provided they are
28
qualitatively and quantitatively the same as the comparison course in the
regular-course offering. 14.3.1.2.4
Initial Eligibility Certification.
Overview. Several weeks must be allowed to process the application and
documents. Admission to the University is not guaranteed upon receipt of the
documentation listed here. At the same time, admission is not possible
without it.
A number of University and Athletics Department officials work in concert to
ensure that the admission process goes smoothly and according to all pertinent
regulations. Following is an outline of the tasks that need to be completed in a
timely manner:
1. Coach gives recruit’s name and information to Academic Counselor who
forwards it to the Athletics Compliance and Admissions personnel, and
2. Coaches and Academic counselors must know when admissions
applications are due for international student-athletes so that the entire
process can begin early enough to allow time to complete, submit, and
process all paper work.
3. Coaches will also see to it that the prospects understand exactly what
they need to do and when they need to do it.
4. Academic counselors monitor the process and notify coaches on a
regular basis regarding the status of prospective international studentathletes
5. Coach requests faxed copies of academic records for preliminary
evaluation of admissibility and Eligibility Center status by the Academic
Counselor.
6. Coach sends International Admission Packet (includes application,
sponsor form, example documents, and instructions).
7. Once an admission decision has been made, an I-20 is issued and sent
(via FedEx from the Thornton Center) to the student-athlete. CIE (Center
for International Education) processes the I-20, which may take a week.
8. The student takes the I-20 to the US Embassy in their country to apply
for an F-1 (preferred) or J-1 visa. This process can take up to 3 months,
depending on the country and world situation. Appointments are
required at the Embassy for interviews and the I-20 is required to
29
schedule appointments. At the time of the interview, the student must
present a receipt showing payment of the $100.00 service fee.
Other considerations for International Students:
1. All international students must attend at least part of the orientation
program sponsored by the Center for International Education, including
the Staying Legal presentation. Orientation is usually scheduled the
week prior to the start of classes.
2. All non-native speakers must take the English Placement Exam, which is
only given during International Orientation, prior to enrolling in any
English class.
3. Any time an international student-athlete leaves the country, his/her I20 must be signed to ensure his/her re-entry to the US.
4. If an international student-athlete moves, even if only to another location
within the same building, she/he must submit a change of address form
(AR-11), available on the Center for International Education website.
(Taken from UT AD Compliance Manual--Start)
Academic Counselors are required to notify Compliance staff and sport
administrators of all prospective international students--freshman or transfer-as soon as they become aware that a sport is recruiting/considering an
international student. This is to assure that all applicable rules and regulations
are considered in the evaluation process. International students must apply by
March 1 for Fall, July 1 for Spring, and December 1 for Summer. UT must have
the following in order to make an admission decision and issue a 1-20:
1. International undergraduates may be undeclared as far as admissions
goes.
2. A signed application.
3. Application fee: 30 U.S dollars for admissions; 25 U.S. dollars for
housing. International money orders drawn on a U.S. bank are required
unless applying Online.
4. Official records and transcripts of all previous academic work. If
originals are not submitted, an official (headmaster) from the school
must certify signature and school stamp that all copies are true copies.
Notarized copies or copies signed by a Justice of the Peace are not
30
acceptable. If the records are not in English, official translations are
required in addition.
5. If the student’s native language is not English, unless he/she is a U.S.
citizen or permanent resident, he/she must demonstrate English
proficiency by one of the following ways:





TOEFL (193 computer-based, 523 paper, 70 iBT), or
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) (6.5), or
2 semesters/3 quarters of college-level English composition with a
minimum grade of C taken at an accredited U.S. college, or
university, including successful completion of the UT English
Language Institute (ELI) core courses along with faculty
recommendations, or
ACT English subscore of 21 or SAT verbal of 510, or
A Holistic Review Committee will evaluate students whose
performance is slightly below the minimum requirements.
6. Financial documentation: signed financial statement and a letter from
the sponsor’s bank on bank letterhead and signed by a bank official)
stating the account(s) balance(s) or indicating an amount equal to or
greater than the difference between the student’s athletic scholarship
and cost of attendance for one year (2009-10 = $______ unless the
student is on full scholarship. The amount to show for 2009-10 then is
$______ but this figure must be verified annually.
The coach provides name and information to academic counselor who will
forward it to Compliance and sport administrator. The academic counselor
requests faxed copies of all academic records only for preliminary evaluation for
admissibility and Eligibility Center status. Send International Admissions
Packet (includes application, financial statement and instructions). All are
available on the web.
Please allow several weeks to process the application and documents. Once an
admission decision has been made, a 1-20 or DS-2019 is issued by UT’s Center
for International Education and sent (via FedEx from the Thornton Center) to
the student. Allow 1-2 weeks for processing.
Note also that the student must schedule an appointment at the U.S. Embassy
in their country to apply for an F-1 or J-1 visa. They must have their 1-20 or
DS-2019 before they can have their appointment and pay the 100 U.S. dollars
registration fee.
All international students must attend at least part of the Center for
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International Education’s orientation program. Orientation is usually
scheduled the week prior to the start of classes.
All non-native speakers must apply for and receive an individual tax number
for tax purposes. Failure to do so will result in a registration hold.
Any time an international student leaves the country, his/her 1-20 must be
signed to insure their re-entry to the U.S. Requests for travel signatures should
be made at least a month in advance of international travel.
If an international student moves, even across the hall in the dorm, they must
submit a change of address form (AR-11), which is available in the Thornton
Center or the Center for International Education.
It is every international student-athlete’s responsibility to make sure he or she
understands and adheres to all rules and regulations regarding immigration in
order to remain “in status” with the Department of Homeland Security.
(Taken from UT AD Compliance Manual—End)
10. PROCEDURES FOR INITIAL ELIGIBILITY CERTIFICATION
(Taken from UT AD Compliance Manual--Start)
Initial Eligibility.





Coaching staff requests incoming prospective student-athletes are placed on
the Institutional Request List (IRL) through respective Thornton Center
academic counselor and/or Athletics Compliance Office.
Academic counselor adds prospective student-athlete to IRL via NCAA
Eligibility Center Web Site.
Eligibility Center certifies initial eligibility and amateur status of studentathletes.
Registrar’s Office will make appropriate changes on the squad list for
student-athletes and sends documentation to the Athletics Department,
Thornton Center, FAR, Financial Aid Office and Admissions Office.
If a prospective student-athlete is not certified as a qualifier and fully
admitted, please refer to the Admission and Certification Policies.
Admission & Certification Policies.
Following are guidelines for the admission and certification process for
student-athletes. These policies have been adopted by the University in hopes
of preventing the last minute problems and to provide a clearer current image
of where we stand with each prospective student-athlete. Qualifier status does
not guarantee admittance to The University of Tennessee.
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If you have any questions relating to the policy, your first contact should be
with the Thornton Center Staff or your Compliance staff.
Application for Admissions Deadlines.
The application for admission and the accompanying $30 application fee is due
within 30 days of the signing of athletic scholarship papers. The 30 day policy
will be based on the National Signing days/dates for each sport unless stated
otherwise below. This policy will be applied to all student-athletes – incoming
freshmen as well as transfer students. Clearance by the NCAA Eligibility
Center does not guarantee admission to The University of Tennessee.
Important dates for student-athletes applying for admission as undergraduates
include the following:
December 1:
 Application file completion deadline for freshman applicants.
Applications meeting this deadline not only will receive full consideration
in holistic review, but will also have an extended opportunity for review of
their applications by Admissions staff.
 The competitive scholarship application deadline is November 1.
 And, November 1 is the application deadline for students wishing to
enroll in the coming spring semester.
May 1:
 Confirmation form and enrollment deposit due.
International Students must apply by March 1 for Fall, July 1 for Spring, and
December 1 for Summer.
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Important Note:
All transcripts must be sent to Undergraduate Admissions by the student’s
school and must be official transcripts. To aid in speeding the process, they
should be enclosed in an orange mailing envelope which Thornton staff will
provide and addressed c/o Ms. Cyndi Sweet, Assistant Director,
Undergraduate Admissions, 320 Student Services Building, University of
Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996.
Please note, too, that for transfer students, official evaluation of the
transcripts can only be conducted with an official transcript and cannot be
undertaken until the official document is received. Advising cannot take
place until this transfer evaluation is completed by the Office of the
University Registrar.
Responsibilities
Coaches:
 Provide prospective student-athlete with an application and an orange
admissions mailing envelope for official transcripts which is addressed to
Ms. Cyndi Sweet (See box above) and stamped with the appropriate
sport. If the student will be using the online application, the Thornton
Center must notify Admissions to add the student to the Admissions
Weekly Status Report immediately;
 Inform the student of the deadlines and assist in communicating the
importance of these deadlines;
 Provide all necessary communication/information to the Thornton
Center academic counselors and admissions staff.
Thornton Center Academic Counselor:
 Monitor and provide timely updates to coaches on admissions process;
 Handle communication between coaches and admissions.
Transcript Deadlines
Transcripts: an unofficial high school and/or college transcript must be
provided to the appropriate counselor in the Thornton Center prior to the
prospect’s official visit to campus (This is true for both High School and
Transfer prospects). Official transcripts are required at the time of application
for incoming freshmen, no later than July 1 for transfer student-athletes, and
December 1 for transfer student-athletes applying for the spring semester.
Official transcripts are to be sent by the student’s high school and/or college at
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the time of application either directly to Cyndi Sweet in the Office of
Undergraduate Admissions or to the Thornton Center. Official documents sent
to the Thornton Center must be delivered—unopened—to the Office of
Undergraduate Admissions. The orange mailing envelope should always be
used for transcripts and admissions materials. Additional official transcripts
are sometimes requested for later semesters. Coaches are expected to see that
prospective student-athletes and their high schools/transfer institutions meet
the established deadlines. Academic counselors will track status with the
Office of Admissions and provide timely updates to coaches. Late signees will
be handled on a case by case basis.
Provision of Test Scores and Deadlines
Incoming freshman are required to provide the official test scores from all ACT
and/or SAT exams to the Office of Admissions at the time of application.
Succeeding test scores are also to be forwarded to the Office of Undergraduate
Admissions.
Coaches are required to inform prospective student-athletes of this
requirement and academic counselors will serve as the liaison between the
athletics staff and the Office of Admissions.
Prior to final certification for practice, athletics financial aid and competition,
the unofficial transcripts provided to the Thornton Center and the official
transcripts provided to the Office of Admissions will be reviewed for all transfer
and incoming freshman student athletes. Any discrepancies will be directed to
the attention of the Faculty Athletics Representative.
The University of Tennessee Policy for Review of Test Scores and High
School Transcripts for Student-Athletes (modified 5/08).
The following guidelines will be used to determine whether to submit a test
score to the testing agencies for validation:
In all cases where the variance in test scores (or sub scores) is 250 or more
combined points on the SAT, 5 or more points on the ACT, or 5 or more points
on ACT equivalent when SAT is converted, a committee comprised of the
Faculty Athletics Representative, the Director of Admissions or his designee,
and a representative from the Advising Committee of the Undergraduate
Council will review the application for factors that could account for the
variation. Among these would be:
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
A change in accommodations for students certified to have a learning
disability.

Academic preparation such as additional course work in math, English
or other areas. Written documentation must be provided to the Office of
Admissions to validate that such work has been done.

Test-taking skill preparation. Written documentation verifying
completion or attendance in any special program will be required.

Special consideration such as health problems, emotional difficulties, or
other special circumstances. Written documentation verifying the
existence of such problems must be submitted to the Office of
Admissions.
If after review of the official high school transcript and all supporting written
documentation concern still exists, the appropriate testing service will be
contacted for evaluation of the validity of the scores.
In all cases where the ACT equivalent test score is 17 or below, and the high
school GPA is 3.0 or higher, the review committee will be asked to review the
application and to take appropriate investigative steps to verify that the high
school transcript is an accurate reflection of work done.
Following completion of the informal or formal investigation of test scores,
Undergraduate Admissions will send to the Faculty Athletic Representative and
the Compliance Officer an explanation of its findings, which the FAR may use
in the composing memoranda on initial eligibility as mandated by the
Southeastern Conference (‘trigger report’).
(Taken from UT AD Compliance Manual—End)
Special Considerations Admissions Committee.
The Special Considerations Admissions Committee (SCAC) reviews admissions
files of freshman applicants referred by the undergraduate admissions holistic
review committee. Admissions files referred to the SCAC may include
applicants with special and unique talents, or who have overcome significant
life-altering obstacles, and/or whose contributions would add to the overall
strength of the University.
Voting members of the SCAC are the Provost (chair), the Assistant Provost and
Director of Enrollment Services, the Faculty Athletics Representative, a faculty
representative from the College of Arts and Sciences, and a member of the
Faculty Senate Undergraduate Council. The Vice Provost for Academic Affairs,
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University Registrar, the Associate Vice Provost for Student Success, the
Director of Undergraduate Admissions, the Director of the Thornton Center, the
Liaison between intercollegiate athletics and the Thornton Center, and the
Compliance Officer for women’s and men’s intercollegiate athletics serve as exofficio members of the committee. Professional staff members or departmental
faculty may be asked to attend committee meetings as an information source.
On occasion, other UT faculty or staff may be asked to attend in order to
supply information for the committee.
The review of files will be conducted in regularly scheduled meetings or as
needed, and will be accomplished according to the following procedure:
The SCAC will review the file of an applicant referred by the undergraduate
admissions holistic review committee with an academic Institutional Rating
score of equal to or greater than .47. There will be up to 35 students admitted
annually by the SCAC: up to 25 may be admitted who have an Institutional
Rating of .55 or greater, and 10 students may be admitted whose academic
institutional rating score is less than .55, but equal to or greater than .47. An
index score is computed by dividing the GPA/4 and ACT 36 or SAT test score in
critical reading and mathematics/1600. Each individual rating score is equal
to each index value multiplied by .50 (GPA and test score have equal weight).
The Institutional Rating (IR=.5 X GPA/4 + .5 X max ACT/36 or SAT/1600) is
the sum of all the rating scores. For example, a student with a 2.0 UT core
GPA plus an ACT=16 or SAT=950 has an Institutional Rating of .47 and .55
respectively.
Supplementary materials must be submitted for all students who are being
reviewed. A letter of support, from a UT faculty or staff member (head coach in
the case of a student-athlete applicant), must be submitted for all students
appearing before the committee. In the letter, the faculty or staff member
should discuss the academic prospects of the student, the reasons (as far as
they are known) for poor high school and/or test performance, the value of the
student to the university, and the faculty or staff member’s plan for the
student’s academic success. The SCAC will consider all information provided
to it, including any statement the student wishes to make regarding his/her
reasons for wanting to attend the University of Tennessee and the academic
challenges he/she will face on campus. All students whose applications are
discussed by the committee must be interviewed in advance by a member of
the Thornton Center or Student Success Center, who will report on the results
of the interview.
For student-athletes seeking admission for the fall term, all materials must
reach the SCAC no later than July 1 in order to be considered for fall
admission. The deadline for applications for admission to the spring term is
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December 1 in order to be considered for spring admission.
The decision of the SCAC is final. There is no appeal process beyond the SCAC.
SCAC regarding .47-.54 cases
The 10 students who may be admitted with an academic Institutional Rating
score less than .55 and equal to or greater than .47 shall include the following
demographic:
-*Men’s athletics may utilize no more than four of the 10 spaces available, with
no more than two permitted annually in football, and not more than one
permitted in any other sport.
-*women’s athletics may utilize no more than two of the 10 spaces available,
with no more than one permitted annually in any sport.
-*The carryover of unused numbers and sharing of spaces unused by a sport is
limited to one year. For example, no SCAC admits in football one year would
permit four football SCAC admits the next year; no SCAC admits in sports
other than football one year would permit two slots going to a squad (or one
slot to each of two squads) the next year—but after one year this kind of
accumulation stops (so that after no SCAC admits for two years, football would
not be allowed six in year three). At no point in time will a squad contain more
than its maximum number of SCAC admits over a five-year period (ten SCAC
admits at any one time on the football squad, and five SCAC admits on any
other squad).
NOTE: the SCAC is the body also charged with reviewing the validity of
academic credentials as mandated by SEC bylaw 14.1.2.2.
Qualifier Status Deadlines.
Qualifier status must be confirmed by the NCAA Eligibility Center.
For incoming freshman, certification of Qualifier Status is required by July 15.
To facilitate meeting this established deadline…

Coaches are required to see that prospective studentathletes register with the Eligibility Center and the
appropriate academic
counselor is notified to track
the status of Eligibility Center
certification.
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o Academic Counselors are required to notify coaches, on a regular
basis, of the status of prospective student-athletes registered in
the Eligibility Center system.
Contact with the Eligibility Center is limited to designated individuals in
athletics compliance and the Thornton Center. Coaches and sport specific staff
members are not permitted to contact the Eligibility Center.
Student-Athlete Eligibility Review Committee
Composition:
Registrar Officer:
Admissions:
Compliance:
Thornton Center:
Additional:
Teresa Gilbert, Jayetta Rogers
Cyndi Sweet
Todd Dooley
Eric Brey, Earl Schliesman
Others, to include coaches or academic counselors, will be
asked to attend as needed
Purpose of the Committee:
The committee was established to provide a forum for conversation on
incoming student-athletes. Intent is not to replace or change current policies
or procedures, but rather provide and opportunity for everyone involved in the
final admission and eligibility process to have an early initial look at files. This
process will not eliminate all issues that may arise, but will provide an
opportunity for conversations to occur and for further review prior to final
steps being taken.
Files to be reviewed will include initial eligibility for freshmen and transfer
students. Each review will look at courses taken (on-line and traditional),
transferability of courses, high schools or colleges attended, percentage of
degree completion, compliance review when needed, missing information, and
other areas as needed. Again, the intent is not to replace current policies and
procedures, but rather get an initial look at files to provide the student and
coach with the best information available as to admissibility, or related
eligibility issues.
Standing Meetings:
Meetings of the committee will be held every two weeks as needed.
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Tracking Initial Eligibility Certification.
Overview. The certification process for initial eligibility takes place in two
concurrent stages and in two separate offices. The Office of Admissions is
responsible for determining the admissibility of all student-athletes, while the
University Registrar verifies NCAA qualifier status.
Submission of Application and High School Transcript.
 The Academic Counselor provides the Office of Admissions with the
names and ID numbers of prospective student-athletes to be flagged in
the admissions system.
 The Assistant Director of Admissions evaluates the admissibility of
prospects and publishes the Athlete Weekly Status Report.
 The NCAA Compliance Specialist prints a hard copy of the admissions
screen, which is located in the SIS system (AM UGDISMNU), for each
new student, and verifies admission status, transfer status, and
international status. Upon verification of admission into the University,
the Assistant Director for Admissions places the dates on the squad list
for “Term First Enrolled at Any Institution” and “Term First Enrolled at
Your Institution.”
NCAA Qualifier Status.
The NCAA Compliance Specialist obtains verification of the student’s qualifier
status via the Eligibility Center Web site. Upon verification of the qualifier
status, the NCAA Compliance Specialist enters the appropriate status code into
the squad list.
International Students.
When the amateur status verification process for international students has
been completed, the Athletics Compliance Office notifies the NCAA Compliance
Specialists, who then make the necessary adjustments to the squad list codes.
Final Certification.
Cases of final certification are normally completed prior to squad list signing.
However, when a student-athlete is admitted to the University and added to the
squad list after the official squad list signing date, notations are made on the
Squad List Modification Form, which is then forwarded, to the Faculty Athletics
Representative, Assistant Director of Admissions, appropriate athletic
department officials, and the Academic Compliance Officer. The appropriate
code is then entered into the squad list.
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11. INITIAL ELIGIBILITY CERTIFICATION FLOW CHART
INITIAL ELIGIBILITY CERTIFICATION FLOW CHART
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