12 Amateurism and Athletics Eligibility

[12.01 through 12.02 unchanged.]

12.1 General Regulations. An individual must comply with the following to retain amateur status. (See Bylaw 12.12 regarding the eligibility restoration process.)

[12.1.1 unchanged.]

12.1.2 Amateur Status. An individual loses amateur status and thus shall not be eligible for intercollegiate competition in a particular sport if the individual:

[12.1.2-(a) through 12.1.2-(g) unchanged.]

12.1.2.1 Prohibited Forms of Pay. "Pay," as used in Bylaw 12.1.2 above, includes, but is not limited to, the following:

[12.1.2.1.1 through 12.1.2.1.2 unchanged.]

12.1.2.1.3 Educational Expenses. Educational expenses not permitted by the governing legislation of this Association (see Bylaw 15 regarding permissible financial aid to enrolled student-athletes).

[12.1.2.1.3.1 unchanged.]

12.1.2.1.3.2 Educational Expenses From Outside Sports Team or Organization -- After Collegiate Enrollment. Educational expenses provided to an individual after initial collegiate enrollment by an outside sports team or organization that are based on any degree on the recipient's athletics ability [except for financial aid that is received from a team or organization that conducts a competitive sports program by an individual who is not a member of that team or organization (see Bylaw 15.2.6.4)], even if the funds are given to the institution to administer to the recipient.

12.1.2.1.3.2.1 Educational Expenses -- Olympic Committee. A student-athlete may receive educational expenses awarded by the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (or for international student-athletes, expenses awarded by the equivalent organization of a foreign country) pursuant to the applicable conditions set forth in Bylaw 15.2.6.5.

[12.1.2.1.3.2.2 unchanged.]

12.1.2.1.4 Expenses, Awards and Benefits. Excessive or improper expenses, awards and benefits.

12.1.2.1.4.1 Cash or Equivalent Award. Cash, or the equivalent thereof (e.g., trust fund), as an award for participation in competition at any time, even if such an award is permitted under the rules governing an amateur, noncollegiate event in which the individual is participating. An award or a cash prize that an individual could not receive under NCAA legislation may not be forwarded in the individual's name to a different individual or agency.

[12.1.2.1.4.1.1 unchanged.]

12.1.2.1.4.1.2 Operation Gold Grant. An individual (prospective student-athlete or student-athlete) may accept funds that are administered by the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee pursuant to its Operation Gold program.

12.1.2.1.4.1.3 Incentive Programs for International Athletes. An international prospective student-athlete or international student-athlete may accept funds from his or her country’s national Olympic governing body (equivalent to the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee) based on place finish in one event per year that is designated as the highest level of international competition for the year by the governing body.

[12.1.2.1.4.2 through 12.1.2.1.4.4 unchanged.]

12.1.2.1.5 Payment Based on Performance. Any payment conditioned on the individual's or team's place finish or performance or given on an incentive basis that exceeds actual and necessary expenses, or receipt of expenses in excess of the same reasonable amount for permissible expenses given to all individuals or team members involved in the competition.

12.1.2.1.5.1 Operation Gold Grant. An individual (prospective student-athlete or student-athlete) may accept funds that are administered by the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee pursuant to its Operation Gold program.

12.1.2.1.5.2 Incentive Programs for International Athletes. An international prospective student-athlete or international student-athlete may accept funds from his or her country’s national Olympic governing body (equivalent to the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee) based on place finish in one event per year that is designated as the highest level of international competition for the year by the governing body.

[12.1.2.1.5.3 unchanged.]

[12.1.2.1.6 through 12.1.2.1.7 unchanged.]

[12.1.2.2 through 12.1.2.3 unchanged.]

12.1.2.4 Exceptions to Amateurism Rule.

[12.1.2.4.1 through 12.1.2.4.5 unchanged.]

12.1.2.4.6 Exception for USOC U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee Elite Athlete Health Insurance Program. An individual may receive the comprehensive benefits of the USOC U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee Elite Athlete Health Insurance Program.

12.1.2.4.7 Exception for Training Expenses. An individual (prospective or enrolled student-athlete) may receive actual and necessary expenses [including grants, but not prize money, whereby the recipient has qualified for the grant based on his or her performance in a specific event(s)] to cover development training, coaching, facility usage, equipment, apparel, supplies, comprehensive health insurance, travel, room and board without jeopardizing the individual's eligibility for intercollegiate athletics, provided such expenses are approved and provided directly by the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOC), the appropriate national governing body in the sport (or, for international student-athletes, the equivalent organization of that nation) or a governmental entity.

[12.1.2.4.8 through 12.1.2.4.12 unchanged.]

12.1.2.4.13 Expenses for Participation in Olympic Exhibitions. An individual may receive actual and necessary expenses from the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOC), national governing body or the nonprofessional organizations sponsoring the event to participate in Olympic tours or exhibitions involving Olympic team members and/or members of the national team, provided that if the individual is a student-athlete, he or she misses no class time, and the exhibition does not conflict with dates of institutional competition.

[12.1.2.4.14 through 12.1.2.4.15 unchanged.]

[12.1.3 unchanged.]

[12.2 through 12.4 unchanged.]

12.5 Promotional Activities.

12.5.1 Permissible.

[12.5.1.1 unchanged.]

12.5.1.2 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee/National Governing Body Advertisement Prior to Collegiate Enrollment. Prior to initial, full-time collegiate enrollment, an individual may receive payment for the display of athletics skill in a commercial advertisement, provided:

(a) The individual receives prior approval to appear in the advertisement from the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee or the applicable national governing body;

(b) The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee or national governing body approves of the content and the production of the advertisement;

(c) The individual forwards the payment to the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee or national governing body for the general use of the organization(s); and

[12.5.1.2-(d) unchanged.]

[12.5.1.3 through 12.5.1.9 unchanged.]

[12.5.2 through 12.5.4 unchanged.]

[12.6 through 12.7 unchanged.]

12.8 Seasons of Competition: Five-Year Rule. A student-athlete shall not engage in more than four seasons of intercollegiate competition in any one sport (see Bylaws 12.02.6 and 14.3.3). An institution shall not permit a student-athlete to represent it in intercollegiate competition unless the individual completes all of his or her seasons of participation in all sports within the time periods specified below:

12.8.1 Five-Year Rule. A student-athlete shall complete his or her seasons of participation within five calendar years from the beginning of the semester or quarter in which the student-athlete first registered for a minimum full-time program of studies in a collegiate institution, with time spent in the armed services, on official religious missions or with recognized foreign aid services of the U.S. government being excepted. For international students, service in the armed forces or on an official religious mission of the student’s home country is considered equivalent to such service in the United States.

[12.8.1.1 through 12.8.1.5 unchanged.]

12.8.1.6 Athletics Activity Waiver. The Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement, or a committee designated by it, shall have the authority to waive this provision by a two-thirds majority of its members present and voting to permit student-athletes to participate in:

[12.8.1.6-(a) through 12.8.1.6-(b) unchanged.]

(c) Official tryouts and competition involving national teams sponsored by the appropriate national governing bodies of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (or, for student-athletes representing another nation, the equivalent organization of that nation, or, for student-athletes competing in a non-Olympic sport, the equivalent organization of that sport).

[12.8.1.6.1 through 12.8.1.6.2 unchanged.]

[12.8.1.7 unchanged.]

[12.8.2 unchanged.]

12.8.3 Criteria for Determining Season of Competition.

[12.8.3.1 unchanged.]

12.8.3.2 Delayed Enrollment -- Seasons of Competition.

12.8.3.2.1 Sports Other Than Men's Ice Hockey, Skiing and Tennis. In sports other than men's ice hockey, skiing and tennis, a student-athlete who does not enroll in a collegiate institution as a full-time student in a regular academic term during a one-year time period after his or her high school graduation date or the graduation date of his or her class (as determined by the first year of high school enrollment or the international equivalent as specified in the NCAA Guide to International Academic Standards for Athletics Eligibility and based on the prescribed educational path in the student-athlete's country), whichever occurs earlier, shall be subject to the following:

[12.8.3.2.1-(a) through 12.8.3.2.1-(b) unchanged.]

[12.8.3.2.1.1 unchanged.]

12.8.3.2.1.2 Exception -- National/International Competition. For a maximum of one year after a prospective student-athlete's first opportunity to enroll full time in a collegiate institution following the one-year time period after his or her high school graduation date or the graduation date of his or her class, whichever occurs earlier, participation in the following organized national/international competition is exempt from application of Bylaw 12.8.3.2.1:

[12.8.3.2.1.2-(a) through 12.8.3.2.1.2-(b) unchanged.]

(c) Official competition involving a national team sponsored by the appropriate national governing body of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (or, for student-athletes representing another nation, the equivalent organization of that nation).

[12.8.3.2.1.3 through 12.8.3.2.1.5 unchanged.]

12.8.3.2.2 Tennis. In tennis, a student-athlete who does not enroll in a collegiate institution as a full-time student in a regular academic term within six months (or the first opportunity to enroll after six months have elapsed) after his or her high school graduation date or the graduation date of his or her class (as determined by the first year of high school enrollment or the international equivalent as specified in the NCAA Guide to International Academic Standards for Athletics Eligibility and based on the prescribed educational path in the student-athlete's country), whichever occurs earlier, shall be subject to the following:

[12.8.3.2.2-(a) through 12.8.3.2.2-(b) unchanged.]

[12.8.3.2.2.1 unchanged.]

12.8.3.2.2.2 Exception -- National/International Competition. For a maximum of one year after a prospective student-athlete's first opportunity to enroll full time in a collegiate institution following the six-month time period after his or her high school graduation date or the graduation date of his or her class, whichever occurs earlier, participation in the following organized national/international competition is exempt from application of Bylaw 12.8.3.2.2:

[12.8.3.2.2.2-(a) through 12.8.3.2.2.2-(b) unchanged.]

(c) Official competition involving a national team sponsored by the appropriate national governing body of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (or, for student-athletes representing another nation, the equivalent organization of that nation.)

[12.8.3.2.2.3 through 12.8.3.2.2.4 unchanged.]

[12.8.3.3 through 12.8.3.7 unchanged.]

[12.8.4 through 12.8.6 unchanged.]

[12.9 through 12.12 unchanged.]

14 Academic Eligibility

[14.01 through 14.1 unchanged.]

14.2 Full-Time Enrollment.

14.2.1 Requirement for Practice. To be eligible to participate in organized practice sessions, a student-athlete shall be enrolled in a minimum full-time program of studies leading to a baccalaureate or equivalent degree as defined by the regulations of the certifying institution. (See Bylaw 12.8.2.5.) [D]

[14.2.1.1 through 14.2.1.7 unchanged.]

14.2.1.8 Exception -- U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee/National Governing Body -- Practice. A student with eligibility remaining who is not enrolled or who is enrolled in less than a minimum full-time program of studies, or a former student-athlete may participate on a regular basis in organized practice sessions, provided the following conditions are met:

[14.2.1.8-(a) through 14.2.1.8-(c) unchanged.]

(d) The institution receives confirmation that the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee or national governing body in the sport has recommended the individual's participation;

[14.2.1.8-(e) through 14.2.1.8-(g) unchanged.]

[14.2.2 through 14.2.3 unchanged.]

[14.3 through 14.9 unchanged.]

15 Financial Aid

[15.01 unchanged.]

15.02 Definitions and Applications.

[15.02.1 through 15.02.4 unchanged.]

15.02.5 Financial Aid. "Financial aid" is funds provided to student-athletes from various sources to pay or assist in paying their cost of education at the institution. As used in NCAA legislation, "financial aid" includes all institutional financial aid and other permissible financial aid as set forth below. (See Bylaws 15.01.6.1, 16.2, 16.3 and 16.4.)

[15.02.5.1 through 15.02.5.2 unchanged.]

15.02.5.3 Other Permissible Financial Aid. The following sources of financial aid are also permitted:

[15.02.5.3-(a) through 15.02.5.3-(c) unchanged.]

(d) Educational expenses awarded by the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, which count against an institution's sport-by-sport financial aid limitations and against the individual's maximum limit on financial aid.

[15.02.5.4 through 15.02.5.5 unchanged.]

15.02.5.6 Operation Gold Grant. Funds administered by the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee pursuant to its Operation Gold Grant program shall not be included when determining the cost of attendance for a student-athlete.

[15.02.6 through 15.02.10 unchanged.]

15.1 Maximum Limit on Financial Aid -- Individual. A student-athlete shall not be eligible to participate in intercollegiate athletics if he or she receives financial aid that exceeds the value of the cost of attendance as defined in Bylaw 15.02.2. A student-athlete may receive institutional financial aid based on athletics ability (per Bylaw 15.02.5.2) and educational expenses awarded per Bylaw 15.2.6.5 up to the value of a full grant-in-aid, plus any other financial aid up to the cost of attendance. (See Bylaws 15.01.6.1, 16.3, 16.4 and 16.12.)

[15.1.1 unchanged.]

15.1.2 Types of Aid Included in Limit. In determining whether a student-athlete's financial aid exceeds the cost of attendance, all institutional financial aid (per Bylaw 15.02.5.2) and all funds received from the following and similar sources shall be included (see Bylaws 15.02.5.4, 15.02.5.5 and 15.02.5.6 for types of financial aid that are exempt from a student-athlete's individual limit):

[15.1.2-(a) through 15.1.2-(d) unchanged.]

(e) Athletics Participation Compensation. Any other income (no matter when received or contracted for) from participation in an athletics event (except funds that are administered by the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee pursuant to its Operation Gold Grant Program) unless eligibility has been exhausted in that sport; and

[15.1.2-(f) unchanged.]

[15.1.3 unchanged.]

15.2 Elements of Financial Aid.

[15.2.1 through 15.2.5 unchanged.]

15.2.6 Financial Aid From Outside Sources.

[15.2.6.1 through 15.2.6.4 unchanged.]

15.2.6.5 Educational Expenses -- Olympic Committee or National Governing Body. A student-athlete may receive educational expenses awarded by the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee or a U.S. national governing body (or, for international student-athletes, expenses awarded by the equivalent organization of a foreign country). The amount of the financial assistance shall be subject to the following limitations:

[15.2.6.5-(a) unchanged.]

(b) The recipient's choice of institutions shall not be restricted by the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee or a U.S. national governing body (or, for international student-athletes, expenses awarded by the equivalent organization of a foreign country);

[15.2.6.5-(c) through 15.2.6.5-(d) unchanged.]

[15.2.7 through 15.2.8 unchanged.]

[15.3 unchanged.]

15.5 Maximum Institutional Grant-in-Aid Limitations by Sport.

15.5.1 Counters. A student-athlete shall be a counter and included in the maximum awards limitations set forth in this bylaw under the following conditions:

[15.5.1-(a) unchanged.]

(b) Educational Expenses -- Olympic Committee/National Governing Body. A student-athlete who receives educational expenses awarded by the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee or a U.S. national governing body (or, for international student-athletes, expenses awarded by the equivalent organization of a foreign country) per Bylaw 15.2.6.5 shall become a counter for the year during which the student-athlete receives the aid.

[15.5.1.1 through 15.5.1.10 unchanged.]

[15.5.2 through 15.5.11 unchanged.]

16 Awards, Benefits and Expenses for Enrolled Student-Athletes

[16.01 through 16.02 unchanged.]

16.1 Awards.

[16.1.1 through 16.1.6 unchanged.]

16.1.7 Expenses to Receive Noninstitutional Awards. A conference, an institution, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, a national governing body (or the international equivalents) or the awarding agency may provide actual and necessary expenses for a student-athlete to receive a noninstitutional award or recognition for athletics or academic accomplishments. Actual and necessary expenses may be provided for the student-athlete's family members to attend the recognition event or awards presentation. [R]

[16.2 through 16.10 unchanged.]

16.11 Benefits, Gifts and Services.

16.11.1 Permissible.

[16.11.1.1 through 16.11.1.8 unchanged.]

16.11.1.9 Coaching and/or Athletics Administration Career Educational Programs. An institution or conference may provide actual and necessary expenses to a student-athlete, who has completed his or her third year (sixth semester or ninth quarter) of collegiate enrollment to attend a coaching and/or athletics administration career educational program (e.g., Women's Basketball Coaches Association -- So You Want To Be A Coach, Black Women in Sports Foundation -- Next Step Program, U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee -- Minority/Women in Coaching Leadership). [R]

[16.11.1.10 unchanged.]

[16.11.2 unchanged.]

[16.12 unchanged.]

17 Playing and Practice Seasons

[17.01 unchanged.]

17.02 Definitions and Applications.

[17.02.1 through 17.02.8 unchanged.]

17.02.9 National Team. A national team is one selected, organized and sponsored by the appropriate national governing bodies of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (or, for student-athletes representing another nation, the equivalent organization of that nation, or, for student-athletes competing in a non-Olympic sport, the equivalent organization of that sport). The selection for such a team shall be made on a national qualification basis, either through a defined selective process or by actual tryouts, publicly announced in advance. In addition, the international competition in question shall require that the entrants officially represent their respective nations, although it is not necessary to require team scoring by nation.

[17.02.10 through 17.02.20 unchanged.]

[17.1 through 17.30 unchanged.]

17.31 Outside Competition, Effects on Eligibility. The eligibility of a student-athlete who engages in outside competition (see Bylaw 17.02.11) is affected as set forth in the following regulations.

[17.31.1 through 17.31.2 unchanged.]

17.31.3 Exceptions -- All Sports. The following exceptions to the outside-competition regulations are permitted:

[17.31.3-(a) through 17.31.3-(d) unchanged.]

(e) U.S. National Teams. A student-athlete may participate in official tryouts and competition involving national teams and junior national teams sponsored by the appropriate national governing bodies of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (or, for the student-athletes representing another nation, the equivalent organization of that nation or, for student-athletes competing in a non-Olympic sport, the equivalent organization of that sport).

[17.31.3-(f) through 17.31.3-(g) unchanged.]

17.31.3.1 National-Team Criteria. In applying the regulation permitting exceptions for student-athletes to participate during the institution's intercollegiate season in international competition involving national teams represented in the competition, a national team is defined as one that meets the following criteria:

(a) It is designated by the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, national governing body or other organization recognized by the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (or, for student-athletes representing another nation, the equivalent organization of that nation, or, for student-athletes competing in a non-Olympic sport, the equivalent organization in that sport);

[17.31.3.1-(b) through 17.31.3.1-(c) unchanged.]

[17.31.4 through 17.31.5 unchanged.]

21 Committees.

[21.02 through 21.1 unchanged.]

21.2 Association-Wide Committees -- General Committees.

[21.2.1 through 21.2.4 unchanged.]

21.2.5 Olympic Sports Liaison Committee.

[21.2.5.1 unchanged.]

21.2.5.2 Duties. The committee shall:

(a) Act as a liaison between the Association, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee and national governing bodies; and

[21.2.5.2-(b) unchanged.]

[21.2.6 through 21.2.10 unchanged.]

[21.3 through 21.7 unchanged.]