12 Amateurism and Athletics Eligibility

12.01 General Principles.

12.01.1 Eligibility for Intercollegiate Athletics Participation. Only an amateur a student-athlete who meets the governing athletics eligibility legislation and interpretations is eligible for intercollegiate athletics participation in a particular sport. An individual who receives direct or indirect payment for athletics participation, except as permitted by the governing legislation and interpretations, is considered a professional athlete. A professional athlete in one sport may represent a member institution in a different sport and may receive institutional financial assistance in the second sport.

12.01.32 "Individual" vs. "Student-Athlete." NCAA amateur status eligibility may be lost as a result of activities before enrollment in college. If NCAA rules specify that an "individual" may or may not participate in certain activities, this term refers to a person before and after enrollment in a member institution. If NCAA rules specify a "student-athlete," the legislation applies only to that person's activities after enrollment.

12.02 Definitions and Applications.

12.02.21 Actual and Necessary Expenses. Actual and necessary expenses are limited to defined as:

[12.02.2-(a) through 12.02.2-(f) renumbered as 12.02.1-(a) through 12.02.1-(f) unchanged.]

(g) Medical expenses treatment and physical therapy;

[12.02.2-(h) through 12.02.2-(i) renumbered as 12.02.1-(h) through 12.02.1-(i) unchanged.]

(j) Other reasonable expenses (e.g., entertainment).

12.02.21.1 Application Calculation of Actual and Necessary Expenses -- Limited to Specific Individuals. Unless otherwise permitted by NCAA bylaws, actual and necessary expenses may be provided only if such expenses are for competition on a team or in a specific event or for practice that is directly related to such competition. The value of such expenses must be commensurate with the fair market value of similar goods and services in the locality in which the expenses are provided and must not be excessive in nature. Actual The calculation of actual and necessary expenses shall not include the expenses or fees of anyone other than the individual who is permitted to receive the expenses pursuant to the applicable legislation (e.g., individual who participates as a member of the team or in a specific event, family member).

12.02.31.2 Calculation of Actual and Necessary Expenses -- Individual Sports and Women's Beach Volleyball. In individual sports and women's beach volleyball, the calculation of an individual's actual and necessary expenses shall be based on expenses incurred during each calendar year (January-December), rather than on an event-by-event basis.

12.02.42 Family Member. A family member is an individual with any of the following relationships to the prospective student-athlete: spouse, parent or legal guardian, child, sibling, grandparent, domestic partner or any individual whose close association with the prospective student-athlete is the practical equivalent of a family relationship.

12.02.63 Intercollegiate Competition. Intercollegiate competition is considered to have occurred when a student-athlete in either a two-year or a four-year collegiate institution does any of the following:

[12.02.3-(a) through 12.02.3-(c) unchanged.]

12.02.63.1 Exempted Events. Participation in events listed in Bylaw 16.8.1.2 is exempted from the application of this legislation.

12.02.63.2 Participation on an Institution's Club Team. Participation on a collegiate institution's club team is exempted from the application of this legislation, provided the institution did not sponsor the sport on the varsity intercollegiate level at the time of participation.

12.02.74 Limited Benefit -- Before Initial, Full-Time Enrollment at an NCAA Institution -- Expenses from a Permissible Source. Before initial, full-time enrollment at an NCAA institution, if an individual receives expenses from a permissible source (e.g., event sponsor, club team) that exceed the individual's actual and necessary expenses by $300 or less, the eligibility of the individual shall not be affected.

12.02.85 Limited Benefit -- Enrolled Student-Athlete -- Expenses from a Permissible Source. If a student-athlete engages in permissible outside competition and receives expenses from a permissible source (e.g., event sponsor, club team) that exceed the student-athlete's actual and necessary expenses by $300 or less, the eligibility of the student-athlete shall not be affected and the institution is not required to submit a self-report of the infraction.

12.02.96 Organized Competition. Athletics competition shall be considered organized if any of the following conditions exists:

[12.02.6-(a) through 12.02.6-(i) unchanged.]

12.02.127 Professional Athletics Team. A professional team is any organized team that:

(a) Provides any of its players more than actual and necessary expenses for participation on the team, except as otherwise permitted by NCAA legislation. Actual and necessary expenses are limited to the items listed in Bylaw 12.02.2, provided the value of these items is commensurate with the fair market value in the locality of the player and is not excessive in nature; or

(b) Declares itself to be professional.

12.02.8 Professional Sports Agent. A professional sports agent is a person who, directly or indirectly represents or attempts to represent any individual for the purpose of marketing the individual's athletics ability or reputation as a professional athlete for financial gain, or seeks to obtain any type of financial gain or benefit from a student-athlete's potential earnings as a professional athlete. A professional sports agent may include, but is not limited to, a certified contract advisor, financial advisor, marketing representative, brand manager or anyone who is employed or associated with such persons.

12.02.139 Religious Mission, Official. An official religious mission is one that is established by the religious organization of which the individual is a member and that results in the individual being unable to attend a collegiate institution during the period of the mission.

12.02.10 Road Racing. Road racing is considered the same as cross country or track and field for purposes of Bylaws 12.1, 12.2, 12.3 and 12.6.3.2.

12.02.11 Track and Field and Cross Country. Cross country, indoor track and field, and outdoor track and field shall be considered separate sports for purposes of Bylaw 12.6.3.

12.02.1512 Triathlon and Cross Country, Track and Field and Swimming. Triathlon and cross country are considered the same sport, triathlon and track and field are considered the same sport, and triathlon and swimming are considered the same sport for purposes of Bylaw 12.1, 12.2, 12.3 and 12.86.3.2.

12.02.13 Use of Overall Athletics Skill. An individual who receives funds, awards, benefits or expenses not permitted by the governing legislation or interpretations for the use of overall athletics skill (e.g., superstars competition) is ineligible for competition in all sports.

12.02.1614 Volleyball and Beach Volleyball. Volleyball and beach volleyball are considered the same sport for the purposes of Bylaws 12.1, 12.2, 12.3 and 12.86.3.2.

12.1 General Regulations Athletics Eligibility. An individual must comply with the following to retain amateur status An individual shall not receive or accept a promise to receive funds, awards, benefits or expenses not permitted by the governing legislation and interpretations for athletics eligibility. (See Bylaw 12.102 regarding the eligibility restoration process.)

12.1.1 Validity of Amateur Athletics Eligibility Status. As a condition and obligation of membership, it is the responsibility of an institution to determine the validity of the information on which the amateur athletics eligibility status of a prospective student-athlete (including two-year and four-year college transfers initially enrolling at an NCAA Division I institution) and student-athlete is based. (See Bylaw 14.01.3.)

12.1.1.1 Amateurism Athletics Eligibility Certification Process. An institution shall use an initial eligibility center approved by the Board of Governors to determine the validity of the information on which the amateur athletics eligibility status of a student-athlete is based.

12.1.1.1.1 Scope. The certification of amateur athletics eligibility status issued by the NCAA Eligibility Center is limited to activities that occur before the prospective student-athlete's request for final amateurism certification or the prospective student-athlete's initial, full-time enrollment at an NCAA member institution, whichever occurs earlier.

12.1.1.1.2 Institutional Responsibilities.

12.1.1.1.2.1 Amateur Athletics Eligibility Status After Certification. An institution is responsible for certifying the amateur athletics eligibility status of a prospective student-athlete (including two-year and four-year college transfers initially enrolling at an NCAA Division I institution) from the time the prospective student-athlete requests that a final certification be issued by the NCAA Eligibility Center or from the time the prospective student-athlete initially enrolls as a full-time student at an NCAA member institution (whichever occurs earlier).

12.1.1.1.2.2 Sharing Information and Reporting Discrepancies. If an institution receives additional information or otherwise has cause to believe that a prospective student-athlete's amateur athletics eligibility status has been jeopardized, the institution is responsible for promptly notifying the NCAA Eligibility Center of such information. Further, an institution is responsible for promptly reporting to the NCAA Eligibility Center all discrepancies in information related to a student-athlete's amateurism certification.

12.1.1.1.3 Eligibility for Practice or Competition. Before engaging in practice or competition, a student-athlete shall receive a final certification of amateur athletics eligibility status based on activities that occur before the student-athlete's request for final certification or initial, full-time enrollment at an NCAA Division I or II institution (whichever occurs earlier).

12.1.1.1.3.1 Temporary Certification. If a prospective student-athlete reports for athletics participation before the student's amateur athletics eligibility status has been certified, the student may practice, but not compete, for a maximum period of 45 days. After this period, the student's amateur athletics eligibility status must be certified in order to continue to practice or to compete.

[12.1.1.1.3.2 unchanged.]

[12.1.1.1.4 unchanged.]

12.1.2 Permissible Funds, Awards, Benefits or Expenses. The receipt of funds, awards, benefits or expenses pursuant to the following provisions is permitted.

12.1.2.1.3.1 Educational Expenses or Services -- Before Collegiate Enrollment. A prospective student-athlete may receive educational expenses or services (e.g., tuition, fees, living expenses, books, tutoring, standardized test preparatory classes) before collegiate enrollment from any individual or entity other than an a professional sports agent, professional sports team/organization, member institution or a representative of an institution's athletics interests, provided the payment for such expenses or services is disbursed directly to the individual, organization or educational institution (e.g., high school, preparatory school) providing the educational expenses or services.

12.1.2.1.31.1.1 Professional Sports Team/Organization -- Sports Other Than Men's Ice Hockey and Skiing. In sports other than men's ice hockey and skiing, before collegiate enrollment, a professional sports team/organization may provide payment for educational expenses or services (e.g., tuition, fees, living expenses, books, tutoring, standardized test preparatory classes) provided to a prospective student-athlete, provided such payment is disbursed directly to the individual, organization or educational institution (e.g., high school, preparatory school) providing the educational expenses or services.

12.1.2.12.4.3 Expenses from an Outside Sponsor.

12.1.2.2.1 Participation as a Member of a Team. An individual who participates in a sport as a member of a team may receive actual and necessary expenses for competition and practice held in preparation for such competition (directly related to the competition and conducted during a continuous time period preceding the competition) from an outside sponsor (e.g., team, neighbor, business) other than an agent or a representative of an institution's athletics interests (and, after initial, full-time collegiate enrollment, other than a professional sports organization). 

12.1.2.2.2 Participation as an Individual. An individual who participates in a sport as an individual (not a member of a team) may receive actual and necessary expenses associated with an athletics event and practice immediately preceding the event, from an outside sponsor (e.g., neighbor, business) other than an agent or a representative of an institution's athletics interests (and, after initial, full-time collegiate enrollment, other than a professional sports organization). 

12.1.2.12.43.3.1 Expenses Before Full-Time Collegiate Enrollment -- Professional Sports Organization. Before full-time collegiate enrollment, an individual may accept up to actual and necessary expenses for competition and practice held in preparation for such competition from a professional sports organization that sponsors the event.

12.1.2.13.4.4 Expenses for Family Members of Participants in Athletics Competition. Expenses received by the The family members of a participant in athletics competition may receive actual and necessary expenses from a nonprofessional organization sponsoring the competition in excess of actual and necessary travel, housing and food expenses, or any entertainment expenses, unless provided such expenses are made available to the family members of all participants in the competition.

12.1.2.13.41.4.1 Postseason Events. A student-athlete may designate either additional individuals or substitutes (not to exceed a total of six individuals) to receive entertainment expenses related to an event organized by the nonprofessional sponsor of a postseason game specifically for the family members of participating student-athletes. [See Bylaw 17.11.6.2.1-(c).] The additional individuals or substitutes designated by the student-athlete shall be subject to the review and approval of the institution's athletics director (or designee).

12.1.2.4.1 Exception for Prize Money or Payment Based on Performance.

12.1.2.4.1 Sports Other Than Tennis. In sports other than tennis, an individual may accept prize money based on place finish or performance in an athletics event. Such prize money may not exceed actual and necessary expenses and may be provided only by the sponsor of the event. The calculation of actual and necessary expenses shall not include the expenses or fees of anyone other than the individual (e.g., coach's fees or expenses, family member's expenses).

12.1.2.4.2 Exception for Prize Money -- Tennis.

12.1.2.4.2.1 Before Full-Time Collegiate Enrollment. In tennis, before full-time collegiate enrollment, an individual may accept up to $10,000 per calendar year in prize money based on place finish or performance in athletics events. Such prize money may be provided only by the sponsor of an event in which the individual participates. Once the individual has accepted $10,000 in prize money in a particular year, the individual may receive additional prize money on a per-event basis, provided such prize money does not exceed the individual's actual and necessary expenses for participation in the event. The calculation of actual and necessary expenses shall not include the expenses or fees of anyone other than the individual (e.g., coach's fees or expenses, family member's expenses).

12.1.2.4.2.2 After Initial, Full-Time Collegiate Enrollment. In tennis, after initial, full-time collegiate enrollment, an individual may accept prize money based on place finish or performance in an athletics event. Such prize money may not exceed actual and necessary expenses and may be provided only by the sponsor of the event. The calculation of actual and necessary expenses shall not include the expenses or fees of anyone other than the individual (e.g., coach's fees or expenses, family member's expenses).

12.1.2.4.106 Exception for Payment of NCAA Eligibility Center Fee. A high school booster club (as opposed to specific individuals) may pay the necessary fee for prospective student-athletes at that high school to be certified by the NCAA Eligibility Center, provided no particular prospective student-athlete is singled out because of athletics ability or reputation.

12.1.2.4.117 Exception for NCAA College Basketball Academies. The NCAA may provide actual and necessary expenses for a prospective student-athlete and one individual accompanying the prospective-student athlete to attend an NCAA College Basketball Academy per the policies and procedures of the NCAA College Basketball Academy.

12.1.2.45.4 Exception Loan Against Future Professional Earnings Potential for Insurance. An individual may borrow against future professional earnings potential from an established, accredited commercial lending institution for the purpose of purchasing insurance incidental to participation in athletics (e.g., critical injury or illness, loss of value) (see Bylaw 16.11.1.4), provided a third party (including a representative of an institution's athletics interests) is not involved in arrangements for securing the loan. However, an institution's president or chancellor (or a designated representative from outside the department of athletics) may designate an institutional staff member (or staff members) (e.g., professional sports counseling panel) to assist a student-athlete with arrangements for securing the loan and insurance.

12.1.3 Permissible Funds, Awards, Benefits or Expenses – Olympic and Paralympic Committee/National Governing Body. The receipt of funds, awards, benefits or expenses pursuant to the following provisions is permitted.

12.1.23.41.7 Exception for Training Expenses. An individual may receive actual and necessary expenses for training (including grants, but not prize money, whereby the recipient has qualified for the grant based on performance in a specific event or events) to cover developmental training, coaching, facility usage, equipment, apparel, supplies, comprehensive health insurance, travel, housing and food 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, the appropriate national governing body in the sport (or, for international student-athletes, the equivalent organization of that nation) or a governmental entity.

12.1.23.42.8 Exception for Developmental Training Expenses for Elite Athletes. An individual (prospective or enrolled student-athlete) who has been designated by the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee and the sport-affiliated national governing body (or the international equivalent) as an elite athlete may receive developmental actual and necessary expenses for training expenses related to training, coaching, sport experts other than coaches, training partners, facility usage, equipment, apparel, supplies, comprehensive health insurance, travel (including and travel for parents or guardians, coaches, sport experts and training partners), housing and food 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 or the appropriate national governing body in the sport (or, for international student-athletes, the equivalent organization of that nation).

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

12.1.23.14.4.1.2 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.

12.1.23.15.4.1.3 Incentive Programs for International Athletes. An international prospective student-athlete or international student-athlete may accept funds from a country’s national Olympic and/or Paralympic 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.

12.1.23.16.4.3.2 Expenses/Benefits Related to Olympic or Paralympic Games. Members of an Olympic or Paralympic team may receive all nonmonetary benefits and awards provided to members of an Olympic or Paralympic team beyond actual and necessary expenses and any other item or service for which it can be demonstrated that the same benefit is available to all members of that nation's Olympic or Paralympic team or the specific sport Olympic or Paralympic team.

12.1.23.47.9 Exception for Benefits to Family Members -- National Team Competition. A commercial company (other than a professional sports organization) or members of the local community may provide actual and necessary expenses for an individual's family members to attend national team competition in which the individual will participate. In addition, an individual's family members may receive nonmonetary benefits provided to the family members of all national team members in conjunction with participation in national team competition. (See Bylaw 16.02.4.)

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

12.1.23.49.15 Commemorative Items for Student-Athletes Participating in Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, World University Games (Universiade), World University Championships, Pan American Games, Parapan American Games, World Championships and World Cup Events. It is permissible for student-athletes to An individual may receive commemorative items incidental to participation in the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, World University Games (Universiade), World University Championships, Pan American Games, Parapan American Games, World Championships and World Cup events through the applicable national governing body. These benefits may include any and all apparel, leisure wear, footwear and other items that are provided to all athletes participating in the applicable event.

12.2 Involvement With Professional Teams.

12.2.1 Tryouts and Practice Without Competition.

[12.2.1.1 unchanged.]

12.2.1.2 Tryout or Practice Before Enrollment -- Sports Other Than Men's Ice Hockey and Skiing. In sports other than men's ice hockey and skiing, before initial, full-time collegiate enrollment, an individual may participate in a tryout with a professional team or league, provided not more than actual and necessary expenses are received to participate.

12.2.1.3 Tryout or Practice After Enrollment. After initial, full-time collegiate enrollment, an individual who has eligibility remaining may try out with a professional athletics team (or participate in a combine including that team) at any time, provided the individual does not miss class. The individual may receive actual and necessary expenses in conjunction with one 48-hour tryout per professional team (or a combine including that team). The 48-hour tryout period shall begin at the time the individual arrives at the tryout location. At the completion of the 48-hour period, the individual must depart the location of the tryout immediately in order to receive return transportation expenses. A tryout may extend beyond 48 hours if the individual self-finances additional expenses, including return transportation. A self-financed tryout may be for any length of time, provided the individual does not miss class.

12.2.1.3.1 Exception for Major League Baseball Draft Combine. In baseball, a student-athlete an individual may receive actual and necessary travel, housing and food expenses from Major League Baseball or the national governing body to attend the MLB draft combine regardless of the duration of the combine.

12.2.1.3.2 Exception for Basketball Draft Combine. In basketball, a student-athlete an individual may receive actual and necessary travel, housing and food expenses from a professional sports organization to attend that organization's basketball draft combine regardless of the duration of the camp. [See Bylaw 14.6.4-(e).]

[12.2.1.3.3 unchanged.]

12.2.1.3.4 Exception for National Hockey League Scouting Combine -- Men's Ice Hockey. In men's ice hockey, a student-athlete an individual may receive actual and necessary travel, housing and food expenses from the National Hockey League to attend the NHL scouting combine regardless of the duration of the combine.

12.2.1.3.5 Exception for Major League Soccer Showcase. In men's soccer, a student-athlete an individual may receive actual and necessary travel, housing and food expenses from Major League Soccer to attend the MLS Showcase regardless of the duration of the event and without such activity being considered a tryout with a professional team. An individual who is invited to participate in a professional organization's draft combine is permitted to miss class for such participation and associated travel.

12.2.1.3.6 Exception -- Postseason Practice Session -- Football. In football, a student-athlete an individual may participate in a postseason practice per Bylaw 17.11.7.4 without such activity being considered a tryout with a professional team.

12.2.21.3.7 Prohibited Involvement of Institution's Coach. An institution's coaching staff member may not arrange for or direct student-athletes' participation in football or basketball practice sessions conducted by a professional team.

12.2.32 Competition.

12.2.32.1 Competition Against Professionals. An individual may participate singly or as a member of an amateur team against professional athletes or professional teams.

12.2.32.2 Competition With Professionals. An individual shall not be eligible for intercollegiate athletics in a sport if the individual ever competed compete on a professional team (per Bylaw 12.02.12) in that sport. However, an individual may compete on a tennis, golf, two-person beach volleyball or two-person synchronized diving team with persons who are competing for cash or a comparable prize, provided the individual does not receive payment or prize money that exceeds actual and necessary expenses, which may only be provided by the sponsor of the event.

12.2.32.2.1 Exception -- Competition Before Initial, Full-Time Collegiate Enrollment -- Sports Other Than Men's Ice Hockey and Skiing. In sports other than men's ice hockey and skiing, before initial, full-time collegiate enrollment, an individual may compete on a professional team (per Bylaw 12.02.12), provided the individual does not receive more than actual and necessary expenses to participate on the team.

12.2.32.2.2 Professional Player as Team Member. An individual may participate with a professional on a team, provided the professional is not being paid by a professional team or league to play as a member of that team (e.g., summer basketball leagues with teams composed of both professional and amateur athletes).

12.2.32.2.3 Professional Coach or Referee. Participation on a team that includes a professional coach or referee does not cause the team to be classified as a professional team.

12.2.32.2.4 Major Junior Ice Hockey. Ice hockey teams in the United States and Canada, classified by the Canadian Hockey Association as major junior teams, are considered professional teams under NCAA legislation.

12.2.32.2.4.1 Limitation on Restoration of Eligibility. An appeal for restoration of eligibility may be submitted on behalf of an individual who has participated on a major junior ice hockey team under the provisions of Bylaw 12.12; however, such individual shall be denied at least the first year of intercollegiate athletics competition in ice hockey at the certifying institution and shall be charged with the loss of at least one season of eligibility in ice hockey.

12.2.32.2.5 Exception -- Olympic, Paralympic or National Teams. It is permissible for an individual (prospective student-athlete or student-athletes) to participate on Olympic, Paralympic or national teams that are competing for prize money or are being compensated by the governing body to participate in a specific event, provided the student-athlete does not accept prize money or any other compensation (other than actual and necessary expenses).

12.2.32.3 Competition in Professional All-Star Contest. A student-athlete who agrees to participate in a professional (players to be paid) all-star game becomes ineligible to compete in any intercollegiate contest that occurs after that agreement. Thus, a senior entering into such an agreement immediately following the last regular-season intercollegiate contest would not be eligible to compete in a bowl game, an NCAA championship or any other postseason intercollegiate contest.

12.2.43 Draft and Inquiry.

12.2.43.1 Inquiry. An individual may inquire of a professional sports organization about eligibility for a professional-league player draft or request information about the individual's market value without affecting the individual's amateur eligibility status.

12.2.43.2 Draft List -- General Rule. After initial, full-time collegiate enrollment, an individual loses amateur status in a particular sport when the individual asks shall not request to be placed on the draft list or supplemental draft list of a professional league in that sport, even though:.

12.2.43.2.1 Exception -- Men's Basketball -- Four-Year College Student-Athlete.

12.2.43.2.1.1 National Basketball Association. In men's basketball, a student-athlete may enter the National Basketball Association's draft each year during collegiate participation without jeopardizing eligibility in that sport, provided:

[12.2.3.2.1.1-(a) through 12.2.3.2.1.1-(d) unchanged.]

12.2.43.2.1.2 Professional League Other Than the National Basketball Association. In men's basketball, a student-athlete may enter a professional league's draft (other than the National Basketball Association's draft) each year during the student-athlete's four-year college participation without jeopardizing eligibility in that sport, provided:

[12.2.3.2.1.2-(a) through 12.2.3.2.1.2-(c) unchanged.]

12.2.43.2.2 Exception -- Basketball -- Two-Year College Prospective Student-Athlete. In basketball, a prospective student-athlete enrolled at a two-year collegiate institution may enter a professional league's draft one time during the prospective student-athlete's two-year college participation without jeopardizing eligibility in that sport, provided the prospective student-athlete is not drafted by any team in that league.

12.2.43.2.3 Exception -- Women's Basketball -- Four-Year College Student-Athlete. In women's basketball, a student-athlete may enter a professional league's draft one time during collegiate participation without jeopardizing eligibility in that sport, provided the student-athlete is not drafted by any team in that league and the student-athlete declares the intention to resume intercollegiate participation within 30 days after the draft. The student-athlete's declaration of intent shall be in writing to the institution's director of athletics.

12.2.43.2.4 Exception -- Football. In football, a student-athlete (as opposed to a prospective student-athlete) may enter the National Football League draft one time during collegiate participation without jeopardizing eligibility in that sport, provided the student-athlete is not drafted by any team in that league and the student-athlete declares the intention to resume intercollegiate participation within 72 hours following the National Football League draft declaration date. The student-athlete's declaration of intent shall be in writing to the institution's director of athletics.

12.2.43.2.5 Exception -- Sports Other Than Basketball and Football. A student-athlete in a sport other than basketball or football may enter a professional league's draft one time during collegiate participation without jeopardizing eligibility in the applicable sport, provided the student-athlete is not drafted and, within 72 hours following the draft, declares the intention to resume participation in intercollegiate athletics. The student-athlete's declaration of intent shall be in writing to the institution's director of athletics.

12.2.43.3 Negotiations. An individual may request information about professional market value without affecting amateur status. Further, the individual (or family members) or the institution's professional sports counseling panel may enter into negotiations with a professional sports organization without the loss of the individual's amateur status. An individual who retains an agent shall lose amateur status.

12.2.54 Contracts and Compensation. An individual shall be ineligible for participation in an intercollegiate sport if the individual has entered not enter into any kind of agreement to compete in professional athletics, either orally or in writing, regardless of the legal enforceability of that agreement.

12.2.54.1 Exception -- Before Initial, Full-Time Collegiate Enrollment -- Sports Other Than Men's Ice Hockey and Skiing. In sports other than men's ice hockey and skiing, before initial, full-time collegiate enrollment, an individual may enter into an agreement to compete on a professional team (per Bylaw 12.02.12), provided the agreement does not guarantee or promise payment (at any time) in excess of actual and necessary expenses to participate on the team.

12.2.54.2 Nonbinding Agreement. An individual who signs a contract or commitment that does not become binding until the professional organization's representative or agent also signs the document is ineligible, even if the contract remains unsigned by the other parties until after the student-athlete's eligibility is exhausted.

12.3 Use of Agents.

12.3.1 General Rule Professional Sports Agent. An individual shall be ineligible for participation in an intercollegiate sport if the individual ever has agreed not agree (orally or in writing) to be represented by an a professional sports agent for the purpose of marketing athletics ability or reputation in that a sport to secure an opportunity as a professional athlete. Further, an An agency contract not specifically limited in writing to a sport or particular sports shall be deemed applicable to all sports, and the individual shall be ineligible to participate in any sport.

12.3.1.1 Exception -- Baseball and Men's Ice Hockey -- Before Full-Time Collegiate Enrollment. In baseball and men's ice hockey, before full-time collegiate enrollment, an individual who is drafted by a professional baseball or men's ice hockey team may be represented by an a professional sports agent or attorney during contract negotiations. The individual may not receive benefits (other than representation) from the agent or attorney and must pay the going rate for the representation. If the individual does not sign a contract with the professional team, the agreement for representation with the agent or attorney must be terminated before full-time collegiate enrollment.

12.3.1.2 Exception -- NCAA-Certified Agents -- Men's Basketball.

12.3.1.2.1 NCAA Certification Requirement -- Men's Basketball. In men's basketball, any individual who solicits a prospective or enrolled student‐athlete to enter into an agency contract or attempts to obtain employment for an individual with a professional sports team or organization or as a professional athlete must be certified and maintain active certification per the policies and procedures of the NCAA agent certification program. (See Bylaw 12.3.1.3.)

12.3.1.2.1.1 Exception. A family member of a prospective or enrolled student-athlete or an individual acting solely on behalf of a professional sports team or organization is not required to be certified through the NCAA agent certification program.

12.3.1.2.1.2 Responsibility of NCAA-Certified Agent. An NCAA-certified agent is presumed responsible for the actions of all employees who report, directly or indirectly, to the NCAA-certified agent. Improper conduct of an NCAA-certified agent's employees shall subject the agent to disciplinary action pursuant to the NCAA agent certification program.

12.3.1.2.12 Elite Senior Prospective Student-Athletes. In men's basketball, on or after July 1 immediately before the prospective student-athlete's senior year in high school, a prospective student-athlete identified as an elite senior in accordance with established policies and procedures may be represented by an NCAA-certified agent (see Bylaw 12.02.1.2).

12.3.1.2.23 Enrolled Student-Athletes and Two-Year College Prospective Student-Athletes -- After Request for Evaluation From NBA Undergraduate Advisory Committee. In men's basketball, after the conclusion of the playing season, a student-athlete or a two-year college prospective student-athlete who has requested an evaluation from the NBA Undergraduate Advisory Committee may be represented by an NCAA-certified agent (see Bylaw 12.02.1.2).

12.3.1.2.34 Expenses From an NCAA-Certified Agent.

12.3.1.2.34.1 Expenses Before Agreement. Before signing a written agreement with an NCAA-certified agent, a prospective student-athlete or student-athlete (and family members) who is eligible to be represented by an NCAA-certified agent may receive transportation and meals from an NCAA-certified agent in the locale where the prospective student-athlete or student-athlete is located (e.g., locale of home or institution) in conjunction with the process to select an agent.

12.3.1.2.34.2 Expenses After Agreement. After signing a written agreement with an NCAA-certified agent, the agent may provide the prospective student-athlete or student-athlete (and family members) with transportation, lodging and meals associated with meeting with the agent or a professional team.

12.3.1.2.45 No Missed Class Time. A prospective or enrolled student-athlete shall not miss class in conjunction with the agent selection process or to meet with an agent or professional team.

12.3.1.2.56 Written Agreement. An agreement between a prospective student-athlete or student-athlete and an NCAA-certified agent shall be in writing. An agreement that involves a prospective student-athlete shall be disclosed to the NCAA national office. An agreement that involves a student-athlete shall be disclosed to the student-athlete's institution. If a high school prospective student-athlete does not sign a contract with a professional team, the agreement must be terminated before full-time enrollment. If a student-athlete or two-year college prospective student-athlete does not sign a contract with a professional team, the agreement must be terminated before full-time enrollment in the ensuing regular academic term.

12.3.1.2.67 Compensation for Representation. A prospective student-athlete or student-athlete is not required to compensate an NCAA-certified agent for services provided.

12.3.1.3 Representation for Future Negotiations. An individual shall be ineligible per Bylaw 12.3.1 if the individual enters into an oral or written agreement with an agent for representation in future professional sports negotiations that are to take place after the individual has completed eligibility in that sport.

12.3.1.4 Benefits from Prospective Agents. An individual shall be ineligible per Bylaw 12.3.1 if the individual (or the individual's family members or friends) accepts shall not accept transportation or other benefits from a professional sports agent.:

12.3.21.5 Legal Counsel. Securing advice from a lawyer concerning a proposed professional sports contract shall not be considered contracting for representation by an agent under this rule, unless the lawyer also represents the individual in negotiations for such a contract.

12.3.21.15.1 Presence of a Lawyer at Negotiations. A lawyer may not be present during discussions of a contract offer with a professional sports organization or have direct contact (e.g., in person, telephone, electronic correspondence) with a professional sports organization on behalf of the individual. A lawyer's presence during such discussions is considered representation by an agent.

12.3.42 Professional Sports Counseling Panel. It is permissible for an authorized institutional professional sports counseling panel to:

[12.3.2-(a) through 12.3.2-(g) unchanged.]

12.3.42.1 Appointment by President or Chancellor. This panel shall consist of at least three persons appointed by the institution's president or chancellor (or a designated representative from outside the athletics department).

12.3.42.2 Composition. The majority of panel members shall be full-time employees outside the institution's athletics department. No sports agent or any person employed by a sports agent or agency may be a member of the panel. All panel members shall be identified to the NCAA national office.

12.4 Employment Unrelated to Name, Image and Likeness Activities. Compensation for employment unrelated to name, image and likeness activities (see Bylaw 22) may be paid to a student-athlete: [R]

(a) Only for work actually performed; and

(b) At a rate commensurate with the going rate in that locality for similar services.

12.75 Athletics Eligibility Requirements.

12.75.1 Postseason and Regular-Season Competition. To be eligible for regular-season competition, NCAA championships, and for postseason football bowl games, the student-athlete shall meet all eligibility requirements.

12.75.1.1 Postseason Competition -- Midyear Enrollees -- Football. In football, a midyear enrollee (freshman or transfer) is not eligible to participate in postseason competition that occurs before or during the student-athlete's initial term of full-time enrollment at the institution.

12.75.2 Student-Athlete Statement.

12.75.2.1 Content and Purpose. Before participation in intercollegiate competition each academic year, a student-athlete shall sign a statement in a form prescribed by the Legislative Committee in which the student-athlete submits information related to eligibility, recruitment, financial aid, amateur status, previous positive-drug tests administered by any other athletics organization and involvement in organized gambling activities related to intercollegiate or professional athletics competition under the governing legislation. Failure to complete and sign the statement shall result in the student-athlete's ineligibility for participation in all intercollegiate competition. Violations of this bylaw do not affect a student-athlete's eligibility if the violation occurred due to an institutional administrative error or oversight, and the student-athlete subsequently signs the form; however, the violation shall be considered an institutional violation per Bylaw 8.01.3.

12.75.2.2 Administration. The statement shall be administered to each student-athlete by the athletics director or the athletics director's designee before the student's participation in intercollegiate competition each academic year, and the statement shall be available for examination upon request by an authorized representative of the NCAA.

12.75.2.3 Institutional Responsibility -- Notification of Positive Test. The institution shall promptly notify the NCAA's chief medical officer, in writing, regarding a student-athlete's disclosure of a previous positive test for banned substances administered by any other athletics organization.

12.75.3 Drug-Testing Consent Form.

12.75.3.1 Content and Purpose. Each academic year, a student-athlete shall sign a form maintained by the Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports and approved by the Legislative Committee in which the student consents to be tested for the use of drugs prohibited by NCAA legislation. Failure to complete and sign the consent form before practice or competition, or before the Monday of the fourth week of classes (whichever occurs first) shall result in the student-athlete's ineligibility for participation (practice and competition) in all intercollegiate athletics.

12.75.3.2 Administration. The following procedures shall be used in administering the form (see Bylaw 20.2.4.9):

[12.5.3.2-(a) through 12.5.3.2-(c) unchanged.]

12.75.3.3 Exception -- 14-Day Grace Period. A student-athlete who is "trying out" for a team is not required to complete the form until 14 days from the first date the student-athlete engages in countable athletically related activities or before the student-athlete participates in a competition, whichever occurs earlier.

12.75.3.4 Effect of Violation. A violation of Bylaw 12.7.3 or its subsections shall be considered institutional violations per Bylaw 8.01.3; however, a violation shall not affect the student-athlete's eligibility, provided the student-athlete signs the consent form.

12.75.4 Student-Athlete Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Authorization/Buckley Amendment Consent Form -- Disclosure of Protected Health Information.

12.75.4.1 Content and Purpose. Each academic year, a student-athlete may voluntarily sign a statement in a form maintained by the Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports and approved by the Legislative Committee in which the student-athlete authorizes/consents to the institution's physicians, athletics directors and health care personnel to disclose the student-athlete's injury/illness and participation information associated with the student-athlete's training and participation in intercollegiate athletics to the NCAA and to its Injury Surveillance Program (ISP), agents and employees for the purpose of conducting research into the reduction of athletics injuries. The authorization/consent by the student-athlete is voluntary and is not required for the student-athlete to be eligible to participate. [D]

12.75.4.2 Administration. The following procedures shall be used in administering the form: [D]

[12.5.4.2-(a) through 12.5.4.2-(b) unchanged.]

12.75.5 Eligibility Requirements for Male Students to Practice With Women's Teams. A male student may engage in practice sessions with women's teams subject to the following conditions:

[12.5.5-(a) unchanged.]

(d b) It is not permissible for a recruited male student-athlete who is serving an academic year of residence as a nonqualifier to participate in practice sessions with a women's team. A nonrecruited male student who is serving an academic year of residence as a nonqualifier may participate in practice sessions with a women's team; and

[12.5.5-(f) relettered as 12.5.5-(c), unchanged.]

12.86 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 student-athlete completes all seasons of participation in all sports within the time periods specified below:

12.86.1 Five-Year Rule. A student-athlete shall complete the student-athlete's 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 on an official religious mission, in the armed services or with recognized foreign aid services of the U.S. government being excepted. For international students, service in the armed forces of the student’s home country is considered equivalent to such service in the United States.

12.86.1.1 Determining the Start of the Five-Year Period. For purposes of starting the count of time under the five-year rule, a student-athlete shall be considered registered at a collegiate institution (domestic or foreign; see Bylaw 14.02.4) when the student-athlete initially registers in a regular term (semester or quarter) of an academic year for a minimum full-time program of studies, as determined by the institution, and attends the student’s first day of classes for that term (see Bylaw 12.8.2).

12.86.1.2 Service Exceptions to the Five-Year Rule. Time spent in the armed services, on official religious missions or with recognized foreign aid services of the U.S. government is excepted from the application of the five-year rule. Among such services that qualify a student-athlete for an extension of the five-year rule are:

[12.6.1.2-(a) through 12.6.1.2-(c) unchanged.]

12.86.1.2.1 Elapsed Time/Service to Enrollment. If a student-athlete enrolls in a regular term of a collegiate institution at the first opportunity following completion of any one of the commitments described in the exceptions to this bylaw, the elapsed time (the exact number of calendar days) between completion of the commitment and the first opportunity for enrollment may be added to the exact number of days served on active duty in the armed services, with foreign aid services or on official religious missions and will not count toward the student-athlete's five years of eligibility. It is not permissible to extend the five-year period by any additional time beyond the first opportunity to enroll (the opening day of classes of the first regular term at the institution in which the student-athlete enrolls as a regular student immediately following the termination of the active-duty commitment).

12.86.1.2.2 Collegiate Enrollment Concurrent With Service Assignment. Any time in which a student-athlete is enrolled for a minimum full-time load as a regular student in a collegiate institution while simultaneously on active duty in the U.S. military, on an official religious mission or with a recognized foreign aid service of the U.S. government shall count against the five calendar years in which the student-athlete's seasons of eligibility must be completed.

12.86.1.3 Academic Study Abroad Exception. Time spent participating in a full-time study-abroad program during a regular term of an academic year may be excepted from the application of the five-year rule, provided:

[12.6.1.3-(a) through 12.6.1.3-(e) unchanged.]

12.86.1.4 Internship or Cooperative Educational Work Experience Program Exception. Time spent participating in a full-time internship or cooperative educational work experience program during a regular term of an academic year may be excepted from the application of the five-year rule, provided:

[12.6.1.4-(a) through 12.6.1.4-(e) unchanged.]

12.86.1.5 Pregnancy Exception. A member institution may approve a one-year extension of the five-year period of eligibility for a female student-athlete for reasons of pregnancy.

12.86.1.6 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:

[12.6.1.6-(a) through 12.6.1.6-(c) unchanged.]

12.86.1.6.1 Junior Level Competition. The athletics activity waiver does not apply to junior level training, tryouts or competition (e.g., Youth Olympic Games, U20 World Cup, Junior National Teams) that may be associated with the training, tryouts or competition specified in Bylaw 12.8.1.6.

12.86.1.6.2 Athletics Activity Waiver Criteria. Extensions of the five-year period of eligibility for student-athletes by the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement, or its designated committee, shall be based on the following criteria: The member institution in which the student-athlete is enrolled must establish to the satisfaction of the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement (by objective evidence) that the student-athlete was unable to participate in intercollegiate athletics as a result of participation in one of the activities listed in the above legislation for a specific period of time. Further, such an extension shall be limited to one time and for a period not to exceed one year per student-athlete, per sport.

12.86.1.7 Five-Year Rule Waiver. The Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement, or its designated committee, by a two-thirds majority of its members present and voting, may approve waivers of the five-year rule as it deems appropriate.

12.86.1.7.1 Waiver Criteria. A waiver of the five-year period of eligibility is designed to provide a student-athlete with the opportunity to participate in four seasons of intercollegiate competition within a five-year period. This waiver may be granted, based upon objective evidence under the following circumstances:

[12.6.1.7.1-(a) through 12.6.1.7.1-(b) unchanged.]

12.86.1.7.1.1 Circumstances Beyond Control. Circumstances considered to be beyond the control of the student-athlete or the institution and do not cause a participation opportunity to be used shall include, but are not limited to, the following:

[12.6.1.7.1.1-(a) through 12.6.1.7.1.1-(e) unchanged.]

12.86.1.7.1.2 Circumstances Within Control. Circumstances that are considered to be within the control of the student-athlete or the institution and cause a participation opportunity to be used include, but are not limited to, the following:

[12.6.1.7.1.2-(a) through 12.6.1.7.1.2-(f) unchanged.]

12.86.1.7.1.3 Circumstances of Extraordinary or Extreme Hardship. The Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement reserves the right to review requests that do not meet the more-than-one-year criteria of this waiver for circumstances of extraordinary or extreme hardship.

12.86.1.7.1.4 Practice While Waiver is Pending. A student-athlete who has exhausted five years of eligibility may continue to practice (but not compete) for a maximum of 30 consecutive calendar days, provided the student-athlete's institution has submitted a waiver request. The student-athlete may not commence practice until the institution has filed such a request. Further, if such a request is denied before exhausting the 30-day practice period, the student-athlete must cease all practice activities upon the institution's notification of the denial.

12.86.2 Additional Applications of the Five-Year Rule.

12.86.2.1 Athletics Competition. Even though an individual is enrolled for less than a minimum full-time program of studies at a collegiate institution, the individual's five-year period of eligibility begins if the individual represents the institution in intercollegiate athletics.

12.86.2.2 Nonrecognized College. Enrollment in a postsecondary, noncollegiate institution (e.g., technical school, seminary or business college) in the United States that is not accredited at the college level by an agency or association recognized by the secretary of the Department of Education and legally authorized to offer at least a one-year program of study creditable toward a degree, constitutes enrollment in the application of the five-year rule only if:

[12.6.2.2-(a) through 12.6.2.2-(b) unchanged.]

12.86.2.3 Joint College/High School Program. A student-athlete's eligibility under the five-year rule does not begin while a student is enrolled in a collegiate institution in a joint high school/college academic program for high school students in which the courses count as both high school graduation credit and college credit, provided the student has not officially graduated from high school and does not participate in intercollegiate athletics while enrolled in the joint program.

12.86.2.4 Vocational Program. A student-athlete's eligibility under the five-year rule does not begin while the student is enrolled in a minimum full-time program of studies as a part of a special vocational program that combines enrollment in regular college courses and participation in vocational training courses, provided the student is not considered to be regularly matriculated by the institution, does not go through the customary registration and testing procedures required of all regular entering students and is not eligible for the institution's extracurricular activities, including athletics.

12.86.2.5 Eligibility for Practice. To be eligible to participate in organized practice sessions, a student-athlete shall have eligibility remaining under the five-year rule (see Bylaws 14.2.1.7 and 14.2.1.8). A student-athlete receiving institutional financial aid after having engaged in four seasons of intercollegiate competition in a sport may continue to take part in organized, institutional practice sessions in that sport without being a counter (see Bylaw 15.02.3). [D]

12.86.3 Criteria for Determining Season of Competition.

12.86.3.1 Minimum Amount of Competition. Any competition, regardless of time, during a season in an intercollegiate sport shall be counted as a season of competition in that sport, except as provided in Bylaws 12.8.3.1.1, 12.8.3.1.2, 12.8.3.1.3, 12.8.3.1.4, 12.8.3.1.5 and 12.8.3.1.6. This provision is applicable to intercollegiate athletics competition conducted by a two-year or four-year collegiate institution at the varsity or subvarsity level.

12.86.3.1.1 Two-Year College Scrimmages. A two-year college prospective student-athlete may compete in a scrimmage as a member of a two-year college team without counting such competition as a season of competition, provided the competition meets all of the following conditions:

[12.6.3.1.1-(a) through 12.6.3.1.1-(f) unchanged.]

12.86.3.1.2 Exception -- Nonchampionship Segment Competition -- Field Hockey, Men's Soccer, Women's Soccer, Women's Volleyball and Men's Water Polo. In field hockey, men's soccer, women's soccer, women's volleyball and men's water polo, a student-athlete may engage in intercollegiate competition during the segment of the playing season that does not conclude with the NCAA championship without using a season of competition, provided the student-athlete was academically eligible during the segment that concludes with the NCAA championship.

12.86.3.1.3 Exception -- Nonchampionship Segment Competition -- Baseball, Women's Beach Volleyball, Lacrosse, Softball, Men's Volleyball and Women's Water Polo. In baseball, women's beach volleyball, lacrosse, softball, men's volleyball and women's water polo, a student-athlete may engage in intercollegiate competition during the segment of the playing season that does not conclude with the NCAA championship without using a season of competition, provided the student-athlete remains academically eligible during the segment that concludes with the NCAA championship.

12.86.3.1.4 Preseason Exhibitions/Preseason Practice Scrimmages. A student-athlete may compete in preseason exhibition contests and preseason practice scrimmages (as permitted in the particular sport per Bylaw 17) without counting such competition as a season of competition.

12.86.3.1.5 Alumni Game, Fundraising Activity or Celebrity Sports Activity. A student-athlete may engage in outside competition in either one alumni game, one fundraising activity or one celebrity sports activity during a season without counting such competition as a season of competition, provided the event is exempted from the institution's maximum number of contests or dates of competition as permitted in the particular sport per Bylaw 17.

12.86.3.1.6 Exception -- Football. In football, a student-athlete representing a Division I institution may compete in up to four contests in a season without using a season of competition.

12.86.3.1.7 Exception -- Men's Wrestling. In men's wrestling, a student-athlete representing a Division I institution may compete in up to five dates of competition during the student-athlete's initial year of collegiate enrollment without using a season of competition. Competition in a conference championship tournament, the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships, or any other season-ending championship event shall not be exempted from counting as a season of competition.

12.86.3.2 Delayed Enrollment -- Seasons of Competition.

12.86.3.2.1 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 period (by October 1 or March 1 immediately after one year has elapsed) after the student-athlete's high school graduation date or the graduation date of the student-athlete's 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 a delayed enrollment condition based on the number of contests (or dates of competition) in which the student-athlete participated as a percentage of the maximum number of permissible contests (or dates of competition) in the sport per NCAA Bylaw 17 for each calendar year after the one-year period and before full-time collegiate enrollment in which the student-athlete has participated in organized competition per Bylaw 12.02.9. (See Figure 12-2.)

12.86.3.2.1.1 Exception -- Transfer Student. A student-athlete is not required to fulfill an academic year of residence before being eligible to represent the institution in intercollegiate competition, provided the student-athlete:

[12.6.3.2.1.1-(a) through 12.6.3.2.1.1-(b) unchanged.]

12.86.3.2.1.2 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 the prospective student-athlete's high school graduation date or the graduation date of the prospective student-athlete's class, whichever occurs earlier, participation in the following organized national/international competition is exempt from application of Bylaw 12.8.3.2.1:

[12.6.3.2.1.2-(a) through 12.6.3.2.1.2-(c) unchanged.]

12.86.3.2.1.3 Service Exceptions. Participation in organized competition during time spent in the armed services, on an official religious mission or with a recognized foreign aid service of the U.S. government is exempt from the application of Bylaw 12.8.3.2.1. Additionally, if a student-athlete enrolls as a full-time student in a regular term of a collegiate institution at the first opportunity following completion of the service commitment, the period between completion of the service commitment and the first opportunity to enroll is exempt from the application of Bylaw 12.8.3.2.1.

12.86.3.2.1.4 Track and Field and Cross Country. A student-athlete who has participated in organized competition after the one-year time period (the next opportunity to enroll after one calendar year has elapsed) and before full-time collegiate enrollment during a cross country, indoor track and field, or outdoor track and field season (as opposed to general road racing events) shall be charged with a season of competition in the sport in which the student-athlete has participated for each calendar year after the one-year time period in which the student-athlete participated in organized competition.

12.86.3.2.1.5 Road Racing. A student-athlete who has participated in road racing activities after the one-year time period (the next opportunity to enroll after one calendar year has elapsed) and before full-time collegiate enrollment shall be charged with a season of competition in each of the sports of cross country, indoor track and field, outdoor track and field, and triathlon for each calendar year after the one-year time period in which the student-athlete participates in organized competition.

12.86.3.2.2 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 (by October 1 or March 1 immediately after six months have elapsed) after the student-athlete's high school graduation date or the graduation date of the student-athlete's 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 a delayed enrollment condition based on the number of dates of competition in which the student-athlete participated as a percentage of the maximum number of permissible dates of competition in the sport per NCAA Bylaw 17 for each calendar year after the six-month period and before full-time collegiate enrollment in which the student-athlete has participated in organized competition per Bylaw 12.02.9. (See Figure 12-2.)

12.86.3.2.2.1 Exception -- Transfer Student. A student-athlete is not required to fulfill an academic year of residence before being eligible to represent the institution in intercollegiate competition, provided the student-athlete:

[12.6.3.2.2.1-(a) through 12.6.3.2.2.1-(b) unchanged.]

12.86.3.2.2.2 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 the prospective student-athlete's high school graduation date or the graduation date of the prospective student-athlete's class, whichever occurs earlier, participation in the following organized national/international competition is exempt from application of Bylaw 12.8.3.2.2:

[12.6.3.2.2.2-(a) through 12.6.3.2.2.2-(c) unchanged.]

12.86.3.2.2.3 Service Exceptions. Participation in organized competition during time spent in the armed services, on an official religious mission or with a recognized foreign aid service of the U.S. government is exempt from the application of Bylaw 12.8.3.2.2. Additionally, if a student-athlete enrolls as a full-time student in a regular term of a collegiate institution at the first opportunity following completion of the service commitment, the period between completion of the service commitment and the first opportunity to enroll is exempt from the application of Bylaw 12.8.3.2.1.

12.86.3.2.2.4 Matriculation After 20th Birthday -- Tennis. In tennis, a student-athlete who is eligible under Bylaw 12.8.3.2.2, but who participates in organized tennis events after the student-athlete's 20th birthday and before full-time enrollment at the certifying institution shall be subject to a delayed enrollment condition based on the number of dates of competition in which the student-athlete participated as a percentage of the maximum number of permissible dates of competition in the sport per NCAA Bylaw 17. (See Figure 12-2.)

12.86.3.2.2.4.1 Exception -- Continuous Full-Time Enrollment. A student-athlete who is eligible under Bylaw 12.8.3.2.2 and who maintained full-time enrollment in a collegiate institution during each regular academic term from initial, full-time enrollment in a collegiate institution to initial, full-time enrollment at the certifying institution is not subject to the application of Bylaw 12.8.3.2.2.4.

12.86.3.2.2.4.2 Exception -- Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, Pan American Games, Parapan American Games, World Championships, World Cup, World University Games (Universiade) and World University Championships Participation. Participation in the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, Pan American Games, Parapan American Games, World Championships, World Cup, World University Games (Universiade) and World University Championships or the junior level equivalents (e.g., Youth Olympic Games, U20 World Cup, junior national teams) is exempt from the application of Bylaw 12.8.3.2.2.4.

12.86.3.2.2.4.3 Service Exceptions. Participation in organized competition during time spent in the armed services, on an official religious mission or with a recognized foreign aid service of the U.S. government is exempt from the application of Bylaw 12.8.3.2.2. Additionally, if a student-athlete enrolls as a full-time student in a regular term of a collegiate institution at the first opportunity following completion of the service commitment, the period between completion of the service commitment and the first opportunity to enroll is exempt from the application of Bylaw 12.8.3.2.1.

12.86.3.2.3 Low-level and Minimally Organized Participation. A student-athlete may be granted relief from delayed enrollment conditions during the amateurism athletics eligibility certification process for participation that meets the definition of organized competition (see Bylaw 12.02.96) but is determined to be low-level or minimally organized participation.

12.86.3.5 Participation After 21st Birthday -- Men's Ice Hockey and Skiing. In men's ice hockey and skiing, any participation as an individual or a team representative in organized sports competition by a prospective student-athlete during each 12-month period after the prospective student-athlete's 21st birthday and before initial, full-time enrollment in a collegiate institution shall result in a delayed enrollment condition based on the number of contests (or dates of competition) in which the prospective student-athlete participated as a percentage of the maximum number of permissible contests (or dates of competition) in the sport per NCAA Bylaw 17. (See Figure 12-2.). Participation in organized competition during time spent on an official religious mission, in the armed services or with recognized foreign aid services of the U.S. government shall be excepted.

12.86.3.6 Foreign-Tour Competition. A student-athlete who did not compete during the institution's season just completed and who represents the institution in a certified foreign tour after that intercollegiate season and before the start of the next academic year shall not be charged with a season of eligibility (see Bylaw 17.32.1.4).

12.86.3.7 Participation on an Institution's Club Team. An individual is charged with a season of competition for participation in intercollegiate competition (see Bylaw 12.02.6) as a member of an institution's club team if that institution sponsored the sport as a varsity intercollegiate sport and as a club sport at the time of participation.

12.86.4 Hardship Waiver. A student-athlete may be granted an additional year of competition by the conference or the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement for reasons of "hardship." Hardship is defined as an incapacity resulting from an injury or illness that has occurred under all of the following conditions:

[12.6.4-(a) through 12.6.4-(c) unchanged.]

12.86.4.1 Administration of Hardship Waiver. The hardship waiver shall be administered by the member conferences or, in the case of an independent member institution, by the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement.

12.86.4.1.1 Review of Denied Waiver. An institution may submit a denied hardship waiver to the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement. The committee shall have the authority to review and determine whether to approve the waiver based on circumstances that may warrant relief from the application of the legislated waiver criteria.

12.86.4.2 Criteria for Administration of Hardship Waiver.

12.86.4.2.1 Nature of Injury/Illness. It is not necessary for the incapacitating injury or illness to be the direct result of the student-athlete's participation in the institution's organized practice or game competition.

12.86.4.2.2 Medical Documentation. Contemporaneous or other appropriate medical documentation, from a physician (a medical doctor) who administered care at the time of the injury or illness, that establishes the student-athlete's inability to compete as a result of that injury or illness shall be submitted with any hardship-waiver request. Documentation from an individual other than a physician (e.g., chiropractor, physical therapist) may only be used to support the physician's documentation. For a case involving a psychological or mental illness, the required contemporaneous or other appropriate medical documentation may be provided by an individual (e.g., psychiatrist, psychologist) who is qualified and licensed to diagnose and treat the particular illness.

12.86.4.2.3 First Half and 30 Percent of Season Denominator. The denominator used to determine the first half and 30 percent of a season is the maximum number of contests or dates of competition of the playing season that concludes with the NCAA championship as set forth in Bylaw 17 for the applicable sport plus one contest or date of competition (see Figure 12-1).

12.86.4.2.3.1 Exception -- Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field. For an institution that sponsors both indoor and outdoor track and field, the number of completed dates of competition, including postseason competition, in the applicable season (either indoor or outdoor) is used to determine the first half and 30 percent of the season. For an institution that sponsors only indoor or outdoor track and field (but not both), the maximum number of dates of competition of the playing season that concludes with the NCAA championship as set forth in Bylaw 17 plus one date of competition is used to determine the first half and 30 percent of the season.

12.86.4.2.3.2 Fraction in the First-Half-of-Season Computation. A computation of the first-half-of-season that results in a fractional portion of a contest or date of competition shall be rounded up to the next whole number. The first contest or date of competition immediately following the rounded value is the first contest or date of competition in the second half of the season (see Figure 12-1).

12.86.4.2.3.3 Fraction in Percent Computation. Any computation of the percent limitation that results in a fractional portion of a contest or date of competition shall be rounded to the next whole number (e.g., 30-percent of a 29-game basketball schedule -- 8.7 games -- shall be considered nine games).

12.86.4.2.4 Playing Season that Concludes with the NCAA Championship. In sports in which the playing season may be divided into two segments, but championship selection is based on competition throughout the season (e.g., golf, ice hockey), completed competition for the entire season (e.g., nonchampionship and championship segments) shall be used when identifying the first contest or date of competition in the second half of the season and the number of contests or dates of competition in which the student-athlete has participated. In sports in which the playing season may be divided into two segments, but championship selection is based on competition during only one segment of the season (e.g., baseball, soccer), completed competition for only the championship segment shall be used when identifying the first contest or date of competition in the second half of the season and the number of contests or dates of competition in which the student-athlete has participated.

12.86.4.2.5 Exclusions from the First Half and 30 Percent of Season. In identifying the first contest or date of competition in the second half of the season and the number of contests or dates of competition in which the student-athlete has participated, the following competitions shall be excluded:

[12.6.4.2.5-(a) through 12.6.4.2.5-(b) unchanged.]

12.86.4.2.6 Reinjury in Second Half of Season. A student-athlete who suffers an injury in the first half of the season that concludes with the NCAA championship or who suffers an injury after the first day of classes in the student-athlete's senior year of high school, attempts to return to competition during the second half of that season and then is unable to participate further as a result of aggravating the original injury does not qualify for the hardship waiver.

12.86.4.2.7 Outside Competition in Second Half of Season. An individual who engages in outside competition during the second half of the institution's playing season that concludes with the NCAA championship, including competition while not representing the institution, does not qualify for a hardship waiver.

12.86.4.2.8 Transfer Student-Athletes. The application of the hardship legislation for a transfer student-athlete may be based on the method that would be most beneficial to the student-athlete (the rule applicable to the division in which the injury or illness occurred or the Division I rule). The application of a particular division's legislation must include all the applicable elements of that division's legislation. It is not permissible to use selected elements of the legislation of more than one division.

12.86.4.2.9 Foreign-Tour Competition. A student-athlete who qualifies for a hardship for the previous academic year would not use a season of competition if the student-athlete represents the institution on a certified foreign tour during the summer-vacation period at the conclusion of that academic year.

12.86.5 Season-of-Competition Waiver -- Competition While Ineligible. In conjunction with a request for restoration of eligibility and any conditions imposed thereon per Bylaw 12.12, a student-athlete may be granted an additional season of competition by the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement when the student-athlete participated in a limited amount of competition as a result of a good-faith, erroneous formal declaration of eligibility by the institution's appropriate certifying authority; or the student-athlete's good-faith, erroneous reliance on a coaching staff member's decision to put the student-athlete into competition before the coaching staff member receiving a formal declaration of the student-athlete's eligibility from the institution's appropriate certifying authority. The competition must have occurred under all of the following conditions:

[12.6.5-(a) through 12.6.5-(e) unchanged.]

12.86.5.1 Ten Percent Calculation. The requirements specified in Bylaw 12.8.4.2.3 shall apply to the 10 percent calculation specified in this waiver.

12.86.6 Season-of-Competition Waiver -- Competition While Eligible. A student-athlete may be granted an additional season of competition by the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement in a case in which the student-athlete participated in a limited amount of competition while eligible due to a coach's documented misunderstanding of the legislation or other extenuating circumstances. In cases in which a student-athlete does not meet the criteria of this waiver, the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement shall have authority to review and grant a waiver based on additional documented extenuating circumstances.

12.86.6.1 Coach's Documented Misunderstanding. The student-athlete participated as a result of good faith, reliance on a coaching staff member's decision to put the student-athlete in an alumni contest, exhibition contests, scrimmages, or nonchampionship segment contests based on the coach's documented misunderstanding of NCAA legislation and the competition occurred under the following conditions:

[12.6.6.1-(a) through 12.6.6.1-(c) unchanged.]

12.86.6.1.1 Percent Calculation. The requirements specified in Bylaw 12.8.4.2.3 shall apply to the percent calculation specified in this waiver.

12.86.6.2 Extenuating Circumstances. Extenuating circumstances include, but are not limited to, the following:

[12.6.6.2-(a) through 12.6.6.2-(c) unchanged.]

12.86.6.2.1 Conditions of Competition. The competition must have occurred under all of the following conditions:

[12.6.6.2.1-(a) through 12.6.6.2.1-(b) unchanged.]

12.86.6.2.1.1 Percent Calculation. The requirements specified in Bylaws 12.8.4.2.3, 12.8.4.2.4 and 12.8.4.2.5 shall apply to the percent calculation specified in this waiver.

12.97 U.S. Service Academy Exceptions, Special Eligibility Provisions.

12.97.1 Five-Year Rule. The Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement, by a two-thirds majority of its members present and voting, may approve waivers to the five-year rule (see Bylaw 12.8) for student-athletes of the national service academies who have exhausted eligibility in one sport but wish to compete in another sport or sports in which they have eligibility remaining.

12.97.2 Transfer Status. A student who has attended as a freshman (plebe) only in the official summer-enrollment program of one of the four national service academies is not considered a transfer in the application of the transfer regulations of Bylaw 14.5.

12.108 Certification of Eligibility.

12.108.1 Institutional Responsibility for Eligibility Certification. The president or chancellor is responsible for approving the procedures for certifying the eligibility of an institution's student-athletes under NCAA legislation. The president or chancellor may designate an individual on the institution's staff to administer proper certification of eligibility. Certification of eligibility must occur before allowing a student-athlete to represent the institution in intercollegiate competition (see Bylaw 14.01.1). A violation of this bylaw in which the institution fails to certify a student-athlete's eligibility before allowing the student-athlete to represent the institution in intercollegiate competition shall be considered an institutional violation per Bylaw 8.01.3; however, such a violation shall not affect the student-athlete's eligibility, provided all the necessary information to certify the student-athlete's eligibility was available to the institution and the student-athlete otherwise would have been eligible for competition.

12.108.2 Squad-List Form. The institution's athletics director shall compile on a form approved by the Legislative Committee a list of the squad members in each sport on the first day of competition and shall indicate thereon the status of each member in the designated categories. A student-athlete's name must be on the official institutional form in order for the student-athlete to be eligible to represent the institution in intercollegiate competition. Violations of this bylaw do not affect a student-athlete's eligibility if the violation occurred due to an institutional administrative error or oversight and the student-athlete is subsequently added to the form; however, the violation shall be considered an institutional violation per Bylaw 8.01.3. (See Bylaw 15.5.11 for details about the administration of the squad list.)

12.119 Ineligibility.

12.119.1 Obligation of Member Institution to Withhold Student-Athlete From Competition. If a student-athlete is ineligible under the provisions of the constitution, bylaws or other regulations, the institution shall be obligated to apply immediately the applicable rule and to withhold the student-athlete from all intercollegiate competition. The institution may appeal to the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement for restoration of the student-athlete's eligibility as provided in Bylaw 12.12 if it concludes that the circumstances warrant restoration.

12.119.2 Ineligibility Resulting From Recruiting Violation. An institution shall not enter a student-athlete (as an individual or as a member of a team) in any intercollegiate competition if it is acknowledged by the institution or established through the infractions process that the institution or a representative of its athletics interests violated the legislation in the recruiting of the student-athlete. The institution may appeal to the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement for restoration of the student-athlete's eligibility as provided in Bylaw 12.12 if it concludes that circumstances warrant restoration.

12.119.2.1 Payment of Legal Fees During Appeal. An institution may provide actual and necessary expenses for a prospective student-athlete to attend proceedings conducted by the institution, its athletics conference or the NCAA that relate to the prospective student-athlete's eligibility to participate in intercollegiate athletics, provided the prospective student-athlete has signed the institution’s written offer of admission and/or financial aid or the institution has received the individual’s  financial deposit in response to its offer of admission. The cost of legal representation in such proceedings also may be provided by the institution (or a representative of its athletics interests).

12.119.3 Application of Ineligibility Ruling Pending Appeal. Once an interpretation (per Bylaw 9.3.1.2) applicable to a member institution has been issued and results in the ineligibility of a student-athlete, it is necessary for the institution to apply the rule to the eligibility of the student-athlete, even if review of the interpretation (per Bylaw 9.3.1.2.1.1 or 9.3.1.2.2) at the request of the institution is pending. Failure to withhold such a student-athlete from competition is a violation of the conditions and obligations of membership.

12.119.4 Ineligible Participation.

12.119.4.1 Loss of Eligibility. A student-athlete shall be denied eligibility for intercollegiate competition in a sport if the student-athlete participates in intercollegiate competition in that sport while ineligible under this bylaw or other applicable NCAA legislation. The certifying institution may appeal to the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement for restoration of the student-athlete's eligibility if it concludes that the circumstances warrant restoration (see Bylaw 12.12).

12.119.4.2 Restitution. If a student-athlete who is ineligible under the terms of the bylaws or other legislation is permitted to participate in intercollegiate competition contrary to such NCAA legislation but in accordance with the terms of a court restraining order or injunction operative against the institution attended by such student-athlete or against the Association, or both, and said injunction is voluntarily vacated, stayed or reversed or it is finally determined by the courts that injunctive relief is not or was not justified, the Board of Directors may take any one or more of the following actions against such institution in the interest of restitution and fairness to competing institutions:

[12.9.4.2-(a) through 12.9.4.2-(i) unchanged.]

12.1210 Restoration of Eligibility.

12.1210.1 Basis for Appeal. When a student-athlete is determined to be ineligible under any applicable provision of the constitution, bylaws or other regulations, the member institution, having applied the applicable rule and having withheld the student-athlete from all intercollegiate competition, may appeal to the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement for restoration of the student-athlete's eligibility, provided the institution concludes that the circumstances warrant restoration of eligibility.

12.1210.2 Participation in Appeal Hearing. Any appeal to restore a student-athlete's eligibility shall be submitted in the name of the institution by the president or chancellor (or an individual designated by the president or chancellor), faculty athletics representative, senior woman administrator or athletics director (for the men's or women's program). At least one of those individuals must participate in any hearing of the appeal that involves direct participation by the student-athlete or other individuals representing the institution or the student-athlete.

12.1210.3 Student Responsibility, Relationship to Restoration of Eligibility. A student-athlete is responsible for the student-athlete's involvement in a violation of NCAA regulations (as defined in Bylaw 19), and the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement may restore the eligibility of a student-athlete involved in a violation only when circumstances clearly warrant restoration. The eligibility of a student-athlete involved in a major violation shall not be restored other than through an exception authorized by the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement in a unique case on the basis of specifically stated reasons.