LSDBi
Division I Proposal - 2026-44
ATHLETICS ELIGIBILITY -- AGE-BASED ELIGIBILITY MODEL -- FIVE-YEAR PERIOD OF ELIGIBILITY
Status: Adopted Final
Intent: To establish an age-based eligibility model that defines a student-athlete's period of eligibility for practice and competition, as specified.
A. Bylaws: Amend 12, as follows:
12 Athletics Eligibility
[12.01 through 12.02 unchanged.]
12.1 Athletics Eligibility. 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 12.10 regarding the eligibility restoration process.) An individual’s period of eligibility shall be limited to five years pursuant to Bylaw 12.6.
12.1.1 Validity of 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 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 Athletics Eligibility Certification Process. An institution shall use the NCAA Eligibility Center approved by the Board of Governors to determine the validity of the information on which the athletics eligibility status of a student-athlete is based, including an individual’s period of eligibility.
12.1.1.1.1 Scope. The certification of athletics eligibility status pursuant to Bylaws 12.1.2, 12.1.3 and 12.2 issued by the Eligibility Center is limited to activities that occur before the prospective student-athlete's request for final certification or the prospective student-athlete's initial full-time enrollment at an NCAA member institution, whichever occurs earlier. The Eligibility Center shall administer the certification of an individual’s period of eligibility pursuant to Bylaw 12.6, including legislated exceptions, which may occur before or after initial full-time collegiate enrollment.
12.1.1.1.2 Institutional Responsibilities.
12.1.1.1.2.1 Athletics Eligibility Status After Certification. An institution is responsible for certifying the athletics eligibility status of a prospective student-athlete (including two-year and four-year college transfers initially enrolling at an NCAA Division I institution) pursuant to Bylaws 12.1.2, 12.1.3 and 12.2 from the time the prospective student-athlete requests that a final certification be issued by the 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 athletics eligibility status has been jeopardized or period of eligibility has changed, the institution is responsible for promptly notifying the Eligibility Center of such information. Further, an institution is responsible for promptly reporting to the Eligibility Center all discrepancies in information related to a student-athlete's certification athletics eligibility status or period of eligibility.
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 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 member institution (whichever occurs earlier) and based on the student-athlete’s period of eligibility pursuant to Bylaw 12.6.
12.1.1.1.3.1 Temporary Certification. If a prospective student-athlete reports for athletics participation before the student's athletics eligibility status or period of eligibility has been certified, the student may practice, but not compete, for a maximum period of 45 days. After this period, the student's athletics eligibility status and period of eligibility must be certified in order to continue to practice or to compete.
12.1.1.1.3.2 Effect of Violations. A violation of Bylaw 12.1.1.1.3 or Bylaw 12.1.1.1.3.1 in which the student-athlete is subsequently certified without conditions shall be considered an institutional violation per Bylaw 8.01.3 but shall not affect the student-athlete's eligibility.
12.1.1.1.4 Eligibility for Practice After a Final Not-Certified Certification. After a final not-certified certification is rendered, a student-athlete may continue to engage in practice activities, provided the institution has submitted a notice of appeal. At the point in which all appeal opportunities have been exhausted and no eligibility has been granted, the student-athlete may no longer participate in practice activities.
12.1.1.1.5 Review of Factual Determinations. An institution may request that the Athletics Eligibility Subcommittee review a final determination of facts by the Eligibility Center. (See Bylaw 21.3.4.2.)
[12.1.2 through 12.1.3 unchanged.]
[12.2 through 12.5 unchanged.]
12.6 Seasons of Competition: Five-Year Rule Period of Eligibility. A student-athlete shall not engage in more than four seasons of intercollegiate competition in any one sport (see Bylaws 12.02.3 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. An individual’s period of eligibility for practice and competition shall be limited to five years. An individual’s five-year period of eligibility begins with the earlier of the following:
(a) The regular academic term (semester or quarter) of an academic year in which the individual enrolls in a collegiate institution (domestic or foreign; see Bylaw 14.02.4) in a minimum full-time program of studies and attends a class in that term while enrolled full time; or
(b) The beginning of the regular academic year immediately after the individual’s 19th birthday.
12.6.1 Five-Year Rule. A student-athlete shall complete the student-athlete's seasons of participation within five 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.
12.6.1.1 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 12.6.2).
12.6.1.3 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:
(a) The institution recognizes the student-athlete as a full-time student at the time of participation in the study-abroad program;
(b) At the time of participation in the study-abroad program, the student-athlete is academically eligible for competition and is not subject to an athletically related suspension;
(c) The student-athlete does not participate in practice or competition with the institution's team and does not engage in outside competition while participating in the study-abroad program;
(d) The student-athlete satisfactorily completes the study-abroad program; and
(e) The student-athlete earns a baccalaureate degree within five years or fewer.
12.6.1.4 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:
(a) The institution recognizes the student-athlete as a full-time student at the time of participation in the internship or cooperative educational work experience program;
(b) At the time of participation in the internship or cooperative educational work experience program, the student-athlete is academically eligible for competition and is not subject to an athletically related suspension;
(c) The student-athlete does not participate in practice or competition with the institution's team and does not engage in outside competition while participating in the internship or cooperative educational work experience program;
(d) The student-athlete satisfactorily completes the internship or cooperative educational work experience program; and
(e) The student-athlete earns a baccalaureate degree within five years or fewer.
12.6.1.6 Athletics Activity Waiver. The Athletics Eligibility Subcommittee 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:
(a) Official Pan American, Parapan American, World Championships, World Cup, World University Games (Universiade), World University Championships, Olympic and Paralympic training, tryouts and competition;
(b) Officially recognized training and competition directly qualifying participants for final Olympic or Paralympic tryouts; or
(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 or non-Paralympic sport, the equivalent organization of that sport).
12.6.1.6.1 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 12.6.1.6.
12.6.1.6.2 Athletics Activity Waiver Criteria. Extensions of the five-year period of eligibility for student-athletes shall be based on the following criteria: The member institution in which the student-athlete is enrolled must establish (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.
12.6.1.7 Five-Year Rule Waiver. The Athletics Eligibility Subcommittee, by a two-thirds majority of its members present and voting, may approve waivers of the five-year rule as it deems appropriate.
12.6.1.7.1 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:
(a) The student-athlete did not use a season of intercollegiate competition due to an institutional decision to redshirt the student-athlete; the student-athlete was listed on the institution's squad list and was eligible for competition during the segment of the season that concludes with the NCAA championship; and the student-athlete was deprived of the opportunity to participate in intercollegiate competition in one other season due to circumstances beyond the control of the student-athlete or institution. (The use of this provision is limited to one time in a student-athlete's period of eligibility); or
(b) The student-athlete is deprived of the opportunity to participate for more than one season in his or her sport within the five-year period of eligibility for reasons that are beyond the control of the student-athlete or the institution.
12.6.1.7.1.1 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:
(a) Situations clearly supported by contemporaneous medical documentation, which states that a student-athlete is unable to participate in intercollegiate competition as a result of incapacitating physical or mental circumstances;
(b) The student-athlete is unable to participate in intercollegiate athletics as a result of a life-threatening or incapacitating injury or illness suffered by a member of the student-athlete's immediate family, which clearly is supported by contemporaneous medical documentation;
(c) Reliance by the student-athlete upon written, contemporaneous, clearly erroneous academic advice provided to the student-athlete from a specific academic authority from a collegiate institution regarding the academic status of the student-athlete, which directly leads to the student-athlete not being eligible to participate and, but for the clearly erroneous advice, the student-athlete would have established eligibility for intercollegiate competition;
(d) Natural disasters (e.g., earthquake, flood); and
(e) Extreme financial difficulties as a result of a specific event (e.g., layoff, death in the family) experienced by the student-athlete or by an individual upon whom the student-athlete is legally dependent, which prohibit the student-athlete from participating in intercollegiate athletics. These circumstances must be clearly supported by objective documentation (e.g., decree of bankruptcy, proof of termination) and must be beyond the control of the student-athlete or the individual upon whom the student-athlete is legally dependent.
12.6.1.7.1.2 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:
(a) A student-athlete's decision to attend an institution that does not sponsor the student-athlete's sport, or decides not to participate at an institution that does sponsor the sport;
(b) An inability to participate due to failure to meet institutional/conference or NCAA academic requirements, or disciplinary reasons or incarceration culminating in or resulting from a conviction;
(c) Reliance by a student-athlete upon misinformation from a coaching staff member;
(d) Redshirt year;
(e) Ineligibility to participate as a result of a transfer year of residence or fulfilling a condition for restoration of eligibility; and
(f) A student-athlete's lack of understanding regarding the specific starting date of the five-year period of eligibility.
12.6.1.7.1.3 Circumstances of Extraordinary or Extreme Hardship. The Athletics Eligibility Subcommittee may review requests that do not meet the more-than-one-year criteria of this waiver for circumstances of extraordinary or extreme hardship.
12.6.1.7.1.4 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.
12.6.2 Additional Applications of the Five-Year Rule.
12.6.2.5 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). [D]
12.6.3 Criteria for Determining Season of Competition.
12.6.3.1 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 12.6.3.1.1, 12.6.3.1.2, 12.6.3.1.3, 12.6.3.1.4, 12.6.3.1.5 and 12.6.3.1.6. This provision is applicable to intercollegiate athletics competition conducted by a two-year or four-year collegiate institution at the varsity or subvarsity level.
12.6.3.1.1 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:
(a) The scrimmage is approved by the two-year college;
(b) No official score is kept;
(c) No admission is charged;
(d) No official time is kept;
(e) The scrimmage is played before the two-year college's first regularly scheduled outside competition; and
(f) The prospective student-athlete participates in not more than two such scrimmages or dates of competition per academic year.
12.6.3.1.2 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.
12.6.3.1.3 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.
12.6.3.1.4 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.
12.6.3.1.5 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.
12.6.3.1.6 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.
12.6.3.1.7 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.
12.6.3.2 Delayed Enrollment -- Seasons of Competition.
12.6.3.2.1 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 12.02.6. (See Figure 12-2.)
12.6.3.2.1.1 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:
(a) Attended a collegiate institution (or institutions) as a full-time student for at least two semesters or three quarters (excluding summer terms); and
(b) Satisfactorily completed an average of at least 12 semester or quarter hours of transferable-degree credit for each term of full-time attendance.
12.6.3.2.1.2 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 12.6.3.2.1:
(a) Official Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, Pan American Games, Parapan American Games, World Championships, World Cup, World University Games (Universiade) and World University Championships and established regional competition (e.g., North American Championships, European Championships) or the junior level equivalents (e.g., Youth Olympic Games, U20 World Cup, junior national teams);
(b) Officially recognized competition from which participants may be selected to a national team that will participate in the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, Pan American Games, Parapan American Games, World Championships, World Cup or World University Games (Universiade), World University Championships and established regional competition (e.g., North American Championships, European Championships) or the junior level equivalents (e.g., Youth Olympic Games, U20 World Cup, junior national teams) and final tryout competition from which participants are selected for such teams; or
(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).
12.6.3.2.1.3 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 12.6.3.2.1. 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 12.6.3.2.1.
12.6.3.2.1.4 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.
12.6.3.2.1.5 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.
12.6.3.2.2 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 12.02.6. (See Figure 12-2.)
12.6.3.2.2.1 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:
(a) Attended a collegiate institution (or institutions) as a full-time student for at least two semesters or three quarters (excluding summer terms); and
(b) Satisfactorily completed an average of at least 12 semester or quarter hours of transferable-degree credit for each term of full-time attendance.
12.6.3.2.2.2 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 12.6.3.2.2:
(a) Official Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, Pan American Games, Parapan American Games, World Championships, World Cup, World University Games (Universiade) and World University Championships competition or the junior level equivalents (e.g., Youth Olympic Games, U20 World Cup, junior national teams);
(b) Officially recognized competition from which participants may directly qualify for final tryouts for a national team that will participate in the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, Pan American Games, Parapan American Games, World Championships, World Cup or World University Games (Universiade), World University Championships or the junior level equivalent (e.g., Youth Olympic Games, U20 World Cup, junior national teams) and final tryout competition from which participants are selected for such teams; or
(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.)
12.6.3.2.2.3 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 12.6.3.2.2. 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 12.6.3.2.2.
12.6.3.2.2.4 Matriculation After 20th Birthday -- Tennis. In tennis, a student-athlete who is eligible under Bylaw 12.6.3.2.2, 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.)
12.6.3.2.2.4.1 Exception -- Continuous Full-Time Enrollment. A student-athlete who is eligible under Bylaw 12.6.3.2.2 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 12.6.3.2.2.4.
12.6.3.2.2.4.2 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 12.6.3.2.2.4.
12.6.3.2.2.4.3 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 12.6.3.2.2.4. 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 12.6.3.2.2.4.
12.6.3.2.3 Low-level and Minimally Organized Competition. A student-athlete may be granted relief from delayed enrollment conditions during the athletics eligibility certification process for participation that meets the definition of organized competition (see Bylaw 12.02.6) but is determined to be low-level or minimally organized competition.
12.6.3.3 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.
12.6.3.4 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 17.34.1.4).
12.6.3.5 Participation on an Institution's Club Team. An individual is charged with a season of competition for participation in intercollegiate competition (see Bylaw 12.02.3) as a member of an institution's club team if the institution sponsored the sport as a varsity intercollegiate sport and as a club sport at the time of participation.
12.6.4 Hardship Waiver. A student-athlete may be granted an additional year of competition by the conference or the Athletics Eligibility Subcommittee 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:
(a) The incapacitating injury or illness occurs in one of the four seasons of intercollegiate competition at any two-year or four-year collegiate institutions or occurs after the first day of classes in the student-athlete's senior year in high school;
(b) The injury or illness occurs before the first contest or date of competition of the second half of the playing season that concludes with the NCAA championship in that sport and results in incapacity to compete for the remainder of that playing season; and
(c) The injury or illness occurs when the student-athlete has not participated in more than three contests or dates of competition or 30 percent of 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, whichever is greater.
12.6.4.1 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 Athletics Eligibility Subcommittee.
12.6.4.1.1 Review of Denied Waiver. An institution may submit a denied hardship waiver to the Athletics Eligibility Subcommittee. The subcommittee 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.
12.6.4.2 Criteria for Administration of Hardship Waiver.
12.6.4.2.1 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.
12.6.4.2.2 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.
12.6.4.2.3 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).
12.6.4.2.3.1 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.
12.6.4.2.3.2 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).
12.6.4.2.3.3 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).
12.6.4.2.4 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.
12.6.4.2.5 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:
(a) Preseason exhibition contests and preseason practice scrimmages that do not count toward the use of a season of competition per Bylaw 12.6.3.1.4; and
(b) Annual exemptions (e.g., alumni game, foreign team in the United States) as specified in Bylaw 17 for the applicable sport, except for a conference championship and other postseason competition.
12.6.4.2.6 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.
12.6.4.2.7 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.
12.6.4.2.8 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.
12.6.4.2.9 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.
12.6.5 Season-of-Competition Waiver -- Competition While Ineligible. In conjunction with a request for restoration of eligibility and any conditions imposed thereon per Bylaw 12.10, a student-athlete may be granted an additional season of competition by the Athletics Eligibility Subcommittee 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:
(a) The competition occurred while the student-athlete was representing an NCAA member institution;
(b) The competition occurred within 60 days of the date the student-athlete first reported for athletics participation;
(c) The student-athlete did not participate in more than two events or 10 percent (whichever number is greater) of 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. All competition against outside participants that triggers the use of a season of competition shall be countable under this limitation in determining the number of events in which the student-athlete participated;
(d) The student-athlete was involved innocently and inadvertently in the erroneous determination or declaration of eligibility, which permitted the student-athlete to compete while ineligible; and
(e) In the case of a coaching staff member's erroneous decision, the student-athlete had reason to believe the student-athlete would be eligible to participate, and the student-athlete did not contribute to the coaching staff member's erroneous decision to allow the student-athlete to participate.
12.6.5.1 Ten Percent Calculation. The requirements specified in Bylaw 12.6.4.2.3 shall apply to the 10 percent calculation specified in this waiver.
12.6.6 Season-of-Competition Waiver -- Competition While Eligible. A student-athlete may be granted an additional season of competition by the Athletics Eligibility Subcommittee 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 Athletics Eligibility Subcommittee shall have authority to review and grant a waiver based on additional documented extenuating circumstances.
12.6.6.1 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:
(a) The competition occurred while the student-athlete was representing an NCAA institution;
(b) The competition occurred before the completion of the first 20 percent of the playing season that concludes with the NCAA championship in that sport; and
(c) The student-athlete did not compete in more than two events or 10 percent (whichever number is greater) of 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. All competition against outside participants that triggers the use of a season of competition shall be countable under this limitation in determining the number of events in which the student-athlete participated.
12.6.6.1.1 Percent Calculation. The requirements specified in Bylaw 12.6.4.2.3 shall apply to the percent calculation specified in this waiver.
12.6.6.2 Extenuating Circumstances. Extenuating circumstances include, but are not limited to, the following:
(a) The student-athlete failed to complete the entire season of competition at the institution as a result of a life-threatening injury or illness suffered by a member of the student-athlete's immediate family, that clearly is supported by contemporaneous medical documentation;
(b) The student-athlete failed to complete the entire season of competition at the institution as a result of extreme financial difficulties as a result of a specific event (e.g., layoff, death in family) experienced by the student-athlete or an individual upon whom the student-athlete is legally dependent and prohibited the student-athlete from participating in intercollegiate athletics. These circumstances must be clearly supported by objective documentation (e.g., decree of bankruptcy, proof of termination) and must be beyond the control of the student-athlete or the individual upon whom the student-athlete is legally dependent;
(c) The student-athlete's institution dropped the sport (in which the student-athlete practiced or competed) from its intercollegiate program.
12.6.6.2.1 Conditions of Competition. The competition must have occurred under all of the following conditions:
(a) The competition occurred before the first contest or date of competition of the second half of the playing season that concludes with the NCAA championship in the sport; and
(b) The student-athlete did not compete in more than three contests or dates of competition or 30 percent of 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, whichever is greater.
12.6.6.2.1.1 Percent Calculation. The requirements specified in Bylaws 12.6.4.2.3, 12.6.4.2.4 and 12.6.4.2.5 shall apply to the percent calculation specified in this waiver.
12.6.1 Timing of 19th Birthday. For an individual who turns 19 years old on or after September 1, the period of eligibility begins at the start of the subsequent academic year, unless the individual enrolls full time in a collegiate institution earlier.
12.6.2.1 Athletics Competition. Even though an individual is enrolled in 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.
12.6.23.2 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 period only if:
[12.6.3-(a) through 12.6.3-(b) unchanged.]
12.6.24.3 Joint College/High School Program. An individual's five-year period of eligibility does not begin while the individual 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 individual has not officially graduated from high school and does not participate in intercollegiate athletics while enrolled in the joint program.
12.6.25.4 Vocational Program. A student-athlete's five-year period of eligibility 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.
12.6.16.2 Service Exceptions to the Five-Year Rule Period of Eligibility. 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 period of eligibility. Among such services that qualify for an exception are:
[12.6.6-(a) through 12.6.6-(c) unchanged.]
12.6.16.21.1 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 one of the service exceptions, the elapsed time (the exact number of calendar days) between completion of the service 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).
12.6.16.2.2 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 years in which the student-athlete's seasons period of eligibility must be completed.
12.6.6.3 Organized Competition During Service Assignment. If an individual participates in organized competition (see Bylaw 12.02.6) at any time during a service assignment, none of the time spent in the service assignment shall be excepted from the individual’s five-year period of eligibility.
12.6.6.3.1 Low-level and Minimally Organized Competition. A student-athlete may be granted relief from the application of Bylaw 12.6.6.3 in the athletics eligibility certification process for participation that meets the definition of organized competition but is determined to be low-level or minimally organized competition.
12.6.17.5 Pregnancy Exception. An institution may extend a A female student-athlete’s five-year period of eligibility for one year may be extended for reasons of pregnancy based on the period in which the student-athlete is unable to participate (practice or compete) in intercollegiate athletics, as supported by contemporaneous medical documentation.
12.6.7.1 Application. The pregnancy exception applies to any condition related to pregnancy (e.g., miscarriage, postpartum depression).
12.6.7.2 Medical Documentation. Contemporaneous or other appropriate medical documentation, from a physician (medical doctor) who administered care at the time of the pregnancy or related condition shall be submitted to establish the application of the pregnancy exception. 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.
12.6.8 Waivers. There shall be no waivers of the application of the five-year period of eligibility legislation.
12.7 U.S. Service Academy Exceptions, Special Eligibility Provisions.
12.7.1 Five-Year Rule. The Athletics Eligibility Subcommittee, by a two-thirds majority of its members present and voting, may approve waivers to the five-year rule (see Bylaw 12.6) 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.
[12.7.1 renumbered as 12.7.0, unchanged.]
[12.8 through 12.10 unchanged.]
B. Bylaws: Amend 14, as follows:
14 Academic Eligibility
[14.01 through 14.2 unchanged.]
14.3 Freshman Academic Requirements.
[14.3.1 through 14.3.2 unchanged.]
14.3.3 Seasons of Competition -- Nonqualifiers. Nonqualifiers, recruited or nonrecruited, shall not engage in more than three seasons of competition in any one sport. A student who transfers to a Division I member institution from another collegiate institution shall not engage in more than four seasons of competition with not more than three of those seasons in Division I.
[14.3.3 renumbered as 14.3.2, unchanged.]
14.3.3.1 Application of Delayed Enrollment Legislation. A student-athlete who is charged with a season (or seasons) of eligibility due to the application of delayed enrollment legislation (Bylaws 12.6.3.2 and 12.6.3.3) is considered to have used that season (or seasons) of competition for purposes of Bylaw 14.3.3.
14.3.3.2 Fourth Season of Competition -- Nonqualifiers. A fourth season of intercollegiate competition shall be granted to a student-athlete who is a nonqualifier, provided that at the beginning of the fifth academic year following the student-athlete's initial, full-time collegiate enrollment, the student-athlete has completed at least 80 percent of the student-athlete's designated degree program.
14.3.3.2.1 Waiver. The Academic Eligibility Subcommittee shall have the authority to grant a fourth season of intercollegiate competition to a student-athlete who is a nonqualifier based on objective evidence of extraordinary circumstances that warrant a waiver of the normal application of this regulation.
[14.3.4 renumbered as 14.3.3, unchanged.]
14.4 Progress-Toward-Degree Requirements.
[14.4.1 unchanged.]
14.4.2 Eligibility for Financial Aid and Practice. Eligibility for institutional financial aid and practice during each academic year after a student-athlete's initial year of residence or after the student-athlete has used one season of eligibility in a sport shall be based upon the rules of the institution and the conference, if any, of which the institution is a member.
14.4.3 Eligibility for Competition.
[14.4.3.1 unchanged.]
14.4.3.2 Fulfillment of Percentage of Degree Requirements. A student-athlete who is entering the third year of collegiate enrollment shall have completed successfully at least 40 percent of the course requirements in the student's specific degree program. A student-athlete who is entering the fourth year of collegiate enrollment shall have completed successfully at least 60 percent of the course requirements in the student's specific degree program. A student-athlete who is entering the fifth year of collegiate enrollment shall have completed successfully at least 80 percent of the course requirements in the student's specific degree program. The course requirements must be in the student's specific degree program (as opposed to the student's major).
[14.4.3.2.1 unchanged.]
14.4.3.2.2 Application of Rule to Transfer Student. The provisions of Bylaw 14.4.3.2 shall be applicable to the eligibility of a transfer student from a two-year or four-year collegiate institution, even if the student has not yet completed an academic year of residence or used a season of eligibility in a sport at the certifying institution.
[14.4.3.2.2.1 unchanged.]
[14.4.3.2.3 through 14.4.3.2.4 unchanged.]
[14.4.3.3 through 14.4.3.10 unchanged.]
[14.5 through 14.6 unchanged.]
14.7 Additional Waivers for Eligibility Requirements. Conditions under which exceptions are permitted or waivers may be granted to specific eligibility requirements in this bylaw are noted in other sections of this bylaw.
14.7.1 Academic and General Requirements Waivers. The Academic Eligibility Subcommittee may waive academic eligibility requirements under the following conditions or circumstances:
[14.7.1-(a) unchanged.]
(b) For institutions that have instituted a trimester or other accelerated academic program, provided any member institution applying for a waiver shall demonstrate a reasonable need for such waiver. Further, no waiver shall be granted that permits a student-athlete to compete in more than the maximum permissible number of seasons of intercollegiate competition (see Bylaw 12.6). Under the waiver allowed, if a student in an accelerated academic program completes the requirements for a degree before completing eligibility, the student may participate in competition that begins within 90 days after completion of the requirements for the degree; and
[14.7.1-(c) unchanged.]
[14.8 through 14.9 unchanged.]
C. Bylaws: Amend 18.4.1.4, as follows:
18.4.1.4 Ineligibility for Use of Banned Drugs. A student-athlete who, as a result of a drug test administered by the NCAA, tests positive for use of a substance in a banned drug class shall be declared ineligible for further participation in postseason and regular-season competition in accordance with the ineligibility provisions in this bylaw.
18.4.1.4.1 Penalty -- Banned Drug Classes Other Than Narcotics. A student-athlete who, as a result of a drug test administered by the NCAA, tests positive for use of a substance in a banned drug class other than narcotics (in accordance with the testing methods authorized by the Board of Governors) shall be subject to the following:
(a) The student-athlete shall be ineligible for competition in all sports until the student-athlete has been withheld from the equivalent of one season (the maximum number of championship segment regular-season contests or dates of competition in the applicable sport per Bylaw 17) of regular-season competition. The student-athlete must be otherwise eligible for competition to fulfill this penalty; and
(b) A student-athlete who tests positive during a year in which the student-athlete did not use a season of competition shall be charged with the loss of one season of competition in all sports. A student-athlete who tests positive during a year in which the student-athlete used a season of competition shall be charged with the loss of one additional season of competition in all sports (in addition to the season used) unless the student-athlete uses a season of competition in the academic year immediately after the positive test; and
[18.4.1.4.1-(c) relettered as 18.4.1.4.1-(b), unchanged.]
[18.4.1.4.1.1 unchanged.]
[18.4.1.4.2 unchanged.]
18.4.1.4.3 Breach of NCAA Drug-Testing Program Protocol. A student-athlete who is in breach of the NCAA drug-testing program protocol (e.g., no-show) shall be considered to have tested positive for use of any drug in a banned drug class other than narcotics.
18.4.1.4.3.1 Tampering with Drug-Test Sample. A student-athlete who is involved in a case of clearly observed tampering with an NCAA drug-test sample (e.g., urine substitution and related methods), as documented per NCAA drug-testing protocol by a drug-testing crew member, shall be subject to the following:
(a) The student-athlete shall be ineligible for competition in all sports until the student-athlete has been withheld from the equivalent of two seasons (the maximum number of championship segment regular-season contests or dates of competition in the applicable sport per Bylaw 17) of regular-season competition. The student-athlete must be otherwise eligible for competition to fulfill this penalty; and
(b) A student-athlete who is involved in tampering during a year in which the student-athlete did not use a season of competition, shall be charged with the loss of two seasons of competition in all sports. A student-athlete who is involved in tampering during a year in which the student-athlete used a season of competition, shall be charged with the loss of two additional seasons of competition in all sports (in addition to the season used) unless the student-athlete uses a season of competition in one of the next two academic years. If the student-athlete uses a season of competition in one of the next two academic years, the student-athlete will only be charged one additional season of competition in all sports (in addition to the seasons used); and
[18.4.1.4.3.1-(c) relettered as 18.4.1.4.3.1-(b), unchanged.]
[18.4.1.4.4 through 18.4.1.4.11 unchanged.]
D. Bylaws: Amend 21.3, as follows:
21.3 Academics and Eligibility Committee.
[21.3.1 through 21.3.3 unchanged.]
21.3.4 Subcommittees of the Academics and Eligibility Committee.
[21.3.4.1 unchanged.]
21.3.4.2 Athletics Eligibility Subcommittee.
[21.3.4.2.1 unchanged.]
21.3.4.2.2 Duties and Responsibilities. The Athletics Eligibility Subcommittee shall:
(a) With oversight from the Cabinet, make legislative and policy recommendations related to the period of eligibility and seasons of competition; awards, benefits and expenses unrelated to the House settlement; involvement with professional teams; preenrollment athletics eligibility; and professional sports agents;
[21.3.4.2.2-(b) through 21.3.4.2.2-(c) unchanged.]
(d) Review and act upon appeals of staff decisions on legislative relief wavier requests related to the areas listed in (a) above and provide annual reports of legislative relief waiver decisions to the Cabinet; and
(e) Review and act upon appeals of staff decisions on student-athlete reinstatement requests and provide annual reports of reinstatement decisions to the Cabinet. The subcommittee shall oversee the policies and procedures for the restoration of eligibility of a student-athlete who is ineligible for intercollegiate competition.; and
(f) Review and act upon requests to review staff determinations of facts related to athletics certifications and the period of eligibility. The Cabinet shall oversee the policies for such determinations.
[21.3.4.2.3 unchanged.]
21.3.4.2.4 Authority. An interpretive, fact-finding, waiver or reinstatement decision made by the Athletics Eligibility Subcommittee shall be final, binding and conclusive and shall not be subject to further review by any other authority.
E. Bylaws: Amend 9.3, as follows:
9.3 Other Legislative and Amendment Procedures.
9.3.1 Interpretations of Bylaws.
9.3.1.1 Authorization. The Cabinet has overall oversight of interpretations of the bylaws and is empowered to make interpretations of the bylaws that are not subject to the authority of other committees. The Academics and Eligibility Committee is empowered to make interpretations of bylaws related to academics, including initial eligibility; two-year and four-year college transfers; progress toward degree and academic integrity; and eligibility, including period of eligibility and seasons of competition; awards and benefits unrelated to the House settlement; involvement with professional teams; preenrollment athletics activities; and professional sports agents. Sports oversight committees are empowered to make interpretations of sport specific bylaws of Articles 11, 13, 17 and 31.
[9.3.1.1.1 unchanged.]
[9.3.1.2 through 9.3.1.3 unchanged.]
[9.3.2 through 9.3.4 unchanged.]
Source: NCAA Division I Cabinet
Effective Date: August 1, 2026; may be applied to student-athletes with eligibility remaining (seasons and period of eligibility) who initially enrolled full time in any collegiate institution before August 1, 2026. May be applied to student-athletes who initially enroll full time in any collegiate institution in the 2026-27 academic year. (Current rules may be applied to student-athletes who enrolled before or enroll during the 2026-27 academic year; however, no waivers will be available.) Applicable to student-athletes who initially enroll full time in any collegiate institution in 2027-28 and thereafter.
Proposal Category: Amendment
Topical Area: Athletics Eligibility
Rationale: The Age-Based Eligibility Model provides predictable boundaries for eligibility that closely track the typical trajectory of collegiate athletics participation in terms of attendance and degree completion. Supporting the five calendar years of Division I collegiate eligibility, NCAA Division I Academic Performance Program data indicates that of the Division I student-athletes who earned their bachelor's degrees in 2024, 98 percent did so within five years or fewer, while 72 percent graduated in four years or fewer. Further, although there are some individual sport outliers, the five-year average of APP data demonstrates that the average age of first-year Division I student-athletes is 18.7. Aligned with the existing NCAA core guarantees, including scholarship protections, healthcare and medical services, degree completion support, academic support, career counseling and life skills education, the age-based eligibility model ensures consistent standards across Division I.
Estimated Budget Impact: None.
Impact on Student-Athlete's Time (Academic and/or Athletics): None.
History
| Jun 24, 2026: | In Progress | Considered by the Division I Cabinet as emergency legislation. |
| Jun 24, 2026: | Adopted Final | Adopted by the Cabinet as emergency legislation. |
Legislative References