Retention: Reestablishment of Eligibility
Retention: Reestablishment of Eligibility
Items 1 -5 Breakdown
Seasons of Participation
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A student has 10 semesters (or 12 trimesters or 15 quarters) to play up to 4 seasons in a single sport.
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These semesters don’t have to be back-to-back.
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In the 9th or 10th semester, a student can still play sports as long as they haven't already used all 4 seasons in that sport.
When Eligibility Starts (Same School)
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A student can become eligible right after a term ends, as long as:
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They meet all academic and eligibility rules for the next term.
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The school officially certifies them as eligible.
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Grades and Credit Recognition
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Final Grades: Once grades are submitted normally and appear on the transcript, and the student is certified, the credits count toward eligibility.
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Incomplete Grades:
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A student with an incomplete cannot compete.
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They must wait until the incomplete is fixed, the grade is posted, and eligibility is re-certified.
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Trimester System: Spring Sports Exception
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A student on the trimester system can play spring sports even if not enrolled in the third trimester, if they:
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Were enrolled the previous term at that school.
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Earned at least 24 institutional credit hours since fall started.
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Meet all other eligibility rules.
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Postseason Eligibility
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If a student:
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Was eligible and competed during the season, and
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Was enrolled in the term before postseason,
➡️ They can still play in the postseason, even if they won't be eligible in the next term.
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Graduated Students (Post-Bacc)
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If a student has graduated, they may continue competing only if they’re enrolled in and working on post-baccalaureate coursework.
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If they’re not enrolled in more coursework after graduating, they’re no longer eligible to play.
Item 6 - Rule for Students Dismissed or Suspended from College
If a student has been dismissed, expelled, or suspended from any college or university (for any reason—including team rules or athletic department policies):
They must wait before they can play sports at an NAIA school.
What’s the waiting period?The student must either:
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Attend a 4-year college for 2 semesters (or 2 trimesters or 3 quarters),
OR -
Wait until the original dismissal or suspension period officially ends (whichever happens first),
Before they can compete in NAIA athletics.
Important Note:
This rule has applied to all student-athletes since the 2016–2017 school year, no matter when the suspension happened.
Exceptions to the Rule
Exception 1: Two-Year College Early Suspension
If the suspension happened:
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At a two-year college, and
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During the student’s first 2 semesters (or 3 trimesters or quarters),
The student can serve their waiting period at any college (2-year or 4-year), not just a 4-year institution.
Exception 2: Academic Dismissal with NAIA Eligibility
If the student was:
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Dismissed/suspended for academic reasons only, and
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Still met NAIA eligibility rules at the time,
They can avoid the waiting period if they:
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Do not participate in college athletics for one full calendar year after the dismissal.
