Article V, Section I
Submission of NAIA Official Eligibility Certificates
Link to NAIA Handbook
Item 1-2 Submission of ECP Certificate
Bylaw Application: Submission of ECP Certificate
It shall be the responsibility of the faculty athletics representative of each member institution to check the eligibility of each student prior to allowing the student to represent the institution in any manner (i.e. scrimmages, intercollegiate contests) against competitors not directly identified with the institution in any sport recognized by the NAIA.
Timing of Certification
Institutions which sponsor sports that carry over from one term to another (basketball, swimming and diving, wrestling, etc.) must certify that students participating in these sports are eligible for all terms in which the competition takes place.
For all other terms during the regular academic year, a student enrolled in the second (or subsequent) term may compete between terms (beginning on the day following the close of the concluding term), provided the student meets all eligibility requirements for the upcoming term.
30-Day Recertification
A student who is eligible the last day of a term (as reported on the institution’s official academic calendar) may retain eligibility until midnight of the 30th calendar day following the close of a term to allow an institution time to recertify eligibility through the official Eligibility Certification Process. This regulation does not apply to students who have completed 10 semesters of attendance (or equivalent).
Further, students who are discovered to be ineligible by the institution through the official Eligibility Certification Process or by conference standards shall lose eligibility immediately upon such discovery.
Students Establishing Eligibility Mid-Year
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Students who were ineligible in the previous term or transfer students not identified at the institution during the prior term can be certified to play the day after the fall term ends.
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These students do not need to wait for the 30-day recertification period or the start of classes in the following term to become eligible.
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If the rest of the team uses the 30-day recertification period, these mid-year eligible students must be certified for the upcoming term.
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Mid-year eligibility requires certification under the winter or spring certificate, effective the day after the official end of the fall term.
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Only one student-athlete may initially be certified under the new term's certificate (e.g., Spring 2024), while the rest of the team competes under the previous term's certificate.
CASEBOOK EXAMPLES – RECOGNITION OF CREDITS FOR CERTIFICATION
Recognition of Credits Approved Ruling: When the grades are submitted in the normal manner to the registrar and are posted on the transcript and the student is properly certified, a student is then recognized as having the credits apply in meeting NAIA regulations.
Incomplete Grades Approved Ruling: If a student is ineligible due to having insufficient hours but can become eligible if an incomplete grade is made up satisfactorily, the student shall not compete until the incomplete is made up, the grade is submitted to the registrar as described above and the student is properly certified as eligible.
How does Due Diligence relate to certification?
In the event of a violation, the NAIA institution must demonstrate that they have completed all necessary steps to properly certify their student-athletes. This includes, but is not limited to:
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1) Conducting a comprehensive transfer player eligibility statement. It's important to note that the Eligibility Center does not evaluate issues of suspension or residency. While they may flag issues if evidence is found in transcripts or tracers, it is the responsibility of the NAIA school to determine residency from suspension or dismissal.
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2) Conducting a thorough interview if questions arise regarding a student's amateurism. It is essential to document the answers and have the student sign off on the statements.
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3) Certifying based on all official documentation, including official transcripts and tracers from previous institutions, and comparing them with the Eligibility Center's decision (if applicable).
Applicable Interp Articles:
Mid-Year Certification
Mid-Year Transfer Student Eligibility and Key Scenarios: A Comprehensive Guide
