The NCAA News - News and Features

June 29, 1998

Legislative assistance

1998 Column No. 26Initial eligibility -- multiple high-school attendance

Division I institutions should note that with the adoption of Proposal No. 97-26 (effective August 1, 1998, for freshmen entering in 1998-99 and thereafter), the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse is permitted to receive the official transcript from a student's original high school(s) or the high school from which the student graduated for purposes of certifying the student's initial-eligibility core-curriculum requirements in those instances in which a student has attended multiple high schools.

Students with disabilities -- core-course time limitation -- Division I

Division I institutions should note that in accordance with NCAA Bylaw 14.3.1.3.1.1, a student diagnosed with a disability is permitted to use all core courses completed prior to initial full-time enrollment at a collegiate institution, including those courses taken in the summer immediately preceding initial full-time enrollment at a Division I institution. The determination as to whether courses taken at a high school are core courses shall be made on the basis of the list of approved core courses (formerly 48-H) issued to the high school where the student completed the classes. Courses taken at a collegiate institution must be approved by the NCAA Division I Academics/Eligibility/Compliance Cabinet, inasmuch as these courses would not appear on a high-school list of approved core courses (formerly 48-H).

Bylaw 14.4.3.3.1

Application of "90/95" to transfer students

Division I institutions should note that pursuant to Bylaw 14.4.3.3.1, a student-athlete who is entering his or her third year of collegiate enrollment shall present a cumulative minimum grade-point average (based upon a maximum of 4.000) that equals at least 90 percent of the institution's overall cumulative minimum grade-point average required for graduation. A student-athlete who is entering his or her fourth or subsequent year of collegiate enrollment shall present a cumulative minimum grade-point average (based upon a maximum of 4.000) that equals 95 percent of the institution's overall cumulative minimum grade-point average required for graduation. If the institution does not have an overall grade-point average for graduation, it is permissible to utilize the lowest grade-point average required for any of the institution's degree programs in determining the cumulative minimum grade-point average. The minimum grade-point average must be computed pursuant to institutional policies applicable to all students.

Further, pursuant to Bylaw 14.4.3.3.1.1, the provisions of the above-mentioned bylaw are applicable to the eligibility of a midyear transfer student from a two-year or four-year collegiate institution who has completed an academic term in residence, a student who has completed an academic year in residence, or a student who has utilized a season of eligibility in a sport at the certifying institution.

For example, a student-athlete entering his or her third year of collegiate enrollment who transfers from a two-year or four-year institution to the certifying institution at the beginning of the traditional academic year (i.e., the fall term) is subject to the provisions set forth in 14.4.3.3.1 only after completing an academic year of residence or utilizing a season of eligibility. Under such circumstances, certification of these provisions would occur prior to the beginning of the subsequent fall term. Further, if a student-athlete transfers at midyear from a two-year or four-year institution to the certifying institution and at the time of transfer is entering his or her third year of collegiate enrollment, the student also must be certified under these provisions prior to the beginning of the fall term.

This material was provided by the membership services staff as an aid to member institutions. If an institution has a question or comment regarding this column, such correspondence should be directed to Kristen L. Davis or Lisa Roesler, membership services representatives, at the NCAA national office. This information is available on the College Sports Network.