National Collegiate Athletic Association

The NCAA News - News and Features

February 16, 1998

Legislative assistance

1998 Column No. 7NCAA Bylaw 14.1.6.2.2.1.3
Waiver requirements for learning-disabled
and handicapped student-athletes -- Division III

Division III institutions should note that pursuant to NCAA Bylaw 14.1.6.2.2.1.3, the NCAA Division III Management Council may waive the 12-hour requirement for a learning-disabled or handicapped student-athlete when objective evidence demonstrates that an institution defines full-time enrollment for that student-athlete to be less than 12 hours to accommodate the student's learning disability or handicap. Further, during its January 13, 1998, meeting, the Division III Management Council approved the following policies as they relate to the work of the Subcommittee on Academic Issues:

General Policies.

The subcommittee's waiver authority relates solely to those circumstances in which the institution has defined the student's full-time enrollment to be less than 12 hours to compensate for the student's disability in accordance with an existing institutional policy for all students, not just student-athletes. The subcommittee must receive objective, written evidence from an appropriate institutional academic authority (e.g., registrar) of such a policy. The written policy should specify both the institution's commitment to accommodate students with disabilities and the nature and extent of institutional resources and programs available for this purpose.

Additional Requirements.

  • The application for reduced enrollment must include the student-athlete's documented learning disability. The diagnosis must have been made or updated within three years prior to the submission of the application.

  • Each institution that submits a waiver request on behalf of a student-athlete with a disability must provide objective evidence that a recommendation from the diagnosing professional or an appropriate institutional staff member indicates that the student should be enrolled in a specific number of hours, which is less than full time for a regular student in order to compensate for his or her disability.

    NCAA Bylaw 14.1.7.1
    One-time transfer exception

    NCAA institutions should note that a graduate student who is enrolled in a graduate program or professional school of an institution other than the institution from which he or she graduated may participate in intercollegiate athletics if the student fulfills the conditions of the one-time transfer exception set forth in Bylaw 14.5.5.3.11 and has eligibility remaining per Bylaw 14.2 (five-year/10-semester rule).

    Further, Division III institutions should note that this bylaw is not applicable to student-athletes transferring to Division III institutions. Accordingly, an individual who has received a baccalaureate degree would not be eligible to compete at a Division III institution, unless the institution is the same one from which he or she received the undergraduate degree.

    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 Richard C. Perko or Kristen L. Davis, membership services representatives, at the NCAA national office. This information is available on the Collegiate Sports Network.