Page 251 - (FINAL!) UPDATED 13.0) 2020-2021 HANDBOOK - SEPTEMBER 2020 EDITION_Neat

ANSWER:
The procedure is to count 18 full months beginning with the student-athlete's official date of withdrawal as recorded by the college
(i.e. February 15 to March 14 = 1 month). If the student-athlete did not officially withdraw, the countdown begins after the last day of the term
which the student-athlete was enrolled as a full-time student. A 15-calendar day allowance will be given to benefit the student-athlete. If a
student-athlete was not in full-time attendance 17 months and 15 days he/she will have satisfied this rule.
NOTE: If the student-athlete did not serve in the U.S. Armed Forces, a church mission or with a recognized foreign aid service of the United
States Government the provisions of Section 2.D.3, 24 semester or 28/36 quarter hours prior to a second season of participation, must be met
prior to participation.

Case 2

SITUATION: Eighteen Calendar Months After Participation
Student-Athlete R attends Community College A during the course of two semesters and participates in basketball.
Student-Athlete R has an accumulation of 22 semester credits. Student-Athlete R chooses to serve in the Armed Forces of the United States
for the next two years. If Student-Athlete R returns to Community College A after not attending college for a period of 18-calendar months or
longer, is he/she immediately eligible to participate in a second season of basketball competition?
ANSWER:
Yes. Student-Athlete R is exempt from Section 2.D.3 of the eligibility rules.
NOTE: Student-Athlete R must serve in the United States Armed Forces, a church mission or with a recognized foreign aid service of the
United States Government to be exempt from the 24 semester or 28/36 quarter hour requirement for a second season athlete (2.D.3).
Documentation of this service must be sent to the NJCAA National Office for pre-approval.

Case 3

SITUATION: Eighteen Months Out, One Term Back
Student-Athlete R attends college two full-time terms, passing only 15 credit hours with a 1.50 GPA, but does not participate in
sports. Student-Athlete R joins the U.S. Military for two full calendar years, then returns in the fall term to participate in wrestling. Student-
Athlete R is eligible for the fall term based upon the 18th calendar month rule exempting him from Section 2.D.2. However, Student-Athlete R
passes only 10 out of 12 credit hours from the fall term. Is Student-Athlete R eligible for the spring term?

ANSWER:
No. Student-Athlete R is responsible for three previous full-time terms and therefore must have passed either 12 credit hours with a
2.00 GPA in the previous full-time term or 12 x 3 = 36 credit hours with a 2.00 GPA. Once the student-athlete enrolls full-time after the 18-
month break, he/she may no longer use this exemption.

Case 4

SITUATION: 18 Month Non-Attendance Rule – Occurring Twice
Student-Athlete R graduates from high school and attends Community College A for two terms during the 2005-2006 academic
year and does not participate in intercollegiate athletics. He joins the military in August 2006 and is deployed for a period of 24 months. He
comes back to Community College A, attends full-time, and participates in baseball during the spring 2009. He qualified for the 18-Month
Non-Attendance Rule for spring 2009 eligibility. After the spring 2009 term he is unable to attend college as a full-time student for another 30
months. May he use the 18-Month Non-Attendance rule again and be eligible to compete for his second season of participation?
ANSWER:
Yes, if he has met Section 2.D.3 prior to the start of his second season he is eligible to participate.

Case 5

SITUATION: Ten Month Church Mission

Student-Athlete R participates in football at Community College A during the 2004 season. Student-Athlete R then goes on a
certified mission with his church for a period of ten months. At this time, Student-Athlete R then enters the work force for one year. Is Student-
Athlete R exempt from Article V, Section 2.D.3 (second season requirement)?

ANSWER:
No. Section 2.E.2.b requires that the student-athlete be on a mission for eighteen (18) calendar months or longer in order to receive
an exemption from Section 2.D.3. However, he/she is exempt from Sections 2.D.2.

COMPLIANCE ELIGIBILITY