Page 271 - (FINAL!) UPDATED 13.0) 2020-2021 HANDBOOK - SEPTEMBER 2020 EDITION_Neat

Case 1
Eligibility of a Community College Graduate
SITUATION:
After two years of college attendance, Student-Athlete R completes the degree requirements and graduates from Community College A.
During the two years of college attendance, Student-Athlete R was a member of the basketball team during his/her freshman year and did
not go out for the team during his/her second year of college. After graduating from Community College A, Student-Athlete R decides to
return to the same college to obtain a degree in another subject. Can Student-Athlete R participate in basketball during his/her third year of
college?
ANSWER:
Yes. The fact that he/she has already graduated from Community College A does not affect his/her eligibility in any one sport. Student-Athlete
R's academic eligibility is based on the previous term or terms of full-time enrollment.

Case 2
Eligibility of a Four-Year Institution Graduate
SITUATION:

Student-Athlete R, a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from a four-year institution, enrolls in Community College A as a full-time
student. Is Student-Athlete R eligible to compete in bowling at Community College A if he/she has never competed collegiately?
ANSWER:
Yes. Even though Student-Athlete R has graduated from a four-year institution, he/she has two seasons of eligibility in any one of the
certified sports of the NJCAA, subject to the academic provisions of the NJCAA.

Case 3
Eligibility After Diploma
SITUATION:

Student-Athlete R was awarded a diploma upon completion of a one-year drafting program at Community College A. After the lapse of a
number of years, Student-Athlete R enrolls in the two-year construction technology curriculum at Community College A. Does the diploma
preclude Student-Athlete R from being eligible to compete in the intercollegiate athletic program of Community College A?
ANSWER:
No. Even though awarded a diploma, Student-Athlete R remains eligible to participate for two seasons in any one sport, subject to the
eligibility rules of the NJCAA.

PREP SCHOOLS
Case 1

SITUATION: Prep Schools- First year
Student-Athlete R graduates from high school in May of 2019. During the 2019-2020 academic year he/she attends a prep school and
participates in their basketball program and wishes to attend Community College A for the 2020-2021 year. Has he/she used a season of
eligibility during the 2019-2020 year?

ANSWER:
No. The NJCAA would not count his/her participation at the prep school towards the two years of eligibility in the NJCAA. Therefore the 2019-
2020 season will not count as a season of eligibility and Student-Athlete R will have two seasons of NJCAA eligibility in the sport of basketball.
He/she would be entering Community College A as an incoming freshman and his/her delay of enrollment statement will need to be
documented on the eligibility form.
Case 2

SITUATION: Prep Schools- Second Year
Student-Athlete R graduates from high school in May 2018. He enrolls in a NJCAA member college for the fall 2018 and spring 2019
academic term and participates in his first season of basketball. In the 2019-2020 academic year the student attends a prep school and
participates on their basketball team. The student enrolls at a NJCAA member school for the fall 2020 academic term as a full-time student.
Does this student have any NJCAA eligibility remaining in the sport of basketball?

ANSWER:
No. The NJCAA allows a student to attend a prep school immediately out of high school and participate in a sport without using a season
of eligibility. The fact that this student has competed at a member college using his first season of NJCAA eligibility, then attends a prep
school, it is the NJCAA’s interpretation that this student has used two seasons of eligibility in basketball and has exhausted his NJCAA
eligibility. The only exception the NJCAA has for not counting prep school participation is when it is during their first year of post high school
participation.
Case 3

SITUATION: Prep Schools- Second Year

Student-Athlete R graduates from high school in May 2018. Attends a prep school during the 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 academic years
and participates in basketball both years. Fall 2020 Student-Athlete R enrolls at Community College A. Has Student-Athlete R used a season
of basketball eligibility? How many credits does student-athlete R need to eligible?

ANSWER:
Yes, Student-Athlete R has used one season of NJCAA basketball eligibility since he attended and participated at the prep school the
second year out of high school. Student-athlete R has used one season of NJCAA basketball eligibility and is a second season athlete.
However, because Student-athlete R has never been enrolled full-time in college an exception to the second season athlete eligibility
progress requirements may be waived by the NJCAA National Office.