Page 240 - 2019-20 NJCAA Handbook - May, 2020

- The formula for converting semester credits to quarter credits is to multiply 3/2 x semester credits = quarter credit
hours (3/2 x 24 semester credit hours = 36 quarter credits).
- The credits and quality points must all be converted to determine the credit hours and GPA.
- Likewise, the number of full-time terms must be adjusted, 2 full-time semesters become 3 full-time quarters.
NOTE: The general rule is that the conversion itself cannot make a student-athlete eligible.

Case 5
NJCAA Rules vs. Regional / Conference Rules
SITUATION:
NJCAA Region A wants to implement a rule limiting the number of scholarships allowed for a particular sport which is
stricter than the national rule. Is Region A permitted to strengthen this rule and require all region members to abide by the
strengthened standards?
ANSWER:
In most instances, regions are allowed to implement rules which are more stringent than those in place at the national
level. In cases where multiple conferences make up the region, the conference which holds the majority of votes will not be
permitted to institute a regional rule solely based on numbers. In order to institute a regional bylaw which is stricter than the
national rule in a multi conference region a unanimous vote must be collected in order to adopt the new requirements. The
change will not be allowed with a majority vote. Conference membership is voluntary but regional membership is mandatory
based on NJCAA membership and a member college may not decline regional membership.

Case 6
College Rules and Athletic Eligibility
SITUATION:
Student-Athletes at Community College A are required to maintain a 2.15 overall GPA in a degree program to be eligible to
participate in intercollegiate athletics. The NJCAA does not require an overall 2.15 GPA and Student-Athlete R would like to
participate in an NJCAA regional tournament. Is Student-Athlete R eligible to participate if he/she satisfies the academic
progress eligibility rules but not the requirements of the college?
ANSWER:
No. A conference or region may establish rules that are more stringent than the NJCAA rules. According to NJCAA
bylaws, student-athletes must satisfy the institution rules, conference rules and NJCAA rules to be eligible for athletic
participation.

Incomplete Grades

Case 1
Incomplete (I) Grades
SITUATION:
During the first term of college attendance at Community College A, Student-Athlete R initially enrolls in 12 credit hours. At
the completion of the term Student-Athlete R passes 9 credit hours and receives an incomplete grade in a 3-credit hour course.
Is Student-Athlete R eligible to compete in the intercollegiate athletic program at Community College A during the second term?
ANSWER:
No. Student-Athlete R remains ineligible until the incomplete grade has been completed. There is no deadline for
completing this incomplete grade since after completing and passing this class, the incomplete grade on the fall transcript will
change to the grade earned by the student. If that incomplete grade, in this case, becomes a passing grade, Student-Athlete R
will then have successfully passed 12 hours with a 1.75 GPA or higher from his/her first full-time term, thus satisfying NJCAA
bylaws. However, if Student-Athlete R does not pass this class, he/she will remain ineligible. The deadline for adding students
to eligibility must be met as well.

Intersession

Case 1
Clarification on Winter Intersession Classes and their Completion Deadlines
To further clarify when intersession classes must end in order to use them for eligibility please see the following examples.
Please remember that the following is the ruling for winter intersession classes and those classes that may start concurrently
with the beginning of the term but are completed before the end of the term.

SITUATION:
Community College A has a student-athlete who is ineligible after the fall term and is trying to become eligible for the spring
term by satisfying one of the first season academic requirements. The student needs to pass this class. What is the deadline for
completing the class in order to use the class for spring term eligibility?
ANSWER:
The class must be completed, passed and have a grade posted on or before the “18 calendar day” (not to end on a
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weekend or Federal Holiday) of the spring term. If these three requirements are satisfied, the course grade may be used for
eligibility purposes. The student-athlete becomes eligible when their eligibility is submitted in the NJCAA online system. Again,
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this class can be used for eligibility if completed, passed and have the grade posted on or before the 18 calendar day of the
spring term. Please also remember that if this class is being used for academic progress eligibility for the spring term, the
student-athlete cannot use this class towards their full-time status for the spring term, therefore they must be enrolled in an
additional 12 credits for the spring term.