Page 246 - 2019-20 NJCAA Handbook - May, 2020

ENROLLMENT ELIGIBILITY

Full-Time Term

Case 1
Full-Time Term
SITUATION:
Student-Athlete R attends University Z and is enrolled as a full-time student. Student-Athlete R withdraws from University Z
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on the 20 day of the fall academic term. Student-Athlete R enrolls at the local community college that following spring term.
Does Student-Athlete R have a term of full-time enrollment in their academic history?
ANSWER:
Yes, since the student remained enrolled at University Z beyond the 18 calendar day of the fall term (not to end on a
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weekend or federal holiday).

Case 2
Determination of Full-Time or Part-Time Status
SITUATION:
Student-Athlete R enrolls in 12 credits hours on the first day of the fall term. On the 17 calendar day of the fall term she is
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dropped from her classes due to lack of payment. On the 22 calendar day of the term the student pays the tuition bill and re-
enrolls in 12 credits. Is this student eligible for participation in the fall term?
ANSWER:
Student-Athlete R was eligible for participation up until the time she was dropped from her classes for lack of payment.
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Once she re-enrolls in her courses on the 22 calendar day of the term she has not regained her eligibility as her status as a
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full-time or part-time student was determined on the 18 calendar day of the term when she was not enrolled as a full-time nor
part-time student. The 18 calendar day is the key in this situation. The NJCAA does not charge a student with a full-time term
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of attendance if they completely withdraw within the first 18 calendar days of the term (not to end on a weekend or Federal
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Holiday). Based on this allowance, the NJCAA cannot recognize any enrollment status that takes place prior to the 18
calendar day of the term.

Case 3
Enrollment by 18 Calendar Day of Term but Arrives on Campus after 18 Day
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SITUATION:
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The fall term at Community College A begins on September 5 . Student-Athlete R has enrolled in 12 credit hours on
September 10 but is unable to get into the United States and begin attending class until September 25 . Is Student-Athlete R
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eligible to participate in athletics during the fall term?

ANSWER:
Yes. Article V, Section 2.C.1 requires a student-athlete to be enrolled in full-time status by the 18 calendar day (not to end
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on a weekend or Federal Holiday) of the term in which the student-athlete chooses to participate. Even though Student-Athlete
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R is not physically on campus by the 18 calendar day of the fall term, he/she is eligible to compete when the student-athlete
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arrives on campus because of his/her full-time enrollment by the 18 calendar day of the fall term.

Case 4
Determination of Credit Hours
SITUATION:
Student-Athlete R enrolls in a Psychology course that meets 3 hours a week and carries 3 credit hours, an English course
that meets 4 hours a week and carries 4 credit hours and a Drawing course that meets twice a week for 3 hours each session
and carries 2 credit hours. Is such student-athlete carrying 9 or 13 credit hours of college work?
ANSWER:
Nine (9). Each college determines the number of credit hours students receive for courses listed in the college catalog.

Case 5
Evening Division
SITUATION:
Are student-athletes who take part in all of their 12 credit hours of college work in the evening division at Community
College A eligible?
ANSWER:
Yes. These credits count providing the courses offered in the evening division are the same or equivalent to the courses
being offered in the day school curriculum in which the student-athletes are enrolled.

Case 6
Credits by Examination
SITUATION:
At Community College A, students are permitted to take examinations for college credit. Can the credits granted by
examination be used for the required 12 credit hours of enrollment for participation in athletics?
ANSWER:
Yes, in part. The credits by examination can be used as part of the 12 credit hours only for the term which the credits are
listed on the official transcript. The credit by examination must be taken and approved prior to participation. The NJCAA will not