Page 253 - 2019-20 NJCAA Handbook - May, 2020

Student-Athlete R initially enrolls in 12 credit hours and is participating on the basketball team. At mid-term, Student-Athlete
R is dropped from a 3-credit hour course for lack of attendance and is officially notified by the college. Does Student-Athlete R
remain eligible until the end of the term?
ANSWER:
No. Student-Athlete R becomes ineligible 48 hours from the time which they drop below 12 credit hours and must withdraw
from any further athletic competitions. It is the responsibility of each college to ensure that all student-athletes participating
in athletics maintain enrollment in 12 or more credit hours. When a member of the college’s athletic staff is aware of the
student’s non-full-time status, it is the member college’s responsibility to withhold the student from participation in official
games/contests even if it is within the allowable 48 hours.
NOTE: If the student-athlete adds a class to regain full-time status, they would regain their eligibility upon full-time enrollment.
Student-Athlete R can regain their eligibility if they re-enroll in 12 or more credits, which begin prior to the end of the regular
season, since they had established their status as a full-time student on the 18 calendar day of the term prior to dropping below
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full-time enrollment.

Case 4
Administrative Withdraw – Lack of Attendance
SITUATION:
Student-Athlete R is enrolled in 12 credit hours at the time he is administratively withdrawn from a three (3) credit course
because of a lack of attendance. When does Student-Athlete R become ineligible to participate?
ANSWER:
It is Student-Athlete R's responsibility to adhere to the attendance policy of the college or classes he/she is enrolled. The
student becomes ineligible 48 hours from the time which they drop below 12 credit hours. When a member of the college’s
athletic staff is aware of the student’s non-full-time status, it is the member college’s responsibility to withhold the student from
participation in official games/contests even if it is within the allowable 48 hours. It should be the responsibility of the
Athletic Director’s office to keep informed on a daily basis of the academic status of all student-athletes who are
actively participating.

Case 5
Withdrawal Within Eighteen Calendar Days and HAS NOT Participated
SITUATION:
Student-Athlete R, a first term freshman, enrolls at Community College A as a full-time student for the fall term. Within 18
calendar days of the fall term, Student-Athlete R withdraws to part-time status. What is Student-Athlete R's status for
participation during the current academic year?
ANSWER:
Student-Athlete R may not participate in any sports during the fall term if he/she remains part-time. However, if Student-
Athlete R does enroll full-time in the fall term, prior to the deadline dates in Article V, Section 3.B, he/she could become eligible
upon full-time enrollment and being certified on eligibility.

Case 6
Withdrawal After Eighteen Calendar Days and HAS Participated
SITUATION:
Student-Athlete R enrolls full-time at Community College A, has participated in one soccer game and withdraws after 18
calendar days of the fall term. Will this withdrawal effect Student-Athlete R for future NJCAA eligibility?
ANSWER:
Yes. This term must count as a full-time term of attendance for any future NJCAA eligibility evaluation because he/she
withdrew after the 18 calendar day of the term. This season will also count as Student-Athlete R’s first season in soccer.
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Case 7
Withdrawals Within Eighteen Calendar Days and HAS Participated
SITUATION:
Prior to the beginning of the fall term Student-Athlete R, a first term freshman, participates in a cross country meet.
Subsequently, Student-Athlete R completely withdraws from the college before the 18 calendar day of the fall term. What is
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the status of Student-Athlete R for participation during the spring term in outdoor track and field? Did Student-Athlete R use a
season of eligibility in cross country?
ANSWER:
Yes. Student-Athlete R used a season of eligibility in cross country because of his/her participation and must accumulate
24 semester or 28/36 quarter hours with a 2.00 GPA prior to a second season in cross country (Section 2.D.3). Student-Athlete
R would not be eligible for his/her first season of outdoor track and field because his/her participation makes the fall term count
as a term of attendance and therefore he/she does not satisfy academic progress requirements prior to the subsequent spring
season of outdoor track and field.

Case 8
Withdrawal While Season is in Progress
SITUATION:
Student-Athlete R enrolls at Community College A as a full-time student for the fall semester. The basketball season at
Community College A begins on November 26 . The fall term at Community College A ends on December 20 . Student-Athlete
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R drops to part-time status on December 4 . When does Student-Athlete R become ineligible for competition? Will Student-
Athlete R be eligible for the spring term?
ANSWER: