Page 264 - 2019-20 NJCAA Handbook - May, 2020

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
Eighteen Calendar Months After Participation
SITUATION:
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
Eighteen Months Out, One Term Back
SITUATION:
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
18 Month Non-Attendance Rule – Occurring Twice
SITUATION:
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
Ten Month Church Mission
SITUATION:
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

Falsification of Eligibility

Case 1
Student-Athlete Falsifies Eligibility Information
SITUATION: