Page 284 - 2019-20 NJCAA Handbook - May, 2020

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
Prep Schools- First year
SITUATION:
Student-Athlete R graduates from high school in May of 2018. During the 2018-2019 academic year he/she attends a prep
school and participates in their basketball program and wishes to attend Community College A for the 2019-2020 year. Has
he/she used a season of eligibility during the 2018-2019 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 2018-2019 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
Prep Schools- Second Year
SITUATION:
Student-Athlete R graduates from high school in May 2017. He enrolls in a NJCAA member college for the fall 2017 and
spring 2018 academic term and participates in his first season of basketball. In the 2018-2019 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
2019 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
Prep Schools- Second Year
SITUATION:
Student-Athlete R graduates from high school in May 2017. Attends a prep school during the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019
academic years and participates in basketball both years. Fall 2019 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.