ncaa-manual

14.1.6 Admission and Enrollment.14.1.6.1 Admission. A student-athlete shall not represent an institution in intercollegiate athletics competitionunless the student has been admitted as a regularly enrolled, degree-seeking student in accordance with theregular, published entrance requirements of that institution.14.1.6.1.1 Special Admission. A student-athlete may be admitted under a special exception to theinstitution’s normal entrance requirements if the discretionary authority of the president or chancellor (ordesignated admissions officer or committee) to grant such exceptions is set forth in an official documentpublished by the university (e.g., official catalog) that describes the institution’s admissions requirements.(Revised: 3/8/06)14.1.7 Full-Time Enrollment.14.1.7.1 Requirement for Practice. To be eligible to participate in organized practice sessions, a studentathleteshall be enrolled in a minimum full-time program of studies leading to a baccalaureate or equivalentdegree as defined by the regulations of the certifying institution. [D] (Revised: 1/10/92, 10/28/99)14.1.7.1.1 Practice Prior to Initial Enrollment. A student-athlete may practice during the official vacationperiod immediately preceding initial enrollment, provided the student has been accepted by theinstitution for enrollment in a regular, full-time program of studies at the time of the individual’s initialparticipation; is no longer enrolled in the previous educational institution; and is eligible under all institutionaland NCAA requirements.14.1.7.1.1.1 Prohibited Practice Activities. A prospective student-athlete shall not engage in anypractice activities (e.g., review of playbook, chalk talk, film review) with a coaching staff member priorto his or her enrollment. A prospective student-athlete who has signed a National Letter of Intent orthe institution’s written offer of admission and/or financial aid, or has submitted a financial depositto the institution in response to the institution’s offer of admission shall not observe an institution’soff-field or off-court practice session (e.g., meeting, film review) that is closed to the general public. Aprospective student-athlete may observe an institution’s on-field or on-court practice session (includinga session that is closed to the general public), regardless of whether he or she has signed a NationalLetter of Intent or the institution’s written offer of admission and/or financial aid, or has submitted afinancial deposit to the institution in response to the institution’s offer of admission. (Revised: 5/30/13)14.1.7.1.2 Drop/Add Course. A student-athlete no longer shall be considered enrolled in a minimumfull-time program of studies (after dropping a course that places the student below full-time status) whenthe dropped course becomes official in accordance with procedures determined by the institution for allstudents. A student who is adding a course to reach full-time status shall become eligible for practice andcompetition once the course has been approved by the appropriate department head (or designated representative)and submitted to the registrar. (Adopted: 1/10/92)14.1.7.1.3 Exception—Final Semester/Quarter. A student-athlete with athletics eligibility remainingmay participate in organized practice sessions while enrolled in less than a minimum full-time programof studies, provided the student is enrolled in the final semester or quarter of the baccalaureate program andthe institution certifies that the student is carrying (for credit) the courses necessary to complete the degreerequirements, as determined by the faculty of the institution.14.1.7.1.4 Withdrawal or Dismissal. A student-athlete who withdraws or is dismissed from an institutionis considered to be a prospective student-athlete eligible for recruitment by other NCAA memberinstitutions and may not continue to practice with the original institution’s team.14.1.7.1.5 Exception—Practice During First Week of Class. A student-athlete may practice, butmay not compete, during the institution’s first five days of classes if the student-athlete is enrolled in lessthan a minimum full-time program of studies, provided the student is otherwise eligible under all institutional,conference and NCAA requirements. (Adopted: 1/10/95 effective 8/1/95)14.1.7.1.6 Exception—Former Student Participating in Practice on an Occasional Basis. Aformer student at the certifying institution (e.g., former student-athlete) may participate in an organizedpractice session on an occasional basis, provided the institution does not publicize the participation of theformer student at any time before the practice session. (Adopted: 3/3/11)14.1.7.2 Requirement for Competition. To be eligible for competition, a student-athlete shall be enrolledin at least a minimum full-time program of studies leading to a baccalaureate or equivalent degree, which shallnot be less than 12 semester or quarter hours. (Revised: 6/1/07)14.1.7.2.1 Exceptions. The following exceptions to the minimum 12-semester or 12-quarter-hour enrollmentrequirement are permitted:14.1.7.2.1.1 Competition Prior to Initial Enrollment. A student-athlete may compete duringthe official vacation period immediately preceding initial enrollment, provided the student has beenaccepted by the institution for enrollment in a regular, full-time program of studies at the time of theindividual’s initial participation; is no longer enrolled in the previous educational institution; and iseligible under all institutional and NCAA requirements. (See Bylaw 16.8.2.1.)140