Saint Joseph's University - Official Athletic Site

Eligibility

Continuing Eligibility: Student-Athletes' eligibility is determined at the end of each semester in compliance with Saint Joseph's University academic guidelines and NCAA standards. To be eligible to practice and compete on an intercollegiate team a student-athlete must maintain satisfactory progress. This includes:

Minimum Grade Point Average: Student-athletes must meet the minimum GPA requirements of Saint Joseph's University. The requirements are as follows:

At the end of the

All eligibility measurements are taken from the cumulative GPA.

Minimum Credit Hour Requirements: Student-athletes must take a minimum number of 12 credits per semester while they are actively participating in their respective seasons. If a student-athlete drops below 12 credit hours while still in season, he/she will not be allowed to participate. Student-athletes are required to see the Director of Educational Support Services for Student-athletes prior to any add/drop or withdrawal from a class to ensure the minimum number of credits is taken and that these credits are suitable for completing the student-athlete's degree requirements. The Office of Educational Support Services for Student-athletes, per Saint Joseph's University policy, typically advises all student-athletes to complete 15 credits per semester. This ensures that student-athletes fulfill the minimum requirement and, more importantly, all degree requirements within four years.

Designation of Degree Program: A student-athlete shall designate a program of studies leading toward a degree by the beginning of the third year of enrollment (fifth semester) and thereafter make satisfactory progress toward a degree.

NCAA - Progress Toward Degree

Fulfillment of Credit-Hour Requirements.

Eligibility for competition shall be determined based on satisfactory completion of at least:

(a) Twenty-four-semester or 36-quarter hours of academic credit prior to start of the student-athlete's second year of collegiate enrollment (i.e., third semester, fourth quarter);

(b) Eighteen-semester or 27-quarter hours of academic credit since the beginning of the previous fall term or since the beginning of the certifying institution's preceding regular two semesters or three quarters (hours earned during the summer may not be used to fulfill this requirement); and

(c) Six-semester or six-quarter hours of academic credit the preceding regular academic term (e.g., fall semester, winter quarter) in which the student-athlete has been enrolled full time at any collegiate institution (see Bylaw 14.1.10.1 for postseason certification).

Fulfillment of Percentage of Degree Requirements.

A student-athlete who is entering his or her third year of collegiate enrollment shall have completed successfully at least 40 percent of the course requirements in the student's specific degree program. A student-athlete who is entering his or her fourth year of collegiate enrollment shall have completed successfully at least 60 percent of the course requirements in the student's specific degree program. A student-athlete who is entering his or her fifth year of collegiate enrollment shall have completed successfully at least 80 percent of the course requirements in the student's specific degree program. The course requirements must be in the student's specific degree program (as opposed to the student's major).

MINIMUM GRADE-POINT AVERAGE REQUIREMENT

A student-athlete who is entering his or her second year of collegiate enrollment shall present a cumulative minimum grade-point average (based on a maximum 4.000) that equals at least 90 percent of the institution's overall cumulative grade-point average required for graduation. A student-athlete who is entering his or her third year of collegiate enrollment shall present a cumulative minimum grade-point average (based on a maximum of 4.000) that equals 95 percent of the institution's overall cumulative minimum grade-point average required for graduation. A student-athlete who is entering his or her fourth or subsequent year of collegiate enrollment shall present a cumulative minimum grade-point average (based upon a maximum of 4.000) that equals 100 percent of the institution's overall cumulative minimum grade-point average required for graduation. If the institution does not have an overall grade-point average required for graduation, it is permissible to use the lowest grade-point average required for any of the institution's degree programs in determining the cumulative minimum grade-point average. The minimum grade-point average must be computed pursuant to institutional policies applicable to all students.

Initial Eligibility

First year students on an intercollegiate team must have their eligibility certified by the NCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse. The first- year student must satisfy the NCAA Initial eligibility standards which includes:

Proof of graduation

Successful completion of a core curriculum of at least 16 academic courses.

A grade point average and standardized test score within the NCAA Initial Eligibility Index.

In the event a student-athlete reports to practice and has not received final certification from the Clearinghouse, there is a temporary certification period in which the student-athlete can practice ( recruited-14 days, non-recruited---45 days).

SJU Policy for Initial Eligibility: Incoming freshman student-athletes are mandated by the NCAA to be certified by the NCAA Clearinghouse to be eligible for competition, practice and athletically related financial aid. A student-athlete who does not receive final certification from the NCAA Clearinghouse is not permitted to compete or practice after the temporary certification period. In addition, freshman who are not certified by the NCAA clearinghouse and receive a final "NO" are not permitted to practice, compete or receive athletically related financial aid during their freshman year.

Transfer Eligibility

Two Year College Prospects
A prospect who was not a qualifier as defined in 14.02.9.1 (Graduated from H.S., Successful completion of core courses, specified minimum grade-point average, specified minimum SAT or ACT score) and who is enrolled in the first year of a two year college may not be contacted in person on or off an institution's campus for recruiting purposes by a Division I member institution.

Four Year College Prospects
An athletics staff member or other representative of the institution's athletics interests shall not make contact with the student athlete of another four year collegiate institution, directly or indirectly, without first obtaining the written permission of the first institution's athletics director ( or an athletics administrator designated by the athletics director) to do so, regardless of who makes the initial contact. If permission is not granted, the second institution shall not encourage the transfer and in Divisions I and II, shall not provide financial assistance to the student athlete until the student athlete has attended the second institution for one academic year. If permission is granted to contact the student athlete, all applicable NCAA recruiting rules apply.

If a student athlete attending a four year institution desires to transfer and that institution provided the permission required, it is permissible for a second institution to provide the student athlete on official visit to that institution's campus.

SJU Policy on Responding to a Transfer: If a student athlete from another four year institution contacts a coaching staff member: It is necessary to have the written release form before you contact or are contacted by the student athlete. If the student athlete contacts you prior to being released - inform the student athlete he/she must get a written release. A coaching staff member is strongly encouraged to leave a voice message indicating that a coach may not respond to a student athlete seeking a transfer, until a release is sent to the coach or to SJU Athletic Department.

SJU Procedure: the Athletic Department Secretary or the Director of Compliance will send a form to the certifying institution requesting permission to speak to the student athlete.
Once the completed release form is received back the Director of Compliance will contact the coach to review the release form (i.e. is the student athlete eligible, how many of seasons remain, was a release given).

Generally, transfer students must satisfy one full academic year in residence before they are eligible to engage in intercollegiate athletics competition.

Students who were qualifiers are eligible for financial aid and practice provided they were given written permission by the certifying institution.

Students who were non-qualifiers or partial qualifiers are not eligible for financial aid, practice or competition during the first academic year of residence at your institution.

SJU Policy on Transfer Student Athletes and Eligibility

Transferable degree credit is determined through policies established by the Director of Admissions and the Dean of the appropriate school. The transfer student athlete's transcript is on file in the Admissions Office. The Director of Admissions determines the number of transferable credits, often in consultation with chairs of the appropriate academic departments.

The Director of Compliance contacts the institution, from which the student athlete is transferring, to further determine the student-athlete's eligibility to compete athletically.

This coordinated effort between the Director of Admissions and the Director of Compliance determine the academic and athletic eligibility status of the enrolled transfer student athlete. The transfer student athlete is bound to Progress Toward Degree requirements listed for continuing eligibility once he/she has been enrolled full-time at the certifying institution.

SJU Procedure for Determining Academic eligibility of a transfer student athlete:

The Director of Compliance will forward to the Admissions Counselor a copy of the four year college transcript.
A credit evaluation will be completed on the transcript by the Associate Director of Admissions. (Business courses must be approved by the Dean of the Business School).
The Admissions Counselor will inform the Director of Compliance about the admissions and eligibility status of the transfer student-athlete.
The Director of Compliance reviews NCAA rules to determine if the transfer will have immediate athletic eligibility.

Transfer Student-Athletes: Student-athletes who transferred to SJU and are interested in playing on a varsity team must contact the Director of Compliance Services to insure the release statement from the first institution is on file in the Athletic Office.

SJU Policy on (incoming) Transfer Student-athletes and Eligibility:
Transferable degree credit is determined through policies established by the Director of Admissions and the Dean of the appropriate school. The transfer student-athlete's transcript is on file in the Admissions Office. An admission's counselor completes a transfer credit evaluation to determine the number of transferable credit hours. Often this evaluation is done in consultation with chairs of the appropriate academic departments. At that time a decision to admit is made.

The Director of Compliance contacts the institution, from which the student-athlete is transferring, to further determine the student-athlete's eligibility to compete athletically.

This coordinated effort between the Admissions Office and the Director of Compliance will determine the academic and athletic eligibility status of the enrolled transfer student-athlete.

The transfer student-athlete is bound to the satisfactory progress requirements listed for continuing eligibility once he/she has spent one term in residence.

SJU Procedure for Determining eligibility of a transfer student-athlete:

The Director of Compliance will forward to the Admissions Counselor a copy of the four year college transcript.
A credit evaluation will be completed by an Admissions Counselor. (Business courses must be approved by the Dean of the Business School).
The Admissions Counselor will inform the Director of Compliance about the admissions and eligibility status of the transfer student-athlete.
The Director of Compliance reviews NCAA rules to determine if the transfer will have immediate athletic eligibility.

Saint Joseph's University Transfer Policy (currently enrolled Student-athletes):

Current Saint Joseph's University student-athletes considering a transfer to another institution are required (per NCAA bylaw 13.1.1.3) to receive written permission before contacting another institution's coach.
A student-athlete wishing to transfer to another institution must speak with the head coach prior to receiving written permission. If permission is granted, the student-athlete may receive written permission from the Director of Compliance. At that time the Director of Compliance will issue a general release or send a faxed release to a designated institution.

SJU Procedure:

A student athlete wishing to transfer to another institution must speak with the head coach prior to receiving written permission.
The Head Coach will inform the Director of Compliance that a full release, partial release or no release will be given.
If a full release is given the Director of Compliance will issue a general release or send a faxed release to a designated institution.

If permission to obtain a written release is not granted or a release is given with conditions, the student-athlete shall be informed in writing that he, or she, upon request, shall be provided a hearing. The written request will include a copy of SJU's hearing procedure (see page )