Athletic Eligibilty

Students are eligible to participate in any activity of the university including intercollegiate athletics, except during the semester following academic dismissal (if allowed to re-enroll). For athletic eligibility, the student must also meet the following NAIA requirements. National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Eligibility Regulations apply to all student athletes at all NAIA affiliated institutions of higher learning.

The following regulations apply to new freshman student athletes.

1. Be a graduate of an accredited high school or be accepted as a regular student in good standing as defined by the enrolling institution. An official high school transcript is required to be on file at the participating institution.
2. Meet two of the three entry level requirements:
   1. Achieve a score of 18 or higher on the Enhanced ACT or a score of 860 or higher, achieved on the Critical Reading and Math sections of the SAT. The test score must be achieved at a single test sitting administered by a certified tester on a National or International testing date to apply to this requirement. The ACT/SAT must be taken prior to the beginning of the term in which the student initially participates.
   2. An overall high school grade point average of 2.00 or higher on a 4.00 scale.
   3. Graduate in the upper half of the student’s high school graduating class.

Students not meeting at least two of the three standards shall be denied athletics participation at a member institution for the first full year of attendance.

All student athletes, including freshmen, are subject to the following regulations:

1. Full time status — Students must be identified and enrolled in a minimum of 12 institutional credit hours at the time of participation.
2. Students must have accumulated a minimum of nine institutional credit hours prior to identification for the second term of attendance. Only those hours earned after identification may be applied toward meeting the nine hours for a second term freshman. However, Graceland University requires that 12 s.h. be earned before the student’s second semester of attendance to be considered making satisfactory progress. (see D below)
3. After completion of the second term of attendance and from then on, students must have accumulated a minimum of 24 institutional credit hours in the two immediately previous terms of attendance. NO MORE THAN 12 institutional credit hours earned during summers and/or during non-terms may be applied to meet the 24 institutional credit hour requirement. Such credit must be earned after one or both of the two immediately previous terms of attendance.
4. The student must be making normal progress toward a recognized baccalaureate degree and maintain the minimum grade point average as defined by the institution and the NAIA. (See Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards for Receiving Financial Aid and Athletic Eligibility.)
5. Upon reaching junior academic standing, as defined by the institution, students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.00 on a 4.00 scale. The 2.00 cumulative GPA or higher must be certified each grading period in which the student wishes to compete after junior academic standing is reached.
6. To participate a second season in a sport, all students must have accumulated at least 24 semester/37 quarter institutional credit hours.
7. To participate the third season in a sport, all students must have accumulated at least 48 semester/72 quarter institutional credit hours.
8. To participate the fourth season in a sport, all students must have accumulated at least 72 semester/108 quarter institutional credit hours. In addition, students must have completed 48 semester hours of general education and major requirements to be eligible for the fourth season.
9. Repeat courses — Courses previously passed with a grade of “D” or better in any term, during summer, or during a non-term cannot count toward satisfying the 24 credit hour rule. A maximum of one repeat course per term previously passed with a grade of “D” may be counted toward satisfying the 12 hour enrollment rule. Repeat courses previously passed with a grade of “C” or better cannot be applied to meet either the 12 hour enrollment rule or the 24 credit hour rule.

***Whatever the situation, the current NAIA Official Handbook contains the details of which each case is determined. For further information regarding eligibility concerns please contact the Graceland University Registrar, Faculty Athletics Representative, or Athletic Director.