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Eligibility updates from NJCAA Committee Meetings
April 30, 2020

Eligibility updates from NJCAA Committee Meetings

Charlotte, NC – Following the annual NJCAA committee meetings, hosted virtually April 20-24, a number of eligibility related amendments were passed by the NJCAA Board of Regents. Directly impacted by COVID-19 and the cancellation of spring competition for the 2020 season, the following amendments have been passed.

ITEM #518: Release Agreements

  • Once a SA is "officially" released, they are immediately recruitable.
    • Labeled as "released" on the NJCAA Connect platform.
  • A member college maintains control of the LOI by not releasing the SA. With choosing not to release, the SA and member colleges would be required to follow the bylaw we currently have.
  • Allow the SA to continue to receive their aid once released if agreeable between the two parties.
  • SA not on LOI would follow the same bylaws we currently have.
  • The Transfer Waiver would remain in effect.

ITEM #523: Joint Bylaw Cleanup

  • Removal of extraneous verbiage from the bylaw pertaining to Recruitable Athletes (Article VI, Section 2.C):
    • Article VI, Section 2.C.2.a.
    • Article VI, Section 2.C.3.a.
  • Removal of extraneous verbiage from the bylaw pertaining to Impermissable Contact (Article VI, Section 3.D)
    • Article VI, Section 3.D.B.5
    • Article VI, Section 3.D.B.6.a. 

ITEM #225: 18-Hour Fall 2020 Adjustment

  • Reduces the number of credit hours required for the Spring 2020 term (exclusively) by six (6) hours.
    • Provides an exception for student-athletes to enter Fall 2020 Term with 18 total credit hours.
  • May only be applied to SAs enrolled in a full-time course load (12-hour minimum) for the Spring 2020 term.
  • Students who were not enrolled as full-time at a college or university in the Spring 2020 academic term must meet the standard academic progress requirements.
  • The adjustment expires in 2021. 

ITEM #521: Full-Time Enrollment Exemption

  • Provides an allowance for SAs to be enrolled in 6 credit hours (part-time) instead of 12 credit hours (full-time) if in their final term.
  • SAs must be on course to complete the degree requirements if taking part in this exemption, per confirmation from the institution.
  • This is a one-time allowance. 
  • The below is an interpretation from the Eligibility Committee for the 2020-21 academic year only which only applies to graduates. 
    • A student-athlete who was enrolled at a college or university as a full-time student in the spring 2020 term, and graduates at the end of the spring 2020 OR fall 2020 term, may participate in the spring 2021 NJCAA sports season while enrolled in a minimum of six (6) credit hours. All six (6) credit hours must begin before the end of the published regular-season schedule of the student-athletes chosen sport. The institution must document that the student-athlete has completed all degree requirements, as determined by the institution. This one-time allowance is ONLY for students who were enrolled full-time at a college or university in the spring 2020. Student-athletes must not have previously competed in two or more seasons of the desired sport.

ITEM #525: Eligibility Committee Selection Process

  • Establishes a new protocol for electing members of the Eligibility Committee, beginning in 2020 – 2021.
  • Nominations open in Spring/Summer 2020.
  • Must be an Asst. RD or above in NJCAA leadership.
  • Ensures that the Eligibility Committee is composed of a diverse mix and sets limits on terms of service.