Bylaw: Article V, Section C, Item 2 Note 3
“An incoming freshman who graduated from a high school outside of the United States or one of the U.S. territories shall meet the same eligibility criteria required of a regular freshman student listed in Article V, Section C, Item 1 and Article V, Section C, Item 2. High school graduation and cumulative grade point averages shall be determined based on current published NAIA initial-eligibility academic guidelines for international students.”
Interpretation
When an international student graduates from a high school in the student’s native country, and subsequently also graduates from a high school in the United States, the date of graduation from the high school in the United States shall be used for eligibility purposes. Official records from the high school in the United States shall be used for compliance with NAIA initial freshman eligibility regulations.
The date of the high school graduation in the United States will also be used to determine the students Post Secondary Amateur Year (PSAY) wherein, “Participation in any elite-level competition on or after the first day of the thirteenth month following high school graduation (will be considered in reviewing a student’s seasons of competition).” Article V, Section B, Item 18b.
Background and Intent
The scenario described above happens occasionally with international students who seeks to gain additional high school-level education in the United States before pursuing collegiate coursework. International students may receive guidance to follow this approach as a way of building additional English language skills or to further assimilate to teaching methods common in the United States.
Related Bylaws
Article V, Section C, Item 1
Article V, Section B, Item 19b
Related Interpretations
Class Rank 1-1
Earning TOA Without Graduating High School
NEC Interp – Creation date November 2012
