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Concurrent Term vs. Full Withdraw with Second Identification
NEC Interpretation – Concurrent Term vs. Full Withdraw with Second Identification Link to NAIA Bylaws Concurrent Terms – Continuous Enrollment Definition: A concurrent term is a single academic term where a student simultaneously and continuously identifies at two institution by either (A) enrolling in 9 or more credits at an NAIA member institution and at…
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Basics of the 24/36-Hour Rule
A coach-friendly guide to help you confirm academic progress fast, avoid common traps, and know when exceptions apply. Link to NAIA Bylaws Bylaw Intent & Application Common FAQs 24/36-Hour Rule — Identified Student A freshman at an NAIA institution is registered in 10 credits at their institution and two institutional credits at an ouside institution…
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Basics of Freshman Eligibility
Link to NAIA Bylaws An entering freshman is defined as a student who, upon becoming identified with an NAIA institution, has not been previously identified with any institution(s) of higher learning for any two semesters or three quarters (or the equivalent). Entering Freshman Requirements An entering freshman student must be a graduate of an accredited…
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Do You Convert Credits for the 24/36-Hour Rule or the Progress Rule?
When a student transfers from an institution with a different academic calendar (semester, quarter, or trimester), it’s important to know which eligibility rules allow for credit conversion and which do not. The 24/36-Hour Rule Credits are never converted.For purposes of the 24/36-Hour Rule, all credits are taken at face value exactly as they appear on…
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30-Day Recertification Window
Link to NAIA Bylaws Article V, Section C, Item 14 A student who is eligible the last day of a term (as reported on the institution’s official academic calendar) may retain eligibility until midnight of the 30th calendar day following the close of a term to allow an institution time to recertify eligibility through the…
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Effective May 1, 2026 | Removal of Repeat Courses for Fall 2026 and Beyond
At the 2025 NAIA National Convention, the membership approved Bylaw Amendment 25-B-08, which removes the NAIA’s definition of repeat coursework and eliminates corresponding restrictions on eligibility. This shift will change how repeat courses are treated when determining a student-athlete’s academic eligibility. 🚨 What’s Changing? Previously, the NAIA defined what qualified as a “repeat course” and…
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Mid-Year Transfer Student Eligibility and Key Scenarios: A Comprehensive Guide
This article consolidates common scenarios related to mid-year transfer student-athletes and their eligibility to compete, as well as clarifying important eligibility rules for those participating between academic terms. Mid-Year Transfer Scenarios 1. Transfer – No Season Charged in Previous Term Scenario: A student-athlete currently attends an NAIA school for the fall term and participated in…
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How to Certify After Post-Bacc Degree
After the bylaw amendment for Post-Baccalaureate eligibility, students now have the ability to seek either a graduate degree or a second undergraduate degree. The following informations provides guidance on how to certify student-athletes, specifically for the 24/36-Hour Rule, after the student has earned their first baccalaureate degree. Scenario 1: Student completed one term in graduate…
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2023 Bylaw Update: Graduate Student Eligibility
Key Takeaways for Graduate Students’ Eligibility Frequently Asked Questions: Q: What is the reasoning behind distinguishing undergraduate eligibility and graduate eligibility like this? A: Early eligibility standards in the NAIA started with the philosophy that a student exhausted their eligibility when they earned their baccalaureate degree (in addition to the limits of 10 semesters/15 quarters…
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Repeat Courses
Article V, Section C, Item 12 A repeat course is defined as a course term, summer or nonpreviously passed with a grade of “D” or better in any term, and subsequently retaken. For the purposes of this rule, the NAIA does not recognize a +/- attached to a letter grade. Consequently, a B+ or B-…