Description
This resource provides the official academic eligibility requirements and procedures for properly completing the athletic eligibility review form for student-athletes at the University of Minnesota.
Policy Statement
Student-athletes at the University of Minnesota (U of MN) must meet the academic requirements of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the Big Ten Conference, and the University of MN to be eligible for competition.
NCAA (bylaw, article 14)
Academic Status: “To be eligible to represent an institution in intercollegiate athletics competition, a student-athlete shall be enrolled in at least a minimum full-time program of studies, be in good academic standing and maintain satisfactory progress toward a baccalaureate or equivalent degree.” (14.01.2)
Credit-Hour Requirements: “Satisfactory completion of a cumulative total of academic semester or quarter hours equivalent to an average of at least 12-semester or -quarter hours during each of the previous academic terms.”; or “Satisfactory completion of 24-semester hours or 36-quarter hours of academic credits since the beginning of the previous fall term.” (14.4.3.1)
Big Ten Conference
“An entering freshman with no previous attendance, practice, or competition at a collegiate institution shall be eligible to participate and receive aid in accordance with NCAA legislation. A freshman shall remain eligible to compete during the first academic year in residence at the certifying institution provided the following conditions are met:
- Completion of 12 units per term. The freshman student-athlete has completed a minimum full-time program of studies for each term enrolled (excluding summer session). Only courses that count towards full-time enrollment may be used to fulfill this requirement.
- Minimum GPA requirement. The freshman student-athlete earns a minimum cumulative grade point average of 1.65 (4.00) scale at the end of the fall and/or winter terms to remain eligible to compete. Grades obtained from courses taken during the summer prior to the freshman year shall not be used to fulfill this requirement.
In order to be eligible the second year in residence, the freshman must complete 12 units for each term enrolled during the freshman year and earn a minimum 24 semester/36 quarter units at the certifying institution with a minimum 1.80 grade point average.” (14.3.1)
"At the start of the third year: Satisfactory completion of at least 51 semester/77 quarter units that count towards the degree.
At the start of the fourth year: Satisfactory completion of at least 78 semester/117 quarter units that count towards the degree.
At the start of the fifth year: Satisfactory completion of at least 105 semester/158 quarter units that count towards the degree.” (14.4.3.1)
Degree Completion Within Five Years: “A student-athlete must enroll for and progress in a program of studies through which the student can qualify for a baccalaureate degree within no more than five years of the beginning of the five-year clock.” (14.4.3.2)
University
of Minnesota
Good academic standing: “In general, any student that is eligible to register is considered to be in good academic standing.” (RAC Meeting Minutes, April 2002)
Probation: “Undergraduates are placed on academic probation if either their term GPA or their cumulative GPA is below 2.00. They remain on probation until both GPAs are 2.00 or above.” (Undergraduate Catalog 2002-2004)
Suspension: “They are suspended if, while on probation, their cumulative or term GPA is or goes below 2.00 for two consecutive semesters. When suspended, students are no longer in their program and cannot register for University courses for one full academic year.” (Undergraduate Catalog 2002-2004)
Full-Time Enrollment: “Freshmen and transfer students starting as degree-seeking students at the Twin Cities Campus of the University of Minnesota in Fall 2002 are required to register for a minimum of 13 credits each semester. This policy applies to new undergraduate students each succeeding year until fall 2005 when it will apply to all degree-seeking undergraduate students.”
Interpretation
CLA maintains that a student-athlete must meet the same minimum academic requirements as any other student. The U of MN’s policy of maintaining a 2.0 GPA and taking 13 credits or more per semester (12 credits for students who entered before Fall 2002) will satisfy NCAA and Big Ten Conference GPA and full-time enrollment requirements, as long as satisfactory progress is being made towards earning a baccalaureate degree within 5 years.
If a student-athlete wants to take less than 13 credits, he or she should see the athletics counselor.
Procedures
Student Responsibilities:
CLASS Staff Responsibilities:
- To review a “Year-Long Plan” (YLP) with the student athlete to make sure that the courses he/she is planning on taking are working towards completing a degree within five years.
- To complete a “Student-Athlete Academic Progress Review” form once a year per athlete. For complete instructions on how to complete this form please refer to Forms/Instructions section below.
Related Information
If you are having difficulty completing either the YLP or the PRF, you may consult with your Community Coordinator. Additional resource personnel are available at the Academic Counseling and Student Services-Intercollegiate Athletics (5-6888), or with Tracy Fischer in the Office of the Registrar (6-1301).
If you have general concerns with the academic progress of a student-athlete, you can call the student-athlete’s athletic counselor and consult with him or her.
If you have a student-athlete who is taking classes at another institution during the summer, a prior approval form must be completed by and returned to the Academic Counseling and Student Services office. The form asks for official verification from the college adviser that the course will be accepted as U of MN degree credit and to note what type of credit (i.e., general elective, liberal education). The student-athlete must pick up this form from ACSS, complete the course information, and obtain the college adviser’s signature. The form is then sent to the Office of Admissions for approval, then to the Registrar’s office, and finally back to ACSS for final approval. Once final approval has occurred, ACSS will notify the student that he or she may take the course. Note: Any courses taken at other institutions that have not been through the prior approval process will not count toward the student-athlete’s eligibility.
Forms/Instructions
YLP
For this form, athletic advisers ask that the CLASS staff member reviews the proposal with the student-athlete and makes appropriate changes. If the schedule represents making satisfactory progress towards a degree and the student-athlete approves, then sign. If changes to the schedule are necessary, make the changes on the form itself and sign. If the schedule is left completely blank, then refer the student-athlete to begin the process with his or her athletic adviser. If the YLP is completed with only general information, work with the student-athlete to fill in specific course information.
PRF
- Part I is completed by the Academic Counseling and Student Services-Intercollegiate Athletics (ACSS) office. The registrar prints a transcript and forwards to the correct college office.
- The Office of the Registrar (OTR) attaches a transcript to the form and forwards it to the correct college office.
- Part 2 is completed by CLASS staff and given to Community Coordinators.
- Academic Plan. Fill in the proposed or declared major of a student-athlete.
- Status of Academic Plan. If formally declared, check “formally enrolled” box, if declared as a pre-major check the “proposed” box, and if undecided leave the box blank.
- Can this student complete a bachelor’s degree within five calendar years from the date of the initial enrollment shown above? If a student can successfully complete the major within five years (including the summer after their 5th year) from the enrollment date then check “yes”. If the student cannot realistically complete the degree within five years from the enrollment date check “no” and explain why. Then send out alert to athletic counselor.
- Total credits earned toward specific academic plan. You will be reviewing the credits through the last completed semester. Credits that count towards university, college, department, and free electives are included in this category. Important notes on credits that do not apply to this box:
- A D+ or lower in a major course
- A repeated course
- A noncredit course
- Credits over the 6 credit maximum allowed for study skills, PE, or applied music courses.
- Total credits in progress toward specific academic plan. You will be reviewing credits the student-athlete is registered for in the current semester. Credits that count towards university, college, department, and free electives are in this category. Important notes on credits for this box:
- You should also count all I, K, X, and missing grades from previous quarters/semesters.
- List all courses, completed and in progress, that do not apply toward student’s degree program including course numbers and titles. Here you will list the credits that have been determined by the previous two boxes that do not count toward the student-athlete’s academic plan. Important notes on listing courses:
- If there is a specific course that does not count towards the academic plan make sure to list it.
- Please convert quarter credits to semester credits when filling in the credit amount in this box for each class.
- If the student-athlete has gone over the credit limit in general and not for a specific class, always remove the most recent credits.
- Signature, Phone Number, and Date. Fill in with current information.
- Reasons to send an “Academic Counseling Alert for Student Athletes” to athletic counselor.
- Student is at, close to, or over U of MN 6-credit limit on enrichment courses (PE, applied music, and study skills).
- Student is on academic probation.
- UMN cumulative GPA is under 2.0.
- Student has marginal GPA in pre-management tool courses.
- Student has made an unrealistic major selection.
- Student needs to declare a major by the beginning of forthcoming semester.
- Student is below 24 credits for the academic year.
- Part 3 is completed by the Office of the Registrar staff, Tracy Fischer.
Related Information
8.11 Advising Student-Athletes
13 Credit Policy
Forms/Instructions
YLP
PRF
