1. Welcome to the World of Academics

2. Objectives
Identify legislation fundamental to NCAA Division I initial eligibility, progress toward degree (PTD), and transfer certification.
Identify basic policies and procedures of the Division I Academic Performance Program.
Apply legislation and policies and procedures to real world examples.
Establish best practices.

3. Outline Initial Eligibility Overview PTD 101 2-4 Transfers APP 101
Academic Governance Update
Interpretations process and best practices
NCAA.org / Academic page  
APP Portal Demonstration

4. Division I Initial Eligibility

5. Initial Eligibility – It Starts Here!
“The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior.”
New Division I Academic Standards 2016.
10 core (7 English, Math, or Science) prior to start of 7th semester.
2.3 core GPA w/ sliding scale test score required for competition.
Academic Redshirt status.

6. Initial Eligibility - Tips
Assess recruits early.
Submit transcripts and test scores to Eligibility Center for preliminary evaluation (Yes, even International!).
Watch for nontraditional, not approved, or individual review coursework.
Look for repeated years or reclassifications, especially when changing schools or educational systems (split files).
Know the rules regarding redesigned SAT scores.
Recognize when to look for automatic waivers.

7. Initial Eligibility – How can you help?
Educate prospective student-athletes on the standards and encourage Eligibility Center registration.
Be proactive in reviewing academic documents and plans of study to avoid surprises.
Encourage transcript and test score submission.
Contact the Eligibility Center with questions:
877/ – Dedicated Membership Line (Domestic + INTL).
(Domestic) ec- (INTL)

8. Division I Progress Toward DEgree

9. Progress Toward Degree (PTD)
Overview
Basic requirements.
Good academic standing (NCAA Bylaw ).
Credit-hour requirements (Bylaw ).
Percentage-of-degree requirements (Bylaw ).
GPA requirements (Bylaw ).

10. PTD
Bylaw
Designed to move SA toward graduation within five years of full-time collegiate enrollment.
Ensures SA is functioning as a SA during each academic year.
Exceptions and waivers are available.

11. Good Academic Standing
Bylaws and
Determined by the institution for all students.
“…good academic standing shall be a standard at least as demanding as the minimum standard applied to all students in order to participate in extracurricular activities at that institution.”
August 9, 1995 interpretation

12. PTD Requirements 6/18/24 40/60/80 GPA requirements.
Credit-hour requirements.
By term and academic year.
Percentage- of-degree requirements.
90% entering second year of enrollment.
95% entering third year.
100% entering fourth year and later.
6/18/24
40/60/80

13. GPA Requirements
Bylaw
GPA requirement based on minimum GPA required for graduation at your institution.
Must meet GPA benchmarks before the start of each regular academic term (based on full-time terms):
By the start of second year – 90%.
By the start of third year – 95%.
By the start of fourth year and beyond – 100%.
90%
95%
100%

14. PTD Requirements 40/60/80 90/95/100 Percent-of- degree. Credit Hour.
Term vs. academic year.
Percent-of- degree.
GPA.
90/95/100
40/60/80
Six-hours each term.
18-/27-hours each academic year.
First year only:
24/36-hours.
Baseball and football.

15. Credit-Hour Requirements
Bylaw
Term requirement. Does not apply to part-time terms.
Must be degree-applicable.
Football.
Six-hour
Triggered if enrolled in any part of the regular academic year.
Must be earned during regular academic year; Cannot use summer hours.
Must be degree-applicable.
18-/27-hour

16. Credit-Hour Requirements
Bylaw
First-year requirement.
Must complete prior to second year of enrollment.
Credit can apply to any degree.
Can use summer prior and after first year of enrollment.
24-/36-hour

17. Credit-Hours – Sport Specific
Football
“9-/8- Hour” Rule
Fall term only.
Must earn APR point.
Withheld from first four games of next season.
Get back games by earning 27-/40- hours by start of next fall.
Baseball
Fall Eligibility
If not eligible for fall, not eligible for spring.
Can’t “get well” during fall term.
Applies to all progress-toward-degree legislation.

18. Remedial Courses
Bylaw

19. Case Study – Credit Hours
First year softball student-athlete. Did she meet 18?
Do they need to be “degree applicable”?
Do the remedial hours count?
What if this was a football student-athlete?
Fall 2015
Spring 2016
Summer 2016
6 credits
12 credits
(3 remedial)
9 credits

20. Case Study – Credit Hours
Incoming “mid-year” men’s tennis student-athlete.
Did he meet 18-hour rule for ?
How many hours does he need in spring 2017?
Fall 2015
Spring 2016
Fall 2016
Spring 2017
Not enrolled.
15 credits
9 credits ?

21. PTD Requirements 90/95/100 6/18/24 GPA requirements.
Credit-hour requirements.
Percentage- of-degree requirements.
90/95/100
6/18/24
40% entering third year of enrollment.
60% entering fourth year.
80% entering fifth year.

22. PTD Requirements Based on SA’s full-time terms of enrollment.
Bylaw
Based on SA’s full-time terms of enrollment.
Before start of third year (5th semester): 40%.
Before start of fourth year (7th semester): 60%.
Before start of fifth year (9th semester): 80%.
Fifth semester
Seventh semester
Ninth semester
Fix this
Entering
first-year SA
40%
60%
80%
100%

23. Percentage-of-Degree Calculation
Bylaw
Hours earned. (applicable to designated degree)
Hours required.
(based on designated degree)
= % of degree

24. Case Study: Percentage-of-Degree Calculation
73 (degree applicable hours completed)
122 (degree hours required)
= %
This SA has not completed 60% of the degree.
Do NOT round up for any PTD requirements.

25. Degree Credit
Bylaw
During SA’s first two academic years, credit- hour requirements may be satisfied with credit hours that apply toward ANY degree at the institution.
At the start of third year of enrollment, all credits used to satisfy PTD credit-hour requirements must count toward designated degree, they must be “degree applicable”.

26. Degree Applicability
Hours completed must do BOTH to be considered degree applicable:
Increase the number of degree applicable hours; AND
Reduce the number of hours remaining to graduate.

27. Degree Applicable Hours = 48
Degree Applicability
Hours earned that fit within degree.
Numerator
Denominator
Minimum hours required to earn degree.
Degree Applicable Hours = 48
Min. Hours Remaining = 72
120-hour degree

28. Case Study – Percent-of-Degree
Same softball student-athlete as earlier.
SA plans on declaring a Communications degree, 120 credits for graduation.
When projecting for the Fall % certification, should the student-athlete attend summer school?
Fall 2015
Spring 2016
Summer 2016
6 credits
12 credits
(3 remedial)
9 credits
Fall 2016
Spring 2017
Summer 2017 ??

29. Progress-Toward-Degree Waivers
Overall academic record shows deficiency is an anomaly for specific timeframe.
Reasonable expectation for SA to graduate in five years (academic recovery plan).
Mitigation: Evidence, supported by objective documentation of circumstances creating deficiency.
Circumstance must tie to deficiency.
“But for….” analysis.

30. Best Practices
Broad-based participation. Include campus advisors, compliance, academic support, registrar, etc.
Eligibility spreadsheet to provide overview by team (include specific details related to eligibility requirements).
Individual eligibility folders for each SA to provide supporting documentation throughout academic career.
Give projections, in writing, to coach, SA, etc.

31. DIVISON I 2-4 and 4-2-4 Transfers

32. Evaluating Transfers for Applicable Legislation
Determining the start of initial full-time enrollment.
Did the SA:
Register as a full-time student for a regular term?
AND
Attend A class or classes on the first day.
Bylaw

33. Evaluating Transfers for Applicable Legislation
If yes to both, SA has triggered:
Initial full-time enrollment; AND
Use of a term for PTD purposes.

34. Evaluating Transfers for Applicable Legislation
Important things to remember:
SA’s transcript does not necessarily tell the whole story.
Knowing initial full-time enrollment sets the basis for more than just transfer and PTD.
Start of five-year clock.

35. Evaluating Transfers for Applicable Legislation
If not enrolled full-time, the other ways a SA can trigger transfer status.
Reporting for regular squad practice.
Prior to the beginning of a semester or quarter.
Practiced or competed while enrolled less than full time; or
Received institutional financial aid while attending a summer term.
Bylaw

36. Evaluating Transfers for Applicable Legislation
Possible to trigger transfer status without triggering initial full-time enrollment or a PTD term of enrollment.
Use your resources when trying to find transfer status:
Internet search sites.
NCAA Eligibility Center.
Registrar.
National Student Clearinghouse.

37. Types of Transfer Requirements
Division I Transfers
2-4
Transfers
4-2-4
4-4

38. 2-4 Transfers – Financial Aid, Practice and Competition
Qualifier
Minimum one full-time term attended.
Average of 12 transferable hours per full-time term.
2.500 transferrable GPA
Not a Qualifier
Graduate from two-year college.
Minimum of three full-time terms attended.
Minimum 48-semester or 72- quarter transferable hours.
Six/eight transferable hours English, three/four math, three/four science.
2.500 GPA on transfer credit.

39. 2-4 Transfers – Financial Aid and Practice
Qualifier
Earns aid and practice via qualifier status.
Not a Qualifier
Graduate from two-year college.
Minimum three full-time terms attended.
Minimum 48-semester or 72- quarter transferable hours.
Six/eight transferable hours English, three/four math, three/four science.
2.000 GPA on transfer credit.

40. 2-4 Transfers Requirements
Limit of two hours of physical education activity coursework.*
Excess hours removed from transfer credit total AND GPA calculation.
*See Physical education/education degree at certifying institution exception.
2-4 Transfers Requirements
Qualifier
Not a Qualifier

41. 2-4 Transfer - Not a Qualifier Hours Earned in the Summer
Summer Limits.
No more than 18/27 hours total.
No more than nine/13.5 hours in the summer prior to transfer.
Effects 48/72 core-course requirement.
Bylaw

42. Case Study: 2 - 4 Nonqualifier
Will be handed out to do in groups at tables.
Do the case if we have time.

43. 4-2-4 Transfer Requirements - Qualifiers
First four-year institution.
Two-year institution.
Graduate.
Average of 12 hours per term of attendance at two-year institution.
2.500 GPA.
Only two physical education activity hours.
Certifying four-year institution.
One calendar year from first four-year prior to competition.
Bylaw

44. 4-2-4 Transfer Requirements – Not a Qualifier
Everything PLUS:
6 semester / 8 quarter hours of transferrable English,
3 semester / 4 quarter hours of transferrable Math,
3 semester / 4 quarter hours of transferrable Science.
Bylaw

45. Best Practices
Monitor the calendar year elapse requirement from the four-year institution.
Average of 12 credit hours must be earned at the two- year institution (part-time hours must transfer back).
Different standard for qualifiers and nonqualifiers (core course requirements).
Midyear transfers in baseball and basketball not eligible for competition immediately.

46. Evaluating Transfer, Don’t forget PTD
Transfer Requirements
Six hours.
24-semester/36-quarter hours.
30-semester/42-quarter hours.
Six hours and percentage.
Bylaw

47. Best Practices Transcripts, transcripts, transcripts.
All 2-4 transfer evaluation forms should include: science, PE and GPA.
Limit offers of aid to transfers until a preliminary evaluation is complete (using transcripts).
Provide a preliminary transfer evaluation in writing to the coaching staff and the SA.

48. Best Practices - continued
Complete a final transfer evaluation in writing to the coaching staff and the SA before the SA triggers transfer status to the certifying institution.
Be aware of the end dates of nontraditional coursework being completed by SA.
Should be complete before SA triggers transfer.
Registrar’s office has access to National Student Clearinghouse to verify prior enrollment at other institutions.
Get read-only access to institutional database for transfer course evaluations.

49. Division I Academic Performance Program/ Overview

50. Why APP?
Ensure the Division I membership is dedicated to providing student-athletes:
Exemplary educational and intercollegiate athletics experiences in an environment that recognizes and supports the academic mission of member institutions while enhancing ability to earn a four-year degree.
Serve as an academic point of access to postseason competition.
Bylaws and 14.8

51. Results of Academic Reform

53. NCAA Division I Committee on Academics
Administrative body and oversight of academics including APP.
Oversee data collection process.
Identify APP "cut" lines.
Provide interpretations of APP legislation and policies.
Bylaw 14.8

54. APP Data Collection Graduation Success Rate (GSR)
Academic Performance Census (APC)
NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate (APR)

55. GSR More specific than Federal Graduation Rate.
Includes transfers into an institution and midyear enrollees.
Removes student-athletes who withdraw and would have been academically eligible to compete the next term had they returned.
Calculated for every sport.

56. Academic Performance Census (APC)
Annual compilation of academic performance variables (e.g., credit hours, grade-point average).
Academic data used for NCAA research purposes. 
Data informs academic policies. 
Submitted online using the APP Data Collection Program.
Collected in fall term with APR data.

57. APR Real-time rate, calculated term-by-term.
Includes all student-athletes on a team in a given year (as opposed to entering class).
Includes student-athletes receiving athletically related financial aid; or
For nonscholarship programs/teams, a subset of recruited student-athletes.
cont…

58. APR Points awarded for eligibility/graduation and retention.
Totaled over most recent four years (cohort).
, , ,
Used in analysis for eligibility for postseason competition, APP penalties and public recognition of top academically performing teams.

59. Eligibility Certification
APP PROCESS
Eligibility Certification
Data Review
(If Selected)
Data Submission Phase
Correction/ Adjustment Phase
Penalty Waiver Phase
(14 calendar days to submit)
Final Submit
( sent to chancellor or president)

60. APR Adjustments
Discount lost APR point(s) for a term or terms from the denominator.
May request adjustment to lost "E" point, lost "R" point or both.
Requests are based on mitigation affecting individual student-athletes.

61. APP Penalties and Loss of Access to Postseason Competition
Multi-year APR is used to determine access to postseason competition AND if team is subject to APP penalties.
Two levels of penalties.
Waivers available.

62. APP PENALTY STRUCTURE: TWO LEVELS
Level One
In-season CARA restriction (1 day and 4 hours replaced by academic support activities)
Level Two
Level One elements +
Out-of-season CARA restriction (4 hours replaced by academic support activities )
loss of nonchampionship segment/spring football OR 10% reduction in season and contests

63. APR Benchmark Requirements to Avoid APP Penalties
Year Penalty Will Be Taken
Multiyear APR Required to Avoid APP Penalties
Filters
and beyond (All institutions)
930 or higher OR
Level One = No filter
Level Two = at least 950 average in 2 most recent years
to * (Limited Resource Institutions)
All Penalty Levels** =
Multiyear APR of at least 920;
At least 940 average in 2 most recent years; OR
930 or higher in most recent single year
* Team can use an LRI filter twice in five years beginning
** To access filters institution must have an APR Improvement Plan that meets criteria established by the Committee on Academics.

64. APR Benchmark Requirements to Avoid Loss of Access Postseason
Championship / Postseason Year
Multiyear APR Required to Access Postseason Competition
Filters
and beyond (All institutions)
930 or higher OR
First time below 930 = No filter
Future failures to meet 930 = 950 or higher average in 2 most recent years
to * (Limited Resource Institutions)
First time = GSR of at least 50%
Any time** =
Multiyear APR of at least 920;
At least 940 average in 2 most recent years; OR
930 or higher in most recent single year
* Team can use an LRI filter twice in five years beginning
** To access filters, institution must have an APR Improvement Plan that meets criteria established by the Committee on Academics.

65. APP Waivers Staff makes initial decision.
Appeals to the Committee on Academics Subcommittee on Penalties and Appeals.
Institution presents appeal via teleconference.

66. APR Improvement Plans
APR Improvement Plans are meant to stimulate immediate improvements in team academic performance:
Monitor and analyze each team's academic, retention and graduation performance;
Identify critical issues impacting team’s academic performance; and
Develop initiatives to address the team's critical issues.

67. APR Improvement Plan Requirements
Required for all teams under 930 multiyear APR.
Must include element that assesses and evaluates team's academic admissions profiles and academic outcomes.
Data analysis of team’s APR performance.
Broad-based campus participation.
Reviewed and approved by institution’s chancellor or president.
Submitted via online database.

68. APP Data Collection

69. New ACADEMIC PORTAL Combines multiple systems (e.g., GSR, APP, etc.).
Phase I – opened August 2016.

70. Academic Portal Objectives
Establish a single point of entry for all NCAA institutions on all academics-related matters.
Create a user-friendly module for institutions.
Enhance data integration with other NCAA applications:
Compliance Assistant;
NCAA Eligibility Center; and
NCAA Division I Institutional Performance Program.

71. Academic Portal
Adjustment of
Testing and
Development
Over 80 hours of brainstorming teleconferences with membership constituents.
In-person and remote user testing.
NCAA Regional Rules Seminars and committee meetings.
Membership Feedback

72. New Academic Portal Compliance Assistant APR Improvement Plans
Graduation Rates Data Collection
APR Data Collection
Head Coaches APR Portfolio
Division II Academic Tracking System
APP Penalty Waivers
APR Adjustments and Corrections
APP Data Reviews
Division III Academic Reporting Program
Compliance Assistant

73. Phases Phase 1: *APP Data Collection. Phase 2: Phase 3:
NCAA Division II Academic Tracking System Data Collection.
APR Adjustments.
APP Waivers.
APP Penalties.
Document Management.
Communication Tools.
Reports.
Phase 2:
GSR.
Public Releases.
Alternate Definition of Cohort.
LSDBi Items.
APR Improvement Plans.
Extensions.
Phase 3:
APP Data Reviews.
Data Export.
Facilitating Learning and Achieving Graduation/ Graduation Risk Overview.

74. Academic Portal Eight-week APR data submission deadline.
Year-round APR data entry.
Year-round APR adjustment processing.
Nonrate related corrections by membership.
Submission of policy interpretations.

75. Preparing for Data Collection
Update your import files with new fields and/or update Compliance Assistant with new fields.
Check with campus IT to ensure compatibility with new portal.
Collect new information on 2-4 and 4-4 transfer student-athletes.
Attend webinars and any education sessions.
Collect documentation for adjustments.
Patience.

76. Governance Update Division I Committee on Academics.
Values-based revenue distribution.
Local academic achievement resource.
Division I Council Transfer Issues Working Group.
Division I Presidential Forum.
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