Academic Services for Student Athletes

Eligibility Information

For students entering prior to Fall 2003

The following rules and requirements must be met in order for student athletes to maintain their athletic eligibility. For eligibility information for students entering Fall 2003 or after, see below.

For more information, contact Jean Roberts , Interim Coordinator Academic Services for Student Athletes at 828-262-2291.

6 Hour Rule - Students must complete a minimum of 6 hours in the previous full-time regular academic term.
12 Credit Rule - Each student athlete must carry a minimum of 12 degree hours in order to play and practice.  Students who drop below 12 degree hours at any time during the semester are automatically ineligible.
24 Hour Rule - To be eligible at the beginning of the fall semester, a student athlete must have completed 24 degree hours in the past calendar year, or completed an average of at least 12 degree hours each semester of attendance at Appalachian.

NCAA Degree Percentage and G.P.A. Requirements -

  • Complete 25% of the hours required for the declared degree and have a 1.80 cumulative GPA by the beginning of the 3rd year of college.
  • Complete 50% of the hours required for the declared degree and have a 1.90 cumulative GPA by the beginning of the 4th year of college.
  • Complete 75% of the hours required for the declared degree and have a 1.90 cumulative GPA by the beginning of the 5th year of college.
Degree Completion - Students must complete a graduation plan with the Dean's office by the middle of the 6th semester (Junior year).
Major Declaration - All student athletes are required to declare a major by the beginning of their 5th semester.
Class Attendance - A student athlete's eligibility can be denied due to lack of class attendance.  Athletes must attend all classes in order to participate.  If class attendance is not possible due to illness or an athletic event, the student athlete must make arrangements with each individual professor.

Summer School Courses - If a student athlete is in good academic standing, courses taken during the summer will count toward eligibility for the past year.  If an athlete wants to take a course at another institution, the course must be approved beforehand by the Registrar.  A grade of "C" or above must be attained in order for the hours earned to be accepted for eligibility and graduation requirements. A copy of the official transcript must be submitted to the registrar upon completion of the course.

For students entering Fall 2003 or after

The following rules and requirements must be met in order for student athletes to maintain their athletic eligibility.

12 Hour Rule. Students must be registered for at least 12 hours at all times to compete and practice. Students must complete a minimum of 6 hours in the previous full-time regular academic term. Students must complete a minimum of 18 hours during the regular academic year (Fall/Spring).
Beginning of 2nd year: Students must have completed 24 hours and at least 18 of the 24 hours must have been passed during the Fall and Spring terms (Academic Year). Students must have 1.8 cumulative GPA and maintain it through the Spring semester.

Major Declaration. Students must declare a major by the start of the 5th semester.

Beginning of 3rd year: Students must complete 40% of the hours required for declared degree and have a 1.90 cumulative GPA. The 1.90 cumulative GPA must be maintained entering the Spring semester.

Degree Completion: Students must complete a graduation plan with the Dean's office by the middle of the 6th semester (Junior year).
Beginning of the 4th year:  Students must complete 60% of the hours required for declared degree and have a 2.0 cumulative GPA. The 2.0 GPA must be maintained throughout the Spring semester.
Beginning of the 5th year: Students must complete 80% of the hours required for declared degree and have a 2.0 cumulative GPA. The 2.0 cumulative GPA must be maintained throughout the Spring semester.
Class Attendance - A student athlete's eligibility can be denied due to lack of class attendance.  Athletes must attend all classes in order to participate.  If class attendance is not possible due to illness or an athletic event, the student athlete must make arrangements with each individual professor.
Summer School Courses - If a student athlete is in good academic standing, courses taken during the summer will count toward eligibility for the past year.  If an athlete wants to take a course at another institution, the course must be approved beforehand by the Registrar.  A grade of "C" or above must be attained in order for the hours earned to be accepted for eligibility and graduation requirements. A copy of the official transcript must be submitted to the registrar upon completion of the course.

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