Compliance

ST. THOMAS UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

Eligibility & Compliance 

Student-athletes must comply with all eligibility requirements established by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), the Sun Conference (TSC), and St. Thomas University (STU). When standards differ, the most stringent requirement will apply. 

NAIA Eligibility Center 

All first-time prospective student-athletes must be cleared through the NAIA Eligibility Center before participating in intercollegiate athletics. 

The NAIA Eligibility Center is responsible for determining the eligibility of all first-time NAIA student-athletes, and all member institutions are bound by its decisions. 

Register and learn more: 

http://www.playnaia.org 

Freshman Eligibility Requirements 

Entering Freshmen 

An entering freshman is a student who: 

  • Has graduated from an accredited high school; or 

  • Has been fully accepted as a regular student in good academic standing at St. Thomas University; and 

  • Has not previously been identified with an institution of higher education for more than two semesters, three quarters, or the equivalent. 

Initial Eligibility Standards 

An entering Freshman will be automatically eligible with an overall high school GPA of 2.5 or higher.  

Or 

Entering freshmen must satisfy two of the following three requirements at STU’s Discretion: 

A. Standardized Test Score 

  • Minimum ACT score: 18 

  • Minimum SAT score: 970 

Important Notes: 

  • Scores must be achieved on a single test administration. 

  • SAT score must come from the Evidence Reading, Writing, and Math sections. 

  • Tests must be taken on a national or international testing date. 

  • Residual tests are not accepted. 

  • Scores must be sent directly from the testing agency to the institution. 

B. High School GPA 

  • (NAIA minimum requirement: 2.0 GPA) 

C. Class Rank 

  • Graduate in the top half of your high school graduating class. 

Important: Student-athletes must also meet all St. Thomas University admission standards to participate in athletics. 

Athletic Eligibility Timeline 
Four-Year Completion Rule 

Student-athletes have: 

  • 10 semesters (terms of attendance) to complete 

  • Four seasons of competition in a sport 

Whichever limit is reached first ends eligibility. 

Terms of Attendance 

A term of attendance is charged when a student: 

  • Enrolls in 12 or more institutional credit hours, or 

  • Begins competition at any two-year or four-year collegiate institution. 

Competition includes: 

  • Practices 

  • Scrimmages 

  • Contests 

Additional Notes 

  • Summer sessions do not count toward terms of attendance. 

  • Night school, extension courses, and correspondence courses may apply. 

  • Eligibility periods run continuously once initiated. 

  • Additional eligibility may be granted through an approved NAIA medical hardship if all applicable criteria are met. 

Full-Time Enrollment Requirement 
Twelve Credit Rule 

Both the NAIA and St. Thomas University require student-athletes to maintain full-time enrollment. 

Student-athletes must: 

  • Be registered for at least 12 credit hours 

  • Have all applicable fees paid 

A Student-Athlete Is Ineligible If: 

  1. Enrolled in fewer than 12 credits 

  1. Registration or admission is canceled 

  1. Enrollment changes result in loss of full-time status 

Enrollment Changes 

Changes such as: 

  • Add/drop requests 

  • Late registration 

  • Instructor drops 

  • Other enrollment adjustments 

should be completed before published deadlines to maintain accurate records. 

Course Withdrawal Policy 

Student-athletes may not drop a course without approval from: 

  • The Director of Athletics or their sports Head Coach 

This policy helps protect academic progress and athletic eligibility. 

Sun Conference Transfer Rule 
Intra-Conference Transfers 
Student-Athletes Who Have Competed 

A student-athlete who has participated in a sport and has been charged a season of competition at a Sun Conference institution may not compete in the same sport at another Sun Conference institution for 365 days from the last date of attendance at the previous institution. 

Student-Athletes Receiving Athletic Aid 

A student-athlete who: 

  • Has not participated in a sport, but 

  • Has received athletic-related financial aid 

must also sit out 365 days unless a written release is granted by the previous institution's Athletic Director using the approved conference release form. 

A release applies to all Sun Conference institutions. 

Student-Athletes Without Competition or Athletic Aid 

A student-athlete who: 

  • Has not participated in the sport, and 

  • Has not received athletic-related financial aid 

may compete immediately upon transfer. 

Financial Aid, Grants & Scholarships 

Athletic teams receive a designated number of one-year renewable athletic grants-in-aid based on institutional budgets and governing regulations. 

Award Process 

Athletic grants are awarded through: 

  1. Recommendation by the Head Coach 

  1. Approval by the Director of Athletics 

  1. Processing through the Office of Financial Aid 

Grant Limitations 

Athletic grants: 

  • Are not payment for services rendered 

  • Help cover educational expenses 

  • May be applied toward: 

  • Tuition 

  • Room and board 

  • Fees 

Important Conditions 

  • Grants apply only to the current academic year. 

  • Summer and mini-mester courses are not included. 

  • Recipients must maintain minimum GPA requirements. 

  • Recipients must maintain full-time enrollment status. 

  • Continued eligibility certification is required. 

Student-athletes deemed ineligible may lose athletic scholarship funding. 

For additional information, contact the Financial Aid Office 

Academic Integrity 
Academic Dishonesty Policy 

Academic dishonesty includes: 

  • Cheating 

  • Plagiarism 

  • Falsification 

  • Facilitating academic dishonesty 

  • Misrepresenting another person's work as your own 

  • Violating the academic rights of others 

  • Stealing or deceptive conduct related to academic work 

Athletic Consequences 

Violations may be referred to: 

  • Coaches 

  • Athletic Director 

  • Academic administration 

If found responsible under the Academic Conduct Code: 

  • A report is submitted to the Provost. 

  • University administration is notified. 

  • The student-athlete may be immediately removed from their sport. 

  • The student-athlete may become permanently ineligible for intercollegiate competition. 

For complete University procedures, refer to the St. Thomas University Student Handbook. 

Missed Class Policy 
Practice Attendance 

Student-athletes may not miss class for: 

  • Regular practice sessions 

  • Off-season practices 

  • Non-championship segment activities 

Competition Absences 

Student-athletes may only miss class for approved competitions within their championship season. 

Faculty Notification 

The Athletic Director will distribute competition schedules to faculty members each semester. 

Student Responsibility 

Student-athletes remain responsible for: 

  • Communicating with instructors in advance 

  • Coordinating missed coursework 

  • Completing all assignments and academic obligations 

Participation in athletics does not excuse students from academic responsibilities.