NAIA
All rules presented are directly from the NAIA Manual and Handbook for all NAIA student-athletes. Rules posted are pulled from the general handbook, not institution specific — please also reach out to your school's compliance office for clarification.
Suspension / Termination of Current Institution
A student who has been dismissed/expelled or suspended (or its equivalent) for any reason, including athletic department policy, from any institution of higher learning must establish residency of two semesters, two trimesters, or three quarter terms of attendance at a four-year institution or until the institutional dismissal or suspension period at the sanctioning institution has been terminated, whichever is shorter, before intercollegiate participation at an NAIA institution shall be permitted. EXCEPTION 1: If the suspension (or its equivalent) occurred at a two-year institution within the student's first two semesters, three trimesters, or three quarter terms of attendance, the required residency (if necessary) may take place at any two-year or four-year institution. EXCEPTION 2: A student who has been dismissed/expelled or suspended (or its equivalent) for failure to meet institutional academic requirements, but still meeting NAIA eligibility requirements at the time of dismissal/suspension, shall not be subject to this restriction provided the student has not participated in intercollegiate athletics at any collegiate institution for one full calendar year after suspension from the original institution.
Graduate Eligibility
Enroll in a graduate program, professional school or fifth-year, postbaccalaureate degree teacher education program or post-baccalaureate certification program, and: a. The student must be enrolled in a full-time class load as defined by the school in lieu of 12 institutional credits at the time of participation (Analogous to Article V, Section C, Item 3); EXCEPTION: a student who will complete the requirements for graduation for one of these programs within 10 semesters, 15 quarters, 12 trimesters or less may retain eligibility during the last term of attendance in their respective program by enrolling in fewer hours than the number required for full-time graduate study. By signing the Official Eligibility Certificate, the registrar verifies that the student has completed all other academic requirements for graduation except for the currently enrolled credits. The term in which the student invokes this exception shall be counted as a term of attendance. A student who invokes the above exception and does not graduate forfeits any remaining eligibility in all sports sponsored by the NAIA. b. To maintain eligible status, the student must successfully complete a full-time class load as defined by the institution (Analogous to Article V, Section C, Item 6); c. The student must maintain the minimum grade point average as defined by the institution (when applicable) (Analogous to Article V, Section C, Item 7); and d. The student must maintain a total cumulative GPA of at least 2.000 on a 4.000 scale.
Transfer Requirements — Official Transfer Statement
A student previously identified with an institution of higher learning (two- or four-year), who then transfers to a member college or university must complete the Official NAIA Transfer Player Eligibility Statement, and the institution must submit this statement to the eligibility chair prior to the student participating.
Transfer Requirements — 21-Day Withdrawal
If a student becomes identified at an institution and officially totally withdraws from that institution within 21 calendar days and subsequently becomes identified at an NAIA institution after remaining out of school for at least two full consecutive semesters, two full consecutive trimesters or three full consecutive quarters following the term of withdrawal, the term shall not be counted in application of the Nine-Hour Rule or 24/36-Hour Rule. The term shall be charged as a term of attendance with respect to the 10 semester, 12 trimester or 15 quarter limit. However, the transfer rule shall apply and the term shall be counted in application of the Nine-Hour Rule or the 24/36-Hour Rule if the athlete participated during the 21 days.
Transfer Requirements — Suspension While Representing Institution
A transfer student who was suspended or was declared otherwise ineligible due to misconduct while representing an institution in competition, in accordance with Article VI, Section B, Item 7, must serve the period of suspension at the institution to which the student transfers before intercollegiate participation shall be permitted.
Transfer Requirements — Residency
A student who has identified at a previous institution(s) and then transfers to an NAIA member institution is not required to sit a residency period prior to competing in the NAIA. Intra-conference residency requirements may apply.
Transfer Requirements — Seasons of Competition
A student charged with a season of competition in one sport by different institutions in the same academic year shall be charged with two seasons of competition. A student could amass two seasons of competition within one academic year. EXCEPTION: A student competing at a junior college who meets the requirements for graduation from that junior college and transfers to a member institution during the same sport season and is otherwise eligible to compete at the member institution in the same sport shall be charged with only one season of competition.