Division I - FAQs for Returning Student-Athletes

• Yes, all returning student-athletes will need to receive final NCAA Division I Amateurism Certification through the NCAA Eligibility Center. The Office of NCAA Compliance will notify returning student-athletes who have not received final certification.
• Final NCAA Division 1 Amateurism Certification needs to be requested by the student-athlete through the NCAA Eligibility Center website. If you do not remember your login information, please contact the NCAA Eligibility Center directly at 877-262-1492 (toll-free) or reach out to Stacey Gaudette, Associate AD of NCAA Governance (sgaudette@mercyhurst.edu)

• Determination of roster spots will remain unchanged and will continue to be determined by each head coach as we have operated in past years.
• Head coaches will continue to have discussions with every student-athlete on their team about their role within the program.

• This process will remain unchanged and will be administered in the same fashion as previous years where each head coach makes recommendations on renewals, increases, reductions, or non-renewals through the Office of NCAA Compliance and in conjunction with the Office of Student Financial Services.
• Head coaches will continue to have discussions with student-athletes on their team who are receiving athletic aid and will be for the upcoming academic year.

• In Division II, student-athletes have 10 semesters to use four seasons of eligibility in their sport. In Division I, student-athletes have five years from the date of initial full-time enrollment to utilize four seasons of eligibility.
• Any student-athlete who is impacted by this change will be notified by the Office of NCAA Compliance, and we will work with those individuals on a case-by-case basis for potential relief.

Yes, all returning student-athletes will need to meet the following continuing eligibility requirements to be immediately eligible for the upcoming academic year:

• Be in good academic standing (1.75 after first semester of initial full-time enrollment and 2.0 cumulative GPA for all remaining semesters).
• Undergraduates: Pass a minimum of 6 credit hours towards your degree each semester.
• Undergraduates: Pass a minimum of 18 credit hours toward your degree in fall and spring.
• Undergraduates: Complete a minimum percentage of required credits toward your listed degree:
  • Start of 3rd full-time semester: 24 degree credit hours.
  • Start of 5th full-time semester: 40% degree completed.
  • Start of 7th full-time semester: 60% degree completed.
  • Start of 9th full-time semester: 80% degree completed.
• Declare a major by the start of your 5th semester.
• Be enrolled full-time (12 credits for undergraduate; 9 credits for graduate).

The Office of NCAA Compliance will notify any student-athlete who is not meeting these requirements and outline steps to rectify any deficiencies.

The Office of NCAA Compliance in conjunction with the Faculty Athletics Representative will review all current student-athletes’ academic information by the end of the spring semester. All student-athletes and head coaches will receive communication from the Director of NCAA Governance (Stacey Gaudette) and/or the Assistant Director of Compliance/Academic Success (Abigail Vietmeier) regarding any potential issues.

Before any student-athlete changes their major, they need to contact the Office of NCAA Compliance who will then coordinate with the Faculty Athletics Representative and the Office of the Registrar to ensure there is minimal impact on your eligibility. Failure to do so could result in becoming immediately ineligible.

• This process will remain unchanged from how we are currently operating.
• Before entering the NCAA Transfer Portal, please speak with your coach about your decision.
• Then, contact the Office of NCAA Compliance for further information on transferring.
• NCAA regulations will still be in play at any institution you transfer to. You will need to coordinate with the Office of NCAA Compliance at the institution(s) that you are interested in transferring to regarding NCAA transfer requirements and eligibility.
• Additional NCAA Transfer information can be found here.