Vanguard University

NCAA Highlight Current Student-Athletes

Current Student-Athletes
This site is intended to highlight some pertinent NCAA rules for you as an enrolled student-athlete at Vanguard University. It is impossible to cover every NCAA rule that impacts you as a Division II student-athlete, but we will cover some of the most frequently asked questions. If you ever have any questions about NCAA rules and regulations, please contact the Compliance Coordinator.

Definition of a Student-Athlete
An enrolled student-athlete is a student who has begun his or her first day of initial full-time collegiate enrollment or who has reported for intercollegiate practice at Vanguard University.

Academic Eligibility
You must meet certain academic requirements to be eligible to practice and compete as a Division II student-athlete at Vanguard University. For a complete breakdown of Division II academic eligibility rules as they apply at Vanguard scroll down.

Athletic Scholarships
The NCAA has strict limits on the amount of full scholarships allowed for each sport. Included in the NCAA limit are any athletics aid received by a student-athlete, known as a grant-in-aid, and all other aid that is considered "countable" by the NCAA. Athletic scholarships can only be offered on a one academic year basis. At the end of the academic year, the scholarship can be renewed or non-renewed at the coach's discretion. All non-renewals are appealable through the Financial Aid Office and must be submitted in writing within two weeks of the non-renewal notice.

Outside Scholarships
All outside scholarships (e.g., booster club awards, local scholarships, etc.) received by Vanguard student-athletes must be submitted to the Financial Aid Office for review. Outside scholarships can impact your individual/team scholarship limits AND your eligibility, so it is important to report these awards in an accurate and timely manner to both the Financial Aid Office and the Athletics Department. Even if you get a check directly from the awarding agency, you still must report this aid. At the beginning of every academic year you will be required to notify us of all outside scholarships you have received on your beginning of the year compliance forms. If you receive an outside scholarship during the academic year that is not included on your financial aid form, please notify the Financial Aid Office and Compliance Coordinator immediately.

Private Lessons
Division II student-athletes are allowed to conduct private lessons. However there are strict rules they must follow. As a Vanguard student-athlete, you are not allowed to provide lessons anywhere on campus and there are restrictions on how you can advertise your lessons. Prior to any advertisement or offer of lessons, contact the Compliance Office.

Sports Wagering
NCAA rules prohibit student-athletes from participating in any gambling activity that involves any sport sponsored by the NCAA at any level. Any activity that involves putting something at risk for the chance to win something in return is considered sports wagering and an NCAA violation. Risk + Reward = Violation. This includes fantasy leagues and tournament brackets that meet the above guidelines.

Year-Round Drug Testing
The NCAA randomly selects institutions and student-athletes for drug testing throughout the academic year, including the summer. All student-athletes are subject to drug testing before, during or after their competitive seasons. All student-athletes need to be aware of the NCAA Banned Drugs list and should check with the Athletic Trainers for any questions. Student-athletes who test positive are subject to at least a 365-day suspension and loss of eligibility. Many nutritional/dietary supplements contain NCAA banned substances. In addition, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not strictly regulate the supplement industry; therefore the purity and safety of nutritional/dietary supplements cannot be guaranteed. Impure supplements may lead to a positive drug test. The Vanguard University Athletics Department does not promote the use of nutritional/dietary supplements and the use of such supplements is at the student-athlete's own risk.

Student-Athlete Leadership Team
The Student-Athlete Leadership Team (SALT) exists to provide a forum for student-athletes to discuss issues of concern and to increase communication with the Athletics Department. The committee discusses issues such as department policies and procedures, as well as current and proposed NCAA legislation. In addition, the SALT encourages support for the Vanguard University Athletics Department through both on-campus and local community service initiatives.

The ultimate mission of the Vanguard Student-Athlete Leadership Team is to enhance the total student-athlete experience within the Vanguard Athletics Department and University by promoting opportunity, protecting student-athlete welfare and fostering a positive student-athlete image.

• Promote communication between athletics administration and student-athletes.
• Disseminate information.
• Provide feedback and insight into athletics department issues.
• Generate a student-athlete voice within the athletics department’s formulation of policies.
• Build a sense of community within the athletics program involving all athletics teams.
• Solicit student-athlete responses to proposed conference and NCAA legislation.
• Organize community service and engagement efforts.
• Create a vehicle for student-athlete representation on campus-wide committees (e.g., student government).
• Promote a positive student-athlete image on campus.

Academic Eligibility
Below is an outline of the basic NCAA Division II academic eligibility rules as they apply at Vanguard University. If you have any questions about the below rules or need help in determining if your academic plan meets NCAA eligibility requirements, please contact the Compliance Coordinator.

Full-time Enrollment - 12 Units
A student-athlete must be a full-time student in order to participate (practice or compete). The only exception to this rule for both competition and practice eligibility is for graduating students who don't need 12 units to finish their final semester - they must have notification on file, with the Athletics Department, prior to the term in which they are less than full-time. The notification includes verification from the Registrar that they are taking what they need to graduate. All required paperwork is available through the Compliance Coordinator and is separate from what you must file with the University if you are seeking to pay only part-time student fees in your final semester.

Good Academic Standing
The definition of good academic standing is used to determine a student-athlete’s eligibility for Federal, State and Institutional financial aid. Academic standing is determined three times a year: at the completion of the fall, spring, and summer terms (if enrolled).

• Regular Standing - A student is considered to be in good standing with a 2.00 cumulative grade point average (GPA) in courses taken at Vanguard and on Vanguard off-campus programs. Students below a 2.0 GPA will automatically be put on academic probation and have one semester to raise their GPA.
• Athletics Eligibility - To compete, intercollegiate athletes must have a 2.0 Cumulative GPA after each semester and pass a minimum of nine credit hours. In addition, athletes must meet all conference and NCAA eligibility standards.

Major Declaration
Students must declare a major by the start of their fifth full-time semester to remain eligible. If you plan on switching majors please consult with the Compliance Coordinator and Registrar first as it may impact your eligibility.

24/18/9 Hour Rule
At the start of each academic year (fall semester), a student's continuing eligibility is determined by whether or not the student successfully completed at least 24-semester hours since the start of the previous year. This includes summer school hours. However, at least 18 of the 24 hours need to be earned during the regular academic year. The remaining six hours are allowed to be earned over the summer. In addition, student-athletes must pass at least nine credit hours each regular semester to remain eligible to compete for the next semester. Summer school cannot be used to meet the 9-hour semester requirement.

What Counts for Meeting the 24/18/9 Hour Requirements?

• Prior to the Fifth Full-Time Semester
  If you have not yet reached your fifth full-time semester of enrollment, all units (minus repeated credits) are considered acceptable under NCAA Division II rules and will count towards your annual 24-hour and semester 9-hour requirements.
• Start of 5th Full-Time Semester|
  Beginning in your fifth full-time semester, your annual 24 credit hours and your semester's 9-hours must go directly towards your degree. A course is considered as going towards your degree if it:
  • Goes towards your MAJOR requirements; or 
  • Goes towards your UNIVERSITY General Education requirements; or
  • Goes towards a MINOR that is required to obtain a degree.*

*NOTE: A maximum of six credit hours toward a voluntary or optional minor earned during a regular or summer term may be used to meet progress-toward-degree requirements.