Eligibility for Intercollegiate Competition

Department of Athletics with the Office of the Registrar

Eligibility for intercollegiate competition is governed by the rules of the governing body for the sport and by the College’s own requirements. The College’s volleyball, cross country, bowling, rifle, and golf teams compete under the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and are members of NJCAA Region XII. Coed Esports competes under the NJCAAE and Coed Clay Target under the ACUI Collegiate Clay Target program, each under its own eligibility rules.

The summary below is general. The NJCAA Handbook and Casebook in effect for the academic year governs. NJCAA eligibility rules are revised annually, and an eligibility determination is made only on the student’s own record.

NJCAA academic eligibility

Summary of NJCAA academic eligibility rules.
Requirement	General rule
Full-time enrollment	Enrolled in at least 12 credit hours during the term of participation. A student who drops below 12 credit hours becomes ineligible at once.
First term	High school graduation, or a recognized equivalent, or as otherwise provided in NJCAA rules
Second term of a first season	Passed at least 12 credit hours with a GPA of 1.75 or higher in the prior full-time term
Second season	Passed at least 24 credit hours with a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher
Seasons of participation	Two seasons in a sport, under NJCAA rules

College requirements

Admission to a credit-bearing program of study.
Satisfactory progress toward a credential and good academic standing.
Eligibility is certified by the Registrar before the first contest of each season and each term.

Clock-hour enrollment

Short-term certificates are measured in clock hours and carry no credit. Clock hours do not count toward the 12-credit-hour requirement, and enrollment in a clock-hour certificate does not establish eligibility for intercollegiate competition. A student enrolled in a credit program may also enroll in a clock-hour certificate; only the credit enrollment is counted.

College Credit Plus enrollment does not establish eligibility for intercollegiate competition while the student is enrolled in high school.

Transfer students

Transfer eligibility depends on the student’s prior enrollment and participation, including whether the prior institution was a two-year or four-year college. Official transcripts from every prior institution are required. Prospective transfers should contact the Director of Athletics before enrolling, not after.

Before the first practice

Required before the first practice.
Requirement	Detail
Physical examination	Dated within one year; at the student’s expense
Accident insurance	Required (NJCAA); $95 per year
Athletic participation charge	$150 per sport, per season
Eligibility forms	NJCAA forms, completed with the Department of Athletics
Emergency information	Emergency contact and medical information form

Charges are published in the Schedule of Charges.

Other matters

The College awards no athletic scholarships, consistent with NJCAA Division III rules. The Drover Club Grant-in-Aid is described at Scholarships.
The College does not operate student housing. Student-athletes arrange their own housing; see Housing.
The College is not SEVP-certified and cannot issue Form I-20.

This page summarizes rules of outside governing bodies for the convenience of students and does not determine any student’s eligibility. Eligibility is determined under the rules of the governing body and is certified by the Registrar. A statement by a coach or staff member about a student’s eligibility is not a certification.

Responsible office: Department of Athletics, ext. 2200, with the Office of the Registrar, Room A-112, ext. 2250.
Page last revised 30 October 2026 · athletics/eligibility · Department of Athletics