Welcome Back!

A Letter from Michele Osborne, NCAA EC Vice President

Hello, Compliance Colleagues!

As we embark on a new academic year, I want to extend a warm welcome to each of you. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or new to the field, this time of year is always filled with excitement and new opportunities. We understand that it can also be incredibly busy, with the myriad of responsibilities you manage on campus.

Our team is here to support you every step of the way. Whether you have student-specific questions or need guidance on policy matters, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. You can contact us via our dedicated membership line at 877-544-2950 or email us at ecinfo@ncaa.org. We’re also committed to finding ways to provide more proactive support, better enabling you to focus on initial-eligibility reviews.

Please feel free to share your ideas and feedback through the suggestion box on the EC Membership Portal, via our email/phone channels or through our annual membership survey. Your insights are invaluable as we strive to make system-wide improvements and enhance our collaboration.

On behalf of Regulatory Affairs Executive Vice President Stan Wilcox and the entire EC team, we wish you a successful and fulfilling year on campus. We look forward to our continued partnership in serving our student-athletes. Thank you for your dedication and hard work.

Changes to NCAA Core-Course Legislation

NCAA core-course legislation has been updated and there is no longer a separate set of requirements for nontraditional courses.

Divisions I and II updated requirements are effective for core-course reviews occurring on or after Aug. 1, 2024. For more details on these changes, please refer to this FAQ. Be sure to share with any high school contacts, you may have to ensure they are up to date regarding these helpful changes.

Divisions I and II Advisory Group Application

The Eligibility Center seeks additional members to join our Division I, II, and III membership advisory groups! Each division’s group has 12 members and requires a two-year commitment. Advisory group members serve a vital role for the Eligibility Center by providing insight, calibration and information that enables our staff to better support student-athletes, member schools and athletics compliance administrators across the NCAA membership. Participation with these groups includes periodic virtual meetings and requests for feedback on projects and initiatives the EC staff proactively works on throughout the year.

To apply, please submit your resume and a detailed personal statement expressing your interest, the name of your institution and athletics conference(s), experience with the Eligibility Center’s certification processes, the level of interaction you have with your school’s student-athletes and/or recruits, and the ability to serve your division’s Membership Advisory Group. All submissions should be sent to ecinfo@ncaa.org no later than 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 20. New members will be announced in the October membership newsletter.

2024-25 Division II Manual Changes

Effective Aug. 1, 2024 (per Division II Proposal NC-2025-4), Division II Bylaw 12 was incorporated into Bylaws 7 and 14. As a result, multiple bylaws associated with initial eligibility have been renumbered (see examples below).

2023-24 and Prior	2024-25
14.3 (freshman academic requirements)	14.2.8 (freshman academic requirements)
12 (amateurism)	14.4 (athletics eligibility)
14.5 (transfer regulations)	14.3 (transfer regulations)

Moving forward, the Eligibility Center will begin updating our website and resources to reflect the new bylaw cites.

2024-25 Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete

The 2024-25 Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete is now available! The guide is designed to assist your recruits with understanding the NCAA, NCAA Eligibility Center registration and academic requirements, and how you can help your recruits work toward their collegiate dreams. This booklet is a great resource to share with your recruits and their families! Click here to download the PDF version.

Note: The printed version will be available for ordering from NCAA Publications late August. All orders received for the printed version of the guide will be fulfilled at that time.

New Resource:
International Student-Athlete Handbook

Whether it's the dress code, expectations in class, using a credit card or even interpersonal interactions and relationships, living and studying in the U.S. does not come with an instruction manual. Until now.

In this new comprehensive resource, prospective and current international student-athletes and their parents, as well as their coaches/administrators, can find an A-to-Z review of all topics that likely work very differently in the U.S. than what is known to them from their native country.

Subjects such as student life, taxes and immigration, cultural adjustments and career options are only a part of the information included in the handbook, which can help them acclimatize and thrive in their new home away from home.

Click here to download and share with your international recruit.

Post-Eligibility Insurance

The NCAA sponsors a post-eligibility insurance program that supports student-athletes beyond their playing days. For up to two years (104 weeks) after student-athletes separate from school or voluntarily withdraw from athletics, the program covers excess accident medical expenses for athletically related injuries sustained during participation in an NCAA qualifying intercollegiate sport. The program provides excess insurance coverage for properly documented covered injuries that occur on or after Aug. 1, 2024. The program is available to all student-athletes at all member schools in all divisions. For more information, click here.

Labor Day Office Closure

In honor of Labor Day, the Eligibility Center will be closed Monday, Sept. 2. Normal business hours will resume Tuesday, Sept. 3. For any emergencies, please email ecinfo@ncaa.org. Have a safe and happy holiday!