Athletic Eligibility
Applies to all student-athletes who enroll prior to August 1, 2003.
These standards are applied to determine eligibility for full participation in intercollegiate athletics. The NCAA mandates that student-athletes must be registered in a minimum credit load (at least 12 credits per semester). For each regular academic term, you must earn 6 credits in order to be eligible to compete during the next regular academic term. Summer and winter hours cannot be used to fulfill this requirement. In addition, each student-athlete must meet the following requirements:

Student-athletes must pass at least 24 credits per academic year in order to be eligible for athletic competition in the next year. 18 credits must be passed during the fall, winter and spring semesters. No more than 6 credits earned during summer school can be used to meet the 24 credits per academic year requirement.

In order to drop a class after the schedule adjustment period, each student-athlete must get permission to make the schedule change from a staff member of the Academic Center for Student-Athletes. Student-Athletes are not permitted to carry less than 12 credits without appropriate authorization.

NCAA policy states that as long as students meet the following requirements, they may be certified as being eligible to compete in NCAA championships, a rule which UMBC enforces for in-season competition. In order to qualify for competition, student-athletes are expected to meet the following criteria:

• Carry a minimum of 12 credits at the time of competition.
• By the 5th semester, declare a major and complete 25% of the graduation requirements.
• By the 7th semester, complete 50% of the graduation requirements.
• After four years, if the student-athlete has a fifth year of eligibility remaining, they must complete 75% of the graduation requirements.

Requirements for satisfactory progress towards a degree for returning student-athletes:

Grades of D earned in ENGL 100 or in courses counted toward a major, while earning credit, do not count toward satisfactory progress

The final decision to use a fifth year of athletic competition will be determined by the coach and the Athletic Director. These regulations may be more restrictive than the UMBC retention guidelines. However, it is possible to meet the NCAA guidelines and not be eligible for athletic competition per UMBC regulations.

Applies to all student-athletes who enroll after August 1, 2003.
Freshman year, you must complete 24 semester hours of academic credit prior to the start of your second year. For each academic year, you must complete a minimum of 18 credits during the regular academic year of the previous 2 semesters.

For each regular academic term, you must earn 6 credits in order to be eligible to compete during the next regular academic term. Summer & winter hours cannot be used to fulfill this requirement.

You may only have 6 credits of remedial (LRC or ESL) credits that may be utilized to satisfy the requirement of earning a minimum of 6 credits per semester. These credits must also be earned during the freshman year.

You will need to have the following grade-point average:

Academic Suspension or Dismissal
APPLIES TO ALL STUDENT-ATHLETES REGARDLESS OF DATE OF ENROLLMENT: In the event of academic suspension or dismissal, the student-athlete has the right to appeal the decision. If the athlete chooses to do so, they must meet with their Academic Advisor to discuss an academic plan of action.

Athletic Grants-In-Aid
In order to maintain an athletic grant-in-aid, the student-athlete must remain in good academic standing and meet all NCAA requirements. Student-athletes given the sanction of ACADEMIC SUSPENSION may forfeit their athletic grant.

International Students
The NCAA mandates that all new international student-athletes complete form 95-10, "General-Eligibility Form for International Student Athletes." This form must be completed prior to the start of your competition season in order to certify your eligibility.

International student-athletes (ISA) are responsible for checking in with the Office of International Education Services upon coming to UMBC. The ISA needs to be aware that US regulations require the completion of tax returns if they are receiving a full grant-in-aid.

There is a flagging system in place for international students in addition to the normal athlete flag preventing the student from dropping below 12 credits. If an ISA wishes to drop below 12 credits in a regular length semester, they must be cleared through both the Athletic Department and International Education Services.