UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE - NCAA

TRANSFER ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. OVERVIEW.......................................................................Page 2

2. UNIVERSITY ADMISSION STANDARDS................................Page 3

3. NCAA RESIDENCE REQUIREMENTS.....................................Page 5

4. NCAA CONDITIONS AFFECTING TRANSFER STATUS . . . . . ..Page 8

5. NCAA TWO-YEAR COLLEGE TRANSFERS . . . . . . . .............Page 11

6. NCAA FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE TRANSFERS .........................Page 20

7. NCAA FOUR-TWO-FOUR YEAR COLLEGE TRANSFERS.........Page 29

8. SEC TRANSFER ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS . . . . . . . ......Page 33

9. INTERNATIONAL TRANSFER ELIGIBILITY...........................Page 41

10. PROCEDURES FOR TRANSFER ELIGIBILITY CERTIFICATION............................................Page 51

Comments and questions can be directed to Dr. Earl Schliesman. (865) 974-9351 schlies@utk.edu

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1. OVERVIEW

Prospective transfer student-athletes who wish to participate in intercollegiate athletics at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville must meet admissions criteria as determined by the University. Additionally, prospective student-athletes must meet transfer eligibility standards established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the Southeastern Conference if they wish to compete immediately without spending a year in residence. The Office of Undergraduate Admissions and the Office of the University Registrar participate in the procedures outlined in this document. The Director of Undergraduate Admissions determines the admissibility and whether transfer regulations have been met for each potential transfer student-athlete while the University Registrar has the final authority to certify that degree completion requirements have been met if applicable. In the absence of the Director of Admissions and/or the University Registrar, a designee may sign.

Any transfer eligibility problems discovered during the certification process should be reported immediately to the Academic Compliance Officer in the Thornton Center.

The areas of consideration for transfer eligibility certification have been separated into ten major sections which correspond to NCAA and SEC regulations. The areas of consideration include:

A. University Admission StandardsB. NCAA Residence Requirements C. NCAA Conditions Affecting Transfer StatusD. NCAA Two-Year College TransfersE. NCAA Four-Year College TransfersF. NCAA “Four-Two-Four” Year College TransfersG. SEC Transfer Eligibility RequirementsH. International Transfer EligibilityI. Procedures for Transfer Eligibility Certification

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2. UNIVERSITY ADMISSION STANDARDS

Admission Criteria

Transfer admission decisions are based on the following elements:

1. Applicants with 30 or more hours of transferable College credits are considered transfer students. The admission decision is based on a college GPA of 2.00 using only the course work which will transfer to UTK. High School core units must be met.

Applicants with less than 30 hours of transferable College credits are considered transfers with less than 30 hours. Admission decision is based on college GPA, highSchool GPA, and ACT/SAT scores.

2. A grade point average of at least 2.0 in all courses attempted and in all transferable college work is required for admission to UT. Some academic colleges and departments may have a higher GPA standard for acceptance into certain programs. Of repeated courses from the same institution, only the most recent attempted repeat courses are included in UT’s calculation of the GPA. Repeated courses taken at separate institutions are all used to calculate the GPA. Transfer credit is granted only for courses in which a grade of “C” or better was earned.

3. Transfer applicants with more than two high schoolcourse unit deficiencies (one unit in Art plus one unit in another area) will be reviewed for admission.

4. Transfer students who have 60+ semester hours oftransferable credits are exempt from high schoolcourse unit requirements.

5. Transfer students with one or more deficiencieswho have earned less than 60 semester hoursmust complete high school course unitrequirements within the first 30 semester hours at UT.

6. Application for admission to the University ofTennessee is also an application to one of theUniversity’s ten undergraduate colleges, some of

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which have admission requirements which aremore rigorous than the those of the university ingeneral.

Freshman Admission Decisions. Admissions decisions are made holistically, taking into consideration each of the above listed factors. There is no threshold criteria which automatically places a prospective student into the admit category, nor is there any criteria which differentiates in-state from out-of-state prospects.

Admissions Documentation. Admissions documentation, i.e., application, application fee, official high school transcript(s), official college transcript(s), official test scores, and student scholarship status may be submitted directly to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

Official high school and/or college transcripts, necessary for final certification in the Thornton Center, are to be sent either to the Assistant Director in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions or to the Academic Counselor in the Thornton Center. In the latter case, a high school transcript must be delivered to the Admissions Office unopened while a college transcript may be delivered either opened or unopened.

Entering Term Spring 2010 Summer 2010 Fall 2010Application Submitted July 1, 2009 December 1, 2009 March 1, 2010All documents received December 1, 2009 May 1, 2010 July 1, 2010

3. NCAA RESIDENCE REQUIREMENTS

Regulation

Residence Requirement-General Principle. A student who transfers (see Bylaw 14.5.2) to a member institution from any collegiate institution is required to complete one full academic year of residence at the certifying institution before being eligible to compete for or to receive travel expenses from the member institution (see Bylaw 16.8.1.2), unless the student satisfies the applicable transfer requirements or qualifies for an exception as set forth in this bylaw. In

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basketball and baseball, a transfer student-athlete who satisfies the applicable transfer requirements or qualifies for an exception as set forth in this section, but initially enrolls as a full-time student after the first term of the academic year shall not be eligible for competition until the ensuing academic year. 14.5.1

Determination of Year of Residence. To satisfy an academic year of residence a student shall:

(a) Be enrolled in and complete a minimum full-time program for two full semesters or three full quarters; or

(b) Be enrolled in a minimum full-time program of studies for two full semesters or three full quarters and pass a number of hours that is at least equal to the sum total of the minimum load of each of the required terms. Any student-athlete (e.g., qualifier, non-qualifier, transfer student) admitted after the 12th class day may not use that semester or quarter for the purpose of establishing residency. 14.5.1.1

Summer Term. A summer term shall not be used to satisfy a term of residence, but hours earned at the certifying institution during the summer may be used to satisfy the requirements of (b) above. 14.5.1.1.1

Fulfillment of Residence Requirement in Night School. When a student transfers to a member institution and is required to fulfill a residence requirement before being eligible to participate in competition, it is permissible for the transfer student to meet the requirement by attending an institution’s night school, provided the following conditions are met:

(a) The night school has regular terms (semesters or quarters) that are the same as the institution’s day school;

(b) The student is enrolled in a minimum full-time program of studies during each night term counted; and

(c) The student is considered by the institution to be a regularly matriculated student in each term. 14.5.1.2

Disciplinary Suspension. A student who transfers to any NCAA institution from a collegiate institution while the student is disqualified or suspended from the previous institution for

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disciplinary reasons (as opposed to academic reasons) must complete one calendar year of residence at the certifying institution. 14.5.1.3

Outside Competition – Not a qualifier. A two-year college transfer student who is a not a qualifier and does not meet the applicable transfer requirements may participate in the institution’s intramural program (provided the intramural team is not coached by a member of the institution’s athletics department staff), but such an individual is not permitted to practice or compete on an institution’s club team or an outside sports team during the first academic year in residence. A four-year college transfer student who is a not a qualifier and who has not completed an academic year in residence may participate in the institution’s intramural program (provided the intramural team is not coached by a member of the institution’s athletics department staff), but such an individual is not permitted to practice or compete on an institution’s club team or an outside sports team during the first academic year in residence. 14.5.1.4

Eligibility for Championship in Progress. A transfer student shall be eligible for any NCAA championship that is in progress after a full calendar year has elapsed and at the time he or she has completed two full semesters or three full quarters of academic work. 14.5.1.5

Foreign Institution Transfers. A transfer student from a foreign collegiate institution (college, university or two-year college), except one entering as a bona fide exchange student, shall comply with the one-year residence requirement set forth in Bylaw 14.5.5.1. 14.5.1.6

Bona Fide International Exchange Student Exception. A bona fide international exchange student is an individual who is sponsored by his or her nation’s government, or is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Rotary International, the Ford Foundation, the Institute of International Education or a similar organization. For a student to be considered a bona fide exchange student, the sponsoring organization shall identify the student prior to the student’s departure from his or her home country and make the necessary arrangements to finance the student’s education under the foreign exchange program. If these arrangements have not been completed before the student’s enrollment at the member institution, the student is considered to be a transfer student and may not represent the institution in competition until the individual

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has met the required residence requirement. 14.5.1.6.1

4. NCAA CONDITIONS AFFECTING TRANSFER STATUS

Regulation

Conditions Affecting Transfer Status. A transfer student is an individual who transfers from a collegiate institution after having met any one of the following conditions at that institution:

(a) The student was officially registered and enrolled in a minimum, full-time program of studies in any quarter or semester of an academic year, as certified by the registrar or admissions office, provided the student was present at the institution on the opening day of classes;

(b) The student attended a class or classes in any quarter or semester in which the student was enrolled in a minimum full-time program of studies, even if the enrollment was on a provisional basis and the student was later determined by the institution not to be admissible;

(c) The student is or was enrolled in an institution in a minimum full-time program of studies in a night school that is considered to have regular terms (semesters or quarters) the same as the institution’s day school, and the student is or was considered by the institution to be a regularly matriculated student;

(d) The student attended a branch school that does not conduct an intercollegiate athletics program, but the student had been enrolled in another collegiate institution prior to attendance at the branch school;

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(e) The student attended a branch school that conducted an intercollegiate athletics program and transfers to an institution other than the parent institution;

(f) The student reported for a regular squad practice (including practice or conditioning activities that

occur prior to certification per Bylaws 14.3.5.1 and 14.5.4.6.5), announced by the institution through any member of its athletics department staff, prior to the beginning of any quarter or semester, as certified by the athletics director. Participation only in picture-day activities would not constitute “regular practice;”

(g) The student participated in practice or competed in a given sport even though the student was enrolled in less than a minimum full-time program of studies; or

(h) The student received institutional financial aid while attending a summer term, summer school or summer-orientation program (see Bylaw 15.2.8.1.3 and 15.2.8.1.4). A recruited student who receives institutional financial aid pursuant to Bylaw 15.2.8.1.4 is subject to the transfer provisions, except that a prospect (recruited or non-recruited) who is denied admission to the institution for full-time enrollment shall be permitted to enroll at another institution without being considered a transfer student. 14.5.2

Conditions Not Constituting Transfer Status. Unless otherwise covered by conditions set forth in Bylaw 14.5.2, a student athlete is not considered a transfer under the following enrollment conditions: 14.5.3

Summer School, Extension Courses or Night School. The student has been enrolled in or attended classes only in a summer school, extension course or night school, unless the night school is considered by the institution to be a regular term (semester or quarter) the same as its day school, the student is enrolled for a minimum full-time load

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in this regular night term, and the student is considered by the institution to be a regularly enrolled student. 14.5.3.1

Prospective Student-Athlete Attending Summer School Prior to Initial Full-Time Enrollment. A prospective student-athlete receiving financial aid to attend summer school prior to initial full-time enrollment who is denied admission to the institution for full-time enrollment.14.5.3.2

Branch School. The student has been enrolled in or attended classes only in a branch school, provided the branch school does not conduct an intercollegiate athletics program. If the branch school conducts an intercollegiate athletics program, the student shall not be considered a transfer only upon enrollment at the parent institution directly from the branch school. (For definition of “branch school” see Bylaw 14.02.1.) 14.5.3.3

Second Campus of Institution. The student is in residence at an institution’s campus that is not in the same city as the institution’s main campus, provided the campus at which the student is in residence does not conduct an intercollegiate athletics program, classes on the campus are taught by the same instructors who teach classes on the main campus, the credits received by all class enrollees are considered as regular credits by the institution’s main campus, and the degrees awarded to all students come from the institution’s main campus. 14.5.3.4

Academic Exchange Program. The student participates in a regular academic exchange program between two four-year institutions that requires a participant to complete a specified period of time at each institution, and the program provides for the student-athlete to receive at least two baccalaureate or equivalent degrees at the conclusion of this joint academic program. 14.5.3.5

5. NCAA TWO-YEAR COLLEGE TRANSFERS

Regulation

Two Year College Transfers. A student who transfers to a member institution from a two-year college or from a branch school that conducts an intercollegiate athletics program must complete an academic year of residence unless the student meets the following eligibility requirements applicable to the

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division of which the certifying institution is a member. Further, a transfer student-athlete admitted after the 12th class day may not utilize that semester or quarter for the purpose of establishing residency. 14.5.4 Transfer. To be eligible for competition, a transfer student-athlete must meet the following credit-hour requirements based on attendance at the previous institution(s) for the specified time and may use any hours of academic credit earned at any collegiate institution:

(a)Equivalent of one semester/one quarter: six semester or six-quarter hours of academic credit;

(b)Equivalent of one academic year (e.g., two semesters/3 quarters): 24-semester or 36 quarter hours of academic credit;

(c) Equivalent of three semesters/four quarters: 30-semester or 42-quarter hours of academic credit; or

(d)Equivalent of four semesters/six quarters and thereafter: six-semester or six-quarter hour of academic credit during the previous term of full-time enrollment, if applicable (see Bylaw 14.4.3.1.1.1). 14.4.3.1.2

Six-Hour Requirement for Transfer. A transfer student-athlete from a domestic two-year or four-year collegiate institution must complete six hours of academic credit during the previous term of full-time enrollment regardless of when the student-athlete enrolls in the certifying institution. A transfer student-athlete from a foreign collegiate institution is not required to complete six hours of academic credit in the previous term of full-time enrollment. 14.4.3.1.2.1

Qualifier. A transfer student from a two-year college who was a qualifier (per Bylaw 14.3.1.1) is eligible for competition the first academic year in residence only if the student has:

(a) Spent at least one full-time semester or one full-time quarter in residence at the two-year college (excluding summer sessions), presented a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.000 (see Bylaw 14.5.4.6.3.2) and satisfactorily completed an average of at least 12-semester or quarter hours of transferable-degree credit acceptable toward any baccalaureate degree program at the certifying institution for each full-time academic term of attendance at the two-year college. 14.5.4.1

Baseball and Basketball – Midyear Enrollee. In baseball and 10

basketball, a qualifier who satisfies the provision of Bylaw 14.5.4.1, but initially enrolls at the certifying institution as a full-time student subsequent to the conclusion of the institution’s first term of the academic year, shall not be eligible for competition until the ensuing academic year. 14.5.4.1.1

Not a qualifier. A transfer student from a two-year college who was not a qualifier (per Bylaw 14.3.1.1) is eligible for institutional financial aid, practice and competition the first academic year in residence only if the student

(A) Has graduated from the two-year college:(B) Has completed satisfactorily a minimum of 48-semester or 72

quarter hours of transferable-degree credit acceptable toward any baccalaureate degree program at the certifying institution, including six semester hours or eight quarter hours or transferable English credit and three semester or four quarter hours of transferable math credit;

(C) Has attended a two-year college as a full-time student for at least three semesters or four quarters (excluding summer terms); and

(D) Has achieved a cumulative grade-point average of 2.000 (see Bylaw 14.5.4.5.3.2). 14.5.4.2

Use of Hours Earned during Summer Terms. Not more than a total of 18-semester or 27 quarter hours of the transferable-degree credit may be earned during summer terms, and not more than nine-semester or 13.5 quarter hours of the transferable-degree credit may be earned during the summer term(s) immediately prior to the transfer. 14.5.4.2.1

Baseball and Basketball-Midyear Enrollee. In baseball and basketball, a student who was not a qualifier who satisfies the provisions of Bylaw 14.5.4.2, but initially enrolls at a certifying institution as a full-time student after the conclusion of the institution’s first term of the academic year, shall not be eligible for competition until the ensuing academic year. 14.5.4.2.3

Midyear Transfer. To be eligible for competition the ensuing academic year, a midyear transfer student-athlete must meet the provisions of Bylaw 14.4.3.1 and may use transferable degree credit in addition to any hours of academic credit earned at the certifying institution. 14.4.3.1.1

Three-Semester Four Quarter Attendance Requirement. A student-athlete is not permitted to satisfy the three-semester

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attendance requirement during one academic year. 14.5.4.2.2

Outside Competition – Non-qualifier. A two-year college transfer student who is a non-qualifier or partial qualifier and does not meet the applicable transfer requirements may participate in the institution’s intramural program (provided the intramural team is not coached by a member of the institution’s athletics department staff), but such an individual is not permitted to practice or compete on an institution’s club team or an outside sports team during the first academic year in residence. A four-year college transfer student who is a non-qualifier or partial qualifier and who has not completed an academic year in residence may participate in the institution’s intramural program (provided the intramural team is not coached by a member of the institution’s athletics department staff), but such an individual is not permitted to practice or compete on an institution’s club team or an outside sports team during the first academic year in residence. 14.5.1.4

Status as Qualifier or Non-qualifier. A prospective student-athlete who does not graduate from high school before enrolling as a regular student in a two-year college may not transfer work back to the high school, graduate from the high school and establish initial eligibility at a member institution on the basis of the revised high-school record. Such a student is considered to be a two-year college transfer who was a non-qualifier. 14.5.4.3

Status of Non-qualifier, Non-recruited. A two-year college student-athlete who transferred to a Division I institution without meeting the requirements of Bylaw 14.5.4.2 shall not be eligible for regular-season competition and practice during the first academic year in residence. However, such a student who was not recruited (per Bylaw 13.02.11) and for whom admission and financial aid were granted without regard to athletics ability shall be eligible for non-athletics institutional financial aid, provided there is on file in the office of the athletics director certification by the faculty athletics representative, the admissions officer and the chair of the financial aid committee that admission and financial aid were so granted. 14.5.4.4

Two-Year College Transfer Regulations. The following regulations shall be applied in administering the eligibility requirements for two-year college transfers. 14.5.4.5

Multiple Two-Year Colleges. When a student-athlete has been in residence at two or more two-year colleges, the terms of residence at all two-year colleges may be combined in order to satisfy the residence

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requirement. All grades and all course credits that are transferable from the two-year colleges to the member institution shall be considered in determining the student-athlete’s eligibility under Bylaw 14.5 (see all Bylaw 14.5.6). In addition, at least 25 percent of the credit hours used to fulfill the student’s academic degree requirements must be earned at the two-year college that awards the degree per Bylaw 14.5. 14.5.4.5.1

Credit Earned at Four-year Institution. If a student-athlete attends a two-year college and, prior to regular enrollment at a member institution, attains additional credits as a part-time student in a four-year collegiate institution, the hours accumulated at the four-year institution may be utilized by the member institution in determining the student-athlete’s eligibility under the two-year college transfer provisions, provided:

(a) These hours are accepted by the two-year college and are placed on the transcript or other official document by the two-year college from which the student-athlete transfers prior to the date of initial regular enrollment at the NCAA member institution; and

(b) Any official document (other than the student’s transcript) utilized by the two-year college for this purpose includes the official seal of the two-year college, is signed by the appropriate academic official of the two-year college and is forwarded directly from the two-year college to the appropriate admissions official of the certifying institution. 14.5.2

Determination of Transferable Degree Credit. For the purposes of determining transferable degree credit, the institution may count those courses accepted as degree credit in any of its colleges, schools, or departments. 14.5.4.3

Transferable Credit, Unacceptable Grade. Credit hours for courses with grades not considered acceptable for transferable degree credit for all students at an institution shall not be counted in determining whether the transfer requirement for total number of hours is satisfied. 14.5.4.5.3.1

Calculation of Grade-Point Average for Transferable Credit. 13

Grades earned in all courses that are normally transferable to an institution shall be considered in determining the qualitative grade-point average for meeting transfer requirements, regardless of the grade earned or whether such grade makes the course unacceptable for transferable degree credit. Only the last grade earned in a course that has been repeated shall be included in the grade-point-average calculation. 14.5.4.5.3.2

Degree Requirement. In order to satisfy the two-year-college graduation requirement for eligibility immediately upon transfer from a two-year college to a member institution, a student-athlete must receive an associate or equivalent degree in an academic or technical, rather than a vocational, curriculum. The Academics/Eligibility/ Compliance Cabinet shall have the authority to determine whether a two-year college degree is academic or technical, rather than vocational, in nature. 14.5.4.5.4

Transfer to Four-Year College Prior to Completion of Requirements. The requirements set forth in Bylaw 14.5.4 must be met prior to a student-athlete’s transfer to the certifying institution. Thus, if a two-year college student transfers (as defined in Bylaw 14.5.2) to a member institution prior to the completion of applicable transfer requirements, the student is subject to the one-year residence requirement at the certifying institution, even though the student transfers back to the two-year college and completes the necessary requirements. 14.5.4.5.5

Participation Prior to Certification 14.5.4.5.6

Temporary Certification, Recruited Two-year College Transfer. If a recruited two-year college transfer student reports for athletics participation before the student’s high-school or two-year college academic record has been certified, the student may practice, but not compete, during a 14-day period, provided the student meets all other requirements to be eligible to practice. An institution shall not provide athletically related financial aid to the student during this period. After the 14-day period, the student shall have established minimum requirements as a transfer student to continue practicing or to compete and receive athletically related financial aid. 14.5.4.5.6.1

Temporary Certification, Non-recruited Two-year College Transfer. If a non-recruited two-year college student reports for athletics participation before the student’s high-school or two-year college academic record has been certified, the student may practice,

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but not compete, during a 45-day period, provided the student meets all other requirements to be eligible to practice. An institution shall not provide athletically related financial aid to the student during this period. After the 45-day period, the student shall have established minimum requirements as a transfer student to continue practicing or to compete and receive athletically related financial aid. 14.5.4.5.6.2

Competition in Year of Transfer. A transfer student from a two-year institution, who has met the two-year transfer eligibility requirements per Bylaw 14.5.4, is not eligible to compete at the certifying institution during the segment that concludes with the NCAA championship if the student-athlete has competed at the two-year college during that segment in the same academic year in that sport. 14.5.4.5.7

Exceptions for Transfer from Two-Year Colleges. A transfer student from a two-year college or from a branch school that conducts an intercollegiate athletics program is not subject to the residence requirement at the certifying institution if any one of the following conditions is met. An individual who is a partial qualifier or non-qualifier shall not be permitted to use the exceptions under this bylaw. 14.5.4.6

Discontinued/ Non-sponsored - Sport Exception. The student changed institutions in order to continue participation in a sport because the student’s original two-year college dropped the sport from its intercollegiate program (even though it may subsequently establish that sport on a club basis) or never sponsored the sport on the intercollegiate level while the student was in attendance at that institution, provided the student never attended any other collegiate institution that offered intercollegiate competition in that sport and the student earned at least a minimum 2.000 grade-point average (see Bylaw 14.5.4.6.3.2) at the two-year college. 14.5.4.6.1

Original Collegiate Institution. In applying this provision for an exception to the residence requirement, the original collegiate institution shall be the two-year college in which the student was enrolled immediately prior to the transfer to the certifying institution, provided that, if the student is transferring from a two-year college that never sponsored the sport on the intercollegiate level the student never shall have attended any other collegiate institution that offered intercollegiate competition in that sport. 14.5.4.6.1.1

Two-Year Nonparticipation or Minimal Participation Exception. The student transfers to the certifying institution from a two-year

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college and, for a consecutive two-year period immediately prior to the date on which the student begins participation (practice and/or competition), the student has not competed in intercollegiate competition and has not engaged in other countable athletically related activities in the involved sport in intercollegiate athletics in the involved sport beyond a 14-consecutive-day period, or had neither practiced nor competed in organized noncollegiate amateur competition while enrolled as a full-time student in a collegiate institution. The 17-consecutive-day period begins with the date on which the student-athlete first engages in any countable athletically related activity. The two-year period does not include any period of time prior to the student’s initial-collegiate enrollment. 14.5.4.6.2

Submission of Information Necessary to Determine Academic Initial-Eligibility Status. An institution shall ensure submission of all necessary information (e.g. high school transcripts, test scores) to the NCAA Eligibility Center to determine the academic initial-eligibility status of a two-year college transfer student athlete prior to the end of the student athletes first regular academic term of full-time enrollment at the institution. If a two-year college student athlete is added to an institution’s squad list after the end of his or her first regular academic term of full-time enrollment at the institution, the institution shall ensure submission of all necessary information (e.g. high school transcripts, test scores) to the Eligibility Center to determine his or her academic initial-eligibility status prior to end of the academic year in which the student athlete is added to the squad list. The necessary information may be submitted through official or unofficial transcripts or test-score reports. 14.5.4.7

6. NCAA FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE TRANSFERS

Regulation

General Rule. A transfer student from a four-year institution shall not be eligible for intercollegiate competition at a member institution until the student has fulfilled a residence requirement of one full academic year (two full semesters or three full quarters) at the certifying institution. Further, a transfer student-athlete admitted after the 12th class day may not utilize that semester for the purpose of establishing residency. 14.5.5.1

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Transfer. To be eligible for competition, a transfer student-athlete must meet the following credit-hour requirements based on attendance at the previous institution(s) for the specified time and may use any hours of academic credit earned at any collegiate institution:

(a)Equivalent of one semester/one quarter: six semester or six-quarter hours of academic credit;

(b)Equivalent of one academic year (e.g., two semesters/three quarters): 24-semester or 36 quarter hours of academic credit;

(c) Equivalent of three semesters/four quarters: 30-semester or 42-quarter hours of academic credit; or

(d)Equivalent of four semesters/six quarters and thereafter: six-semester or six-quarter hour of academic credit during the previous term of full-time enrollment, if applicable. 14.4.3.1.1

Six-Hour Requirement for Transfer. A transfer student-athlete from a domestic two-year or four-year collegiate institution must complete six hours of academic credit during the previous term of full-time enrollment regardless of when the student-athlete enrolls in the certifying institution. A transfer student-athlete from a foreign collegiate institution is not required to complete six hour of academic credit in the previous term of full-time enrollment. 14.4.3.1.1.1

Attendance for One Academic year. A transfer student from a four-year institution who attended a four-year institution at least one academic year shall be eligible for financial aid (per Bylaw 14.5.5.4) and practice at a member institution under the rules of the institution and the conference of which the institution is a member, regardless of the student’s qualification status (per Bylaw 14.3.1.1) at the time of initial enrollment. 14.5.5.1.1

Attendance for Less Than One Academic Year. A transfer student from a four-year institution who was not a qualifier (as defined in Bylaw 14.02.9.2) and who attended the four-year institution less than one full academic year shall not be eligible for competition during the first academic year of attendance at the certifying institution. Participation in practice sessions and the receipt of financial aid during the first academic year of attendance at the certifying institution by such students is governed by the provisions of Bylaws 14.3.2.1 (partial qualifiers) and 14.3.2.2 (non-qualifiers). 14.5.5.1.2

Exceptions for Transfers from Four-Year Colleges. A transfer student (other than one under disciplinary suspension per Bylaw

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14.5.1.3) from a four-year collegiate institution is not subject to the residence requirement for intercollegiate competition, provided the student does not have an unfulfilled residence requirement at the institution from which he or she is transferring (except for the return to original institution without participation exception or with minimal participation exception) and any of the following exceptions is satisfied. During the student-athlete’s first academic year of full-time collegiate enrollment, such conditions may serve as a basis for a waiver of or an exception to the residence requirement only for transfer students who, at the time of initial collegiate enrollment, met the requirements for qualifiers (set forth in Bylaw 14.3.1) in Division 1. In baseball and basketball, a student-athlete who initially enrolls at the certifying institution as a full-time student after the conclusion of the first term of the academic year and qualifies for an exception to the one-year residence requirement shall not be eligible for competition until the ensuing academic year. 14.5.5.2

Educational Exchange Exception. The student returns to his or her original institution under any of the following conditions:

(a) After participation in a cooperative educational exchange program, provided the student is to receive a baccalaureate degree from the institution from which the student transferred to participate in the exchange program;

(b) After one semester or quarter of attendance at another institution for purposes of taking academic courses not available at the original institution, regardless of whether they are required in the degree program and the student-athlete is pursuing at the first institution. In such an instance, the student also may take additional courses that were available at the first institution; or

(c) After one academic year of attendance at another collegiate institution, in accordance with the program recommended by the appropriate academic officer at the original institution, provided the student was in good academic standing at the time the student left the original institution. 14.5.5.2.1

Exchange Student Exception. The student is enrolled in the certifying institution for a specified period of time as a bona fide exchange student participating in a formal educational exchange program that is an established requirement of the student-athlete’s

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curriculum. 14.5.5.2.2

Discontinued Academic Program Exception. The student changed institutions in order to continue a major course of study because the original institution discontinued the academic program in the student’s major. 14.5.5.2.3

International Student Program Exception. The individual is an international student who is required to transfer (one or more times) because of a study program predetermined by the government of the student’s nation or the sponsoring educational organization. 14.5.5.2.4

Military-Service Exception. The student returns from at least 12 months of active service in the armed forces of the United States. 14.5.5.2.5

Collegiate Enrollment Concurrent with Military Service The amount of time that an individual is enrolled as a regular student in a collegiate institution while concurrently on active military duty may not be counted as part of the 12-month active-duty period that qualifies a student for an exception to the transfer-residence requirement. 14.5.5.2.5.1

Discontinued/Non-sponsored - Sport Exception In a particular sport when the student transfers at any time to the certifying institution and participates in the sport on the intercollegiate level after any of the following conditions has occurred:

(a) The student’s original four-year collegiate institution dropped (or has publicly announced it will drop) the sport (in which the student has practiced or competed at that institution in intercollegiate competition) from its intercollegiate program; or

(b) The student’s original four-year collegiate institution reclassified (or has publicly announced it will reclassify) the sport (in which the student has practiced or competed at that institution in intercollegiate competition) from Division I to Division III status, and the student subsequently had not competed in that sport on the Division III level; or

(c) The student’s original four-year collegiate institution never sponsored the sport on the intercollegiate level while the student was in attendance at the institution, provided the

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student had never transferred from any other collegiate institution that offered intercollegiate competition in that particular sport. 14.5.5.2.6

Original Institution. In applying this provision for an exception to the residence requirement, the original collegiate institution shall be the one in which the student was enrolled immediately prior to transfer to the certifying institution, it being understood that, if the student is transferring from an institution that never sponsored the sport on the intercollegiate level, the student never shall have attended any other collegiate institution that offered intercollegiate competition in that sport. 14.5.5.2.6.1

Two-Year Nonparticipation Exception. The student transfers to the certifying institution from another four-year college and, for a consecutive two-year period immediately prior to the date on which the student begins participation (practice and/or competition), the student has neither competed in intercollegiate competition and has not engaged in other countable athletically regulated activities in intercollegiate activities in the involved sport beyond a 14-consecutive-day period, or has neither practiced nor competed in organized non-collegiate amateur competition while enrolled as a full-time student in a collegiate institution. The 14-consecutive-day period begins with the date on which the student-athlete first engages in any countable athletically related activity (per Bylaw 17.02.1). The two-year period does not include any period of time prior to the student’s initial collegiate enrollment. 14.5.5.2.7

Return to Original Institution without Participation or Minimal Participation Exception. The student transfers to a second four-year collegiate institution, does not compete at the second institution and does not engage in other countable athletically related activities in the involved sport at the second institution beyond a 14-consecutive-day period, or has neither practiced nor competed in organized noncollegiate amateur competition while enrolled as a full-time student in a collegiate institution. The 14-consecutive-day period begins with the date on which the student-athlete first engages in any countable athletically related activity (per Bylaw 17.02.1). A student may us this exception even if he or she has an unfulfilled residence requirement at the institution from which he or she is transferring. 14.5.5.2.8

Non-recruited Student Exception. The student transfers to the certifying institution, and the following conditions are met:

(a) The student-athlete was not recruited by the certifying institution (per Bylaw 13.02.12.1);

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(b) No athletically related financial assistance has been received by the student-athlete; and

(c) The student-athlete has not competed for any previous institution and has not engaged in other countable athletically related activities in intercollegiate athletics beyond a 14-consecutive-day period at any previous institution. The 14-consecutive-day period begins with the date on which the student-athlete first engages in any countable athletically related activity (per Bylaw 17.02.1).14.5.5.2.9

One-Time Transfer Exception. The student transfers to the certifying institution from another four-year collegiate institution, and all of the following conditions are met (for graduate students, see also Bylaw 14.1.9.1):

(A) The student is a participant in a sport other than baseball, basketball, bowl subdivision football or men’s ice hockey at the institution to which the student is transferring. A participant in championship subdivision football at the institution to which the student is transferring may use this exception only if the participant transferred to the certifying institution from an institution that sponsors bowl subdivision football and has two or more seasons of competition remaining in football or the participant transfers from a Football Championship Subdivision institution that offers athletically related financial aid in football to a Football Championship Subdivision institution that does not offer athletically related financial aid in football;

(B) The student has not transferred previously from one four-year institution unless, in the previous transfer, the student-athlete received an exception per Bylaw 14.5.5.2.6 (discontinued/ non-sponsored sport exception);

(C) The student is in good academic standing and meets the progress toward degree requirements. The transferring student must be one who would have been academically eligible had he or she remained at the institution from which the student transferred, and he or she also must be eligible at the certifying institution as a regularly enrolled, full-time, degree-seeking student who was admitted in accordance with the regular, published entrance requirements of the institution. The student shall not be required to fulfill the necessary percentage-of-degree requirements at the previous institution;

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(D) If the student is transferring from a NCAA or NAIA member institution, the student’s previous institution shall certify in writing that it has no objection to the student’ s being granted an exception to the transfer-residence requirement. If the student’s previous institution denies his or her request for the release, the institution shall inform the student-athlete in writing that he or she, upon request, shall be provided a hearing conducted by an institutional entity or committee outside of the athletics department (e.g., the office of student affairs; office of the dean of students; or a committee composed of the faculty athletics representative, student-athletes and non-athletics faculty/staff members). The institution shall have established reasonable procedures for promptly hearing such a request; 14.5.5.2.10

Graduate Student/Postbaccalaureate Participation. A graduate student who is enrolled in a graduate or professional school of an institution other than the institution from which he or she previously received a baccalaureate degree may participate in intercollegiate athletics if the student fulfills the conditions of the one-time transfer exception set forth in Bylaw 14.5.5.2.10 and has eligibility remaining per Bylaw 14.2.  14.1.9.1

Application of Transfer Exception for Graduate Student-Athletes. Academic Counselors will notify the Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions that a graduated student-athlete intends to transfer from another institution and compete. The Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions will notify the NCAA Compliance Specialists when the student is admitted and will forward all applicable paperwork.

The Assistant Athletics Director confirms compliance with the SEC Two-Year Eligibility requirement

The NCAA Compliance Specialists confirm admission into a graduate program then make the appropriate entry into the squad list.

Nonrecruited Student A student-athlete who does not qualify for the exception due to Bylaw 14.5.5.2.10-(a) may use the one-time transfer exception, provided he or she was not recruited by the original four-year institution and has never received institutional athletically related financial aid from any four-year institution. 14.5.5.2.10.1

Application of Transfer Exception. Information pertaining to the transfer student’s eligibility for a transfer exception is obtained via the

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NCAA Contact and One-Time Transfer Waiver form.

Competition in Year of Transfer. A transfer student from a four-year institution, who has received a waiver or an exception to the transfer residence requirement (per Bylaw 14.5.5.2), is not eligible to compete at eh certifying institution during the segment that concludes with the NCAA championship if the student-athlete has competed during that segment of the same academic year in that sport at the previous four-year institution. 14.5.5.3

Competition and Receipt of Athletically Related Financial Aid in Year of Transfer- Tennis In tennis, a transfer student from a four-year institution who enrolls at the certifying institution as a full-time student after the conclusion of the first term of the academic year and qualifies for an exception to the one-year residence requirement shall not be eligible for competition until the following academic year if he or she has competed during the same academic year and received athletically related financial aid during the same academic year from the previous four-year institution. 14.5.5.3.1

Exceptions A four-year transfer student may receive institutional athletically related financial aid during his or her first academic year at the certifying institution, provided

(a) The student-athlete transferred from a four-year institution that did not sponsor the student-athlete’s sport on the intercollegiate level while he or she was in attendance and the student did not previously transfer from any other collegiate institution that offered intercollegiate competition in the sport; or

(b) The student-athlete has not participated in intercollegiate competition and has not engaged in other countable athletically related activities in the sport beyond a 14-day-consecutive period. 14.5.5.4.1

Midyear Transfer. To be eligible for competition the ensuing academic year, a midyear transfer student-athlete must meet theprovisions of Bylaw 14.4.3.1 and may use transferable degree credit in addition to any hours of academic credit earned at the certifying institution. 14.4.3.1.1

7. “FOUR-TWO-FOUR” YEAR COLLEGE TRANSFERS

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Regulation

“4-2-4" College Transfers. A student who transfers from a four-year college to a two-year college and then to the certifying institution shall complete one academic year of residence at the certifying institution prior to engaging in intercollegiate competition, unless the student has

(A) Completed an average of at least 12-semester or –quarter hours of transferrable degree credit, with a cumulative minimum grade-point average of 2.000, acceptable towards any baccalaureate degree program at the certifying institution for each term of full-time attendance at the two-year college following transfer from the four-year college most recently attended;

(B) One calendar year has elapsed since the student’s departure from the previous four-year college (one year since the date that the student-athlete takes formal action with the appropriate institutional authorities required for all students to indicate that the student-athlete id leaving the previous four-year institution and no longer will be attending classes); and

(C) The student has graduated from the two-year college (per Bylaw 14.5.4.5.1 and 14.5.4.5.3.2) 14.5.6

Transfer. To be eligible for competition, a transfer student-athlete must meet the following credit-hour requirements based on attendance at the previous institution(s) for the specified time and may use any hours of academic credit earned at any collegiate institution:

(a)Equivalent of one semester/one quarter: six semester or six-quarter hours of academic credit;

(b)Equivalent of one academic year (e.g., two semesters/three quarters): 24-semester or 36 quarter hours of academic credit;

(c) Equivalent of three semesters/four quarters: 30-semester or 42-quarter hours of academic credit; or

(d)Equivalent of four semesters/six quarters and thereafter: six-semester or six-quarter hour of academic credit during the previous term of full-time enrollment, if applicable. 14.4.3.1.2

Six-Hour Requirement for Transfer. A transfer student-athlete from a domestic two-year or four-year collegiate institution must complete six hours of academic credit during the previous term of full-

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time enrollment regardless of when the student-athlete enrolls in the certifying institution. A transfer student-athlete from a foreign collegiate institution is not required to complete six hour of academic credit in the previous term of full-time enrollment. 14.4.3.1.2.1

Exceptions. A “4-2-4" transfer student who does not meet the requirements of Bylaw 14.5.6 is not subject to the residence requirements for intercollegiate competition if any of the following conditions are met:

(A) The student returns to the four-year college from which he or she transferred to the two-year college, provided the student did not have an unfulfilled residence requirement at the time of the transfer from the four-year college. The amount of time originally spent in residence at the first four-year college may be used by the student in completing the unfulfilled residence requirement at that institution; or

(B) The student initially was enrolled in a four-year collegiate institution that never sponsored the student’s sport on the intercollegiate level while the student was in attendance at the institution (provided the student never had attended any other four-year collegiate institution that offered intercollegiate competition in that particular sport) and provided the student was a qualifier and satisfactorily completed an average of at least 12-semester or quarter hours of transferable-degree credit acceptable toward any baccalaureate degree program at the certifying institution during each academic term of attendance with an accumulative minimum grade-point average of 2.000 (see Bylaw 14.5.4.6.3.2), and spent at least two semesters or three quarters in residence at the two-year college (excluding summer sessions).

(C) The student qualifies for an exception to the two-year college transfer requirements and qualifies for the same exception to the four-year college transfer residence requirement (per Bylaw 14.5.5.2) 14.5.6.1

Application of Transfer Exception. Information pertaining to the transfer student’s eligibility for a transfer exception is obtained via the NCAA Contact and One-Time Transfer Waiver form.

Baseball and Basketball – Midyear Enrollee. In baseball and basketball, a student who satisfies the provisions of Bylaw 14.5.6, but initially enrolls as a full-time student subsequent to the conclusion of the institution’s first term of the academic year, shall not be eligible for competition until the ensuing academic year. 14.5.6.2

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Calendar-Year Time Lapse. It is not required that the calendar year specified in Bylaw 14.5.6 elapse prior to the student’s initial enrollment as a regular student in the second four-year institution, but the calendar year must elapse before the student represents the certifying institution in intercollegiate competition. However, the student-athlete shall be eligible on the first day of classes or on the date of the first scheduled intercollegiate contest that falls earlier than the first day of classes in the regular academic term in which the student would become eligible, provided the student has fulfilled the one-academic-year requirement. 14.5.6.3

Transfer Prior to Completion of Requirements. All transfer requirements set forth in Bylaw 14.5.6, except the calendar-year time-lapse requirement (see Bylaw 14.5.6.3), must be met prior to the student-athlete’s transfer to the certifying institution. Thus, if a student-athlete transfers from a four-year institution to a two-year college and, prior to completing the applicable transfer requirements, transfers to a member institution, the student-athlete shall be subject to the one-year residence requirement, even though during the course of that one-year residence at the certifying institution, the student-athlete may complete the necessary requirements. 14.5.6.4

Midyear Transfer. To be eligible for competition the ensuing academic year, a midyear transfer student-athlete must meet the provisions of Bylaw 14.4.3.1 and may use transferable degree credit in addition to any hours of academic credit earned at the certifying institution. 14.4.3.1.1

Submission of Information Necessary to Determine Academic Initial Eligibility Status. An institution shall ensure submission of all the necessary information (e.g. high school transcripts, test scores) to the NCAA Eligibility Center to determine the academic initial-eligibility status of a 4-2-4 transfer student-athlete prior to the end of the student-athlete’s first regular academic term of full-time enrollment at the institution. If a 4-2-4 transfer student-athlete is added to an institution’s squad list after the end of his or her first regular academic term full-time enrollment at the institution, the institution shall ensure submission of all necessary information (e.g. high school transcripts, test scores) to the Eligibility Center to determine his or her academic initial-eligibility status prior to the end of the academic year in which the student-athlete is added to the squad list. The necessary information may be submitted through official or unofficial transcripts or test-score reports. 14.5.6.6

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8. SEC TRANSFER ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Regulations

Two-Year College Transfers 14.5.4

Non-qualifiers. A non-qualifier, who initially enrolls at a two-year college and transfers to an SEC member institution, shall not be eligible for financial aid, practice or competition unless each of the following requirements have been met:

A. Graduated with an Associate or equivalent degree in an academic, rather than a vocational, curriculum.

B. Completed satisfactorily a minimum of 48 semester or 72 quarter hours with a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 of transferable degree credit accepted toward any baccalaureate degree program at the certifying institution;

C. Attended the two-year college that granted the Associate or

equivalent degree as a full time student for the last three semesters or four quarters immediately prior to graduation from the institution granting the two-year degree (excluding summer terms);

D. Earned at least six credit hours of transferable English with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 in these credit hours; and

E. Earned at least three credit hours of transferable math with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00 in these credit hours. 14.5.4.2

Four-Year College Transfers 14.5.5

Transferring Within the Southeastern Conference. A transfer student from a Southeastern Conference institution shall not be eligible for intercollegiate competition at another Southeastern Conference institution until the student has fulfilled a residence requirement of one full academic year (two full semesters and three full quarters) at the certifying institution. Further, a transfer student-athlete admitted after the 12th class day may not utilize that semester for the purpose of establishing residency. Student-Athletes meeting the terms of NCAA

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bylaws 14.5.5.2.1, 14.5.5.2.2, 14.5.5.2.3, 14.5.5.2.4, 14.5.5.2.5, 14.5.5.2.6, 14.5.5.7.7, 14.5.5.2.8, and 14.5.5.2.9, may seek a waiver of the provisions of this bylaw. 14.5.5.1

Non-qualifiers. A non-qualifier who initially enrolls at any other four-year institution and transfers to an SEC member institution, shall not be eligible for financial aid, practice or competition unless the following requirements have been met:

(A)The student must be in good academic standing at an accredited institution and must have completed satisfactorily a minimum of 48 semester or 72 quarter hours with a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 of transferable degree credit accepted toward any baccalaureate degree program at the certifying institution;

(B)The student must have attended the four-year institution for at least three semesters or four quarters (excluding summer terms) as a full time student; and

(C)The student must have at least two seasons of competition remaining. 14.5.5.6

SEC Limitations Rule A non-qualifier who initially enrolls at any other four-year institution and transfers to an SEC member institution, shall be counted in the annual limits of non-qualifiers as specified in bylaw 14.3.2.1. 14.5.5.6.1

Graduated Student Exception. A student-athlete who has earned a baccalaureate degree shall be exempt from the annual limits in SEC Bylaw 14.3.2.1(c) 14.5.5.6.1.1

SEC Non-Qualifiers.

A) A non-qualifier who initially enrolls at an SEC institution subsequent to August 1, 1993, shall not be eligible for athletically-related financial aid, or for practice or competition during his or her first year of residence. Such a student shall be eligible for nonathletic institutional financial aid that is not from an athletics source and is based on financial need only, consistent with institutional regulations.

B) A limited number of student-athletes who enroll at an SEC institution as freshmen or as 4-4 transfer students

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and who are non-qualifiers (or were non-qualifiers at the time of their original enrollment in college may become eligible for athletically-related financial aid, practice, and competition after their freshman year, provided that

(i) each such student presents an average high school GPA of at least 2.0 (as confirmed and certified by the NCAA Eligibility Center) in at least twelve core courses, and

(ii) The Commissioner issues a favorable determination with respect to such student in accordance with the procedures set forth in subsection 14.3.2.1 (g) below. Even though such non-qualifier may not receive athletically related financial aid, the non-qualifier shall count in the institution’s team financial aid limits. In equivalency sports, such non-qualifier shall count as one-half of a full athletic grant-in aid the first year; in subsequent years, the actual grand-in-aid value shall count.

C) There shall be an annual limit on the number of student-athletes who are non-qualifiers and who may become eligible after their freshman year for athletically related financial aid, practice, and competition, whether such student-athletes are enrolled as freshmen or as 4-4 transfer students. (These limits do not apply to two-year college transfer students, see bylaw 14.5.4.2) The limits, which are applied on an annual basis with no carryover of unused numbers to following years, are set forth as follows:

For men’s sports, a total of four non-qualifiers enrolled in a particular academic year may become eligible to receive athletically-related financial aid, or for practice or competition. Of these four, no more than two are permitted to become eligible in football, and no more than one may become eligible in any other sport.

For women’s sports, a total of four non-qualifiers enrolled in a particular academic year may be eligible to receive athletically-related financial aid, or for practice or competition. Of these four, no more than one may become eligible in any one sport.

D) The annual limits set forth in SEC Bylaw 14.3.2.1 (c) shall not apply to any student-athlete who has been certified by the NCAA as learning disabled and who is otherwise eligible for enrollment hereunder. 14.3.2.1

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SEC “4-2-4" College Transfers - Non-qualifiers. A non-qualifier, regardless of sport, who initially enrolls at a non-SEC four-year institution, transfers to a junior college and then transfers to an SEC member institution, shall not be eligible for financial aid, practice or competition unless the junior college transfer requirements listed in SEC Bylaw 14.5.4 have been met. 14.5.6

Two-Year Eligibility. A student-athlete who, upon enrollment at the certifying institution, has less than two years of eligibility remaining, is not eligible for financial aid, practice or competition at the member institution. A member institution may request a waiver from the Conference office for academic reasons or for an individual transferring from an institution discontinuing a sport. 14.1.15

Validity of Academic Credentials.

Each SEC member institution bears primary responsibility for reviewing and ensuring the validity of the NCAA Eligibility Center certification of initial eligibility of each prospective student-athlete (PSA) who has been offered an athletic scholarship in accordance with this Bylaw 14.1.2

Before admitting any PSA, each SEC member institution must review and ensure that all the academic credentials (including but not limited to transcripts and standardized test scores) (herein the “Credentials”) supplied to the NCAA Eligibility Center by each PSA are valid, accurate, and fairly reflect the academic abilities and qualifications of the PSA, whether the NCAA Eligibility Center challenges or specially reviews those Credentials or not.

Each SEC member institution shall establish and maintain its own process for the review of Credentials required by subsection (a) of this Bylaw 14.1.2.2. The guidelines and policies governing such processes shall be reduced to writing, and periodically revised and updated as appropriate. A copy thereof shall be provided annually (on or about July 1) by each member institution’s President or Chancellor to the SEC Commissioner.

Even if an SEC member institution has admitted a PSA and determined in accordance with its own process that the NCAA Eligibility Center certification of eligibility is based upon valid and accurate Credentials that fairly reflect the academic abilities and qualifications of the PSA, the member institution shall provide a special written report (the

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“Special Report”) to the SEC Commissioner, in accordance with subsections (d) and (e) of this Bylaw 14.1.2.2, concerning such PSA if:

Any one or more of the PSA’s college entrance examination scores or sub scores have varied (higher or lower) from any other college entrance examination score in an amount equal to or greater than the security standards of ACT and/or SAT);

The PSA transfers or withdraws from high school in his or her senior year;

The number of core courses taken during the PSA’s senior year is disproportionate to the number of core courses completed prior to the PSA’s senior year;

The PSA has been enrolled in sequential courses in a single academic year or term;

Core courses have been taken out of sequence by the PSA;

Revisions (other than to correct clerical errors) are made to the PSA’s transcript that raise the PSA’s grade in one or more core courses or;

The PSA has completed core coursework through nontraditional means (e.g., virtual high school or a correspondence course).

Guidelines for Special Reports Submitted to the Commissioner.Each Special Report to be submitted to the Commissioner as required by subsection (c) of this Bylaw 14.1.2.2 shall:

Specify which of the numbered subparagraphs of subsection (c) of this Bylaw 14.1.2.2 triggered the requirement for a Special Report;

Attach complete and correct copies of all the PSA’s Credentials supplied to the NCAA Eligibility Center and to the SEC member institution;

Set forth in detail the review made by the member institution to determine whether the credentials are valid, accurate, and fairly reflect the academic abilities and qualifications of the PSA;

Include such supporting material as is reasonably necessary and appropriate under the circumstances to establish that the PSA’s credentials are valid, accurate, and fairly reflect the academic abilities and qualifications of the PSA;

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Be submitted no later than August 15 prior to the PSA’s initial full time enrollment in a fall academic term, or not later than February 1 immediately following the PSA’s initial full time enrollment in a spring academic term, or prior to the PSA’s initial participation in intercollegiate competition, whichever is earlier. Waiver of this deadline may be granted by the Commissioner based on extenuating circumstances that prevent the report from being submitted in accordance with the deadline;

Include a certification by the President or Chancellor of the member institution affirming that he or she has personally reviewed and approved the Special Report and the decision made by the member institution concerning the admission of and eligibility of the PSA; and

The current street address and telephone number of the PSA.

The supporting material required by subparagraph (4) of subsection (d) of this Bylaw 14.1.2.2 shall include the following, to the extent applicable:

If, but only if, the requirement for a Special Report is triggered in whole or in part by numbered subparagraph (1) of subsection (c) of this Bylaw 14.1.2.2, the Special Report shall include verification of college entrance examination scores from the testing authority (i.e., College Board or the ACT, Inc.)

If, but only if, the requirement for a Special Report is triggered in whole or in part by numbered subparagraph (2) of subsection (c) of this Bylaw 14.1.2.2, the Special Report shall include a full and complete explanation of the circumstances and cause for the withdrawal or transfer, and verification that the transfer was not for the purpose of avoiding inadequate grades in core course(s) (or for the purpose of securing adequate grades in core course(s) without actually meeting the academic requirements of such courses and;

If, but only if, the requirement for a Special Report is triggered in whole or in part by any of numbered subparagraphs (3) – (7) of subsection (c) of this Bylaw 14.1.2.2, the Special Report shall include verification that the PSA is in fact properly completed and satisfied the academic requirements of all core courses and that the PSA’s grades in those courses are valid and accurate, and reflect the academic abilities and qualifications of PSA.

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The member institution may also include in the Special Report such additional information and materials as may be of assistance to the Commissioner in making the determination required under subsection (h) of this Bylaw 14.1.2.2.

The Special Report shall specifically call to the attention of the Commissioner and provide full and complete information concerning any known disabilities identified by the PSA that might bear on the validity of the Credentials of the PSA, or on the PSA’s academic abilities and qualifications. Prospective student-athletes with disabilities are subject to and must comply with the standards and procedures set forth in this Bylaw 14.1.2.2; provided, however, that (i) in satisfying such standards, such students may take advantage of any applicable NCAA or SEC Bylaws that have the purpose or effect of providing reasonable accommodation to disabled individuals, and (ii) the Commissioner may waive or modify the standards in this Bylaw 14.1.2.2, in his sole discretion, if and as necessary or appropriate to comply with applicable laws or regulations.

Prior to the Commissioner determining pursuant to subsection (h) of this Bylaw 14.1.2.2 that a PSA is not eligible for intercollegiate athletic competition at an SEC member institution, the Conference shall provide the PSA with a copy of the Special Report by overnight courier service (to the address of the PSA specified in the Report), along with a copy of this Bylaw 14.1.2.2 The PSA may then submit any and all reasonable materials to the Commissioner that the PSA wants the Commissioner to consider, provided that the PSA’s submission was received by the Conference office within fifteen (15) calendar days after the Special Report is deposited with the overnight courier service for delivery to the PSA. If the PSA’s submits materials to the Commissioner, the PSA shall simultaneously provide a copy of the entire submission to the SEC member institution at which the PSA proposes to participate in intercollegiate athletics. In such event, the SEC institution may, at it’s option, provided a supplemental submission must be furnished to the Commissioner, with a copy to the PSA at the address specified in the Report (or such other address as may be specified in the PSA’s submission), within thirty (30) calendar days after the Special Report is deposited with the overnight courier service for delivery to the PSA.

As expeditiously as is reasonably feasible after receiving the Special Report and any submissions pursuant to subsection (g) of this Bylaw 14.1.2.2., the Commissioner shall issue a determination of the PSA’s eligibility to compete in intercollegiate athletic competition, based on the following criteria:

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The burden of demonstrating to the reasonable satisfaction of the Commissioner that the PSA’s Credentials are valid, accurate, and fairly reflect the academic abilities and qualifications of the PSA shall be on the SEC member institution. If the SEC member institution fails to meet that burden, the Commissioner shall determine that the PSA is ineligible.

The Commissioner shall not conduct an independent review, but shall base his or her determination on the Special Report and on any submission the PSA may choose to make pursuant to subsection (g) of this Bylaw 14.1.2.2.

The Special Report must adequately address and resolve all material factual issues concerning the validity and accuracy of the Credentials, or concerning whether those Credentials fairly reflect the academic abilities and qualifications of the PSA.

The Commissioner shall take into account and comply with any applicable legal requirements concerning the rights of persons with disabilities in making his or her determinations.

The Commissioner’s determination shall be final and not subject to appeal or review.

A PSA for whom a Special Report is required to be submitted pursuant to subsection (c) of this Bylaw 14.1.2.2 shall not be eligible to participate in intercollegiate athletic competition at an SEC member institution unless and until the Commissioner has determined that the PSA is eligible as contemplated by subsection (h). 14.1.2.2

9. TRANSFER ADMISSION AND ELIGIBILITY FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

General Admissions Policy and Procedures for International Students An international student is someone who will be attending college in the United States on a visa (including F-1, J-1, H-4)

Step 1: Complete and submit an application using your name as it will appear on your passport. If you need a non-immigrant (F-1) visa to

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enter the U.S., you must include an international address on the application.

Step 2: Non-Refundable application fee. Please refer to the print or on-line application for current fee amounts. An additional fee is required if applying for student housing. Credit card or electronic check payment is required for the online application. An international money order (payable on a US bank) or other paper payment can be made only if the applicant is submitting a paper application.

Step 3: Applicants are required to submit official copies of their academic transcripts to an evaluation agency that is a member of NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services), or from AACRAO (American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers). The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, will be able to process an application only after receiving the necessary report from the evaluation company.

Transfer Students. A “detailed” or “course-by-course” evaluation” including a calculated college Grade Point Average (GPA) is required for all college work completed in a country other than the United States. Applicants who have completed fewer than 30 transferable college credit hours will also be required to submit an evaluation listed above for entering freshman students that interprets all secondary or high school work. Applicants who have completed 30 or more transferable credit hours must have an official transcript and English translation sent to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and to the evaluation agency.

Step 4: Demonstrate English Proficiency. If your native language is not English, this can be done in one of the following ways:

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of 523 on the paper-based test, 193 on the computer-based test, or 70 on the internet-based (iBT).

Completion of the University of Tennessee English Language Institute’s (ELI) core intensive curriculum with recommendation from the ELI faculty.

Two semesters or three quarters of college-level English composition with a grade of C or better at an accredited college or university in the United States.

ACT (English sub-score of 21 is required) or SAT (verbal score of 510 is required) for U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents. Scores must be received from the Educational Testing Service (copies are not acceptable).

IELTS (International English Language Testing System)- a 35

minimum score of 6.5. ELS- completion of the ELS 112 intensive program

Note: Students who receive a CONDITIONAL ADMISSION must meet English proficiency requirements before being admitted to a degree program, and before being allowed to enroll in non-ESL courses. Conditionally admitted students who wish to enter the U.S. using UT’s I-20 must attend the University of Tennessee’s English Language Institute

Step 5: All F-1 and J-1 visa status students must submit financial documentation. After an offer of admissions is made, the Center for International Education (CIE) will provide information concerning the submission of financial documentation, including a completed Financial Support Statement and an official bank statement reflecting a balance of at least $30,645.00 USD. If your government is sponsoring you, you must submit a letter from the government stating that they will cover all expenses during your academic studies at The University of Tennessee.

Step 6: A copy of the photo page of the applicant’s passport must be sent with the applicant’s financial documentation, if it was not submitted with the application for admission.

Step 7: Ensure that all documents are postmarked by the deadline dates indicated below:

Entering Term Spring 2010 Summer 2010 Fall 2010All documents received October 1, 2009 February 15, 2010 May 15, 2010

Step 8: Apply for an appropriate U.S. visa.

Legislative Note. Bylaw 14.3.5.4 requires a student from a foreign country to satisfy both the requirements outlined in the NCAA Guide to International Academic Standards for Athletics Eligibility and the test-score requirements set forth in Bylaws 14.3.1.1-(b)

SEC Transfer Regulations. SEC transfer regulations apply to international student-athletes.

Steps to Certification

1. Student-athletes must obtain an international-registration form from the clearinghouse or the national

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office;

2. The application and $27.00 (U.S.) must be sent to the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse;

3. Original, official records from middle school(s) andhigh school(s) are sent to the clearinghouse;

4. Literal translation of non-English documents are sent tothe clearinghouse; and

5. SAT and/or ACT scores must be sent to the clearinghouse.

Transfer EligibilityAll international student-athletes who have enrolled in any postsecondary foreign institution as a full-time student and transfer to an NCAA four-year institution are considered four-year institution transfers.

A student who transfers (see Bylaw 14.5.2) to a member institution from any collegiate institution is required to complete one full academic year of residence at the certifying institution before being eligible to compete for or to receive travel expenses from the member institution (see Bylaw 16.8.1.2), unless the student satisfies the applicable transfer requirements or qualifies for an exception as set forth in this bylaw. In baseball and basketball, a transfer student-athlete who satisfies the applicable transfer requirements or qualifies for an exception as set forth in this section, but initially enrolls as a full-time student after the first term of the academic year shall not be eligible for competition until the ensuing academic year. 14.5.1

Foreign Institution Transfers. A transfer student from a foreign collegiate institution (college, university or two-year college), except one entering as a bona fide exchange student, shall comply with the one-year residence requirement set forth in Bylaw 14.5.5.1. 14.5.1.6

Bona Fide International Exchange Student Exception. A bona fide international exchange student is an individual who is sponsored by his or her nation’s government, or is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Rotary International, the Ford Foundation, the Institute of International Education or a similar organization. For a student to be considered a bona fide exchange student, the sponsoring organization shall identify the student prior to the student’s departure

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from his or her home country and make the necessary arrangements to finance the student’s education under the foreign exchange program. If these arrangements have not been completed before the student’s enrollment at the member institution, the student is considered to be a transfer student and may not represent the certifying institution in competition until the individual has met the required residence requirement. 14.5.1.6.1

Exceptions or Waivers for Transfers from Four-Year Colleges. A transfer student (other than one under disciplinary suspension per Bylaw 14.5.1.3) from a four-year collegiate institution is not subject to the residence requirement for intercollegiate competition, provided the student does not have an unfulfilled residence requirement at the institution from which he or she is transferring (except for the return to original institution without participation exception) and any of the following exceptions is satisfied. During the student-athlete’s first academic year of full-time collegiate enrollment, such conditions may serve as a basis for a waiver of or an exception to the residence requirement only for transfer students who, at the time of initial collegiate enrollment, met the requirements for “qualifier” (set forth in Bylaw 14.3.1) in the division to which they are transferring. In baseball and basketball, a student-athlete who initially enrolls at the certifying institution as a full-time student subsequent to the conclusion of the first term of the academic year and qualifies for an exception to the one-year residence requirement shall not be eligible for competition until the ensuing academic year. 14.5.5.2

Educational Exchange Exception. The student returns to his or her original institution under any of the following conditions:

(a) After participation in a cooperative educational exchange program, provided the student is to receive a baccalaureate degree from the institution from which the student transferred to participate in the exchange program;

(b) After one semester or quarter of attendance at another institution for purposes of taking academic courses not available at the original institution, regardless of whether they are required in the degree program and the student-athlete is pursuing at the first institution. In such an instance, the student also may take additional courses that were available at the first institution; or

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(c) After one academic year of attendance at another collegiate institution, in accordance with the program recommended by the appropriate academic officer at the original institution, provided the student was in good academic standing at the time the student left the original institution. 14.5.5.2.1

Exchange Student Exception. The student is enrolled in the certifying institution for a specified period of time as a bona fide exchange student participating in a formal educational exchange program that is an established requirement of the student-athlete’s curriculum. 14.5.5.2.2

Discontinued Academic Program Exception. The student changed institutions in order to continue a major course of study because the original institution discontinued the academic program in the student’s major. 14.5.5.2.3

International Student Program Exception. The individual is an international student who is required to transfer (one or more times) because of a study program predetermined by the government of the student’s nation or the sponsoring educational organization. 14.5.5.2.4

Military-Service Exception The student returns from at least 12 months of active service in the armed forces of the United States. 14.5.5.2.5

Collegiate Enrollment Concurrent with Military Service The amount of time that an individual is enrolled as a regular student in a collegiate institution while concurrently on active military duty may not be counted as part of the 12-month active-duty period that qualifies a student for an exception to the transfer-residence requirement. 14.5.5.2.5.1

Discontinued / Non-sponsored - Sport Exception In a particular sport when the student transfers at any time to the certifying institution and participates in the sport on the intercollegiate level after any of the following conditions has occurred:

(a) The student’s original four-year collegiate institution dropped (or has publicly announced it will drop) the sport (in which the student has practiced or competed at that institution in intercollegiate competition) from its intercollegiate program; or

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(b) The student’s original four-year collegiate institution reclassified (or has publicly announced it will reclassify) the sport (in which the student has practiced or competed at that institution in intercollegiate competition) from Division I to Division III status, and the student subsequently had not competed in that sport on the Division III level; or

(c) The student’s original four-year collegiate institution never sponsored the sport on the intercollegiate level while the student was in attendance at the institution, provided the student had never transferred from any other collegiate institution that offered intercollegiate competition in that particular sport. 14.5.5.2.6

Original Institution. In applying this provision for an exception to the residence requirement, the original collegiate institution shall be the one in which the student was enrolled immediately prior to transfer to the certifying institution, it being understood that, if the student is transferring from an institution that never sponsored the sport on the intercollegiate level, the student never shall have attended any other collegiate institution that offered intercollegiate competition in that sport. 14.5.5.2.6.1

Two-Year Nonparticipation Exception. The student transfers to the certifying institution from another four-year college and, for a consecutive two-year period immediately prior to the date on which the student begins participation (practice and/or competition), the student has neither competed in intercollegiate competition and has not engaged in other countable athletically regulated activities in intercollegiate activities in the involved sport beyond a 14-consecutive-day period, or has neither practiced nor competed in organized non-collegiate amateur competition while enrolled as a full-time student in a collegiate institution. The 14-consecutive-day period begins with the date on which the student-athlete first engages in any countable athletically related activity (per Bylaw 17.02.1). The two-year period does not include any period of time prior to the student’s initial collegiate enrollment. 14.5.5.2.7

Return to Original Institution without Participation or Minimal Participation Exception. The student transfers to a second four-year collegiate institution, does not compete at the second institution and does not engage in other countable athletically related activities in the involved sport at the second institution beyond a 14-consecutive-day period, or has neither practiced nor competed in organized

40

noncollegiate amateur competition while enrolled as a full-time student in a collegiate institution. The 14-consecutive-day period begins with the date on which the student-athlete first engages in any countable athletically related activity (per Bylaw 17.02.1). A student may us this exception even if he or she has an unfulfilled residence requirement at the institution from which he or she is transferring. 14.5.5.2.8

Non-recruited Student Exception. The student transfers to the certifying institution, and the following conditions are met:

(a) The student-athlete was not recruited by the certifying institution (per Bylaw 13.02.12.1);

(b) No athletically related financial assistance has been received by the student-athlete; and

(c) The student-athlete has not competed for any previous institution and has not engaged in other countable athletically related activities in intercollegiate athletics beyond a 14-consecutive-day period at any previous institution. The 14-consecutive-day period begins with the date on which the student-athlete first engages in any countable athletically related activity (per Bylaw 17.02.1).14.5.5.2.9

One-Time Transfer Exception. The student transfers to the certifying institution from another four-year collegiate institution, and all of the following conditions are met (for graduate students, see also Bylaw 14.1.9.1):

1. The student is a participant in a sport other than baseball, basketball, bowl subdivision football or men’s ice hockey at the institution to which the student is transferring. A participant in championship subdivision football at the institution to which the student is transferring may use this exception only if the participant transferred to the certifying institution from an institution that sponsors bowl subdivision football and has two or more seasons of competition remaining in football or the participant transfers from a Football Championship Subdivision institution that offers athletically related financial aid in football to a Football Championship Subdivision institution that does not offer athletically related financial aid in football;

2. The student has not transferred previously from one four-year institution unless, in the previous transfer, the student-athlete received an exception per Bylaw 14.5.5.2.6 (discontinued/ non-sponsored sport exception);

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3. The student is in good academic standing and meets the progress toward degree requirements. The transferring student must be one who would have been academically eligible had he or she remained at the institution from which the student transferred, and he or she also must be eligible at the certifying institution as a regularly enrolled, full-time, degree-seeking student who was admitted in accordance with the regular, published entrance requirements of the institution. The student shall not be required to fulfill the necessary percentage-of-degree requirements at the previous institution;

4. If the student is transferring from a NCAA or NAIA member institution, the student’s previous institution shall certify in writing that it has no objection to the student’ s being granted an exception to the transfer-residence requirement. If the student’s previous institution denies his or her request for the release, the institution shall inform the student-athlete in writing that he or she, upon request, shall be provided a hearing conducted by an institutional entity or committee outside of the athletics department (e.g., the office of student affairs; office of the dean of students; or a committee composed of the faculty athletics representative, student-athletes and non-athletics faculty/staff members). The institution shall have established reasonable procedures for promptly hearing such a request; 14.5.5.2.10

Competition in Year of Transfer. A transfer student from a four-year institution, who has received a waiver of or qualifies for an exception to the transfer residence requirement (per Bylaw 14.5.5.2), is not eligible to compete at the certifying institution during the segment that concludes with the NCAA Championship if the student-athlete has competed during that segment of the same academic year in that sport at the previous four-year institution. 14.5.5.3

Procedure For International Admission and Matriculation

Overview. Several weeks must be allowed to process the application and documents. Admission to the University is not guaranteed upon receipt of the documentation listed here. At the same time, admission is not possible without it.

A number of University and Athletics Department officials work in concert to ensure that the admissions process goes smoothly and according to all pertinent regulations. Following is an outline of the

42

tasks that need to be completed in a timely manner:

1) Coach gives recruit’s name and information to Academic Counselor who forwards it to the Athletics Compliance and Admissions personnel, and

2) Coach requests faxed copies of academic records for preliminary evaluation of admissibility and Clearinghouse status by the Academic Counselor.

3) Coach sends International Admissions Packet (includes application, sponsor form, example documents, and instructions).

4) Once an admissions decision has been made, an I-20 is issued and sent (via FedEx from the Thornton Center) to the student-athlete CIE (Center for International Education) processes the I-20, which may take 2-3 weeks.

5) The student takes the I-20 to the US Embassy in their country to apply for an F-1 (preferred) or J-1 visa. This process can take up to 3 months, depending on the country and world situation. Appointments are required at the Embassy for interviews and the I-20 is required to schedule appointments.

Admission to the University of Tennessee is based on a number of factors. Due to the logistics involved and strict regulations, actual admission and matriculation to the University is highly dependent upon timely adherence to the following:

UT must have the following in order to make an admissions decision and issue an I-20:

1) Signed application, major declared 2) Application fee3) All academic records (certified true copies), officially

translated if applicable4) Proof of English proficiency:

a. TOEFL (193 computer-based, 523 paper, add 70 on internet based), or

b. 2 semesters/3 quarters of college-level English composition with a minimum grade of C taken at an accredited US college or university or

c. ACT English sub-score of 21 or SAT verbal of 5105) Financial documents: Recommended for admission and

required before an I-20 will be issued signed sponsor form and record of account balance from sponsor’s bank (on bank letterhead, signed by a bank official). Not absolutely required for admission but are for I-20.

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Once admitted, international student-athletes must attend to several additional items:

1) All international students must attend at least part of the orientation program sponsored by the Center for International Education. Orientation is usually scheduled the week prior to the start of classes.

2) All non-native speakers must take the English Placement Exam, which is only given during International Orientation, prior to enrolling in any English class.

3) International students on scholarship must apply for and receive an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) Social Security Number for tax purposes. Failure to do so will result in a registration hold.

4) Any time an international student-athlete leaves the country, his/her I-20 must be signed to ensure his/her re-entry to the US.

5) If an international student-athlete moves, even if only to another location in the same building, she/he must submit a change of address form (AR-11), available in the Thornton Center or at the Center for International Education.

Coaches will submit the names of international prospects to Athletics Compliance Officers and Academic Counselors. Coaches and Academic counselors must know when admissions applications are due for international student-athletes so that the entire process can begin early enough to allow time to complete, submit, and process all paper work. Coaches will also see to it that the prospects understand exactly what they need to do and when they need to do it. Academic counselors monitor the process and notify coaches on a regular basis regarding the status of prospective international student-athletes.

Academic (Taken from UT AD Compliance Manual—Start)

Academic counselors are required to notify Compliance staff and sport administrators of all prospective international students--freshman or transfer--as soon as they become aware that a sport is recruiting/considering an international student. This is to assure that all applicable rules and regulations are considered in the evaluation process. International students must apply byFebruary 1 for Fall, July 1 for Spring, and December 1 for Summer. UT must have the following in order to make an admission decision and issue a 1-20:

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1. International undergraduates may be undeclared as far as admissions

goes.

2. A signed application.

3. Application fee: 30 U.S dollars for admissions; 25 U.S. dollars for housing. International money orders drawn on a U.S. bank are required unless applying Online.

4. Official records and transcripts of all previous academic work. If originals are not submitted, an official (headmaster) from the school must certify signature and school stamp that all copies are true copies. Notarized copies or copies signed by a Justice of the Peace are not acceptable. If the records are not in English, official translations are required in addition.

5. If the student’s native language is not English, he/she must demonstrate English proficiency by one of the following ways:

TOEFL (193 computer-based, 523 paper, 70 iBT), or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) (6.5), or 2 semesters/3 quarters of college-level English composition with

a minimum grade of C taken at an accredited U.S. college, or university, including successful completion of the UT English Language Institute (ELI) core courses along with faculty recommendations, or

ACT English subscore of 21 or SAT verbal of 510, or A Holistic Review Committee will evaluate students whose

performance is slightly below the minimum requirements.

6. Financial documentation: signed financial statement and a letter from the sponsor’s bank on bank letterhead and signed by a bank official) stating the account(s) balance(s) or indicating an amount equal to or greater than the difference between the student’s athletic scholarship and cost of attendance for one year (2009-10 = $______ unless the student is on full scholarship. The amount to show for 2009-10 then is $______ but this figure must be verified annually.

The coach provides name and information to academic counselor who will forward it on to Compliance and sport administrator. The academic counselor requests faxed copies of all academic records only for preliminary evaluation for admissibility and Eligibility Center status. Send International Admissions Packet (includes application, financial statement and instructions). All are available on the web.

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Please allow several weeks to process the application and documents. Once an admission decision has been made, a 1-20 or DS-2019 is issued by UT’s Center for International Education and sent (via FedEx from the Thornton Center) to the student. Allow 1-2 weeks for processing.

Note also that the student must schedule an appointment at the U.S. Embassy in their country to apply for an F-1 or J-1 visa. They must have their 1-20 or DS-2019 before they can have their appointment and pay the 100 U.S. dollars registration fee.

All international students must attend at least part of the Center for International Education’s orientation program. Orientation is usually scheduled the week prior to the start of classes.

All non-native speakers must apply for and receive an individual tax number for tax purposes.Failure to do so will result in a registration hold.

Any time an international student leaves the country, his/her 1-20 must be signed to insure their re-entry to the U.S. Requests for travel signatures should be made at least a month in advance of international travel.

If an international student moves, even across the hall in the dorm, they must submit a change of address form (AR-11), available in the Thornton Center or the Center for International Education.

It is every international student-athlete’s responsibility to make sure he or she understands and adheres to all rules and regulations regarding immigration in order to remain “in status” with the Department of Homeland Security.

(Taken from UT AD Compliance Manual—End)

10. PROCEDURES FOR TRANSFER ELIGIBILITY CERTIFICATION

Overview. This procedure outlines the transfer eligibility certification process through admission, verification of compliance with all transfer regulations, and verification of degree completion requirements.

All transfer student-athletes are designated with a “T” on the squad list initially to prevent inadvertent illegal participation. The certification process for transfer eligibility takes place in three stages and in two

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separate offices.

1) The Office of Undergraduate Admissions is responsible for determining the admissibility of all student-athletes and,

2) The satisfaction of NCAA and SEC transfer regulations, while

3) The NCAA Compliance Specialist verifies compliance with degree completion requirements if applicable. When all requirements are met, the “T” is removed.

Admission . It is the responsibility of each head coach to inform the academic counselor of potential incoming transfers as soon as the recruiting process begins. The Office of Undergraduate Admissions is provided the names and ID numbers of potential transfer student-athletes by Academic Counselors for flagging in the admissions system. All processes should be initiated early enough to be completed prior to the squad list signing meeting.

The Student-athlete submits a completed application and application fee payment to the Admissions Office using the application packet provided by the recruiting coach. It is permissible for the academic counselor to hand deliver the application and application fee to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

Unofficial transcripts are used to initiate the admissions process. Official high school and/or college transcripts, necessary for final certification, are to be sent either to the Assistant Director in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions or to the Academic Counselor. In the latter case, a high school transcript must be delivered to the Admissions Office unopened while a college transcript may be delivered either opened or unopened.

In order to expedite the transfer certification process, the Assistant Director of Admissions distributes copies of official college transcripts to the appropriate NCAA Compliance Specialist so that she or he may determine in a timely manner which of the Credit-Hour, Degree Designation, and /or Degree Completion requirements apply to the student. Similarly, copies are forwarded to the Transcript Evaluator so that an unofficial evaluation can be entered into the Academic History Report prior to the student being officially admitted. (Unofficial transcript evaluation will not be completed using grade reports, degree audits, or student academic history reports.)

Admissions office personnel evaluate the admissibility of potential transfers in accordance with the University transfer policies and

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publish weekly the Transfer Status Tracking Report. The NCAA Compliance Specialist obtains a hard copy of the admissions screen, which is located in the SIS system (AM UGDISMNU), for each new student-athlete, and verifies the admission status, transfer status, and international status. Upon verification of admission into the University, the Assistant Director of Admissions places the dates on the squad list for “1st Term Your” and “1st Term Other.”

NCAA Qualification Status. NCAA Compliance Specialists obtain verification of the student’s qualifier status via the Clearinghouse Web site. If necessary, the University Registrar or the Registrar’s designee may check the Clearinghouse Hot Line. Upon verification of the qualifier status, the NCAA Compliance Specialists make the appropriate status code adjustments on the squad list.

When a transfer student-athlete is added to the squad list and certified after the official squad list signing date, notations are made on the Squad List Modification Form which is then forwarded to the FAR, Assistant Director of Admissions, Athletics department officials, and the Academic Compliance Officer.

Certification of Transfer Regulations. The Assistant Director of Admissions examines all records for compliance with SEC and NCAA Transfer Regulations. When it is determined that the student-athlete has met all pertinent requirements, the Director of Admissions or the Director’s designee signs the Transfer Athlete Certification Form and forwards it to the NCAA Compliance Specialist.

Application of Transfer Exception for Graduate Student-Athletes. Academic Counselors will notify the Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions that a graduated student-athlete intends to transfer from another institution and compete. The Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions will notify the NCAA Compliance Specialists when the student is admitted and will forward all applicable paperwork.

The Assistant Athletics Director confirms compliance with the SEC Two-Year Eligibility requirement

The NCAA Compliance Specialists confirm admission into a graduate program then make the appropriate entry into the squad list.

Certification of Progress Toward Degree Requirements. The NCAA Compliance Specialist reviews all college transcripts and the

48

transcript evaluation to determine the extent to which the student-athlete is responsible for meeting Credit Hour, Degree Designation, and Degree Completion Requirements. If the student-athlete meets all applicable progress toward degree requirements, the University Registrar signs the Transfer Athlete Certification Form.

The NCAA Compliance Specialist then enters the appropriate code into the squad list and forwards the Squad List Modification Form to the Faculty Athletics Representative, appropriate athletic department officials, Assistant Director of Admissions, and the Academic Compliance Officer. At that time the NCAA Compliance Specialist will remove the “T” from the squad list.

International Students. When the amateur status verification process for international students has been completed, the appropriate Compliance Office notifies the NCAA Compliance Specialists, who then make the necessary adjustments to the squad list codes.

Examination of Preliminary Transcripts

Overview. Examining the preliminary transcripts affords a means of checking for irregularities on a student-athlete’s final transcript.

Review. All preliminary official and unofficial transcripts provided to the Thornton Center and the Official final transcripts provided to the Office of Admissions will be reviewed for all transfers and incoming freshman student-athletes. Any discrepancies will be directed to the attention of the Faculty Athletics Representative.

Thornton Center staff is responsible for retaining preliminary official and unofficial transcripts. A committee consisting of the FAR, the Director of the Thornton Center, and the appropriate Athletics Compliance Officers reviews all transcripts.

This review will take place prior to final certification for practice, athletics financial aid and competition.

Student-Athlete Eligibility Review Committee

Composition:Registrar Officer: Teresa Gilbert, Jayetta RogersAdmissions: Cyndi SweetCompliance: Todd Dooley

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Thornton Center: Eric Brey, Earl SchliesmanAdditional: Others, to include coaches or academic counselors,

will be asked to attend as needed

Purpose:The committee was established to provide a forum for conversation on incoming student-athletes. Intent is not to replace or change current policies or procedures, but rather provide and opportunity for everyone involved in the final admission and eligibility process to have an early initial look at files. This process will not eliminate all issues that may arise, but will provide an opportunity for conversations to occur and for further review prior to final steps being taken.

Files to be reviewed will include initial eligibility for freshmen and transfer students. Each review will look at courses taken (on-line and traditional), transferability of courses, high schools or colleges attended, percentage of degree completion, compliance review when needed, missing information, and other areas as needed. Again, the intent is not to replace current policies and procedures, but rather get an initial look at files to provide the student and coach with the best information available as to admissibility, or related eligibility issues.

Standing Meetings:Meetings of the committee will be held every two weeks as needed.

(Taken from UT AD Compliance Manual--Start)Transfer Eligibility

Coach notifies Compliance Office and Thornton Center of any possible transfers.

Compliance Office initiates a request for permission to contact and transfer from previous institution.

Coach is notified of permission to contact upon receipt of written permission from previous institution.

Coach notifies Compliance Office and Thornton Center of transfer’s intent to enroll at Tennessee.

Compliance Office initiates one-time transfer exception paperwork if applicable.

Compliance Office distributes returned one-time transfer exception paperwork to Admissions Office, Registrar’s Office and retains a copy for student-athlete file.

Registrar’s Office will make appropriate changes on the squad list and sends documentation to the Athletics Department, Thornton Center, FAR, Financial Aid Office and Admissions Office.

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(Taken from UT AD Compliance Manual--End)

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