NCAA Division I
Committee on Academics
Policies and Procedures
2023-24
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Policies and Procedures
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Organization of the NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Policies and
Procedures
The Committee on Academics Policies and Procedures document outlines the operations
and authority of the committee and its three reporting subcommittees.
CHAPTER 1: NCAA Division I Committee on Academics
Policies and procedures applicable to full committee administration.
Applicable NCAA Division I Academic Performance Program legislation, standards
and policies related to the academic-values-based revenue distribution.
CHAPTER 2: NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Subcommittee on
Student-Athlete Academics
Policies and procedures applicable to Subcommittee on Student-Athlete Academics'
administration.
CHAPTER 3: NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Subcommittee on
Data
Policies and procedures applicable to Subcommittee on Data's administration.
Appendices (e.g., factual examples, FAQs, waiver directives).
CHAPTER 4: NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Subcommittee on
Penalties and Appeals
Policies and procedures applicable to Subcommittee on Penalties and Appeals'
administration.
Appendices (e.g., factual examples, FAQs, waiver directives).
Color Codes:
Portions of the Manual highlighted in the following colors indicate:
Grey = Changes or revisions via NCAA Division I Proposal No. 2014-2 or policy
recommendations by the Committee on Academics.
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Policies and Procedures
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Table of Contents
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics
Purpose ................................................................................................................... 1
Duties and Responsibilities of the Committee on Academics .................................. 1
Composition ............................................................................................................ 2
Appointments .......................................................................................................... 2
Terms of Office ........................................................................................................ 3
Selection of Committee Chair .................................................................................. 3
Responsibilities of Committee Chair ....................................................................... 3
Selection of Committee Vice Chair .......................................................................... 5
Responsibilities of Committee Vice Chair................................................................ 5
Reporting Lines ....................................................................................................... 5
Liaison to NCAA Division I Council ......................................................................... 6
Responsibilities of Liaison to Council ...................................................................... 6
NCAA Division I Legislative Committee Members ................................................... 6
Liaisons to Outside Groups ..................................................................................... 6
Responsibilities of Liaisons to Outside Groups ....................................................... 7
Selection of Ad Hoc Members ................................................................................. 7
Organization of the Committee on Academics
Organization ............................................................................................................ 7
Subcommittees ....................................................................................................... 8
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Subcommittee on Student-Athlete
Academics........................................................................................................... 8
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Policies and Procedures
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Table of Contents (continued)
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Subcommittee on Data ........................ 9
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Subcommittee on Penalties and
Appeals ............................................................................................................. 10
Subcommittee Appointments ................................................................................ 11
Selection of Subcommittee Chairs ........................................................................ 11
Responsibilities of Subcommittee Chairs – General ............................................. 12
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Administrative Committee ................. 12
Operations
Agenda Development ............................................................................................ 13
Absences .............................................................................................................. 13
Meeting Frequency ............................................................................................... 14
Meeting Administration .......................................................................................... 14
Meeting Participation by Non-committee on Academics Members ....................... 14
Processing Subcommittee Recommendations ...................................................... 14
Noncontroversial Policies and Procedures – Subcommittee Authority .................. 15
Voting Procedures ................................................................................................. 15
Adopting/Revising and Publishing Policies and Procedures – General ................. 15
Speaking Agent Policy .......................................................................................... 15
Ex Parte Communication ...................................................................................... 16
Conflicts of Interest ............................................................................................... 16
Academic-Based Revenue Distribution.
Academic-Based Revenue Distribution ................................................................. 17
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Policies and Procedures
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Table of Contents (continued)
Former Student-Athlete Degree Completion Assistance.
Student-Athlete Degree Completion Assistance ................................................... 18
Criteria .................................................................................................................. 18
Former Student-Athlete Degree Achievement Program ........................................ 19
Application Process .............................................................................................. 19
Data Collection ...................................................................................................... 19
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NCAA Division I Committee on Academics
Purpose
The central purpose of the NCAA Division I Committee on Academics is to serve as the
division's primary authority on academic matters, subject to review of the NCAA Division
I Board of Directors. In this capacity, the committee manages all policy pertaining to
academic matters and recommends and reviews legislation that impacts academics.
Additionally, the committee is responsible for the administration of the NCAA Division I
Academic Performance Program. To provide the desired operational relief to the Board of
Directors, the committee is vested with the authority to take final action on routine and
noncontroversial matters of general academic policy and APP policy.
Committee on Academics Duties and Responsibilities (Bylaw 21.3.2)
The Committee on Academics' responsibilities include:
1. Serve as the division's primary academic authority, subject to review by the Board
of Directors.
2. Manage all policy pertaining to academic matters, including academic eligibility
standards and related policies.
3. Recommend and review legislation pertaining to academic matters, including
academic eligibility standards.
4. Take final action on routine and noncontroversial matters of general academic
policy and APP policy.
5. Establish, oversee and support the work of the academic substructure as stipulated
in NCAA Division I Bylaw 21.
6. Perform all duties directly related to the administration of the APP, including
interpretations of APP legislation and policies, hearing appeals (or waiver requests)
of institutions or teams subject to penalties and any other matters of appeal
pursuant to the legislation and policies and procedures of the APP.
7. Determine the appropriate standards on which APP penalties or rewards apply.
8. Recommend changes to the APP based on research data analysis and practical
experience.
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9. Oversee administration of academic waivers as specified by legislation and/or
policy.
10. Study issues and make policy or legislative recommendations concerning
relationships between the Association and the nation's two-year colleges as
represented by established regional and national organizations.
11. Work with the NCAA Division II governance structure to ensure that consistent
policies exist, when possible, while maintaining each division's philosophy and
legislative intent.
12. Oversee activation of the NCAA Division I Academic Values-Based Revenue
Distribution and monitor the academic metrics upon which distribution is based.
(Adopted 02/18)
13. Oversee the men’s and women’s basketball degree completion program. (Adopted
02/19)
Composition (Bylaw 21.3.1)
The Committee on Academics must consist of 20 members, including a minimum of two
chancellors or presidents, one provost, four faculty athletics representatives, one director
of athletics, one senior woman administrator, one conference administrator and one
student-athlete. The committee must include at least two members from each of the three
Division I membership subdivisions. All committee members must be on the staff of an
active Division I institution or conference. A chancellor or president must serve as chair, at
the discretion of the Board of Directors, with reconsideration of the chair’s term extension
to occur at least every two years after serving two full terms.
One member of the NCAA Division I Student-Athlete Advisory Committee must serve as a
voting member of the Committee on Academics up to one year after completion of their
intercollegiate athletics eligibility.
Appointments
The Board of Directors must appoint the members of the Committee on Academics.
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Terms of Office
The Committee on Academics members may initially be appointed to a one-year, two-year,
three-year or four-year term. A member appointed to a one- or two-year term may be
reappointed to an additional four-year term. A member’s term of service expires on the
first day of September following the duration of the member’s term. An individual who has
served two terms on the committee may not serve further on the committee, except the
chair whose term the Board of Directors may extend at two-year intervals.
Committee members generally must be appointed for a four-year term. A member’s term
of service commences on the first day of September following the member’s appointment.
A committee member may be reappointed to an additional four-year term. An individual
who has served two terms on the committee may not serve further on the committee,
except the chair whose term the Board of Directors may extend at two-year intervals.
Selection of Committee Chair
The Committee on Academics must nominate one or two of its members to the Board of
Directors for possible selection as the committee chair. Committee members are eligible
for nomination for the position of chair only if they are the chancellor or president of an
active Division I institution. The committee chair generally serves as chair for the
remainder of their term.
Generally, the Board of Directors will identify the incoming chair during its October
meeting preceding the September 1 term expiration of the current chair’s term. The
committee must forward its nominee(s) to the Board of Directors before the Board of
Directors’ October meeting.
The following process identifies the chair nominee(s): In the years in which a chair is to be
selected, the staff works directly with the outgoing committee chair to identify committee
members eligible to serve as chair and to confirm the nomination of one or two chair
nominees for confirmation by the Board of Directors. The committee chair or the staff, at
the request of the committee chair, will confirm interest of all nominees.
Responsibilities of Committee Chair
The committee chair’s responsibilities include:
1. Track academic-related issues and work with NCAA staff to strategically prioritize
academic issues.
2. Oversee development of committee agendas.
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3. Lead full committee meetings and NCAA Division I Committee on Academics
Administrative Committee meetings and teleconferences.
4. Provide reports regarding the work of the committee to Division I governance and
membership entities as needed (e.g., NCAA Division I Council, Board of Directors,
member conferences).
5. Provide an annual in-person academics report to the Board of Directors.
6. Attend the NCAA Convention and present or speak on behalf of the committee as
needed.
7. Serve as speaking agent for media or public inquiries as needed (per NCAA policy).
8. Film educational or informational resources for the membership and public
audiences as needed.
9. Reply on behalf of the committee to written or verbal requests from NCAA-affiliated
constituents (e.g., member conferences, member institutions, coaches’
associations).
10. Appoint a committee member to serve as a liaison to the Council.
11. Appoint two committee members to serve on the NCAA Division I Legislative
Committee.
12. Appoint committee members to serve as liaisons to outside groups in the
governance structure as necessary.
13. Appoint eligible committee members to subcommittees.
14. Appoint nonvoting ad hoc members to the committee as necessary.
15. Appoint nonvoting ad hoc members to the subcommittees as necessary.
16. Appoint the subcommittee chairs.
17. Recommend to the Board of Directors that a member of the committee be replaced
if the member is not fulfilling their duties.
18. Submit nominations for the position of committee chair to the Board of Directors.
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19. Review requests for appeals of subcommittee decisions on loss of access to
postseason competition to determine if the full committee should review the
request. (Revised: 01/12; effective: 01/12)
20. Communicate with institutions subject to APP penalties or loss of access to
postseason competition as needed.
21. Consider appeals of instances in which an institution’s data review and/or APP
waiver processes are incomplete as of June 1, and the institution must notify student-
athletes of pending loss of access to postseason competition.
All other leadership duties typically associated with chairing a Division I committee.
Selection of Committee Vice Chair
The Board of Directors may, at its discretion, select an individual to serve as vice chair of
the Committee on Academics. Committee members are eligible for position of vice chair
only if they are the chancellor or president of an active Division I institution.
Responsibilities of Committee Vice Chair
The committee vice chair’s responsibilities include:
1. Lead full committee and Administrative Committee meetings and teleconferences
in the absence of the committee chair.
2. Support the committee chair in executing the duties and responsibilities of the
Committee on Academics.
3. Perform any other responsibilities of the committee chair as necessary or requested
by the committee chair.
Reporting Lines
The Committee on Academics reports to the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors
serves as the division’s overall governing body with responsibility to oversee strategy, policy
and legislation. As the division’s primary academic authority, the committee shall
determine when an academic policy warrants the board’s direction and presidential
leadership. The Board of Directors retains the ability to review any policy item acted upon
or considered by the Committee on Academics.
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Liaison to Council
The Committee on Academics must appoint a member to serve as a liaison to the Council
as needed. The Committee on Academics Council liaison will not vote on Council
proceedings but will act as a communication link between the two governance bodies.
(Revised: 06/15; effective: 06/15)
Responsibilities of Liaison to Division I Council
The Committee on Academics liaison’s responsibilities include:
1. Attend in-person Council meetings as needed when items impacting academics are
to be reviewed.
2. Seek feedback from the Council regarding matters of importance that the
committee is considering (e.g., future legislation under discussion).
3. Present committee-recommended legislation to the Council, explain the rationale
and answer questions when such legislation is voted on by the Council.
4. Present Council reports to the committee.
5. When requested by the Council, provide committee input to the Council. (Revised:
06/15; effective 06/15)
NCAA Division I Legislative Committee Members
The Committee on Academics chair must select two committee members to serve on the
Legislative Committee for the duration of the committee members’ terms. The Legislative
Committee reports directly to the Council. The Legislative Committee reviews and makes
recommendations to the Council regarding the merits of proposals developed through the
shared governance process (conferences and Council committees). The Legislative
Committee also provides feedback to autonomy conferences regarding the impact of
autonomy proposals on the entire Division I membership. (Adopted 04/15.)
Liaisons to Outside Groups
As the division’s primary academic authority, the Committee on Academics may provide
expertise to support the work of outside groups in the governance structure. These groups
may include NCAA-sponsored committees, councils, cabinets or groups outside the NCAA
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governance structure. The Committee on Academics chair shall assign committee
members to serve as liaisons to outside groups as determined in conjunction with the
outside group. Such appointments may require additional travel and participation in
regular meetings of these groups. The selected liaison shall serve for the duration of the
committee member’s term, unless otherwise removed by the committee chair. (Adopted
04/15.)
Responsibilities of Liaisons to Outside Groups
The committee liaison to an outside group shall:
1. Attend in-person meetings or teleconferences of the outside group as necessary.
2. Provide the outside group with the committee position on issues that impact
academics.
3. Present outside group reports to the full committee. (Adopted 04/15)
Selection of Ad Hoc Members
To facilitate its work or bring needed expertise on issues, the committee chair may
recommend that nonvoting ad hoc member(s) be appointed to the committee. The
committee chair has the authority to appoint and dismiss ad hoc members. All ad hoc
members serve as nonvoting members of the committee.
Organization of
Committee on Academics
Organization
In order to administer the duties of the Committee on Academics, the committee will
organize and assign responsibilities to the appropriate subcommittees of the committee.
Each committee member, excluding chancellors or presidents, will be appointed to one
subcommittee on which the member will normally serve for the duration of their term on
the committee.
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Subcommittees
The following standing subcommittees report directly to and help facilitate the work of the
Committee on Academics:
• NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Subcommittee on Student-Athlete
Academics.
• NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Subcommittee on Data.
• NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Subcommittee on Penalties and Appeals.
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Subcommittee on Student-
Athlete Academics
The Subcommittee on Student-Athlete Academics consists of six members of the
Committee on Academics and five nonvoting ad hoc members comprised of the chairs of
the following reporting committees:
1. The Division I Initial-Eligibility Waivers Committee, The Division I Progress-
Toward-Degree Waivers Committee Subcommittee on Progress-Toward-Degree
Waivers.
2. The Division I Progress-Toward-Degree Waivers Committee Subcommittee on
Two-Year College Transfer Waivers.
3. The High School Review Committee.
4. The Student Records Review Committee.
5. The International Student Records Committee.
The Subcommittee on Student-Athlete Academics will:
1. Study issues and make policy or legislative recommendations concerning academic
matters that impact student-athletes.
2. Be responsible for review and consideration of the portions of the Division I
legislation that relate to principles of sound academic requirements.
3. Recommend, manage and monitor academic eligibility standards and related
policies (e.g., initial eligibility, two-year college transfers, progress-toward-degree
and academic integrity).
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4. Oversee administration of waivers as specified by legislation and/or policy.
5. Review and provide feedback on academically related legislative interpretations as
requested.
6. Take final action on routine and noncontroversial matters of operational policy and
procedures (e.g., reporting committee waiver directives).
7. Work with the Division II governance structure to ensure that consistent policies
exist, when possible, while maintaining each division's philosophy and legislative
intent.
8. Maintain relationships between the Association and the nation's two-year colleges
as represented by established regional and national organizations.
9. Administer and oversee any other academic matters not otherwise specified, as
directed by the Committee on Academics.
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Subcommittee on Data
The Subcommittee on Data consists of six members of the Committee on Academics and
will:
1. Study issues and develop policies related to APP data and the collection of APP data.
2. Recommend changes to the APP for consideration by the Committee on Academics
based on research, data analysis and practical experience. Evaluate APP policy items
initially presented to the subcommittee to determine if any should be forwarded to
the full committee for review and possible action as recommended by the
subcommittee.
3. Interpret APP data legislation and policies.
4. Take final action on routine or noncontroversial matters of operational policy and
procedures (e.g., the NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate Adjustment
Directive).
5. Administer and oversee the collection and review of NCAA Division I
Academic Progress Rate, Academic Performance Census, Graduation Success Rate
and any other data/information necessary to administer the APP.
6. Oversee the annual publication of the APR and other data collection information
for the Division I membership.
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7. Review all requests for extensions of the APR, APC and GSR data collection
filing deadlines and render appeal decisions in accordance with the directive and
this manual.
8. Review all requests seeking use of an alternative definition of "recruited" and/or
identification of student-athletes to be used for calculating a team's APR and/or GSR
and render appeal decisions in accordance with the directive and this manual.
9. Determine penalties and notify those institutions subject to penalties for failing
to file APR, APC and GSR data by the required deadline.
10. Administer and oversee all aspects of APR adjustments requests and appeals.
11. With the Subcommittee on Penalties and Appeals, oversee the committee reporting
function, including responsibility for written notification to institutions of
penalties resulting from failure to meet minimum established APR and/or GSR
criteria for the APP penalty structure.
12. Administer and oversee the review of APP data for selected institutions, including
issuance of a final report that summarizes the findings of the review.
13. Review all requests for relief from APP penalties based on changes to prior year(s)
APP
data.
14. Administer and oversee all aspects of waiver requests of instances in which
institution's data review and/or APP waiver processes are incomplete by June 1 and
the institution must notify student-athletes of pending postseason ineligibility.
(Adopted: 10/13: effective: 10/13)
15. Resolve operational questions and establish operational procedures for the
implementation of the NCAA Division I Academic- Based Revenue Distribution.
(Adopted 02/18)
16. Administer and oversee any other matters, not otherwise specified, as directed by
the Committee on Academics.
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Subcommittee on Penalties
and Appeals
The Subcommittee on Penalties and Appeals consists of five members of the Committee
on Academics and will:
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1. Study issues and develop policies related to APP penalties and appeals and the
application of APP penalties and access to postseason competition.
2. Recommend changes to the APP for consideration by the Committee on Academics
based on research, data analysis and practical experience. Evaluate APP policies and
determine if any should be forwarded to the full committee for review and/or
possible action.
3. Interpret APP penalties and appeals legislation and policies including access to
postseason competition and waiver requests.
4. Take final action on routine or noncontroversial matters of operational policy and
procedures (e.g., the waiver directive).
5. Administer and oversee all aspects of APP waiver requests and appeals processes,
including requests to waive loss of access to postseason competition and requests to
waive Level-One and Level-Two APP penalties.
6. With the Subcommittee on Data, oversee the committee reporting function,
including responsibility for written notification to institutions of penalties
resulting from failure to meet minimum established APR and/or GSR criteria for
the APP penalty structure.
7. Administer and oversee any other matters, not otherwise specified, as directed by
the Committee on Academics.
Subcommittee Appointments
The Committee on Academics chair will make appointments as needed to fill
subcommittee vacancies.
Selection of Subcommittee Chairs
Each of the Committee on Academics' three subcommittees must have a chair.
Subcommittee chairs normally serve as chair for the remainder of their respective
committee terms. Subcommittee chairs are to be selected as follows:
1. The subcommittee discusses the pending open chair position and subcommittee
members are provided the opportunity to nominate themselves or another member
for the position.
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2. The current subcommittee chair or the staff confirms the interest and willingness
of each nominee to serve as chair.
3. Names of nominees and a recommendation of the outgoing chair are provided to
the Committee on Academics chair.
4. The Committee on Academics chair selects the subcommittee chair.
Responsibilities of Subcommittee Chair – General
The subcommittee chair will:
1. Oversee development of subcommittee agendas.
2. Lead subcommittee teleconferences and meetings.
3. Welcome and assist in transition and training of new subcommittee members.
4. When requested, review appeal cases forwarded from staff to determine if the
subcommittee should consider the appeal.
5. Contact subcommittee members who are not fulfilling their responsibilities and
recommend to the committee chair that a member of the subcommittee be replaced
if such member is not fulfilling their duties.
6. Present subcommittee reports during full Committee on Academics meetings.
7. Participate as members of the Committee on Academics Administrative Committee.
8. Recommend selection of new subcommittee chair.
9. Hear and decide any requests for extensions of the timeline for loss of access to
postseason competition and Level-One and -Two penalty waiver appeal requests.
10. Perform and oversee any other matters as necessary to execute specific
subcommittee duties and responsibilities.
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Administrative Committee
The Committee on Academics Administrative Committee (Ad Com) consists of each
subcommittee chair, the Committee on Academics chair (who also serves as chair of the
Administrative Committee), the Committee on Academics vice chair (when applicable) and
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the chair-elect (when applicable). All Administrative Committee members, including the
chair, may vote on items of business before the committee. (Revised: 10/08; effective 10/08)
The Administrative Committee is authorized to:
1. Act for the Committee on Academics on routine and noncontroversial matters
between in-person committee meetings.
2. Act for the Committee on Academics on matters of an emergency nature.
3. Organize meeting agendas after submission of agenda items by committee
members.
4. Interpret APP legislation and academic policies.
5. Revise, as needed, the established operating manual of the Committee on
Academics.
6. Approve participation of nonvoting ad hoc members, as needed.
The full Committee on Academics will receive all Administrative Committee minutes.
Operations
Agenda Development
1. The Committee on Academics chair has final authority to determine the committee
agenda. The chair will work in consultation with the staff to finalize the agenda for
each meeting.
2. Conferences, institutions or external organizations (e.g., faculty or coaches'
organizations) with potential agenda items for committee consideration must
forward such items to the committee's primary staff liaison at the NCAA national
office. The staff will consult with the institution or conference to determine how
best to handle the item and what supplementary material should be provided, if any.
The staff will work directly with the chair where appropriate to facilitate review of
conference, institutional or external organizational matters.
3. The committee will receive and review all subcommittee reports. All subcommittee
actions, except where otherwise indicated by policy (e.g., appeals), are subject to
review by the full committee.
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Absences
The Committee on Academics generally conducts in-person meetings four times annually.
Alternates may not be appointed to attend a meeting in the absence of a committee
member. Committee members who are not in attendance at two consecutive meetings will
be contacted by the chair of the subcommittee(s) on which they serve to discuss the
member's continued service to the subcommittee and committee. Further absences will
result in the committee chair or staff contacting the committee member and/or the
conference office of the representative to discuss the member's excessive absences. A
committee member may be dismissed from the committee after further absences.
Meeting Frequency
The Committee on Academics will conduct four meetings annually. The meetings will
typically be scheduled in advance of the Board of Directors' meetings (e.g., February, May,
June/July and October). There will usually be two in-person meetings and two
videoconference meetings each year.
Meeting Administration
The Committee on Academics chair leads all full committee meetings and/or
videoconferences. In the event the committee chair is absent or otherwise unable to lead a
committee meeting or videoconference, the vice chair has the authority to lead the meeting
or videoconference. In the event both the committee chair and vice chair are absent or
unable to lead a meeting or videoconference, another member of the committee may be
selected to lead the meeting by a majority vote of all members of the committee present.
Meeting Participation by Non-committee on Academics Members
Appearances of non-committee members (other than staff) before the committee are by
invitation only. Exceptions may be made by the Administrative Committee or the
Committee on Academics chair on a case-by-case basis.
Processing Subcommittee Recommendations
The Committee on Academics follows these policies in processing recommendations from
subcommittees that report to it.
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1. Each subcommittee shall provide a written report from each meeting to the full
committee. These reports must include any requests for full committee action
recommended by the subcommittee.
2. Any legislative change recommended by a subcommittee must be presented to the
full committee for discussion and action.
3. The committee may elect to alter any subcommittee recommendation requiring a
vote of the full committee.
4. If further deliberations are required, the committee may table the recommendation
or refer it back to a subcommittee for additional discussion.
Noncontroversial Policies and Procedures – Subcommittee Authority
Each subcommittee has the authority to act on routine and noncontroversial matters of
policy and procedure. As the division's primary academic authority, the Committee on
Academics retains the authority to review action taken by a subcommittee on routine and
noncontroversial matters of policy and procedure.
Voting Procedures
The method of voting on issues considered by the Committee on Academics will be by show
of hands of the committee members present and voting, except for actions taken by the
unanimous or obvious consent. Committee members must be present to vote, and a simple
majority of members present, and voting will prevail.
Adopting/Revising and Publishing Policies and Procedures – General
The Committee on Academics has the authority to adopt or revise policies and procedures
as contained in this document annually, or as needed. The Board of Directors, at its
discretion, may review, amend and/or act on any policy adopted by the Committee on
Academics.
Speaking Agent Policy
The NCAA speaking agent policy is as follows:
"The president of the Association and the chair of the Executive Committee are the only
individuals authorized to speak on behalf of the Association, except as outlined below.
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An individual representing a member institution or conference who speaks or opines on an
Association issue only has the authority to express the view of that individual or the member
institution or conference, unless the individual has been designated by the NCAA Board of
Governors of the Association, as a speaking agent of the Association on that issue.
Committee chairs are hereby designated as speaking agents of their committees regarding
issues within their committees' jurisdiction on which there is consensus, except that positions
of advocacy on behalf of the committee or the Association to be communicated in writing or
orally to persons or entities external to the Association must have prior approval by the
NCAA Board of Governors or the president of the Association. For purposes of this policy,
committees include all NCAA committees, cabinet, boards, councils, subcommittees and
special or ad hoc groups.
The president of the Association is hereby granted authority to designate additional speaking
agents of the Association."
Committee members are expected to adhere to this policy.
Ex Parte Communication
In order to maintain the integrity of the interpretation process, the influence of outside
discussions and arguments should be kept to a minimum. Once an issue has been
submitted to the committee for review, each committee member must not discuss the issue
with non-committee members (e.g., the public or the membership) before discussion by
the committee.
Conflicts of Interest
A member of the Committee on Academics must not participate in the committee's
discussion or vote on any action that might bring direct or indirect financial benefit to the
member or any organization in which the member is financially interested (other than the
member's institution or the conference of which it is a member). A violation of this rule by
a member of the committee will not invalidate the action taken by the committee if,
following disclosure of the conflict of interest, the committee authorizes, ratifies or
approves the action by a vote sufficient for the purpose, without counting the vote of the
committee member with the conflict of interest, and the Board of Directors approves such
action.
Additionally, committee members must recuse themselves from participation in a waiver
appeal, data review or committee discussion in which they are personally connected with
an institution or conference (e.g., previous employer, conference member, alma mater). A
Committee on Academics member with a personal relationship or institutional affiliation
that reasonably would result in any appearance of bias or prejudice should refrain from
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participating in any manner in the review or discussion. However, a committee member
that has recused themselves may participate in the preparation of a waiver request for their
own institution, including but not limited to drafting the waiver application, preparing
waiver arguments and gathering waiver materials.
It is the responsibility of the Committee on Academics member to remove themselves if a
conflict exists. Institutional objections to a Committee on Academics member participating
in a waiver request or data review must be raised with and resolved by the chair or acting
chair as soon as recognized but will not be considered unless the concern is raised before
the committee's review. Participation by a committee member in previous APP matters
involving the institution or regarding general policy (e.g., APR adjustments) does not
constitute a conflict of interest requiring recusal.
This conflict-of-interest policy shall apply for all aspects of the committee member's
participation in committee-related activities.
If the committee chair or a subcommittee chair must recuse themselves, or is unable to
participate in committee business, the remaining members must vote, by simple majority,
to determine who will serve as "acting chair." In addition, if an institution objects to the
chair participating in a review or waiver request based on a conflict-of-interest concern,
the remaining members must vote, by simple majority, to determine who will serve as
"acting chair" and the acting chair will resolve the conflict-of-interest issue regarding the
chair before the hearing. If the acting chair finds that no conflict exists, then the chair may
resume their role. (Revised: 12/08; effective: 12/08)
Academic-Based Revenue Distribution
In October 2016, the Board of Directors and the NCAA Board of Governors approved an
initiative to distribute a portion of Division I revenue to member institutions based on
student-athlete academic achievement. The distribution, which is funded through the
NCAA's multimedia rights contract with CBS/Turner, began with the 2019-20 academic
year.
To earn an academic unit, an institution must meet one of the academic unit criteria:
1. An aggregate single-year APR from the previous year equal to or greater than 985.
2. An aggregate GSR from the most recently available year equal to or greater than 90
percent.
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3. A student-athlete Federal Graduation Rate that is at least 13 percentage points greater
than the student body rate based on the most recently published data.
The most recently reported and publicly released academic data will be used to determine
if an institution meets the criteria for the academic unit. If no data was included in the
most recent release, then that criterion cannot be considered in determining eligibility for
the academic unit. The first distributions will be made in spring 2020, and funds will be
sent to the conference offices by June 30 each year. Mock reports will be available annually
beginning spring 2018 through the Academic Portal to give member institutions a better
understanding of the academic criteria and provide adequate time to plan to meet the
standards.
Educational materials regarding the Academic-Based Revenue Distribution or academic
unit can be found at https://www.ncaa.org/academic-based-revenue-distribution. See
Appendix A of this chapter for frequently asked questions about the Academic-Based
Revenue Distribution.
Former Student-Athlete Degree Completion Assistance
Student-Athlete Degree Completion Assistance
In August 2018, the Board adopted legislation which specified that as a condition and
obligation of membership, an institution that provides athletically related financial aid to
basketball student-athletes must provide at a minimum tuition, fees, and course-related
books to former men’s and women’s basketball players who request financial aid to
complete their first baccalaureate degree. Schools were required to provide funding for
these former men’s and women’s basketball student-athletes beginning in Fall 2019.
Criteria:
• Participated in the sports of men’s or women’s basketball.
• Received athletics aid.
• Previously enrolled for at least two years.
• Met NCAA progress toward degree requirements when student departed campus.
• Has not attended another institution full-time since departure.
• Meet institution’s re-admission and financial aid requirements.
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• Departed institution within 10 years.
• Exhausted other degree completion funding options (e.g., NBA Tuition
Reimbursement).
Former Student-Athlete Degree Achievement Program
The Board established a fund for limited resource institutions to provide degree
completion expenses. Schools defined as Limited Resource Institutions (LRI) within the
past five years are eligible for funding. Schools are notified annually if they are classified as
an LRI. For former student-athletes from schools eligible for the Former Student-Athlete
Degree Achievement Program, there are two application periods each year.
Application Process
• Applications can be accessed through the Program Hub.
• Schools are required to nominate eligible former student-athletes.
• Former student-athlete required to submit completed application by published
deadline.
• Application periods for funding.
o For Fall Applicants: April 1 – June 15.
o For Spring/Summer Applicants: August 1 – October 15.
Data Collection
During the annual submission of APP data, institutions are required to provide academic
data for the former men’s and women’s basketball student-athletes who were provided
athletically related financial aid pursuant to the requirements of Bylaw 15.01.5.2.1 (Degree
Completion Program – basketball).
Appendix 1A
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APPENDIX 1A
NCAA Division I Academic-Based Revenue Distribution
Question and Answer Document
Background
Question No. 1: Who created the academic unit distribution?
Answer: The academic unit distribution was approved by the NCAA Division I
Board of Directors and helps ensure that the NCAA Division I revenue
distribution plan reflects and enhances the division's overarching values
and commitment, including those related to sound academic standards
and student-athlete academic achievement.
The Board also approved several simplifications to the distribution that
provides transparency in the methodology. A working group comprised
of 13 members, including presidents, faculty, directors of athletics, a
conference member and a student-athlete made the recommendation to
the Board. Additionally, the working group reflected the diversity of
mission and resource level within the Division I membership.
Question No. 2: Why did the Values-Based Revenue Distribution Working Group
propose the new academic unit distribution?
Answer: The current revenue distribution plan provides revenue for academic
uses but allocates no money based on academic measures. The working
group responded to the Board's charge by recommending the proposed
academic unit, which better aligns the division's distribution plan with
core values.
Question No. 3: Does academic unit distribution take money away from existing
allocations?
Answer: No. The academic units are based only on a portion of the annual
increases in future years of the NCAA's media rights agreement. Only the
increases in the contract apply here, not the base allocations.
Question No. 4: What is the impact of the academic unit on the overall Division I
distributions?
Answer: The academic unit will increase the percentage of the overall revenue
distribution that is based on academic achievement from 8.3 percent of
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the overall distribution in the 2015-16 academic year to approximately
21.5 percent of the overall distribution in the 2031-32 academic year.
The Metrics
Question No. 1: How do institutions qualify for the academic unit distribution?
Answer: Institutions qualify by meeting one of the following criteria from the
preceding academic year:
a. Institution's NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate for the
previous year is equal to or greater than 985 (using the average of
the single-year rates for all teams);
b. Institution's Graduation Success Rate for the most recently
available year is equal to or greater than 90 percent (using the
average of the single-year rates for all teams) or
c. Difference between the institution's student-athlete and student-
body rates for the most recently published Federal Graduation Rate
is greater than or equal to 13 percentage points.
Question No. 2: Does the academic unit distribution use single-year metrics or
multiyear rates for the APR and graduation rates?
Answer: Single-year metrics are used, which give institutions a clean slate every
year in their effort to qualify for the funds and provide opportunities for
more institutions to qualify for the distribution. Using a multiyear rate
has the potential to anchor schools to one bad year throughout a
four-year period, which minimizes opportunities and incentives to
increase academic success.
Question No. 3: Are all sports weighted equally in the metrics?
Answer: For the APR criteria, all teams are weighted equally. For the GSR/Federal
Graduate Rate criteria, the calculation is an institutional rate.
Question No. 4: Is there a waiver process for an institution that does not earn an
academic unit in a given year?
Answer: No. There is no waiver process for an institution that does not meet one
of the academic metrics. A school has a new opportunity the next year
to earn the funds based on the criteria.
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Question No. 5: The academic unit distribution appears to "reallocate wealth" to
schools and conferences with fewer resources. In other words,
this academic fund in aggregate likely benefits nonautonomy
schools at the expense of the autonomy schools. Is this correct?
Answer: Yes, though that was not the intent of this change. In any given year,
based on academic variables, the number of schools in a conference
that earn an academic unit will vary. However, in aggregate it is
anticipated that the five autonomy conferences will receive less money
than they would if these media rights increases were funneled into
existing NCAA revenue distribution funds. The current large buckets of
revenue distribution (i.e., men's basketball, grants-in-aid, sports
sponsorship) result in significant funds going to the five autonomy
conferences. It is anticipated that this academic distribution would
result in a more balanced distribution among conferences. Thus, the
overall impact is a positive in aggregate for the 27 nonautonomy
conferences. It should be noted, however, that this assessment is based
on current academic data and behaviors. If that behavior changes, the
characteristics of the rewarded schools may change.
Question No. 6: Won't the same schools earn academic units year after year?
Answer: The working group tested the distribution and its qualification
standards by reviewing the last five years of academic outcomes and
found that 90 percent of all Division I members qualified for the
distribution in at least one of those years. As such, while the
distribution as modeled resulted in about two-thirds of institutions
qualifying annually, an even broader group will benefit over time as
academic behavior changes.
Question No. 7: Will the metrics change each year?
Answer: No. The metrics were established by the Board and on the
recommendation of the working group. The working group sought to
capture the top quartile of institutions through each of its established
metrics for qualification; however, additional institutions may qualify
each year. The Board charged the NCAA Division I Committee on
Academics with monitoring the metrics and benchmarks going forward
and reporting to the Board.
Question No. 8: Which data will be used to determine if institutions meet the
academic unit?
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Answer: The most recently reported and released academic rates will be used to
determine if an institution meets the academic unit.
Question No. 9: Will the rates be rounded up/down?
Answer: The academic rates will be rounded to the nearest hundredth.
Example: 984.49 will be rounded to 985 and the institution would meet
the unit.
Question No. 10: Will indoor and outdoor track and field be counted as one sport or
two sports in the eligibility calculation for the academic unit?
Answer: They will be counted as one sport, which is consistent with how they are
currently treated for general APR and GSR calculations.
Question No. 11: Will a sport that is not sponsored by the institution’s primary
conference be included in the institution’s eligibility calculation
for the academic unit?
Answer: All sports, regardless of conference affiliation, sponsored by the
institution will be included in the eligibility calculation.
Question No. 12: Will a team’s single year APR that has been adjusted due to the
squad-size adjustment be used in the institution’s eligibility
calculation for the academic unit?
Answer: The team’s raw APR score for the single year will be used. The squad-size
adjustment is currently used during APP penalty determinations and is
not used to identify teams for the top ten public recognition.
Question No. 13: Will a team that does not meet sports-sponsorship requirements
in NCAA Bylaw 20 be used in the institution’s eligibility calculation
for the academic unit?
Example: 2023 Distribution
• APR Information: 2021-22 APR data reported in fall 2022 and released publicly in
spring 2023.
• GSR/Federal Graduation Rate Information: 2015-16 data reported in June 2022 and
released publicly in fall 2022.
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Answer: Only teams that meet the sports-sponsorship requirements will be used.
Question No. 14: How is a team treated that meets sports-sponsorship
requirements but has no student-athletes in the cohort (e.g., no
student-athletes on athletics aid)?
Answer: Such teams will not be included in an institution’s eligibility calculation
for the academic unit.
Timing and Reports
Question No. 1: When will distributions begin?
Answer: The first distributions will be made in spring 2020 and funds will be sent
to conference offices by June 30 each year.
Question No. 2: Will there be a published report of all institutions that earn an
academic unit?
Answer: No. There will not be any NCAA aggregate publishing of which
institutions earned an academic unit.
Question No. 3: When will institutions know if they have met one of the three
benchmarks to qualify for the distribution?
Answer: Data regarding an institution's Federal Graduation Rates and GSR will be
made available in October of each year. Data regarding an institution's
APR will be made available in May of each year. Therefore, if an
institution qualifies for the distribution based on one of the metrics
specific to the Federal Graduate Rates or GSR, they will know if they have
met the benchmark in October of each year. If an institution qualifies for
the distribution based on the metric specific to the APR, the institution
will know if they have met the benchmark in May of each year. However,
institutions will not know the specific amount of each distribution until
after May, given the distribution amount per institution depends on the
total number of institutions that qualify for the distribution.
Distribution and Reporting Requirements
Question No. 1: How much money will recipients of the academic unit receive?
Answer: As previously indicated, the money to fund the new academic unit comes
from a portion of the NCAA's annual increases to its media rights
agreement. The total amount of money for the distribution is finite;
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however, the amount received by each institution that qualifies for the
distribution will change depending on the total number of institutions
that qualify. If more institutions qualify for the academic unit
distribution, the amount per distribution unit will decrease. Likewise, if
fewer institutions qualify for the academic unit distribution, the amount
per distribution unit will increase.
Question No. 2: Are recipients of an academic unit required to use the funds
specifically for academic initiatives?
Answer: No. The academic units are "unrestricted funds," like the men's
basketball units. Institutions/conferences may use funds from their
academic distribution in the manner they deem most appropriate.
Question No. 3: Do institutions that qualify for an academic unit receive funds
directly from the NCAA?
Answer: No. The academic units are distributed to conferences. Conferences are
free to distribute the funds in accordance with their distribution
policies. Some conferences may elect to flow these funds directly to the
schools that earned the academic unit, while other conferences might
revenue-share the revenue from all the academic units earned in a given
year. Each conference can determine how to disburse these funds to its
members.
Question No. 4: If an institution moves conferences, which conference will receive
the funds from the academic unit if the institution was eligible for
funds?
Answer: The funds will be distributed to the conference the institution is a
member of at the time of the distribution.
Question No. 5: At what point does an institution no longer qualify for the
academic unit if it is transitioning from Division I?
Answer: Only active Division I members are eligible for the academic unit. An
institution is no longer eligible for the distribution once it officially begins
year one of the process of reclassifying to Division II or Division III.
Question No. 6: Is an institution in restricted membership status eligible to
receive academic unit funding?
Answer: No, an institution in restricted membership status is no longer eligible
to receive any revenue distributions. However, it is eligible to receive
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revenue distributions during the one-year probationary membership
year.
Question No. 7: Where can I find more information and assistance?
Answer: Please visit https://www.ncaa.org/academic-based-revenue-distribution
for updated information and resources or contact any of the following
team members:
Katie Ethridge (kethridge@ncaa.org)
Binh T. Nguyen ([email protected])
DeAnna Wiley (dwiley@ncaa.org)
Chapter 2
NCAA Division I
Committee on Academics
Policies and Procedures
2023-24
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Policies and Procedures
Chapter 2
Organization of the NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Operating Manual
The Committee on Academics Policies and Procedures document outlines the operations
and authority of the Committee and the three reporting subcommittees.
CHAPTER 1: NCAA Division I Committee on Academics
Policies and procedures applicable to full committee administration.
Applicable NCAA Division I Academic Performance Program legislation, standards
and policies related to the academic-values-based revenue distribution.
CHAPTER 2: NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Subcommittee on
Student-Athlete Academics
Policies and procedures applicable to subcommittee's administration.
CHAPTER 3: NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Subcommittee on
Data
Policies and procedures applicable to subcommittee's administration.
Appendices (e.g., waiver directives, FAQs, factual examples).
CHAPTER 4: NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Subcommittee on
Penalties and Appeals
Policies and procedures applicable to subcommittee's administration.
Appendices (e.g., FAQs, factual examples, waiver directives).
Color Codes:
Portions of the Manual highlighted in the following colors indicate:
Grey = Changes or revisions via NCAA Division I Proposal 2015-2 or policy
recommendations by the Committee on Academics.
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Policies and Procedures
Chapter 2
Table of Contents
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Subcommittee on Student-Athlete
Academics
Purpose ................................................................................................................... 1
Duties and Responsibilities ..................................................................................... 1
Composition ............................................................................................................ 2
Selection of Subcommittee Chair ............................................................................ 2
Responsibilities of Subcommittee Chair .................................................................. 3
Reporting Lines ....................................................................................................... 3
Absences ................................................................................................................ 5
Voting Procedure .................................................................................................... 5
Processing Reporting Committee Recommendations ............................................. 5
Forwarding Subcommittee Recommendations........................................................ 6
Noncontroversial Policies and Procedures – Guidelines ......................................... 7
Speaking Agent ....................................................................................................... 7
Conflict of Interest Policy ......................................................................................... 8
Committee Substructure
NCAA Division I Initial-Eligibility Waivers Committee ............................................ 10
NCAA Division I Progress-Toward-Degree Waivers Committee ........................... 10
NCAA International Student Records Committee .................................................. 10
NCAA Student Records Review Committee .......................................................... 11
NCAA High School Review Committee ................................................................. 11
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Policies and Procedures
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2-1
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics
Subcommittee on Student-Athlete Academics
Purpose
The NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Subcommittee on Student-Athlete
Academics is one of three standing subcommittees that reports directly to and helps
facilitate the work of the Committee on Academics. The others are the NCAA Division I
Committee on Academics Subcommittee on Data and the NCAA Division I Committee on
Academics Subcommittee on Penalties and Appeals.
The purpose of the Subcommittee on Student-Athlete Academics is to study issues and
make policy or legislative recommendations concerning academic matters, unrelated to
the APP. Specifically, the subcommittee is responsible for review and operational
oversight of the portions of the NCAA Division I legislation that relates to academic
eligibility standards. In this capacity, the subcommittee oversees the administration of
waivers as specified by legislation and/or policy (e.g., progress toward degree, initial
eligibility, two-year college transfers) and provides feedback on academically related
legislative interpretations as requested.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Subcommittee on Student-Athlete Academics will:
1. Study issues and make policy or legislative recommendations concerning academic
matters that impact student-athletes;
2. Be responsible for review and consideration of the portions of the Division I
legislation that relate to principles of sound academic requirements;
3. Recommend, manage and monitor academic eligibility standards and related
policies (e.g., initial eligibility, two-year college transfers, progress toward degree,
academic integrity);
(See Appendix 2A for best practices related to monitoring and preventing academic
integrity issues).
4. Oversee administration of waivers as specified by legislation and/or policy;
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Policies and Procedures
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5. Review and provide feedback on academically related legislative interpretations as
requested;
6. Take final action on routine and noncontroversial matters of operational policy
and procedures (e.g., reporting committee waiver directives);
7. Work with the NCAA Division II governance structure to ensure that consistent
policies exists, when possible, while maintaining each division's philosophy and
legislative intent;
8. Maintain relationships between the NCAA and the nation's two-year colleges as
represented by established regional and national organizations; and
9. Administer and oversee any other academic matters not otherwise specified, as
directed by the Committee on Academics.
Composition
The Subcommittee on Student-Athlete Academics consists of at least five members of the
Committee on Academics. The chairs of the reporting committees (Division I Initial-
Eligibility Waivers Committee, Division I Progress-Toward-Degree Waivers Committee
Subcommittee on Progress-Toward-Degree Waivers, Division I Progress-Toward-Degree
Waivers Committee Subcommittee on Two-Year College Transfer Waivers, High School
Review Committee, Student Records Review Committee and International Student
Records Committee) do not serve as members of the Subcommittee on Student-Athlete
Academics. However, the chair of the Subcommittee on Student-Athlete Academics may
invite the chairs of the reporting committees to join specific meetings or teleconferences
when their expertise as the committee/subcommittee chair is needed.
Selection of Subcommittee Chair
Each of the committee's subcommittees must have a chair. Subcommittee chairs normally
serve as chair for the remainder of their respective committee terms.
Subcommittee chairs shall be selected as follows:
1. The subcommittee discusses the pending open chair position and subcommittee
members are provided the opportunity to nominate themselves or another
member of the subcommittee for the position.
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2. The current subcommittee chair or the NCAA staff confirms the interest and
willingness of each nominee to serve as chair.
3. Names of the nominees and a recommendation of the outgoing chair are provided
to the Committee on Academics chair.
4. The Committee on Academics chair selects the subcommittee chair.
Responsibilities of Subcommittee Chair
1. Oversee development of subcommittee agendas;
2. Lead subcommittee videoconferences and meetings;
3. Welcome and assist in transition and training of new subcommittee members;
4. Contact subcommittee members who are not fulfilling their responsibilities and
recommend to the committee chair that a member of the subcommittee be
replaced if such member is not fulfilling their duties;
5. Present subcommittee reports during meetings of the Committee on Academics;
6. Participate as a member of the NCAA Division I Committee on Academics
Administrative Committee; and
7. Recommend selection of new subcommittee chair;
8. Perform and oversee any other matters as necessary to execute specific
subcommittee duties and responsibilities.
Reporting Lines
The Subcommittee on Student-Athlete Academics reports to the Committee on
Academics. As the division's primary academic authority, the Committee on Academics
retains the authority to review action taken by the Subcommittee on Student-Athlete
Academics on routine and noncontroversial matters of policy and procedure.
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NCAA Academic Governance Structure
Committee on Academics
Comprised of 20 members including at least 2 chancellors or presidents; one
provost; four faculty athletics representatives; one director of athletics; one
senior woman administrator; one conference administrator and one
student-athlete. At least two members from each of the three Division I
membership subdivisions.
Subcommittee on Student-
Athlete Academics
Five members of Committee
on Academics including SAAC
representative.
Progress-Toward-
Degree Waivers
Committee
High School Review
Committee+
Student Records
Review Committee+
Initial Eligibility
Waivers Committee+
(4 subcommittees)
International Student
Records Committee+
Subcommittee on Data
Six members of Committee
on Academics.
Subcommittee on Penalties
and Appeals
Six members of Committee
on Academics.
+ Operations managed by the NCAA Eligibility Center
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Absences
The Subcommittee on Student-Athlete Academics generally conducts in-person meetings
and videoconferences. Alternates may not be appointed to attend a meeting or
videoconference in the absence of a subcommittee member. Nonvoting ad hoc members
need only attend in-person meetings or teleconferences when an agenda issue pertains to
the ad hoc member's respective reporting committee. Subcommittee members who are
not in attendance at two consecutive meetings or teleconferences will be contacted by the
chair of the subcommittee to discuss the member's continued service to the
subcommittee and committee. Further absences will result in the committee chair or staff
contacting the subcommittee member to discuss the member's excessive absences. A
subcommittee member may be dismissed from the subcommittee and committee after
further absences.
Voting Procedure
The method of voting on issues considered by the subcommittee shall be verbal if the
vote is conducted via videoconference or by show of hands if the vote is conducted in
person. The vote is taken of the subcommittee members present, except for actions taken
by unanimous or obvious consent. Subcommittee members must be present to vote, and
a simple majority of members present, and voting will prevail.
Processing Reporting Committee Recommendations
The Subcommittee on Student-Athlete Academics follows these policies in processing
recommendations from the five committees that report to it.
1. The five committees shall provide a written report from their respective meetings
to the full subcommittee before a subcommittee meeting or videoconference.
These reports shall include any recommendations for which a reporting committee
requests full subcommittee action.
2. Any change to a Division I bylaw that is recommended by a reporting committee
shall be presented to the full subcommittee for discussion and action. If endorsed
by the subcommittee, the recommendations will be forwarded to the Committee
on Academics for review and action.
3. The subcommittee may elect to alter a recommendation from a reporting
committee, requiring a vote of the full subcommittee.
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4. If further deliberations are required, the subcommittee may table the
recommendation or refer it back to the particular reporting committee for
additional discussion.
5. All subcommittee actions, except where otherwise indicated by policy, are subject
to review of the Committee on Academics.
Forwarding Subcommittee Recommendations
Subcommittees that report to the Committee on Academics follow these policies in
forwarding recommendations to the full committee:
1. Each subcommittee shall determine whether it may take final action on a policy
and procedure item without referral to the Committee on Academics (see
Noncontroversial Policies and Procedures – Guidelines).
2. Each subcommittee shall provide a written report from each of its meetings and
teleconference to the full committee. These reports shall include any requests for
full committee action recommended by the subcommittee.
3. Any legislative change recommended by a subcommittee shall be presented to the
full committee for discussion and action.
4. The committee may elect to alter any subcommittee recommendation requiring a
vote of the full committee.
5. If further deliberations are required, the committee may table the
recommendation or refer it back to a subcommittee for additional discussion.
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Policies and Procedures
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Noncontroversial Policies and Procedures – Guidelines
The following guidelines are to assist the subcommittee in determining whether a policy
and procedure is routine or noncontroversial:
1. A subcommittee policy or procedure may be considered noncontroversial if:
a. Broader consultation and debate by the Committee on Academics is
unlikely to improve the policy or procedure in any substantial way.
b. Significant disagreement or alternative points of view will not be generated.
c. Such policies and procedures do not have a significant impact
(unanticipated consequences, undesirable precedent) on existing legislation
or current policies and procedures.
2. A noncontroversial policy or procedure, at a minimum, should have the following
factors present:
a. The policy or procedure should have minimal impact on competitive or
recruiting equity.
b. The policy or procedure should have minimal financial impact.
c. The policy or procedure must enjoy broad support from the originating
subcommittee.
d. The policy or procedure should not negatively impact student-athlete
welfare.
e. The policy or procedure should not significantly impact the Division I
academic standards (initial and continuing eligibility).
Speaking Agent
The NCAA speaking agent policy is as follows:
"The president of the Association and the chair of the NCAA Board of Governors are the
only individuals authorized to speak on behalf of the Association, except as outlined below.
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Policies and Procedures
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An individual representing a member institution or conference who speaks or opines on an
Association issue only has the authority to express the view of that individual or the
member institution or conference when the individual has been designated by the Board of
Governors as a speaking agent of the Association on that issue. Committee chairs are;
hereby designated as speaking agents of their committees regarding issues within their
committees' jurisdiction on which there is consensus, except that positions of advocacy on
behalf of the committee or the Association to be communicated in writing or orally to
persons or entities external to the Association must have prior approval by the Board of
Governors or the president of the Association. For purposes of this policy, committees
include all NCAA committees, cabinets, boards, councils, subcommittees and special or ad
hoc groups.
The president of the Association is hereby granted authority to designate additional
speaking agents of the Association."
Subcommittee members are expected to adhere to this policy.
Conflict of Interest Policy
A subcommittee member shall not participate in the subcommittee's discussion or vote
on any action that might bring direct or indirect financial benefit to the member or any
organization in which the member is financially interested (other than the member's
institution or the conference of which it is a member). A violation of this rule by a
member of the committee shall not invalidate the action taken by the subcommittee if,
following disclosure of the conflict of interest, the subcommittee authorizes, ratifies or
approves the action by a vote sufficient for the purpose, without counting the vote of the
subcommittee member with the conflict of interest and the Committee on Academics
approves such action.
Additionally, subcommittee members must recuse themselves from participation in a
waiver appeal or committee discussion in which they are personally connected with an
institution or conference (e.g., previous employer, conference member, alma mater). A
subcommittee member with a personal relationship or institutional affiliation that
reasonably would result in any appearance of bias or prejudice should refrain from
participating in any manner in the review or discussion. However, a subcommittee
member that has recused themselves may participate in the preparation of a waiver
request for their own institution, including but not limited to drafting the waiver
application, preparing waiver arguments and gathering waiver materials.
It is the responsibility of the subcommittee member to remove themselves if a conflict
exists. Institutional objections to a subcommittee member participating in a waiver
appeal must be raised with and resolved by the chair or acting chair as soon as recognized
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Policies and Procedures
Chapter 2
2-9
but will not be considered unless the concern is raised before the subcommittee's review.
Participation by a subcommittee member in previous APP matters involving the
institution or regarding general policy (e.g., APR adjustments) does not constitute a
conflict of interest requiring recusal.
This conflict-of-interest policy shall apply for all aspects of the subcommittee member's
participation in subcommittee-related activities.
If the subcommittee chair must recuse themselves or is unable to participate in
subcommittee business, the remaining members must vote, by simple majority, to
determine who will serve as "acting chair." In addition, if an institution objects to the
chair participating in a review or waiver request based on a conflict-of-interest concern,
the remaining members must vote, by simple majority, to determine who will serve as
"acting chair," and the acting chair will resolve the conflict of interest issue regarding the
chair before the hearing. If the acting chair finds that no conflict exists, then the chair
may resume the role. (Revised: 12/08; effective: 12/08.)
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Policies and Procedures
Chapter 2
2-10
Committee Substructure
Policies for Committees that Report to the Subcommittee on
Student-Athlete Academics
Committee
Composition
Duties
NCAA Division I
Initial-Eligibility
Waivers
Committee
The committee shall consist of 20
members appointed by the NCAA
Division I Council.
Oversee the process for
reviewing requests for
waivers of the initial-
eligibility requirements and
consider appeals of staff
decisions related to initial-
eligibility waiver requests.
NCAA Division I
Progress-Toward-
Degree Waivers
Committee
The committee shall consist of 14
members, which
includes two
subcommittees of seven appointed by the
NCAA Division I Council. One
subcommittee will review progress-
toward-degree waivers and the other two-
year college waivers.
Oversee the process for
reviewing requests for
waivers of progress-toward-
degree and two-
year college
transfer requirements and
consider appeals of staff
decisions related to waiver
requests for which the
committee has jurisdiction.
NCAA
International
Student Records
Committee
The committee shall consist of six
members
including two Division I
representatives, two Division II
representatives and two representatives
who may be from either Division I or
Division II.
Assist in reviewing initial-
eligibility standard
s for
international students.
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Policies and Procedures
Chapter 2
2-11
Committee
Composition
Duties
NCAA
Student
Records
Review
Committee
The committee shall consist of nine members
and shall be constituted as follows:
1.
One admissions officer of a Division I or
Division II institution;
2. One staff member of a Division I or Division II
institution or conference office;
3. One representative from Division I;
4. One representative from the NCAA Division II
Academic Requirements Committee;
5. Four representatives from the secondary-
school community; and
6. One member selected at large from either the
secondary-school community or a Division I or
II institution or conference office.
Establish policies and
procedures related to the
review of a prospective
student-athlete's
academic credentials and
to determine the validity
of a prospective student-
athlete's credentials for
meeting initial-eligibility
requirements.
NCAA High
School Review
Committee
The committee shall consist of nine members
and shall be constituted as follows:
1.
One admissions officer of a Division I or
Division II institution;
2. One staff member of a Division I or Division II
institution or conference office;
3. One representative from Division I;
4.
One representative from the Academic
Requirements Committee;
5. Four representatives from the secondary-
school community; and
6. One member selected at large from either the
secondary-school community or a Division I or
II institution or conference office.
Establish policies and
procedures related to the
academic review of high
schools and to determine
the validity of
a high
school (e.g., core courses,
curriculum, grades) for
meeting initial-eligibility
requirements.
2A1-1
Monitoring and Preventing Academic Integrity Issues
2023-24
Appendix 2A1
APPENDIX 2A
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics
Suggested Review Standards for
Monitoring and Preventing Academic
Integrity Issues
Introduction.
This document provides a suggested operational framework, including involvement by
stakeholders, use of data and key areas of review in efforts to monitor and prevent
serious academic integrity issues. The NCAA Division I Committee on Academics
recommends "Best Practices for Promoting and Maintaining a Culture of Student-
Athlete Success, Accountability and Academic Integrity" as a companion piece. That
document was created by the National Association of Academic and Student-Athlete
Development Professionals, a professional association with subject matter expertise in
academic support and advising of student-athletes. [Attachment]
Suggested Institutional Stakeholders.
All or a combination of the following institutional stakeholders, as determined by the
needs of the institution, should be involved in the data collection and analysis of the
suggested review standards:
1. Faculty and the NCAA faculty athletics representative.
2. Academic support unit for student-athletes.
3. Athletics compliance.
4. Enrollment management (e.g., registrar, admissions).
5. Institutional research.
6. Academic administrators (e.g., provost, academic deans).
7. Office of student conduct.
8. Information technology.
2A1-2
Monitoring and Preventing Academic Integrity Issues
2023-24
Appendix 2A1
Suggested Review Standards.
An institutional standing committee, comprising identified stakeholders, should
consider the following areas of analysis and data for an annual review, monitoring and
potential report to the institution's administration:
Comparison Between Student Data and Student-Athlete Data.
1. Major/degree selection data. Course grade and enrollment distribution data.
2. Policies and/or data regarding grade changes, including recertification due to
grade change procedures.
3. Policies and/or data for nontraditional courses (e.g., independent study, online
courses) and use of internships.
4. Policies and/or data for course schedule accommodations, including adds/drops
outside published deadlines and waivers of prerequisites and extra credit
accommodations.
5. Policies and/or data for credit accepted from other institutions (nontraditional,
part time).
Compliance/Academic Support Policies and Procedures (Student-Athlete Specific).
1. Existing academic support policies and procedures, including control of
passwords, tutoring and mentoring policies and education, and training of staff
working with student-athletes in an academic capacity.
2. Policies and/or approach to athletics department staff members' and boosters'
communication with academic authorities on campus (e.g., admissions, faculty)
and with other institutions regarding a prospective student-athlete or student-
athlete's academic matters.
3. Proctoring and testing procedures and/or approach for online assignments and
exams taken in athletics facilities or while traveling for athletics purposes (e.g.,
away competition).
4. Policies and/or approach to the evaluation and validity of a prospective student-
athlete's academic record (e.g., who is authorized to work with a prospective
student-athlete's academic record; who has the authority to communicate with
another institution regarding prospective student-athletes' academic matters;
procedures for addressing a discrepancy in a prospective student-athlete's
academic record).
1
/
N4A
It is the expectation of the N4A that student-athletes will make academic progress in a manner consistent
with other students in accordance with institutional academic codes of conduct. Ideally, student-athletes
should engage in academic pursuits based upon their personal passions and career interests and compete
with character in the classroom. This document has been developed to provide a template so that
individual institutions may create policies and practices that fit their unique needs, yet adhere to the core
values of student engagement, personal development, academic rigor, and integrity. The policies and
practices herein are not a prescriptive list of specific instructions; rather, they are meant to serve as structural
support for this philosophical foundation, and take into account wide arrays of resource allocation and
institutional differences. When building policies from the base provided, institutions should take great care
to include representatives from their campus communities and align with existing policies that may
already exist. While various constituent groups (coaches, faculty, athletics personnel, etc.) are mentioned
throughout the document, more than any other group, student-athletes themselves must be educated and
trained to understand, accept, and value a culture of independent learning that places a premium on their
well-being and holistic development.
NON-TRADITIONAL COURSES
The recent proliferation of nontraditional courses has created an additional complexity for academic
support units for student-athletes in monitoring these courses. The N4A recommends each campus create a
broad-based campus committee (including athletics and non-athletics department personnel) to define non-
traditional courses on their campus, identify existing, campus-wide policies and procedures regarding non-
traditional courses and wherever possible, align with these campus policies and procedures. Issues of
concern for committees to address include, but are not limited to:
•
enrollment guidelines and restrictions for student-athletes
•
academic support strategies for non-traditional courses (i.e., tutorial)
•
proctoring of online exams and assignments
•
access/completion of online assignments and exams in athletic facilities
•
restrictions on non-academic athletics department personnel (i.e., coaches, operations staff, etc.)
•
evaluation of academic outcomes for student-athletes in non-traditional courses as compared to overall
student body
•
education and training for students and staff
•
syllabus collection
•
annual reporting structures
•
off-campus testing procedures
•
general security standards
•
educate staff in recognizing questionable activities and how to report/document violations
Best Practices for Promoting and Maintaining a Culture of Student-Athlete Success, Accountability,
and Academic Integrity
N4A Best Practices
2021-22 Appendix 2A-2
2
/
N4A
ACADEMIC SUPPORT CENTERS / COMPUTER LABS
As academic support programs have developed, so have the growth of academic support centers.
While not all centers are stand-alone facilities, the N4A defines any location where student-athletes
are assigned to complete study hall/tutorial assignments as an area the following practices should
be considered. Though not an exhausted list, the N4A recommends each campus consider the
following practices for oversight of academic support centers:
•
clearly defined schedule for supervision of the facility/center
•
clearly defined restrictions regarding non-academic athletics department personnel
•
clearly defined parameters regarding individuals and activities in each space
•
education and training for students and staff to include reporting of questionable activities
•
regular evaluation for all personnel engaged in providing academic support (e.g., advising,
tutoring, mentoring)
•
policy regarding services available to former student-athletes
•
documented policies and procedures to report any violation of institutional or NCAA policy
•
safety issue should be addressed when academic centers are open late at night (i.e., locked
doors, student-athletes unable to leave the academic center alone after a specific time, etc.)
•
a clear plan of action of any emergencies or harmful situations should be established
ACADEMIC SUPPORT PERSONNEL
Regardless of title or employment status, personnel hired specifically to provide academic support
services to student-athletes (i.e., tutors, mentors, learning specialists) must take great care to foster
a student-driven environment with clearly defined expectations and limitations. These employees
must be committed to the highest levels of academic integrity, and have a strong conviction to
uphold the mission of the institution. Though not an exhaustive list, the N4A recommends each
campus consider the following practices related to personnel hired specifically to provide academic
assistance to student-athletes:
•
required participation in comprehensive training program
•
policy to encourage and clearly outline reporting of suspicious or questionable activity
•
personnel records with documentation of any previous issues, warnings, and/or violations of
institutional policy
•
monitoring and supervision of adherence to all policies
•
well-established hiring policies and practices
•
policy related to non-work related communication with student-athletes, staff, and coaches (i.e.,
social media communication)
•
ongoing training and evaluation of personnel
•
policies regarding access to online student records and accounts
•
required exit interviews of all personnel
•
policies outlining tutorial relationships based on relevant factors (e.g., prior relationships with
student-athletes, sport)
•
communication with University staff about changes/trends in University code of conduct policy
3
/
N4A
CAMPUS COMMUNICATION
The campus community including faculty, staff, and students are critically important in fostering
and promoting an environment of academic integrity. Given the complexities surrounding a
student-athlete’s collegiate experience, the N4A recommends each campus consider the following
practices regarding communication with campus constituents:
•
clearly defined role and responsibility of the Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR)
communicated broadly to campus
•
communicate expectation that student-athletes not be granted special treatment from faculty
because of their participation in intercollegiate athletics
•
policy developed regarding appropriate communication between faculty and athletics
personnel (e.g., faculty and coaches, staff and coaches, admissions personnel)
•
documentation practices to define on-campus recruiting rules and restrictions
•
Support campus policy for proper identification and communication of academic misconduct
and educate coaches and athletics department personnel
•
communicate with faculty of nontraditional courses to determine what they consider
appropriate academic support (i.e. tutorial) for their assignments
ACADEMIC ADVISING / COUNSELING
Student-athletes must be encouraged to explore and actively seek their own individual academic
interests. Policies and practices should reflect this philosophy so that with regard to course
enrollment and major selection, their experience as a group is indistinguishable from that of the
general student body on any given campus. The N4A recommends each campus develop policies
and practices that encourage student-athletes to actively engage in the process of course and major
selection, and to consider the following practices related to specific course enrollment and
matriculation of majors:
•
ongoing collaboration with campus units to educate student-athletes on major and course
options, and other academic opportunities
•
review by semester the student-athlete course enrollment compared to overall campus student
enrollment
•
annual review of distribution of student-athletes across majors on campus
•
documented procedures for academic advising of student-athletes
•
ongoing education for academic support staff in academic programs on campus
•
efforts to facilitate communication between academic support personnel and campus advisors
•
efforts to connect student-athletes with major and college advisors regularly
•
outreach efforts with campus career services and student-athlete development office to connect
major selection with career objectives and job placement
•
active involvement of student-athletes in all academic advising conversations
4
/
N4A
SUMMARY
The National Association of Academic and Student-Athlete Development Professionals (N4A) is a
group of professionals committed to the holistic development of the collegiate student-athlete with
an emphasis on academic opportunity, development, and success. Understanding the complexities
of the student-athlete experience and the pressures associated with the drive for athletic
achievement, the core of our work is the empowerment of the student-athlete throughout the
matriculation process and making an effective transition to life beyond intercollegiate athletics.
Central to this mission is an unyielding commitment to academic integrity. As academic and
student-athlete development professionals we are committed to helping create and uphold a
culture of integrity that emphasizes student-athlete engagement and academic rigor. At every turn,
student-athletes should be given opportunities to make choices that challenge themselves and
increase their odds of being successful after graduation and away from their field of competition.
ADDITIONAL N4A SERVICES
For further information on N4A institutional services please visit the N4A website at: www.nfoura.org
Follow N4A
Instagram:@nfoura12
Twitter: @nfoura
Facebook:@N4ANACDA
YouTube: N4A Leadership
NCAA Division I
Committee on Academics
Policies and Procedures
2023-24
Chapter 3
Chapter 3
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Policies and Procedures
Organization of the NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Policies and Procedures
The Committee on Academics Policies and Procedures document outlines the operations
and authority of the committee and its three reporting subcommittees.
CHAPTER 1: NCAA Division I Committee on Academics
Policies and procedures applicable to full Committee on Academics administration.
Applicable NCAA Division I Academic Performance Program legislation, standards and policies
related to the academic-values-based revenue distribution.
CHAPTER 2: NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Subcommittee on
Student-Athlete Academics
Policies and procedures applicable to Subcommittee on Student-Athlete Academics'
administration.
CHAPTER 3: NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Subcommittee on
Data
Policies and procedures applicable to Subcommittee on Data's administration.
Appendices (e.g., factual examples, FAQs, waiver directives).
CHAPTER 4: NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Subcommittee on
Penalties and Appeals
Policies and procedures applicable to Subcommittee on Penalties and Appeals'
administration.
Appendices (e.g., FAQs, factual examples, waiver directives).
Color Codes:
Portions of the Manual highlighted in the following colors indicate:
Grey = Changes or revisions via NCAA Division I Proposal 2014-2 or policy
recommendations by the Committee on Academics.
Chapter 3
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Policies and Procedures
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Subcommittee on Data
Academic Performance Program
Key Data Terms and Concepts
Table of Contents
Purpose ................................................................................................................... 1
Duties and Responsibilities ..................................................................................... 1
Composition ............................................................................................................ 3
Selection of the Subcommittee Chair ...................................................................... 3
Responsibilities of Subcommittee Chair .................................................................. 3
Reporting Lines ....................................................................................................... 4
Absences ................................................................................................................ 5
Voting Procedures ................................................................................................... 5
Forwarding Subcommittee Recommendations ....................................................... 5
Noncontroversial Policies and Procedures Guidelines ............................................ 6
Speaking Agent Policy ............................................................................................ 6
Conflicts of Interest Policy ....................................................................................... 7
Purpose of the NCAA Division I Academic Performance Program .......................... 8
NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate .............................................................. 9
Rate Calculation, General ....................................................................................... 9
Multiyear APR ....................................................................................................... 10
Postseason Competition ....................................................................................... 10
Squad-Size Adjustment ......................................................................................... 11
APR Calculation for Quarter Schools. ................................................................... 13
Mapping Quarterly Calendar to Semester Calendar ........................................... 14
Retention ............................................................................................................... 14
Academic Eligibility ............................................................................................... 15
Table of Contents (continued)
Chapter 3
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Policies and Procedures
Academic Performance Program
APR Cohort
Academic Performance Program
Requests for Alternative Definition of APR/GSR Cohort or Definition of Recruited
Student-Athletes
Table of Contents (continued)
Exhausted Eligibility .............................................................................................. 16
Graduation ............................................................................................................ 16
Census Date ......................................................................................................... 16
Academic Performance Census ............................................................................ 17
Head Coaches' APR Portfolio ............................................................................... 17
Graduation Success Rate ..................................................................................... 17
Rules Violations .................................................................................................... 18
Composition of APR Cohort .................................................................................. 19
Exceptions to Full-time Enrollment ....................................................................... 20
Inclusion of Noncounters on Athletics Aid in the APR Cohort ............................... 21
Definition of "Recruited" and the APR Cohort ....................................................... 21
Multisport Student-Athletes in the APR Cohort ..................................................... 22
Cross Country and Track and Field APR Cohorts ................................................. 22
Student-Athletes Returning for a Sixth Year ......................................................... 23
Application Procedures ......................................................................................... 24
Staff Review, Deliberations and Decisions ............................................................ 24
Appeals of Staff Decisions .................................................................................... 25
Subcommittee Conflict of Interest ......................................................................... 26
Ex Parte Communication ...................................................................................... 26
Appeal Procedures ................................................................................................ 26
Reconsideration .................................................................................................... 26
Chapter 3
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Policies and Procedures
Academic Performance Program
Data Collection and Reporting
Academic Performance Program
Data Collection Waivers
Academic Performance Program
Data Submission
Table of Contents (continued)
Data Collection and Reporting............................................................................... 27
Amending Submitted Data .................................................................................... 28
Membership and Sport Sponsorship Issues .......................................................... 29
Data Collection on Two-Year Transfers ................................................................ 33
Waiver/Extension of Filing Deadlines .................................................................... 34
Application Procedures ......................................................................................... 34
Staff Conflict of Interest ......................................................................................... 34
Use of Third Parties in Waiver Requests ............................................................... 35
Staff Review, Deliberations and Decisions ............................................................ 35
Appeals of Staff Decisions .................................................................................... 36
Subcommittee Conflict of Interest ......................................................................... 36
Ex Parte Communication ...................................................................................... 36
Appeals Procedures .............................................................................................. 37
Reconsideration .................................................................................................... 38
Submission ............................................................................................................ 39
Legislated Penalties for Failure to Submit Data .................................................... 39
Notice of Penalties for Failure to Submit Data ....................................................... 39
Institutions that Do Not Provide Data or Usable Data ............................................ 39
Chapter 3
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Policies and Procedures
Academic Performance Program
Reviewing and Correcting Submitted Data
Academic Performance Program
Adjustments to Submitted Data
Table of Contents (continued)
Delayed-Graduation Points ................................................................................... 41
Requests for Delayed-Graduation Points from Prior Cohort Years ........................ 42
Unique Data Scenarios ......................................................................................... 42
Legislated Exceptions and Allowable Exclusions .................................................. 46
Missed-Term Exception [NCAA Bylaw 14.4.3.6-(a)] .............................................. 48
Application of Waivers .......................................................................................... 48
Data Verification .................................................................................................... 50
Data Corrections ................................................................................................... 50
Effect of Corrections on Previously Earned Penalties and/or Rewards ................. 50
Rules Violations .................................................................................................... 51
Adjustment Request Procedures ........................................................................... 52
Staff Conflict of Interest ......................................................................................... 53
Use of Third Parties in Adjustment Requests ........................................................ 53
Staff Review, Deliberations and Decisions ............................................................ 53
Appeals of Staff Decisions .................................................................................... 54
Subcommittee Conflict of Interest ......................................................................... 54
Ex Parte Communication ....................................................................................... 55
Appeals Procedures .............................................................................................. 55
Reconsideration .................................................................................................... 56
Effect of Prior Years' Adjustments on Previously Earned Penalties
and/or Rewards .................................................................................................. 56
Chapter 3
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Policies and Procedures
Academic Performance Program
Head Coaches' APR Portfolio
Academic Performance Program
Data Reviews
Subcommittee on Data
Interpretations
Academic Performance Program
Appendices
Table of Contents (continued)
Head Coaches' APR Portfolio ............................................................................... 58
Data Review Impact on Data Submission ............................................................. 59
Data Review Process ............................................................................................ 59
Unusable Data ...................................................................................................... 68
Interpretations ....................................................................................................... 72
Interpretive Request Process ................................................................................ 72
Appendix A: APR Calculation Examples ............................................................. A-1
Appendix B: Frequently Asked Questions on APR Cohort Composition ...............B-1
Appendix C: Frequently Asked Questions on Impact of
Graduation on the APR ..................................................................................... C-1
Appendix D: Frequently Asked Questions on Cross Country and Track and
Field APR Cohort Compositions......................................................................... D-1
Appendix E: Frequently Asked Questions on Adjustment
Requests for Student-Athletes Who Transfer .................................................... .E-1
Appendix F: APR Adjustment Directive ............................................................... F-1
Chapter 3
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Policies and Procedures
Table of Contents (continued)
Appendix G: Frequently Asked Questions on the Collection of
Two-Year Transfer Data.................................................................................... G-1
Appendix H: Guide of Possible Student-Athlete Outcomes.................................. H-1
Appendix I: Frequently Asked Questions on the Head Coaches'
APR Portfolio....................................................................................................... I-1
Appendix J: Frequently Asked Questions on the Collection of Graduation
Rate Data ........................................................................................................... J-1
Chapter 3
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Policies and Procedures
3-1
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics
Subcommittee on Data
Purpose
The NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Subcommittee on Data is one of three
standing subcommittees that report directly to and help facilitate the work of the NCAA
Division I Committee on Academics. The others are the NCAA Division I Committee on
Academics Subcommittee on Penalties and Appeals and the NCAA Division I Committee
on Academics Subcommittee on Student-Athlete Academics.
The Subcommittee on Data's purpose is to administer specific aspects of the NCAA
Division I Academic Performance Program on behalf of the NCAA Division I membership
and the Committee on Academics. The central purpose of the APP is to ensure that the
membership is dedicated to providing student-athletes with an exemplary educational and
intercollegiate athletics experience in an environment that recognizes and supports the
primacy of the academic mission of its member institutions, while enhancing the ability of
student-athletes to earn a degree. (Revised: 10/11. Effective: 10/11)
Duties and Responsibilities
The Subcommittee on Data will:
1. Study issues and develop policies related to APP data and the collection of APP data;
2. Recommend changes to the APP for consideration by the Committee on Academics
based on research, data analysis and practical experience. Evaluate APP policy items
initially presented to the subcommittee to determine if any should be forwarded to
the full committee for review and possible action as recommended by the
subcommittee;
3. Interpret APP data legislation and policies;
4. Take final action on routine or noncontroversial matters of operational policy and
procedures (e.g., NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate Adjustment Directive).
5. Administer and oversee the collection and review of the APR, Academic
Performance Census, Graduation Success Rate and any other data/information
necessary to administer the APP;
Chapter 3
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Policies and Procedures
3-2
6. Oversee the annual publication of the APR and other data collection information
for the Division I membership;
7. Review all requests for extensions of the APR, APC and GSR data collection filing
deadlines and render appeal decisions in accordance with the directive and this
manual;
8. Review all requests seeking use of an alternative definition of "recruited" and/or
identification of student-athletes to be used for the purpose of calculating a team's
APR and/or GSR; and render appeal decisions in accordance with the directive and
this manual;
9. Determine penalties and notify those institutions subject to penalties for failing to
file APR, APC and GSR data by the required deadline;
10. Administer and oversee all aspects of APR adjustments requests and appeals;
11. With the Subcommittee on Penalties and Appeals, oversee the committee
reporting function, including responsibility for written notification to institutions
of penalties resulting from failure to meet minimum established APR and/or GSR
criteria for the APP penalty structure;
12. Administer and oversee the review of APP data for selected institutions, including
issuance of a final report that summarizes the findings of the review;
13.
Review all requests for relief from APP penalties based on changes to prior year(s)
APP
data;
14. Administer and oversee all aspects of waiver requests in instances in which an
institution's data review and/or APP waiver processes are incomplete by June 1 and
the institution must notify student-athletes of pending postseason ineligibility;
(Adopted: 10/13. Effective: 10/13)
15. Resolve operational issues and establish operational procedures for the
implementation of the NCAA Division I Academic-Based Revenue Distribution
(Adopted: 02/18. Effective: 02/18); and
16. Administer and oversee any other matters, not otherwise specified, as directed by
the Committee on Academics.
Chapter 3
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Policies and Procedures
3-3
Composition
The subcommittee shall consist of six members of the Committee on Academics. All
subcommittee members shall be on the staff of an active Division I institution or
conference. One member will serve as chair at the discretion of the chair of the Committee
on Academics.
Selection of Subcommittee Chair
Each of the committee's subcommittees shall have a chair. Subcommittee chairs normally
shall serve as chair for the remainder of their respective committee terms.
Subcommittee chairs shall be selected as follows:
1. The subcommittee discusses the pending open chair position, and subcommittee
members are provided the opportunity to nominate themselves or another member
for the position.
2. The current subcommittee chair or the staff confirms the interest and willingness
of each nominee to serve as chair.
3. Names of nominees and a recommendation of the outgoing chair are provided to
the Committee on Academics chair.
4. The Committee on Academics chair selects the subcommittee chair.
Responsibilities of Subcommittee Chair
1 . Oversee the development of subcommittee agendas;
2. Lead the subcommittee's videoconferences and meetings;
3. Welcome and assist in transition and training of new subcommittee members;
4. Review and decide appeals of staff decisions in adjustment and extension cases;
5. Review appealed cases forwarded from staff that do not align with the standard
appellate process to determine if the subcommittee should consider the appeal;
6. Contact subcommittee members who are not fulfilling their responsibilities and
Chapter 3
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Policies and Procedures
3-4
recommend to the committee chair that a subcommittee member be replaced if
such member is not fulfilling their duties.
7. Present subcommittee reports during full Committee on Academics meetings.
8. Participate as members of the NCAA Division I Committee on Academics
Administrative Committee.
9. Recommend selection of new subcommittee chair.
10. Perform and oversee any other matters as necessary to execute specific subcommittee duties and
responsibilities.
Reporting Lines
The Subcommittee on Data reports to the Committee on Academics. As the division's
primary academic authority, the committee retains the authority to review actions taken
by the subcommittee on routine and noncontroversial matters of policy and procedure.
NCAA Academic Governance Structure
+ Operations managed by the NCAA Eligibility Center
Committee on Academics
Comprised of 20 members including at least 2 chancellors or presidents; one
provost; four faculty athletics representatives; one director of athletics; one
senior woman administrator; one conference administrator and one
student-athlete. At least two members from each of the three Division I
membership subdivisions.
Subcommittee on Student-
Athlete Academics
Five members of Committee
on Academics including SAAC
representative.
Progress-Toward-
Degree Waivers
Committee
High School Review
Committee+
Student Records
Review Committee+
Initial Eligibility
Waivers Committee+
(4 subcommittees)
International Student
Records Committee+
Subcommittee on Data
Six members of Committee
on Academics.
Subcommittee on Penalties
and Appeals
Six members of Committee
on Academics.
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Absences
The Subcommittee on Data generally conducts in-person meetings and videoconferences.
Alternates may not be appointed to attend a meeting or videoconference in the absence
of a subcommittee member. Subcommittee members who are not in attendance at two
consecutive meetings or videoconferences will be contacted by the chair of the
subcommittee to discuss the member's continued service to the subcommittee and
committee. Further absences will result in the committee chair or staff contacting the
subcommittee member to discuss the member's excessive absences. A subcommittee
member may be dismissed from the subcommittee and committee after further absences.
Voting Procedure
When considering issues for a vote, the subcommittee will vote verbally if the vote is
conducted via teleconference or by the show of hands if the vote is conducted in person
or via videoconference. The vote is taken consisting of the subcommittee members
present, except for actions taken by unanimous or obvious consent. The chair, or acting
chair, will not vote unless there is a tie vote among present and voting members. In
situations where there is a tie vote, the chair shall cast the deciding vote. Subcommittee
members must be present to vote, and a simple majority of members present and voting
will prevail.
Forwarding Subcommittee Recommendations
Subcommittees that report to the Committee on Academics follow these policies in
forwarding recommendations to the full committee:
1. Each subcommittee will determine whether it may take final action on a policy and
procedure item without referral to the Committee on Academics (see
Noncontroversial Policies and Procedures – Guidelines);
2. Each subcommittee must provide a written report of its meetings and
videoconferences to the full committee. These reports must include any requests
for full committee action recommended by the subcommittee.
3. Any legislative change recommended by a subcommittee must be presented to the
full committee for discussion and action.
4. The committee may elect to alter any subcommittee recommendation requiring a
vote of the full committee.
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5. If further deliberations are required, the committee may table the recommendation
or refer it back to the subcommittee for additional discussion.
Noncontroversial Policies and Procedures Guidelines
The following guidelines are to assist the subcommittee in determining whether a policy and
procedure is routine and noncontroversial in nature:
1. A subcommittee policy or procedure may be considered noncontroversial only if:
a. Broader consultation and debate by the Committee on Academics is unlikely
to improve the policy or procedure in any substantial way;
b. Significant disagreement or alternative points of view will not be generated;
and
c. Such policies and procedures do not have a significant impact (unanticipated
consequences, undesirable precedent) on existing legislation or current
policies and procedures.
2. A noncontroversial policy or procedure, at a minimum, should have the following
factors present:
a. The policy or procedure should have minimal impact on competitive or
recruiting equity.
b. The policy or procedure should have minimal financial impact.
c. The policy or procedure must enjoy broad support from the originating
subcommittee.
d. The policy or procedure should not negatively impact student-athlete
welfare.
e. The policy or procedure should not significantly impact the Division I
academic standards (initial and continuing eligibility).
Speaking Agent Policy
The NCAA speaking agent policy is as follows:
"The president of the Association and the chair of the Board of Governors are the only
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individuals authorized to speak on behalf of the Association except as outlined below.
An individual representing a member institution or conference who speaks or opines on
an Association issue only has the authority to express the view of that individual or the
member institution or conference unless the individual has been designated by the Board
of Governors of the Association as a speaking agent of the Association on that issue.
Committee chairs are hereby designated as speaking agents of their committees regarding
issues within their committees' jurisdiction on which there is consensus, except that
positions of advocacy on behalf of the committee or the Association to be communicated
in writing or orally to persons or entities external to the Association must have prior
approval by the Board of Governors or the president of the Association. For the purpose
of this policy, committees include all NCAA committees, cabinets, boards, councils,
subcommittees and special or ad hoc groups.
The president of the Association is hereby granted authority to designate additional
speaking agents of the Association."
Subcommittee members are expected to adhere to this policy.
Conflict of Interest Policy
A subcommittee member shall not participate in the subcommittee's discussion or vote on
any action that might bring direct or indirect financial benefit to the member or any
organization in which the member is financially interested (other than the member's
institution or the conference of which it is a member). A violation of this rule by a member
of the committee shall not invalidate the action taken by the subcommittee if, following
disclosure of the conflict of interest, the subcommittee authorizes, ratifies or approves the
action by a vote sufficient for the purpose, without counting the vote of the subcommittee
member with the conflict of interest and the Committee on Academics approves such
action.
Additionally, subcommittee members must recuse themselves from participation in a
waiver appeal or committee discussion in which they are personally connected with an
institution or conference (e.g., previous employer, conference member, alma mater). A
subcommittee member with a personal relationship or institutional affiliation that
reasonably would result in any appearance of bias or prejudice should refrain from
participating in any manner in the review or discussion. However, a subcommittee
member that has recused themselves may participate in the preparation of a waiver
request for their own institution, including but not limited to drafting the waiver
application, preparing waiver arguments and gathering waiver materials.
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It is the responsibility of the subcommittee member to remove themselves if a conflict
exists. Institutional objections to a subcommittee member participating in a waiver appeal
must be raised with, and resolved by, the chair or acting chair as soon as recognized, but
will not be considered unless the concern is raised before the subcommittee's review.
Participation by a subcommittee member in previous APP matters involving the institution
or regarding general policy (e.g., APR adjustments) does not constitute a conflict of
interest requiring recusal.
This conflict of interest policy shall apply for all aspects of the subcommittee member's
participation in subcommittee-related activities.
If the subcommittee chair must recuse themselves or is unable to participate in
subcommittee business, the remaining members must vote, by simple majority, to
determine who will serve as "acting chair." In addition, in the event that an institution
objects to the chair participating in a review or waiver request based on a conflict of interest
concern, the remaining members must vote, by simple majority, to determine who will
serve as "acting chair," and the acting chair will resolve the conflict of interest issue
regarding the chair before the hearing. If the acting chair finds that no conflict exists, then
the chair may resume that role. (Revised: 12/08. Effective: 12/08.)
Purpose of the Academic Performance Program
The central purpose of the APP is to ensure that the membership is dedicated to providing
student-athletes with an exemplary educational and intercollegiate athletics experience in
an environment that recognizes and supports the primacy of the academic mission of its
member institutions, while enhancing the ability of student-athletes to earn a degree.
The membership is committed to providing higher education for a diverse body of student-
athletes, within the context of an institution's academic and admissions standards for all
student-athletes, through a system that rewards those institutions and teams that
demonstrate commitment toward the academic progress, retention and graduation of
student-athletes and penalizes those that do not. Finally, the membership has created an
academic point of access to postseason competition for all teams based on a minimal level
of academic performance using the APR. (Revised: 10/11. Effective: 10/11)
NOTE: The Board of Directors approved the suspension of loss of access to postseason
competition for the 2021-22 (2019-20 academic data), 2022-23 (2020-21 academic data) and 2023-24
(2021-22 academic data) academic years for those teams not meeting the APR benchmark. The
program returns to normal operations with the submission of the 2022-23 academic data.
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Academic Performance Program
Key Terms and Concepts
Academic Progress Rate
The APR is a term-by-term measure of eligibility, retention, and graduation of student-
athletes who have received institutional financial aid based in any degree on athletics
ability during the regular academic term(s) in question. For those athletics
programs/institutions that do not offer athletically related financial aid, this rate will be
calculated on a subset of recruited student-athletes. Data collection for this "snapshot"
rate, calculated on a team-by-team basis, will occur at the beginning of each academic year
(based on student-athlete academic performance during the previous academic year), and
team rates will be reported the following spring. There are several variables required to
calculate the APR. First, each institution must determine the term-by-term academic
eligibility status for each student-athlete in the cohort. Second, the question of retention
for each student-athlete must be determined by confirming if each student-athlete
returned (or continued enrollment) as a full-time student or satisfied a legislated exception
for full-time enrollment as of the fifth week of classes or the official census date, whichever
is earlier, in the following regular academic term.
Rate Calculation, General
Each undergraduate student-athlete in the APR cohort can earn two points for each
regular academic term of full-time enrollment. One point is awarded if the student-
athlete is academically eligible to compete the next regular academic term. The other
point is awarded if the student-athlete is retained by the institution (i.e., returns to school
as a full-time student as of the fifth week of classes or the official census date of the
institution, whichever is earlier) in the next regular academic term. Student-athletes who
graduate will be awarded both the eligibility and retention points for the term in which
they graduate, while those who leave after five years of enrollment (i.e., 10 full-time
semesters or 15 full-time quarters) without graduating will not earn any points for their
last term of enrollment in that fifth year. A postgraduate student-athlete in the cohort can
earn one eligibility point for each regular academic term of full-time enrollment. The
retention point is not calculated for them. At the start of each academic year, each
Division I team's APR will be calculated by adding all points earned by student-athletes in
the team's cohort and any delayed-graduation points and dividing that number by the
total possible points that could have been earned. The raw APR is multiplied by 1,000 to
achieve the final APR (points earned/points possible x 1000). (Revised: 6/20. Effective for
the 2020-21 APR cohort and beyond; not retroactive to any prior year cohorts.)
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Translating the scores from decimals to whole numbers aids in the understanding and
interpretability of scores. This translation does not alter the meaning of the scores; rather,
it puts the scores in terms that are more understandable.
See Appendix 3A for examples of APR calculations for individual student-athletes.
Multiyear APR
The multiyear APR is comprised of four single years of APR data resulting in a multiyear
rate. Each year, the most current year's data will be added, and the oldest year of data will
be removed, creating a four-year rolling rate. The multiyear APR is used to demonstrate
academic performance of all Division I teams. In addition, it is used to determine what
teams are subject to penalties and rewards within the APP structure. The multiyear APR
also serves as a point of academic access to postseason competition. (Revised: 10/11.
Effective: 10/11.)
• Calculation of Multiyear APR. – Teams' multiyear APR will be determined by adding
the numerators and denominators for all included years and then dividing the
overall numerator by the overall denominator to calculate the multiyear rate. This
is the statistically correct way of creating a multiyear rate. This method will consider
the differences in numbers of student-athletes in the calculation from year to year
and accounts for teams with smaller cohort sizes.
Points earned over four years
Points possible over four years
X 1000 = multiyear APR
Postseason Competition
Postseason competition is defined as any competition not considered regular season
competition per NCAA Bylaw 17 [e.g., NCAA championships, National Collegiate
Championships, football bowl games, National Invitation Tournament, Collegeinsider.com
Postseason Tournament and College Basketball Invitational].
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Team C
APR of 890
with an
upper-confidence
boundary below
930. Team is
subject to loss of
access to
postseason
and APP penalties.
Team B
APR of 910 with an
upper-confidence
boundary above
930. Team is not
subject to loss of
access to
postseason
or APP penalties.
890
910
Team A
APR of 930, with an
upper-confidence
boundary of 950.
Team is not subject to
loss of access to
postseason or APP
penalties.
930 APR
930
Squad-Size Adjustment Example
Squad-Size Adjustments
The issue of small sample sizes for teams or sports and their impacts relative to APP
penalties is addressed using a statistically derived margin of error value for each squad size.
This will help ensure that any penalties given to teams with small sample sizes are as
statistically valid as those for teams with large sample sizes. A consistent margin of error
set at a confidence level of 84 percent will be applied to determine each team's subjectivity
to the penalty. This means that the upper-confidence boundary of a team's APR would
have to be below 930 for that team to be subject to APP penalties.
The squad-size adjustment no longer applies to most teams, and the penalty benchmark
must be met using the team's most recent four-year rolling rate. Teams with a multiyear
APR that includes less than 30 student-athletes in the four-year cohort and teams with less
than four years of APR data will continue to benefit from use of the squad-size adjustment.
The following graphic depicts use of the upper-confidence boundary created by the squad-
size adjustment:
In the above example, Team B has an APR of 910. With the squad-size adjustment, the
team's upper-confidence boundary is above 930; therefore, the team is not subject to APP
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penalties or a loss of access to postseason competition. However, Team C has an APR of
890; and even with the squad-size adjustment, its upper-confidence boundary is below 930.
Therefore, Team C will be subject to APP penalties and the loss of access to postseason
competition pending a review of the filters.
The following chart provides the approximate minimum APR required, based on squad
size; such that the team's squad-size adjusted APR will be above 930. Note that that these
are approximation to the actual formula and should only serve as rough guidelines.
Number of
student-athletes
in multiyear APR
cohort
(N)
Approximate
minimum APR to
meet squad-size
adjusted
APR >=930
2
750
3
785
4
805
5
820
6
825
7
835
8
840
9
845
10
850
11
855
12-13
860
14-15
865
16-18
870
19-22
875
23-26
880
27-33
885
34-41
890
42-55
895
56-75
900
76-109
905
110-172
910
173-311
915
312+
920
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APR Calculation for Quarter Schools
During initial development of the assessment component of the NCAA's academic reform
package, the APR was envisioned as a single annual check of academic eligibility and
retention for each student-athlete. However, in the process of finalizing the APR, strong
membership support arose for a term-by-term measure of academic performance that
allowed a student-athlete to accrue APR points with each academically successful term and
that provided a more direct correspondence with the current Division I progress-toward-
degree standards.
The decision to make APR a term-by-term rate created a computational complexity in that
student-athletes at semester schools can earn up to four points each year (eligibility and
retention at the end of each of two semesters) while students at quarter schools can each
earn up to six points (eligibility and retention at the end of each of three quarters).
Significant study of this issue by outside statisticians, the NCAA Data Analysis Research
Network, the NCAA Research Committee and the NCAA Division I Committee on
Academic Performance resulted in clear consensus that quarter schools would unfairly
benefit from being able to accrue up to six points per year for each student.
A revised computation of APR for quarter institutions was approved by the Committee on
Academic Performance in July 2005 and by the NCAA Division I Board of Directors in
August 2005. The details of the formula are presented in a companion document on the
Committee on Academics website.
The underlying framework for the revised calculation involves a rather simple idea of
basing the APR of quarter squads on two assessments during the year rather than three.
An end-of-year assessment was chosen as one of the time points because various progress-
toward-degree benchmarks are only required to be assessed at that time, because eligibility
and retention losses are much more likely at that point in the year, and because it was the
only natural assessment point common to both calendar systems. Rather than choosing a
single midyear assessment point for quarter squads that takes less of the academic year
(end of fall quarter assessment) or more of the academic year (end of winter quarter
assessment) into account compared to the midyear assessment performed at semester
schools, the quarter-squad calculation uses data from both midyear eligibility/retention
checks.
Essentially, a rate is calculated using the fall and spring assessments (quarter APR
Calculation 1 below) and then averaged with a rate calculated from the winter and spring
assessments (quarter APR Calculation 2).
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Semester 1 Semester 2
Mapping Quarter Calendar to Semester Calendar
8/15 12/15 1/15 5/15
Semester APR
Quarter
Quarter
9/15 12/1 1/1 6/8
Notes: Length of bar represents length of academic term (approximately 10 weeks or 50 class days for
quarter schools; approximately 15 weeks or 75 class days for semester schools). Chronology of an
example academic year shown from left to right.
See Appendix 3H for a table that provides a rough guide of possible individual student-
athlete outcomes. The table displays, for a number of student-athlete academic
trajectories possible on a quarter-school squad in a given year, how Calculation 1 (termed
the fall-spring calculation in the table) and Calculation 2 (the winter-spring calculation)
would work in each case. The points are summed across the two calculations (column-
labeled, eight-point scale) and then numerators and denominators are divided by two to
map the components of the quarter-squad APR onto a semester-like four-point scale. As
can be seen from the examples, the results of the spring assessment contribute more
heavily to a student-athlete's APR contribution at the quarter school than either of the
other assessments.
Retention
A student-athlete will be considered "retained" if they return to the member institution
for the next regular academic term and is enrolled full time as of the fifth week of classes
or the official census date of the institution, whichever is earlier. Student-athletes who
meet a legislated exception to the full-time enrollment legislation and otherwise meet this
definition are considered retained. Therefore, if a student-athlete withdraws from a
member institution before the date that is five weeks after the first day of classes or the
official census date of the institution, whichever is earlier, that student-athlete has not been
"retained" by the institution and the retention point will not be awarded for the previous
term. Retention does not require a student-athlete to return to the athletics team, rather
Quarter 2
Time
Time 2
Time 1
APR (Calc 1)
Time 1
APR (Calc 2)
Quarter 1
Time 2
1
Time
2
Quarter 3
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it requires the student-athlete to return to the institution as described. The retention
point is not calculated for a postgraduate student-athlete in the cohort. They can earn
one eligibility point for each regular academic term of full-time enrollment. (Revised:
6/20. Effective for the 2020-21 APR cohort and beyond; not retroactive to any prior year
cohorts.)
Waivers of full-time enrollment are considered legislated exceptions. For example, if a
student-athlete received a progress-toward-degree waiver for full-time enrollment due to
an education-impacting disability, the student-athlete would still be considered retained if
returning or continuing enrollment at the certifying institution.
Academic Eligibility
A student-athlete will be considered eligible if they meet all applicable academic
eligibility requirements after completing the term (e.g., NCAA progress-toward-degree
requirements, conference academic requirements, institutional good academic standing).
This data field answers the question, "Is this student-athlete academically eligible to
compete the next regular academic term?" The question must be answered even if the
student-athlete or the student-athlete's team does not compete in that academic term.
(Revised: 10/09. Effective for the 2009-10 APR cohort and beyond; not retroactive to any prior
year cohorts.)
A student-athlete is awarded one point for eligibility if the student-athlete is academically
eligible to compete in the following regular academic term. Any change to a student-
athlete's spring term eligibility status must occur not later than the time APR data is
submitted in the fall in order to capture the earned eligibility point, and any change to a
student-athlete's fall or winter term eligibility status must occur not later than the sixth
week of the next regular academic term in order to capture the earned eligibility point.
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Exhausted Eligibility
A student-athlete has exhausted eligibility for competition in the sport in which athletics
aid was awarded or received institutional athletics aid per Bylaw 15.5.1. This includes:
1. A student-athlete who does not use all seasons of competition but exhausts the
five-year clock.
2. A partial or nonqualifier who has used all three seasons of competition and fails to
earn a fourth season of competition by not completing 80 percent of that student-
athlete's designated degree program before the start of the fifth year of
enrollment.
3. A fall sport student-athlete who concludes competitive eligibility at the end of the
fall term and does not return to the institution after the fall term.
4. A spring sport student-athlete who concludes competitive eligibility at the end of
four years. (Adopted: 04/07. Effective: 04/07 for the 2007-08 APR cohort and
beyond, not retroactive to any prior year cohorts.)
See Appendix 3B for frequently asked questions on cohort composition.
Graduation
A student-athlete is considered "graduated" for purposes of the APR once all graduation
requirements (e.g., academic and administrative) are completed and the student-athlete is
considered by the institution to have graduated. This definition provides for students to
be considered graduated when the institution defines the student as graduated.
See Appendix 3C for examples of graduation scenarios that can impact a team's APR.
Census Date
The census date is the designated day in an academic term when an institution takes official
enrollment counts (e.g., drop/add deadline for classes). This is determined by the
institution and will vary from institution to institution.
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Academic Performance Census
The APC is an annual compilation of academic performance variables (e.g., credit hours,
grade-point average) mandated by Division I legislation, which includes submission of data
regarding two-year college transfer student-athletes. APC data is often the basis for
Division I academic legislation and policies. Beginning fall 2009, institutions were required
to submit and verify information for the Head Coaches' APR Portfolio as part of its APC
data. APC data is collected annually in the fall in conjunction with APR data. (Revised:
10/08. Effective with the collection of 2008-09 APC data.)
Head Coaches APR Portfolio
Available on www.ncaa.org, the Head Coaches APR Portfolio provides single-year APRs for
every year during which a head coach is associated with a team, along with hire date and
the date the coach left the head coaching position. Any head coach who is in place at any
point during an academic year (August 1-July 31) will be assigned that team's APR for that
year. For example, if a coach leaves a program six weeks into an academic year, they will
still be assigned the APR for that team for the year, as will the coach who is hired to fill the
position subsequently.
See Appendix 3I for more information about the head coaches' APR.
Graduation Success Rate
The GSR is based primarily on the Integrated Postsecondary-Education Data System
graduation rate, which is defined as a six-year proportion of those student-athletes who
graduated versus those who entered an institution. The GSR is calculated for each team.
The GSR cohort includes student-athletes who receive athletics aid in the first year of
enrollment at the institution either as initial enrollees or transfers.
For those teams/institutions that do not offer athletically related financial aid, the GSR will
be calculated on a subset of recruited student-athletes. This rate differs from the Federal
Graduation Rate because it accounts for student-athletes who transfer into an institution,
while discounting student-athletes who withdraw from the institution and would have
been academically eligible to compete had they returned. The Federal Graduation Rate
still must be reported to the NCAA and to prospective student-athletes. The NCAA will
continue to report the Federal Graduation Rate to each of our member institutions in a
format that meets the requirements of federal law.
The Division I membership passed legislation stipulating that all member institutions
provide the information contained in its Federal Graduation Rate supplement form to the
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NCAA. Additionally, all Division I members are required to provide supplemental
information that will allow the NCAA to calculate the GSR. Data for the GSR will be
collected and rates will be calculated as part of the annual graduation rates reporting
process each spring/summer. The penalty for not providing data by the due date (June 1
annually) will be ineligibility of an institution's athletics teams and student-athletes for
competition in NCAA championships and other postseason competition (e.g., National
Collegiate Championships, bowl games, National Invitation Tournament, College Insider
Tournament, College Basketball Invitational) conducted during the subsequent academic
year and future years until eligibility is reinstated.
Beyond combining the pre-existing, six-year rate and the transfer rate for each cohort, it
will be necessary to discount student-athletes who withdrew from the institution within
the six-year window and would have been academically eligible had they returned (based
on NCAA, conference and institutional requirements applicable to each student-athlete).
See Appendix 3J for more information on the GSR.
Rules Violations
NCAA member institutions are obligated to self-report all violations of NCAA legislation.
The NCAA staff/Committee on Academics will advise the institution of any information
discovered throughout any APP penalties process (e.g., penalty waivers, improvement
plans, data reviews) concerning possible violation(s) of NCAA legislation and will remind
the institution of its obligation to self-report violations. The staff/committee may engage
the NCAA enforcement staff at any time and share information obtained through the
various APP processes. (Adopted: 06/14. Effective: 06/14)
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Academic Performance Program
APR Cohort
Composition of the APR Cohort
Established in 2006-07, the APR cohort definition depends on whether the institution
awards a team athletics aid:
1. For teams awarding institutional financial aid based in any degree on athletics
ability, the APR cohort is comprised of student-athletes who:
a. Received institutional financial aid based in any degree on athletics ability as
of or after the institution's fifth week of classes or official census date
(whichever is earlier); AND
b. Were enrolled full time as of the institution's fifth week of classes or official
census date, whichever is earlier, or satisfied a legislated exception to full-
time enrollment. (Legislated exceptions to full-time enrollment include
progress-toward-degree waivers that permit less than full-time enrollment.)
A student whose aid is cancelled before the institution's census date/fifth
week of classes is not included in the cohort. A student who receives aid after
the census date/fifth week of classes is included if they were enrolled full
time as of the specified date. (Adopted: 10/16. Effective: 10/16)
2. For teams that do not offer institutional financial aid based in any degree on
athletics ability, the APR cohort is comprised of student-athletes who:
a. Were recruited per Bylaw 13.02.14.1, are enrolled full time and are listed on
the varsity team's roster on or after the first date of competition in the
championship segment; OR
b. Have exhausted eligibility and return to the institution full-time within five
years of initial enrollment to complete their baccalaureate degrees.
(Legislated exceptions to full-time enrollment apply to those teams using the
recruited definition as they do to teams using the aided definition.)
(Adopted: 01/07. Effective: 01/07 for the 2006-07 APR cohort and beyond; not
retroactive to any prior year cohorts.)
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Exceptions.
Student-athletes who meet the following criteria are not included in the APR cohort, even if
such students meet the above criteria:
a. Student-athletes who have graduated and exhausted athletics eligibility;
b. Student-athletes who are enrolled beyond 10 semesters/15 quarters of actual
full-time enrollment and have exhausted athletics eligibility;
c. Student-athletes who are five years beyond initial full-time collegiate
enrollment and have exhausted athletics eligibility (Adopted: 07/12. Effective
immediately beginning with the 2011-12 APR cohort to be reported fall 2012); or
d. Former student-athletes who receive institutional financial aid per Bylaw
15.01.5.2 (exception - former student-athletes). (Adopted: 6/15. Effective 6/15,
beginning with the 2014-15 cohort to be reported fall 2015, retroactive to all
years in the current multiyear rate.)
Exceptions to Full-time Enrollment
Student-athletes who meet the following legislated and waiver exceptions to the full-time
enrollment requirement are included in the APR cohort, provided the student-athletes
meets the remaining applicable requirements of cohort composition above:
1. Final semester/quarter (Bylaw 14.2.2.1.3)- Student-athletes applying this
exception in their final term of enrollment must satisfy the requirements of the
legislation (i.e., graduate) to be considered academically eligible in the next
academic term (regardless of whether there is athletics eligibility remaining), and
therefore earn the eligibility point for the term. The retention point may only be
earned if the student-athlete graduates (graduation must occur prior to the start of
the next academic year to be applied to the final term).
2. Final term before experiential learning requirement (Bylaw 14.2.2.1.4) - The
use of this exception allows student-athletes to enroll less than full-time in their
penultimate term (term immediately preceding their final term of enrollment)
provided the student-athlete is certified as enrolled in all coursework necessary to
complete degree requirements, other than the experiential learning requirement.
Student-athletes applying this exception must meet all applicable progress-
toward-degree requirements in the term in order to be considered academically
eligible in the next regular term, therefore earning the eligibility point. The
retention point is contingent on the student-athlete returning to the institution in
the next regular academic term as a full-time student.
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3. Progress-toward-degree waiver for less than full-time enrollment. Student-athletes
granted progress-toward-degree waivers of the full-time enrollment requirement
must meet all applicable progress-toward-degree requirements for the term in
order to be considered academically eligible in the next regular term, therefore
earning the eligibility point. The retention point is contingent on the student-
athlete returning to the institution in the next regular academic term as a full-time
student (or meeting an exception to full-time enrollment, including additional
progress-toward-degree waivers for less than full-time enrollment).
Inclusion of Noncounters on Athletics Aid in the APR Cohort
Noncounters who meet the cohort definition are included in the APR cohort. This includes
student-athletes classified as permanently medically unable to compete in Bylaw 15.5.1.3
(counter who becomes injured or ill) and those meeting the provisions of Bylaw 15.5.1.8 (aid
after departure of head coach). Fifth-year student-athletes who have exhausted eligibility
but return to complete graduation requirements also are included in the APR if they are
receiving athletics aid (for those institutions/teams that offer athletics scholarships).
See Appendix 3B to review frequently asked questions regarding the APR cohort.
Definition of "Recruited" and the APR Cohort
For teams that do not offer athletics aid, "recruited" is defined per Bylaw 13.02.14.1 as
follows:
• Actions by staff members or athletics representatives that cause a prospective
student-athlete to become a recruited student-athlete at that institution are:
a. Providing a prospective student-athlete with an official visit;
b. Having an arranged in-person, off-campus encounter with a prospective
student-athlete or the prospective student-athlete's parent(s), relatives or
legal guardian(s); or
c. Issuing a National Letter of Intent or the institution's written offer of
athletically related financial aid to the prospective student-athlete. Issuing a
written offer of athletically related financial aid to a prospective student-
athlete to attend a summer session before full-time enrollment does not
cause the prospective student-athlete to become recruited. (Revised 08/18.
Effective with the data collected fall 2019.)
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Multisport Student-Athletes in the APR Cohort
A multisport student-athlete receiving athletics aid will be included in the cohort of the
sport in which the aid counts toward the team limit per Bylaw 15. For example, if a student-
athlete competes in football and outdoor track, the aid would count toward the football
team limit and he would, therefore, only be included in the football APR cohort. Refer to
Figure 15-3 in the NCAA Division I Manual for more information.
For multisport student-athletes, the "recruited" label is sport specific. In other words, the
student-athlete is only in the cohort(s) for the sport(s) in which they were recruited.
Cross Country and Track and Field APR Cohorts
Although athletics aid awarded in cross country and indoor and outdoor track and field
count against a single athletics aid total, an institution's cross country and track and field
teams each have a separate APR. The APR for each sport is comprised of full-time student-
athletes who receive athletics aid in either cross country or indoor or outdoor track and
field. [Note: For institutions that do not offer athletics aid, the APR for each sport is
comprised of recruited student-athletes who are on the team's roster.] Cross country and
track are evaluated separately, even though in most cases many of the student-athletes are
the same, to avoid penalizing all teams if one team were to underperform academically.
Beginning with the data submitted in the fall 2015, the cross country and indoor and
outdoor track cohorts will be defined as follows:
1. The cross-country APR cohort shall consist of student-athletes on athletics aid (or
recruited student-athletes for institutions that do not offer athletics aid), enrolled
full time as of the institution's fifth week of classes or official census date for that
institution, whichever is earlier; and
2. Indoor and outdoor track and field are combined into one sport for APR data
purposes and consists of student-athletes on athletics aid (or recruited student-
athletes for institutions that do not offer athletics aid), enrolled full time as of the
institution's fifth week of classes or official census date for that institution,
whichever is earlier. (Revised 10/14. Effective with the data collected fall 2015.)
To ensure that a student-athlete participating in cross country and track is included in
both cohorts, indicate that they are aided in both sports in the “academic details”,
“general” tab of the Academic Portal:
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See Appendix 3D to review examples regarding the application of APR cohorts to the sports
of cross country and indoor and outdoor track and field.
Student-Athletes Returning for a Sixth Year
Student-athletes who have completed five years or 10 semesters/15 quarters of actual full-
time enrollment and have exhausted athletics eligibility and student-athletes who are five
years beyond initial full-time collegiate enrollment and have exhausted eligibility are not
included in the APR cohort, even if they continue to receive athletically related financial
aid. If the student-athlete has athletics eligibility remaining in the sixth year, generally due
to a five-year clock extension, they would be a part of the cohort if they meet the definition
of inclusion in the cohort (i.e., receiving athletics aid and enrolled full time or meets a
legislated exception to full-time enrollment).
As a reminder, if after 10 semesters/15 quarters of actual full-time enrollment the student-
athlete has not earned an undergraduate degree, no eligibility point will be earned for the
last term of the fifth year. Earning a degree in year six would help a team with its GSR and
IPEDS-Graduation Rate Survey, but the APR's goal is graduation in five years, consistent
with the current Division I progress-toward-degree standards.
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Academic Performance Program
Requests for Alternative Definition of APR/GSR Cohort or
Definition of Recruited Student-Athlete
Pursuant to Bylaw 14, the Committee on Academics has the authority to approve an
alternative definition of a recruited student-athlete or identification of a cohort of student-
athletes to be used to calculate a team's APR and/or GSR. The decision to approve any
alternative definition will be based on objective evidence that the NCAA applicable cohort
definition does not adequately address the unique characteristics of the applicant
institution/conference.
All such requests will be reviewed by the staff and/or the Subcommittee on Data
.
Application Procedures
A member institution/conference seeking to apply an alternative definition of recruited
student-athlete or identification of cohort for purposes of calculating APR and/or GSR shall
submit in writing a request to the national office.
All such institutional requests must be signed by the chancellor or president and must set
forth the reasons why the institution believes an alternative definition of recruited student-
athlete or identification of student-athletes for the APR and/or GSR cohort is warranted.
The request also must include a proposed alternative definition of recruited or
identification of student-athletes for the APR and/or GSR cohort.
All such conference requests must be signed by the conference commissioner and must set
forth the reasons why the conference believes an alternative definition of recruited student-
athlete or identification of an alternative cohort for purposes of calculating APR and/or
GSR is warranted. The appeal also must include a proposed alternative definition of
recruited or identification of student-athletes for the APR and/or GSR cohort.
In cases where time is of the essence, it is important for the submitting institution or
conference to clearly specify the reason(s) the issue may be time sensitive.
Staff Review, Deliberations and Decisions
On receipt of the request, the staff will review the information to ensure it is complete and
will notify the applicant institution/conference of the name of the staff member handling
the request.
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The Committee on Academics has provided the staff and Subcommittee on Data the
authority to hear, deliberate and decide requests for an alternative definition. All staff
decisions will be based on the following criteria:
1. Demonstration that the suggested definition is used for other institutional,
Association and/or governmental purposes (e.g., NCAA Institutional Performance
Program, institution or conference data collection);
2. Demonstration that failure to use the alternative definition or identification of
student-athletes is inconsistent with the intent of the APP; and
3. Demonstration that the request provides for inclusion of a population of student-
athletes actively solicited by the institution to compete on its athletics teams.
After reviewing all information, the staff and/or Subcommittee on Data will render for the
current academic year one of the following decisions:
1. Approval: The staff and/or Subcommittee on Data determines that the institution's
request demonstrated evidence warranting the use of an alternative definition of
recruited student-athlete.
2. Denial: The staff and/or Subcommittee on Data determines that the institution's
request did not demonstrate circumstances warranting the use of an alternative
definition of recruited student-athlete. The institution will be responsible for
applying the definition of recruited student-athlete noted in Bylaw 13.02.14.1.
3. Modified Approval: The staff and/or Subcommittee on Data determines that the
institution's request demonstrated evidence warranting the use of an alternative
definition of recruited student-athlete or alternative definition of a cohort of
student-athletes to be used to calculate the APR and/or GSR; however, the
alternative definition recommended by the institution was not sufficient and a
modification was necessary. By issuing a modified approval, the staff and/or
Subcommittee on Data permits the institution to use the modified alternative
definition of recruited student-athlete.
Appeals of Staff Decisions
The Committee on Academics has authorized the Subcommittee on Data to consider
appeals of staff decisions on alternative definition of a recruited student-athlete or
identification of a cohort of student-athletes. The Subcommittee on Data's determination
shall be final and shall not be subject to further review.
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All appeals of a staff decision must be filed within 14 calendar days of written notification
of the staff's decision. Any appeal filed beyond this period must include an explanation of
why the appeal was not filed within the prescribed time period. The chair of the
Subcommittee on Data shall determine whether or not any appeal filed after 14 calendar
days will be considered.
Subcommittee Conflict of Interest
The conflict of interest section of this chapter applies to all committee members'
involvement in waiver and appeal requests.
Ex Parte Communication
In order to maintain the integrity of the waiver process, the influence of outside discussions
and arguments should be kept to a minimum. Once an issue has been submitted to the
committee/subcommittee for review, each committee member shall not discuss the issue
with noncommittee members (e.g., the public or the membership) before discussion by the
committee.
Appeal Procedures
The Subcommittee on Data may conduct its meetings and deliberations by
videoconference, email or in-person meeting. Deliberations shall involve only
Subcommittee on Data members and national office staff.
Reconsideration
After the staff and/or Subcommittee on Data have issued a decision, the institution/
conference may ask the staff to reconsider its decision if the institution/conference submits
new or additional relevant information. Requests with new or additional relevant
information may not be heard by the Subcommittee on Data until the staff has reviewed
and considered the new information.
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Academic Performance Program
Data Collection and Reporting
APP Data Collecting and Reporting
The Academic Portal – The Academic Portal is an Internet-based software program for
the electronic management, submission and reporting of academic performance data that
is required by Bylaw 14. The APP is designed to capture data to satisfy membership
requirements related to three NCAA initiatives: the APR, APC and the GSR.
Many Division I institutions employ a software program, such as the NCAA Compliance
Assistant, to assist with its athletics compliance needs. If institutions use such software for
institutional eligibility certifications, much of the data necessary to calculate the APR and
to meet the submission requirements for the APC are stored in this compliance database.
In order to minimize the burden of collecting academic data, automatic electronic
migration of data from CA to the APP is available. In addition, electronic importation of
data to the APP is available to those institutions using proprietary or "home-grown"
compliance software.
Official submission of APR and APC data is due eight weeks after the start of the
institution's fall term. Academic Portal data entry can begin after the new calendar year
and notification that the portal is open is communicated to the membership annually.
Submission cannot occur until the answer to the question of retention for the fall term can
be answered.
Data is also collected to calculate the IPEDS as well as the GSR. The GSR was proposed in
response to concerns regarding the methodology used to calculate the IPEDS-Graduation
Rate Survey. The GSR is intended as an alternative management tool that more accurately
reflects the graduation success of student-athletes. It will include student-athletes who
transfer into the institution. Furthermore, the GSR will discount student-athletes who
depart the institution and would have been academically eligible had they returned.
The GSR is based on a six-year window for graduation and includes all student-athletes
receiving athletically related financial aid entering the institution (i.e., full time, degree
seeking), including transfers. For those institutions or teams that do not offer athletically
related financial aid, the GSR includes all recruited student-athletes who, on or after the
varsity team's first date of competition in the championship segment, are listed on the
varsity team's roster.
Collection of this academic data is vital to the success of the overall academic reform
process. These systems strive to minimize the administrative burden for
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member institutions while providing the Division I governance structure with important
information on which sound policy decisions can be based.
Official submission of student-body graduation rates (IPEDS-GRS), enrollment, student-
athlete graduation rates and GSR data is required by June 1.
The IPEDS-GRS still must be reported to the NCAA and to prospective student-athletes.
The NCAA will continue to report the Federal Graduation Rate to each of our member
institutions in a format that meets the requirements of federal law.
The NCAA membership passed legislation stipulating that all member institutions provide
the information contained in its federal GRS form to the NCAA. Additionally, all Division
I members are required to provide supplemental information that will allow the NCAA to
calculate the GSR. The penalty for not providing data by the prescribed due date (i.e., June
1) will be ineligibility of an institution's athletics teams and student-athletes for
competition in NCAA championships and other postseason competition (e.g., National
Collegiate Championships, bowl games, NIT, CIT, CBI) conducted for the academic year.
Collection of this academic data is vital to the success of the overall academic reform
process. These systems strive to minimize the administrative burden for member
institutions while providing each division's governance structure with important
information on which sound policy decisions can be based.
Amending Submitted GSR Data
If an institution discovers an error to its data after the reporting deadline (i.e., June 1), the
institution must submit a correction request in the Academic Portal. Institutions will be
given the opportunity to review its report for accuracy and have until July 1 to request any
changes to that report.
After the data are submitted to the NCAA, the draft reports that will be published in the
fall will be made available.
See Appendix 3J for frequently asked questions and answers to assist the membership with
the collection of graduation rate data.
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Membership and Sports-Sponsorship Issues
Any NCAA member institution that sponsors a Division I sport must report APP data for that
team(s) [i.e., team(s) identified by the institution in its sport sponsorship and demographic
form]. This includes teams that do not meet the minimum contest and participation
requirements for sport sponsorship per Bylaw 20.9.6.3. This requirement applies to all active
Division I members and multidivisional institutions sponsoring Division I sports.
The data submitted for a team(s) that does not meet the sport sponsorship minimums will not
be included in the multiyear APR used for public recognition and penalties or access to
postseason competition. Nor will it be included in the single-year data used to determine
academic unit eligibility. (Revised 6/19. Effective with the data collected fall 2019.)
1. Reclassifying Institutions – Institutions or teams that are in the process of
reclassifying to Division I are subject to the APP. Bylaw 20.5 requires full compliance
with all Division I legislation in the first year of a four-year reclassification process
(other than scheduling requirements and eligibility requirements for continuing
student-athletes completing their final season of competition). Institutions in the
process of reclassifying to Division I must submit the legislatively required data for
Division I at the point in the membership process when the institution is required
to be in compliance with Division I legislation. Therefore, if an institution becomes
subject to the Division I legislation beginning in the 2018-19 academic year, it must
submit the required APP data for the first time in the summer (GSR) and fall
(APR/APC) 2019. Such institutions shall be subject to APP rewards (e.g., Top Ten
Public Recognition Program) after the collection of two years of required data (e.g.,
APR, APC, GSR) and are subject to APP penalties and the APR benchmark to access
postseason competition after the collection of three years of data.
These institutions will appear in the public release with all other Division I
institutions. The penalty for a reclassifying institution that fails to submit data is
notification to the NCAA Division I Council, rather than the championship
restriction penalties that exist for current Division I members. Additionally, all
institutions subject to submission of APP data, regardless of membership status, are
permitted to make requests for adjustments of the data. For example, if an
institution becomes subject to the Division I legislation beginning in the 2010-11
academic year, it is required to submit the required GSR data for the first time based
on student-athletes entering the institution in fall 2004. (Revised: 10/10. Effective:
10/10.)
2. Multidivisional Institutions – Institutions that sponsor teams at multiple NCAA
divisions are subject to the APP for the Division I teams. Bylaw 20.4 requires full
compliance with Division I
legislation for its Division I sports during the second year
of a two-year process.
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3. New Sports Teams –
Division I institutions that add a team are eligible for APP
rewards (e.g., Top Ten Public Recognition Program) after the collection of two years
of required data (e.g., APR, APC, GSR) and are subject to APP penalties and the APR
benchmark to access postseason competition after the collection of three years of
data. A new team’s data must be submitted after the team’s first season of
competition.
4. Non-NCAA Championship Sports – Only NCAA championship sports sponsored
by an institution will have an APR calculated and, therefore, only those sports' data
will be accepted by the APP. This includes only those sports for which a Division I
national championship or a National Collegiate Championship is conducted.
An exhaustive list of these sports can be found in the Import Module of the
Academic Portal. The APR and GSR does not include sports categorized as women's
emerging sports.
Only NCAA championship sports (both Division I and National Collegiate
Championships) offered at the varsity level are included in the data collections.
Teams that are considered junior varsity are not included in the APP. Varsity teams
that compete in non-NCAA championship sports, including emerging sports (e.g.,
rugby), are not included in the APR, APC and GSR data collections and are not
subject to rewards and penalties.
5. Institutions/Teams Transitioning from Division I or Discontinuing a
Division I Sport – Institutions are required to provide written notification to the
staff of the date of the public announcement and the effective date of a transition
from Division I. Once the staff receives notification from the institution, the
institution/team:
a. Will no longer be responsible for submitting APP data (i.e., APR, APC, GSR
or head coaches' information) beginning with the academic year the staff
receives notice.
b. Will not be subject to new APP penalties and postseason ineligibility but
must impose previously earned penalties that apply to the academic years the
team/institution continues to compete as a Division I institution/ team.
c. Will not be part of any public release of APR and associated penalties, GSR
and head coaches' information.
d. Will not be included in the calculation and/or determination of any penalty
filters.
e. Will not be eligible for any NCAA Accelerating Academic Success Program
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monies.
f. Will not be eligible for public recognition for high academic performance.
g. Will no longer submit APR adjustment requests or APP penalty waivers.
h. Will no longer be required to submit APR Improvement Plans; however, the
staff will review any plans submitted by the institution while it remains a
Division I institution/sport.
i. Will no longer be required to complete a data review that is in progress.
In these situations, the application of the above-mentioned list will be effective
beginning the academic year the institution publicly announces its intention to
discontinue, drop or transition a team(s) from Division I.
If a team transitioning from Division I membership received a conditionally
approved APP penalty waiver and the determination of whether the team satisfied
the established conditions will result in a team having to impose penalties, then the
institution must submit APR/APC data, record of implementation of its APR
Improvement Plan and request a waiver of the determination that the conditions
were not satisfied.
If an institution's transition to another division or athletics organization has been
proposed as a multiyear process, once the staff receives notification from the
institution, the situation will be considered on a case-by-case basis with the staff
providing the Subcommittee on Data with a recommendation for its review. The
staff would take the following into consideration when determining the appropriate
APP requirements, the institution needs to fulfill:
a. Length of transition from Division I;
b. Timing of notification to the staff;
c. History of academic performance;
d. Whether or not the institution has teams subject to penalties and the types
of penalties;
e. Whether or not the institution's teams will continue to compete at the
Division I level during the transition; and
f. Other factors deemed appropriate by the staff and/or institution.
The application of the recommendations above generally will be effective beginning
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the academic year the staff receives notice of the institution's intention to transition
from Division I or to discontinue a sport at the Division I level; however, the staff
will be provided flexibility in determining the effective date for each requirement
based on the timing of notice received by the staff.
6. Institutions/Teams Rescinding the Decision to Transition from Division I or
Discontinue a
Division I Sport –
In instances where an institution rescinds its
decision to transition from Division I, each situation will be considered on a case-
by-case basis with the staff providing the Subcommittee on Data with a
recommendation for its review with regard to any penalties and their application,
once the staff receives notification from the institution. The institution would be
required to submit APP data from any year the institution did not submit data while
it was in transition. Further, the institution would be permitted to submit
corrections, adjustments and penalty waivers as appropriate based on the timing of
the notification. (Adopted: 07/10. Effective for institutions providing notification to
the staff beginning in 2010-11 and beyond.)
7. Institutions that Reinstate Dropped Sport in Subsequent Years. – An
institution that reinstates a dropped sport(s) must submit APP data according to
the following guidelines:
a. If a sport has been inactive at the Division I level for three or more years, the
institution would be required to submit APP data for the academic year in
which the sport team was reinstated and competition was resumed at the
Division I level. The team would be considered to have submitted APP data
for the first time, APP data submitted from previous years would no longer
be used to calculate the team's APR and the team would have the benefit of
the squad-size adjustment until four years of APR data is collected, provided
the team has a multiyear cohort of 30 or more student-athletes. Additionally,
if an institution was subject to an APP penalty at the time the team was
discontinued or transitioned to another division, the institution would not
be required to impose the penalty.
b. If a sport has been inactive at the Division I level for a period of less than
three academic years, the institution would be required to submit APP data
for the academic year in which the sport team was reinstated and
competition was resumed at the Division I level. Any years of APR data that
are within the four-year APR cohort will be used to calculate the new
multiyear APR, and any penalties the team incurred at the time the team was
discontinued will need to be taken at the earliest opportunity. The staff
and/or Subcommittee on Data also will determine any additional
requirements on a case-by-case basis.
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Data Collection on Two-Year Transfers
Beginning with the 2008-09 APR/APC data submission, institutions were required to
submit additional academic data for student-athletes in the sports of baseball, football and
men's and women's basketball who transferred to the submitting institution immediately
from a two-year college. During the 2008-09 data collection, institutions were required to
provide data on all two-year college transfer student-athletes in the cohort in these four
sports. The data will be collected annually and will only be required for those two-year
college transfer student-athletes who entered the institution in the academic year for which
data is being submitted. (Adopted: 02/12. Effective: 02/12)
See Appendix 3G for questions and answers to assist the membership in its understanding
of the data collection for two-year college transfer student-athletes.
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Academic Performance Program
Data Collection Waivers
Waivers/Extensions of Filing Deadlines
Pursuant to Bylaw 14, the Committee on Academics has the authority to grant
exceptions/extensions to the filing deadlines prescribed in Bylaw 18.4.2.2 and in this
manual. The decision to waive/extend any deadline will be based on objective evidence
that demonstrates extenuating circumstances under which the member institution is
unable to meet the required filing deadline.
All requests for waivers/extensions of the filing deadlines will be reviewed by the staff
and/or the
Subcommittee on Data.
Application Procedures
A member institution seeking to waive/extend the prescribed filing deadlines shall submit
its request to the national office via the Academic Portal. All requests shall be submitted
electronically to the staff using the online application provided by the NCAA. Any request
to waive/extend the prescribed filing deadline must be submitted before the original filing
deadline.
The request submitted by the institution must include the signature page signed by the
chancellor or president. The request shall set forth the reasons the institution believes
relief from the required filing deadline(s) is warranted for that academic year and shall
provide an alternate date for submission. In addition to the completed online application,
the institution may submit additional information believed to be relevant to the
institution's request.
Staff Conflict of Interest
A staff member must recuse themselves from participation in a waiver request in which
they are connected personally with an institution or conference (e.g., previous employer,
conference member, alma mater). A staff member with a personal relationship or
institutional affiliation that reasonably would result in any appearance of bias or
prejudice should refrain from participating in any manner in the processing of an APP data
waiver request. It is the responsibility of the staff member to remove themselves if a
conflict exists.
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Use of Third Parties in Waiver Requests
Institutions are permitted to engage the assistance of a third party (e.g., outside legal
counsel, consultant who is not a full-time employee of the institution) in preparing an APP
data waiver request or in preparing to appeal a staff decision. However, the staff is not to
discuss a waiver request with a third party unless directed to by the institution (e.g.,
chancellor or president, director of athletics) in writing. Further, the staff will generally
communicate all requests for additional documentation, decisions and any other issues
related to the request with the institutional employee designated as the waiver contact
unless otherwise directed in writing by the institution.
Staff Review, Deliberations and Decisions
On receipt of an institution's request, the staff will review the application to ensure it is
complete, notify the applicant institution of the status of the request and identify the staff
member handling the request.
The staff has the authority to consider, deliberate and render a decision for all
waiver/extension requests involving the filing deadlines. Staff decisions will be based on
the following criteria:
1. Mitigating circumstances and whether or not those circumstances were within the
control of the member institution;
2. Length of requested extension; and
3. Number of prior institutional requests for a waiver/extension of the filing deadlines.
After reviewing all information, the staff will render one of the following decisions.
1. Approval: The staff determines the institution's request demonstrated evidence
that warranted a waiver/extension of the prescribed filing deadline and permits the
institution to supply the required academic data by the deadline the applicant
institution requested in its waiver/extension request.
2. Denial: The staff determines the institution's request did not demonstrate
circumstances warranting a waiver/extension of the prescribed filing deadlines. The
institution is responsible for filing all required academic data by the established
deadlines and will be subject to legislated penalties for failure to submit the required
academic information by the prescribed deadline.
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3. Modified Approval: The staff determines the institution's request demonstrated
evidence warranting a waiver/extension of the prescribed filing deadline; however,
the staff determines the length of the extension requested by the institution is
excessive or unrealistic. By issuing a modified approval, the staff permits the
institution to supply the required academic data by a deadline the staff determines
to be reasonable.
Appeals of Staff Decisions
After the staff has issued a decision regarding a waiver/extension request, the applicant
institution may appeal the decision to the Subcommittee on Data using the online appeal
module of the Academic Portal. The Subcommittee on Data's determination shall be final
and shall not be subject to further review by any other authority.
The Committee on Academics has authorized the Subcommittee on Data to review,
deliberate and decide all data collection waiver/extension appeals.
All appeals of a staff decision should be filed within five calendar days of written
notification of the staff's decision. Any appeal filed after five calendar days must include
an explanation why the appeal was not filed within the prescribed time period. The chair
of the Subcommittee on Data shall determine whether or not any appeal filed after five
calendar days shall be heard.
Subcommittee Conflict of Interest
The conflict of interest section of this chapter applies to all subcommittee members
involvement in adjustment and appeal requests.
Ex Parte Communication
In order to maintain the integrity of the waiver process, the influence of outside discussions
and arguments should be kept to a minimum. Once an issue has been submitted to the
committee/subcommittee for review, each committee member shall not discuss the issue
with noncommittee members (e.g., the public or the membership) before discussion by the
committee.
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Appeal Procedures
The Subcommittee on Data may conduct its deliberations and render a decision by
videoconference, email, or in-person meeting. Such deliberations shall involve only
Subcommittee on Data members and the NCAA staff. A quorum for the review of appeal
cases shall be a majority of subcommittee members present and voting.
The appeal proceedings will continue as follows:
1. Documents to be Reviewed by the Subcommittee.
The subcommittee will review all documents submitted by the institution in the
original waiver request as well as any documents included as part of the appeal of
the staff decision.
2. Subcommittee Deliberations and Decisions.
Subcommittee decisions will be based on the following criteria:
a. Mitigating circumstances and whether or not the mitigating circumstances
were within the control of the member institution;
b. Length of requested extension; and
c. Number of prior institutional requests for a waiver/extension of the filing
deadlines.
After reviewing all information, the subcommittee will render one of the following
decisions.
a. Approval: The subcommittee determines the institution's request
demonstrated evidence that warranted a waiver/extension of the prescribed
filing deadline and permits the institution to supply the required academic
data by the deadline the applicant institution requested in its
waiver/extension request.
b. Denial: The subcommittee determines the institution's request did not
demonstrate circumstances warranting a waiver/extension of the prescribed
filing deadlines. The institution is responsible for filing all required academic
data by the established deadlines and will be subject to legislated penalties
for failure to submit the required academic information by the prescribed
deadline.
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c. Modified Approval: The subcommittee determines the institution's request
demonstrated evidence warranting a waiver/extension of the prescribed
filing deadline; however, the subcommittee determines the length of the
extension requested by the institution is excessive or unrealistic. By issuing
a modified approval, the subcommittee permits the institution to supply the
required academic data by a deadline the subcommittee determines to be
reasonable.
The subcommittee's decision is final and not subject to further review by any other
authority.
Reconsideration
After the staff and/or Subcommittee on Data have acted on a waiver/extension request, the
institution may request a reconsideration of the decision if the institution submits new or
additional relevant information. Requests with new or additional relevant information may
not be heard by the Subcommittee on Data until the staff has reviewed and considered the
new information.
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Academic Performance Program
Data Submission
Submission
Official submission of the data used to calculate the APR and to satisfy the requirements
for the APC is due eight weeks (56 calendar days) following the first day of classes on
campus each fall term. If an institution is selected for an APP data review, the staff may
extend an institution's APR data submission deadline to January 1 or 14 calendar days after
completion of the data review, whichever is earlier. (Adopted: 06/12. Revised 6/15. Effective
for institutions selected for a data review during the 2014-15 academic year and beyond.)
The data used to calculate the GSR and Federal Graduation Rates is due by June 1.
Legislated Penalties for Failure to Submit Data (Bylaw 18.4.2.2)
An institution that fails to submit complete APR, APC or GSR data for all applicable teams
by the prescribed deadline will not be eligible to enter a team or student-athlete in
postseason competition, including the National Collegiate Championships and football
bowl games, for the current year and future years until the institution submits the requisite
data.
Notice of Penalties for Failure to Submit Data
The Committee on Academics will notify in writing the chancellor or president of each
institution that fails to submit the required APR, APC or GSR data by their respective
prescribed deadlines. This notification will be forwarded not later than 30 days after the
expired deadline and will indicate that the institution is subject to the penalties prescribed
in Bylaw
18.4.2.2.
Institutions That Do Not Provide APP Data or Usable APP Data
An institution that does not submit its APR, APC or GSR data by the submission deadline
will remain ineligible to enter a team or individual student-athlete in an NCAA
championship or other postseason competition (e.g., NCAA championships, National
Collegiate Championships, bowl games, NIT, CIT, CBI) for the current year and future
academic years until it has submitted the required APR, APC or GSR data. The institution
will be required to submit a plan that must include the steps the institution will take in
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future data collections to ensure timely submission of data or usable data. This plan is not
required before being reinstated for championships. (Revised: 10/10. Effective: 10/10.)
An institution that submits unusable APR, APC or GSR data as defined in this document
(APP data reviews) will be provided 14 calendar days to submit corrected data on
notification that the data was not usable. If the institution fails to submit corrected data,
it will be subject to the following process:
1. All teams at the institution will be immediately rendered ineligible for postseason
competition (e.g., NCAA championships, National Collegiate Championships, bowl
games, NIT, CIT, CBI). After the completion of the data review process, or when the
subcommittee concludes that all needed information has been provided by the
institution, all teams at the institution will regain eligibility for postseason
competition. [Note: A school or team(s) could be otherwise ineligible for
postseason competition (e.g., due to enforcement issues or not meeting APP
benchmark).]
2. The staff will conduct an on-campus visit unless a visit has occurred as part of the
current APP data review process. The purpose of the visit is to review
documentation supporting the institution's APP data and to conduct an educational
session regarding the APP data submission requirements and other topics as
deemed necessary by the subcommittee and/or staff. The staff/ subcommittee may
conduct additional on-campus visit(s) as part of this process.
3. Following the on-campus visit, the institution will be placed in a one-year
probationary period, which may include:
a. Recurring checks between the staff and the institution's certifying officer;
b. Required attendance for institutional representatives at NCAA Regional
Rules Seminars and/or participation in APP webinars or other educational
opportunities;
c. Creation of an academic certification and data improvement plan for review
by the staff and/or the Subcommittee on Data;
d. Submission of midyear academic data;
e. Ineligibility for public recognition of any high-performing teams and AASP
monies until useable data is submitted; and
f. Any additional corrective measures as determined by the Subcommittee on
Data.
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4. After the one-year probationary period, the staff will conduct a follow-up visit to
determine the reliability of the institution's APP data. If it is determined that the
institution's data remains unusable, the institution will remain subject to the
conditions imposed during the probationary year. In addition, institutional
representatives, including the institution's president, may be required to participate
in an in-person meeting with the full committee to discuss the issues regarding the
institution's data. A report of that meeting shall be provided to the Council for its
consideration. (Adopted: 06/10. Effective for institutions selected for data review
during the 2010-11 academic year and beyond. Revised: 04/13. Effective: 04/13.)
Delayed-Graduation Points
An institution will be awarded an APR point (i.e., "1/0") for a former student-athlete who
departed an institution without graduating and returns to the institution and graduates
with an undergraduate or graduate degree or continues enrollment at the institution
and graduates with an undergraduate or graduate degree. (Adopted: 10/16. Effective:
10/16.) This point will be awarded to the team's APR in the academic year (i.e., term) the
former student-athlete graduates, provided the former student-athlete meets the criteria
listed below.
The criteria are as follows:
1. The former student-athlete graduates from the institution in any academic year that
comprises the team's most recent four-year APR, not from another institution.
2. The former student-athlete cannot satisfy the definition to be included in the team's
APR cohort in the term in which they graduated from the institution.
3. The former student-athlete must have lost either the eligibility or retention point in
the last term in the APR cohort, or would have lost a point if the student-athlete
departed before the implementation of the APR in 2003-04 or when the institution
was first required to submit APR data (e.g., multidivisional or reclassifying
institution). (Note: If the lost eligibility or retention point was adjusted, then no
APR point was actually lost so no delayed-graduation point can be awarded.)
(Adopted: 07/06. Effective: 07/06.)
[Note: In order for an institution to award the delayed-graduation point, the former
student-athlete must graduate from the original institution where they lost the APR
point(s) or from a state university-system institution or branch campus with the same
Federal Identification Number.]
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Requests for Delayed-Graduation Points from Prior Cohort Years
Institutions are permitted to request delayed-graduation points for any student-athlete
who graduated during any academic year included in the institution's multiyear APR
cohort. Such requests will be permitted only during data submission and delayed-
graduation points awarded from prior academic year(s) will not affect the status of any
previously earned penalties or incentives. If an institution discovers that the awarding of
additional delayed-graduation points to a prior year's data would have resulted in the team
not being subject to a previously earned penalty and/or the loss of access to postseason
competition that has not yet been applied, it may request relief from the previously earned
penalty and/or loss of access to postseason competition until the first day of class of the
next academic year. Retroactive incentives are not available. Corrected data will be
included in the calculation of the APR for the current academic year and any applicable
subsequent years. (Revised: 02/16. Effective: 02/16.)
If a team with a single-year APR of 1000 is subsequently awarded delayed-graduation
points, such points will be added to the team's multiyear rate. (Adopted: 07/06.)
Unique Data Scenarios
1. Determining Eligibility of a Student-Athlete Who Leaves the Institution.
If a student-athlete departs the institution, the eligibility point is awarded for the
last term of enrollment if the student-athlete would have been academically eligible
to compete the next regular academic term. In other words, the institution must
determine what academic eligibility rules the student-athlete would have been
subject to if they had returned (i.e., institutional, conference and NCAA), apply
those standards to the student-athlete's academic record and determine if they
would have been academically eligible to compete if they had returned.
2. Determining Eligibility for Student-Athletes Who Depart an Institution or Quit the
Team Without Declaring a Degree.
If a student-athlete leaves an institution or quits the team and remains at the
institution without declaring a degree at the time degree declaration is legislatively
required, an institution may consider the student-athlete's academic record using
any of the institution's degree programs for purposes of determining if the student-
athlete would have met all required academic eligibility requirements. If, in using
this degree, the student-athlete would have been academically eligible, the
institution will be awarded the eligibility point for purposes of the APR.
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3. Determining Eligibility for Student-Athletes Who Return to an Institution after
Graduation.
Once a student-athlete has graduated, they must earn the eligibility point, but the
retention data is no longer collected. This is the case if the graduated student-athlete
continues at the original school or transfers to another Division I institution to
complete their athletic eligibility. The eligibility point is earned if the student-
athlete is academically eligible to compete in the next academic term (e.g., passes
at least six hours of degree credit, remains in good academic standing). (Revised
5/20. Effective with data collected fall 2021.)
4. Reporting Eligibility for Student-Athletes Serving a Year of Residency.
Generally, if a student-athlete required to serve an academic year in residency would
have been academically eligible to compete except for the residency requirement,
the student will receive the eligibility point for the fall term.
5. Graduation Required after Five Years of Enrollment.
After completion of a student-athlete's 10th full-time semester/15th full-time quarter
of actual full-time enrollment, the student-athlete must graduate in order to earn
the APR eligibility point for the 10th semester/15th quarter. Graduation requires the
completion of all administrative and academic requirements as defined by the
institution. A student-athlete who completes five years of enrollment and does not
graduate will lose the eligibility point for the 10th semester or 15th quarter.
See Appendix 3C to review questions and answers regarding the application of
graduation to
APR.
6. Reporting Eligibility for Student-Athletes in a Five- or Six-Year Degree Program.
a. Five- and Six-Year Degree Programs Defined.
Any baccalaureate degree program that requires at least 150-semester or 225-
quarter hours to complete is considered a five-year baccalaureate degree
program according to NCAA legislation. If the student-athlete's academic
program is identified in the institution's official catalog as a five- or six-year
baccalaureate degree program, it should be treated as such for purposes of
determining the student-athlete's APR eligibility points.
b. Five-Year Degree Programs.
A student-athlete in a five-year degree program, or a degree that requires a
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minimum of 150-semester or 225-quarter hours for completion, must have 83
percent of the degree completed and be in good academic standing to be
awarded an eligibility point for the last regular academic term of the fifth
year of enrollment.
c. Six-Year Degree Programs.
A student-athlete in a six-year degree program will be awarded a point for
eligibility at the end of the fifth year of enrollment provided the student-
athlete is in good standing and has completed all requirements of the
designated degree program for years one through five.
7. Fall Term Certification in Baseball.
A baseball student-athlete who was not academically eligible to compete in the fall
term per Bylaws 14.4.3.1.3.1, 14.4.3.1.4.2, 14.4.3.1.5, 14.4.3.2.3.1 and 14.4.3.3.2.1 may earn
the eligibility point for a term in that academic year if he would have been
academically eligible to compete in the next term of the same academic year, but for
the fall only certification requirement. (Adopted: 10/07. Effective: 08/08 for the
2008-09 APR cohort and beyond.)
8. Progress-Toward-Degree Waivers and the Eligibility Point.
Student-athletes who receive conference or NCAA waivers of academic
requirements earn the eligibility APR point based on the granting of the waiver.
[Note: This assumes all other applicable academic eligibility requirements have
been met.] Further, the point is earned if the progress-toward-degree waiver has
been granted before the APR data submission date. If the waiver was granted after
the APR data submission date, the lost eligibility point may be addressed through
the adjustment process.
9. Progress-Toward-Degree Waivers and the Retention Point.
Student-athletes who receive a progress-toward-degree waiver that permits them to
be enrolled part time, any other waiver that permits less than full-time enrollment
or who met a legislated exception to the full-time enrollment requirement are
considered retained at the time of enrollment at the institution in that next regular
academic term even if enrollment is part time.
See Appendix 3A for a review of examples of miscellaneous APR calculations.
10. Incomplete Grades.
Incomplete grades can impact a student-athlete's ability to earn the eligibility point.
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Examples:
No. 1:
A men's basketball student-athlete received athletically related
financial aid during the 2017-18 academic year. At the conclusion of
the 2018 summer term, the student-athlete received an "incomplete" in
one class that must be completed in order to be eligible to compete in
the fall and be awarded the eligibility point for the spring term. At the
institution, an "incomplete" credit is posted in the term that the
student-athlete initially enrolled in the course. Thus, in this instance,
the grade would post for the 2018 summer term. If the grade was
posted before the APR data submission date, the student-athlete
should be credited with earning the eligibility point for the spring. If
the grade is posted after the APR data submission date, the institution
may request an adjustment for the lost eligibility point and must
provide mitigation explaining why the "incomplete" was not restored
before the APR submission date.
No. 2:
A softball student-athlete receives athletically related financial aid
during the 2017-18 academic year. At the conclusion of the 2017 fall
term, the student-athlete received an "incomplete" in one class,
making them ineligible for the spring term. This student-athlete later
completes the class in a summer 2018 term. Academic eligibility is
based on satisfying institutional, conference and NCAA
requirements. This student-athlete was not eligible for the entire
spring term and completed the class in a later term. Therefore, this
student-athlete would not have earned the eligibility point for the
2017 fall term, regardless of the term in which the completed course
grade was applied.
See Appendix 3A for further questions and answers regarding incomplete grades.
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Example No. 1:
The student-athlete completed the first semester of the academic year and
earned both the eligibility and retention points. He was called to active
military service during the second semester but earned the eligibility point.
Legislated Exceptions and Allowable Exclusions
A legislated exception is any deviation from NCAA standards allowed by the legislation
itself or a waiver of the legislation. Legislated exceptions/allowable exclusions within the
APR cohort include student-athletes who:
1. Have spent time in the armed services;
2. Have participated in official religious missions;
3. Have served with recognized foreign aid services of the U.S. government;
4. Meet the pregnancy exception in Bylaw 12.8.1.5 at the time of departure;
5. Meet the requirements for an athletics activity's waiver (not an international
competition waiver); or
6. Are deceased or permanently disabled.
The following examples illustrate the practical application of legislated exceptions and
allowable exclusions impacting student-athletes' APR data entries:
Semester One ("2/2")
Retention
Yes
Eligibility
Yes
Semester Two ("1/1") – Student-athlete begins active military duty
Retention
Legislated Exception/Allowable Exclusion
Eligibility
Yes
Yearly Point Total "3/3"
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Example No. 2:
The student-athlete completed the first semester of the academic year
and earned the eligibility and retention points; but during the second
semester, they did not complete the term and did not leave
academically eligible. The student-athlete was not retained but met the
pregnancy exception.
Example No. 3:
The student-athlete completed the first semester of the academic year
and was academically eligible. The student-athlete was not retained but
met the requirements for an athletics activity waiver.
Semester One ("1/1")
Retention
Legislated Exception/Allowable Exclusion
Eligibility
Yes
Semester Two (Not enrolled)
Retention
N/A
Eligibility
N/A
Yearly Point Total "1/1"
Semester One ("2/2")
Retention
Yes
Eligibility
Yes
Semester Two ("0/1") – SA not retained—pregnancy exception
Retention
Legislated Exception/Allowable Exclusion
Eligibility
No
Yearly Point Total
"2/3"
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Example No. 4:
The student-athlete did not complete the first semester of the academic
year and did not earn the eligibility point. They met the requirements
for an athletics activity waiver.
Semester One ("0/1")
Retention
Legislated Exception/Allowable Exclusion
Eligibility
No
Semester Two (Not enrolled)
Retention
N/A
Eligibility
N/A
Yearly Point Total
"0/1"
Missed-Term Exception [Bylaw 14.4.3.6-(a)]
Once during a student-athlete's career an institution may request an APR adjustment to a
lost retention point based on the following criteria:
1. The student-athlete must meet all criteria for the missed-term exception as outlined
in Bylaw 14.4.3.6-(a);
2. The student-athlete must return to the institution as a full-time student in a future
term; and
3. The student-athlete must have lost the retention point but earned the eligibility
point in the last term in the APR cohort before departure. (Adopted: 04/07.
Effective: 04/07 for the 2006-07 APR cohort and beyond; not retroactive to any prior
year cohorts.)
Application of Waivers
The following details the application of each waiver type. Additional information may be found
in the adjustment directive.
1. Progress-toward-degree waivers - When a student-athlete is granted a progress-
toward-degree waiver, it waives the applicable progress-toward-degree requirements for
that term and deems the student-athlete academically eligible for competition in the
next regular academic term. Thus, student-athletes with an approved waiver that
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coincides with the term in which the APR eligibility point was lost, may be marked as
earning the eligibility point. If the waiver is granted after the institution has officially
submitted its required data, the institution must request an adjustment of the lost
eligibility point. Please note that progress-toward-degree waivers are only applicable to
the eligibility point.
2. Medical absence waivers (Bylaw 14.4.3.7-a) - An approved medical absence waiver
prorates the 18/27 credit-hour requirement to nine (9) credit hours per actual term of
attendance during the academic year. The application of the medical absence waiver, for
APP purposes, requires institutions to do an analysis to determine if the student-athlete
can meet the prorated requirement as well as all other applicable progress-toward-
degree requirements in the term(s) of attendance. If the student-athlete received a
medical absence waiver and can be certified as meeting all applicable progress-
toward-degree requirements, the student-athlete is considered to have earned
the eligibility point and should be marked as “yes”. If, they received the waiver
and even with the prorated requirement, the student-athlete cannot be certified
as meeting all applicable progress-toward-degree requirements, the student-
athlete is considered to have lost the eligibility point, and should be marked as
“medical absence”, which provides an adjustment to the lost point. Please note
that medical absence waivers are only applicable to the eligibility point, and lost
retention point must be addressed via the adjustment process (Revised June 2020.
Effective immediately).
3. Legislated relief waivers (four-year college transfer waivers) - An approved
legislated relief waiver for a student-athlete who departs your institution but is deemed
immediately eligible for competition at his/her new institution will still result in a lost
retention point for your institution. The institution should seek relief for the lost point
via the adjustment process. The institution may apply the automatic transfer adjustment
provided the student-athlete meets the criteria. IF the student-athlete does not meet the
criteria of the automatic transfer adjustment, the institution should submit an
adjustment request provided there is mitigation for the departure outside the control of
the student-athlete and/or institution. The approval of the legislated relief waiver alone
does not grant the institution an adjustment of the lost retention point.
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Academic Performance Program
Reviewing and Correcting Submitted Data
Data Verification
After the submission of an institution's APR and APC data, the NCAA staff completes a data
verification. This requires the staff to review the data for a number of common errors. The
staff sends any errors to the institution to allow for confirmation and makes any necessary
corrections. The institution is then moved to the seven calendar day correction period to
review its data for any other errors or omissions. (Revised: 06/16. Effective: Immediately)
Data Corrections
Institutions are able to complete non-rate-related corrections (e.g., grade-point average
change) to APR and APC data for any year at any time during the data submission process.
Corrections to rate-related items (e.g., retention point outcome) must be supported by
documentation and submitted as correction requests through the Academic Portal for staff
review. Rate-related corrections are permitted at any time during the data submission
process, through the conclusion of the seven calendar day correction period. Please note
that submitting corrections to data from prior academic years will not affect any data
reports that have already been made public, although the multiyear APR may be impacted.
(Revised: 06/16. Effective: Immediately)
Effect of Corrections on Previously Earned Penalties and/or Loss of
Postseason Access
Corrections to APR data for prior years generally will not affect the status of any previously
earned penalties, loss of access to postseason competition or rewards. However, if an
institution discovers that a correction to a prior year's data would have resulted in the team
not being subject to a previously earned penalty and/or the loss of access to postseason
competition that has not yet been applied, it may request relief from the previously earned
penalty and/or loss of access to postseason competition until the first day of class of the
academic year in which the penalty and/or loss of postseason competition were to be
taken.
If an institution discovers a correction that would place a team at a different level of the
penalty progression (e.g., Level-One Penalty, first occasion loss of access to postseason
competition), it may request relief from the previously earned progression.
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To request relief, an institution must submit a written request to the NCAA staff and
provide any necessary supporting documentation. Should staff deny a request, it may be
appealed to the Subcommittee on Data. Corrected data will be included in the calculation
of the APR for the current academic year and any applicable subsequent years. The
subcommittee's decisions are final and binding. (Adopted: 01/07. Revised: 07/13. Effective
immediately. Retroactive to the 2010-11 APR cohort submitted fall 2011. Revised: 08/15.
Effective immediately to the 2014-15 APR cohort submitted fall 2015.)
Rules Violations
NCAA member institutions are obligated to self-report all violations of NCAA legislation.
The staff/Subcommittee on Data will advise the institution of any information discovered
during the data collection process concerning possible violation(s) of NCAA legislation and
will remind the institution of its obligation to self-report violations. The
staff/subcommittee may engage the enforcement staff at any time and share information
obtained through the data collection process. (Adopted: 06/14. Effective: Immediately.)
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Academic Performance Program
Adjustments to Submitted Data
Pursuant to Bylaw 14, the Committee on Academics has the authority to provide
adjustments to the calculation of the APR. The decision to approve any adjustment to the
calculation of the APR will be based on objective evidence that demonstrates that the
normal process for accounting for the academic eligibility of the institution's student-
athlete(s) and its success in retaining and graduating its student-athletes should not apply.
The Committee on Academics' decision shall be final, conclusive and not subject to further
review by any other authority.
The staff and/or the Subcommittee on Data will review all requests for adjustments to the
calculation of the APR.
Adjustment Request Procedures
Requests to adjust the normal calculation of the APR will only be considered for each
cohort that comprises the current multiyear APR. All requests must be submitted to the
staff via the Academic Portal. This can be done before the institution submits its data for
the active reporting year. If an institution discovers additional possible adjustments after
submitting, those requests may be submitted during the seven-day
adjustment/corrections period after the data submission date. Adjustment requests can
also be submitted during data entry for the next academic year (typically beginning in
February), but those requests will not be processed until after the annual public release
(Revised 2/19. Effective immediately).
The adjustment request submitted by the institution must include a signature page or
electronic signature request signed by the chancellor or president, or their designee,
director of athletics, senior woman administrator, director of compliance or faculty
athletics representative. The adjustment request must include the reasons the institution
believes that an exception to the normal calculation of the APR is warranted. In addition
to the information included on the form, the institution may submit additional
information and supporting documentation it believes is relevant to the request. The staff
and/or Subcommittee on Data may request additional pertinent information before it
reaches a final decision. (Revised: 08/16. Effective with requests submitted fall 2016 and
beyond.)
In some circumstances, there is no need to request an adjustment through the Academic
Portal. These "automatic" adjustments (e.g., transfer adjustment, professional athletics
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departure adjustment) are entered by the institution during the data collection process.
In these instances, the institution must maintain the supporting documentation used to
confirm the adjustment criteria was met in the athletics department.
See Appendix 3F for the APR adjustment directive.
Staff Conflict of Interest
A staff member must recuse themselves from participation in an adjustment request in
which they are connected personally with an institution or conference (e.g., previous
employer, conference member, alma mater). A staff member with a personal relationship
or institutional affiliation that reasonably would result in any appearance of bias or
prejudice should refrain from participating in any manner in the processing of an APP data
adjustment request. It is the responsibility of the staff member to remove themselves if a
conflict exists.
Use of Third Parties in Adjustment Requests
Institutions are permitted to engage the assistance of a third party (e.g., outside legal
counsel, consultant who is not a full-time employee of the institution) in preparing an APP
data adjustment request or in preparing to appeal a staff decision. However, the staff is not
to discuss an adjustment request with a third party unless directed to by the institution
(e.g., chancellor or president, director of athletics) in writing. Further, the staff will
generally communicate all requests for additional documentation, decisions and any other
issues related to the request with the institutional employee designated as the adjustment
contact unless otherwise directed in writing by the institution.
Staff Review, Deliberations and Decisions
On receipt of an institution's request, the staff will review the application to ensure it is
complete, email the applicant institution the status of the request and identify the staff
member handling the request. No final decision will be rendered until the staff has received
all required documentation.
The staff has the authority to consider, deliberate and render a decision for all adjustment
requests. Staff decisions will be based on the following criteria:
• The adjustment directive approved by the Committee on Academics (See Appendix
3F) including:
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a. Mitigating circumstances and if the mitigating circumstances were within the
control of the member institution/team and/or student- athlete(s); and
b. The academic performance of the individual student-athlete.
The staff and/or Subcommittee on Data has the authority to consider, deliberate and decide
APR adjustment requests. After reviewing all information, the staff and/or Subcommittee
on Data will render one of the following decisions.
1. Approval: The staff and/or Subcommittee on Data determined that the
institution's request demonstrated evidence that warranted an adjustment of the
normal calculation of the APR for particular student-athlete(s).
2. Partial Approval: The staff and/or Subcommittee on Data determined that the
institution's request demonstrated evidence that warranted partial relief from the
normal calculation of the APR. By issuing a partial approval, the staff and/or
Subcommittee on Data is adjusting part of the normal calculation of the APR.
3. Denial: The staff and/or Subcommittee on Data determined that the institution's
request did not demonstrate circumstances that warrant an exception to the normal
calculation of the APR.
Appeals of Staff Decisions
The Committee on Academics has authorized the Subcommittee on Data to consider all
appeals of staff decisions involving requests to adjust the normal application of the APR.
After the staff has issued a decision on an adjustment request, the applicant institution may
appeal the decision to the Subcommittee on Data. The Subcommittee on Data's
determination shall be final and shall not be subject to further review by any other
authority.
The Subcommittee on Data shall conduct its deliberations by videoconference, email or
in person. Such deliberations shall involve only Subcommittee on Data members and
national office staff members.
Subcommittee Conflict of Interest
The conflict of interest section of this chapter applies to all subcommittee members'
involvement in adjustment and appeal requests.
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Ex Parte Communication
In order to maintain the integrity of the waiver process, the influence of outside discussions
and arguments should be kept to a minimum. Once an issue has been submitted to the
committee/subcommittee for review, each committee member shall not discuss the issue
with noncommittee members (e.g., the public or the membership) before discussion by the
committee.
Appeal Procedures
A member institution that seeks to appeal a staff decision shall submit the appeal request
through the Academic Portal. All appeals shall be submitted using the online procedures
provided by the NCAA. The online appeal application will produce a signature page or
electronic signature request, which must be signed by the chancellor or president, director
of athletics, senior woman administrator, faculty athletics representative or director of
compliance and be provided to the national office. The appeal must set forth the specific
grounds on which the appeal is based and the rationale for the appeal. (Revised: 02/10.
Revised: 10/16. Effective: Immediately.)
The grounds for appealing a staff decision are limited to the following criteria:
1. The staff deviated from its approved procedures; or
2. The findings of the staff are erroneous.
All appeals of a staff decision must be requested within five calendar days of electronic
notification of the staff's decision. Any appeal filed after five calendar days must include
an explanation of why the appeal was not filed within the prescribed time period. The chair
of the Subcommittee on Data shall determine whether any appeal filed after five calendar
days will be considered. Appeals filed after an institution’s data is considered final and the
president or chancellor has been notified of such cannot be considered. (Revised 10/22.
Effective: Immediately)
The appeal proceedings will continue as follows:
1. Documents to be Reviewed by the Subcommittee.
The subcommittee will receive and review a summary of the case, the institution's notification of
appeal, the staff decision and rationale and any supporting documentation
submitted by the institution will be sent to the full Subcommittee on Data for
review at a regular time each week. Each subcommittee member will have one
week from the posting of appeal materials to submit a decision. The
subcommittee's decision is final and is not subject to further review by any other
authority.
2. Subcommittee Deliberations and Decisions.
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After reviewing all information, the subcommittee will render one of the following
decisions:
a.
Uphold the staff's decision;
b.
Reverse the staff's decision; or
c.
Refer to a videoconference with the full subcommittee.
A two-thirds supermajority of subcommittee members is necessary to render a
decision. If this is not reached, then the appeal will be referred to the next
videoconference for full subcommittee discussion. If a quorum is not reached, then
the appeal will be referred to the next videoconference for full subcommittee
discussion.
The subcommittee may conduct its deliberations by videoconference, email, or in-
person meeting. Such deliberations shall include only subcommittee members and
staff members supporting the work of the Committee on Academics.
If an appeal is forwarded to a videoconference of the full subcommittee, a simple
majority of the subcommittee members present and voting is necessary for a
decision. The chair, or person serving as chair on a particular appeal, shall not vote
unless there is a tie vote among present and voting members. In situations where
there is a tie vote, the chair shall cast the deciding vote. (Revised: 06/14. Effective:
Immediately)
Reconsideration
After the staff and/or Subcommittee on Data have issued a decision on an adjustment
request, the institution may request the staff to reconsider its decision if the institution
submits new or additional relevant information. The Subcommittee on Data may not
consider requests with new or additional relevant information until the staff has reviewed
the new information. Reconsideration requests filed after an institution’s data is
considered final and the president or chancellor has been notified of such cannot be
considered. (Revised 10/22. Effective: Immediately)
Effect of Prior Years' Adjustments on Previously Earned Penalties
and/or Rewards
Adjustments to data for prior years will not affect the status of any previously earned
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penalties, loss of access to postseason competition or rewards. Adjusted data will be
considered in the calculation of the most recent multiyear APR and any applicable
subsequent years.
However, if an institution discovers that an adjustment to a prior academic year's data
would have resulted in the team not being subject to a previously earned penalty or loss of
access to postseason competition that has not yet been applied, it may request relief from
the previous penalty or loss of access to postseason competition until the first day of class
of the academic year in which the penalty and/or loss of postseason competition were to
be taken.
If an institution discovers a correction that would place a team at a different level of the
penalty progression (e.g., Level-One Penalty, first occasion loss of access to postseason
competition), it may request relief from the previously earned progression.
To request relief, an institution must submit a written request to the NCAA staff and
provide any necessary supporting documentation. Should staff deny a request, it may be
appealed to the Subcommittee on Data. Adjusted data will be included in the calculation
of the APR for the current academic year and any applicable subsequent years. The
subcommittee's decisions are final and binding. (Adopted: 07/06. Revised: 01/07, 08/15.
Effective immediately to the 2014-15 APR cohort submitted fall 2015.)
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Academic Performance Program
Head Coaches APR Portfolio
During its January 2009 meeting, the Board of Directors approved a publicly available
database for reporting the APR for all Division I head coaches. During the 2008-09
APR/APC data collection, institutions were required to submit the names and employment
dates for all head coaches in the sports of baseball, men's and women's basketball, football
and women's indoor and outdoor track and field. During the 2009-10 APR/APC data
collection, institutions were required to submit data for all other sports as well as the
updated 2009-10 data for the original six sports. This data is required for all head coaches
employed from August 1, 2003, to the present.
For purposes of this data, only coaches officially employed by a Division I institution as a
head coach will have an APR calculated in the database. A head coach designated as an
"interim," will be included in the portal for the "interim" period, but no APR will be
calculated for the interim coach.
Head coaches will have the opportunity to review their employment history and single-
year APR data during a designated time period, to be specified.
Beginning with the 2010-11 data collection, institutions need only update the head coach
data for sports in which there was a coaching change within the last academic year.
Additionally, institutions must verify the accuracy of the data and make any corrections
before submitting the APR/APC data. If corrections are needed after the institution has
submitted its APR/APC data, institutions may request changes during the seven-day
correction phase. (Revised: 10/16. Effective: Immediately)
See Appendix 3I for questions and answers to assist the membership in its understanding
of the data collection for head coaches.
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Academic Performance Program
Data Reviews
NCAA Constitution 3.2.4.4 and the Committee on Academics' policies and procedures
require that all Division I teams and all institutions reclassifying to Division I submit APP
data. All APP data submitted pursuant to Constitution 3.2.4.4 must conform to the
committee's policies and procedures. In order to ensure the uniformity and accuracy of
submitted APP data, the committee will review APP data submitted by selected institutions
annually. The committee has completed its first review of all APP data and has authorized
a second cycle of data reviews. The subcommittee and staff will review the APR and GSR
data of each selected institution.
Data Reviews Impact on Data Submission
APP processes should operate as one continuous process with APP data reviews serving as
the entry point to data submission. Therefore, APP data reviews should be complete before
an institution submits APR data each fall. For data reviews not completed by the fall APR
submission due date:
1. Staff shall have the authority to extend an institution's APR data submission
deadline until January 1 or 14 calendar days after completion of the data review,
whichever is earlier; and
2. Any APR data corrections resulting from the data review that are confirmed by
December 1 will be considered in determining the current multiyear APR and
penalties. After December 1, no corrections discovered in the data review process
will impact the team's current multiyear APR or APP penalties, other than those
made during the institution's data correction phase.
Data Review Process
1. Selection.
The staff/subcommittee will select institutions for data review based on the
following:
a. Reclassifying institutions;
b. Institutions with substantial corrections during previous reviews;
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c. Elapsed time since the last review;
d. Selection of institutions with teams near the APP penalty benchmarks;
e. Warnings generated by the APP data collection program;
f. Manual review of submitted data;
g. Any data irregularities; and
h. Random selection.
Additionally, the subcommittee can require an institution have a follow-up review
based on one or more of the following factors (Revised: 06/17. Effective:
Immediately):
a. Failure to respond to staff/subcommittee requests;
b. Lack of or incomplete policies and procedures;
c. Lack of or incomplete eligibility certification forms;
d. Misapplication of progress-toward-degree legislation;
e. Eligibility recertification resulting in loss of APR eligibility points; and/or
f. Other factors determined by the subcommittee.
There are no specified guidelines regarding sample size or selection method.
Individuals performing the data review will use an appropriate sample size based on
professional judgment in the particular circumstances.
A letter will be sent to the institution's chancellor or president informing them the
institution has been chosen to participate in the APP data review process. This
letter will also include:
a. A link to the committee's APP data review procedures; and
b. Request for primary and secondary contacts for the purpose of completing
the review.
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2. Responsibilities of the Chancellor or President.
Throughout the APP data review process, the chancellor or president must make it
clear, by word and action, that the review is a priority and that all individuals related
to APP data submission are involved and responsible for the review.
The chancellor or president is responsible for appointing the institution's primary
and secondary contacts. The contacts should have clear authority from and ready
access to the chancellor or president. By doing so, the chancellor or president
communicates the importance that the institution attaches to the review process
and encourages the institution to take the review process seriously. The primary
contact must be a full-time employee of the institution.
3. Responsibilities of the Primary and Secondary Contacts.
The primary and secondary contacts serve as liaisons between the institution and
the staff member. The duties of the primary and secondary contacts include:
a. Facilitate the collection of requested documentation;
b. Answer questions that arise during the review;
c. Prepare the institution's response to the preliminary findings; and
d. Carry out any actions required by the subcommittee because of the review.
4. Conference Office Involvement.
Conference office involvement in the APP data review process is optional. The
conference office will receive copies of initial requests for information and the final
report for the review.
The institution will inform the staff member of any additional conference office
involvement in the process.
5. Third Party Involvement.
Third parties hired by the institution to assist with the data review process are
permitted. However, all communication will take place between staff and the
institutional contact. Staff will not communicate with third parties unless
authorized to do so by the institution. Such authorization must include a signed
statement from the director of athletics expressly granting permission for staff to
communicate with the third party. If any third party attempts to contact staff about
a data review, staff will direct that person back to the institutional contact.
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6. Scope of Data Review.
A staff member will review the institution's APR data and GSR data only to verify
the accuracy of the data submitted by the institution. The institution will be
expected to cooperate with the staff throughout the APP data review process,
including providing all requested documentation and responding according to
established timelines. During the review process, the staff has the authority to
determine whether a more comprehensive review is required (e.g., increase sample
size, expand the review). The subcommittee and staff have the authority to request
additional information and establish deadlines for the institution to respond to the
request for documentation. In addition, staff has the authority to determine that an
on-campus visit is necessary. Staff will notify the institution of the need for such a
visit.
7. Introductory Teleconference.
A staff member will conduct an introductory teleconference with the contacts and
others identified by the institution following receipt of the names of the primary
and secondary contacts. The purpose of the teleconference is to review the
following:
a. The purpose of the APP data review;
b. Committee expectations regarding participation;
c. The decision to include the institution in the review process;
d. The APP data review procedures;
e. Possible on-campus visits;
f. General review timeline; and
g. Possible outcomes of the APP data review.
Before the teleconference, the institution will receive an initial request for
documentation. Staff will review that request during the teleconference and will
answer any questions the institutional contacts may have about the request. The
institution will have four weeks from the introductory teleconference to respond to
that request. (Revised: 04/13. Effective: Immediately.)
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8. Preliminary Report.
After staff has completed its review of the APP data, they will provide the institution
with a preliminary report of its findings.
The institution will have two weeks to respond to the preliminary report.
9. Corrections to the Data.
Institutions are permitted to make corrections to its data after receiving the staff's
preliminary report and reaching agreement with staff on the accuracy of the
findings. All unresolved issues will be reviewed by the subcommittee.
10. Subcommittee Review.
The subcommittee will review the institution's preliminary report and responses.
Please note the subcommittee may make any or all of the following findings:
a. No Action Required: Based on the results of the review, the subcommittee
considers the institution's APP data to be in substantial conformity with the
applicable NCAA legislation and the Committee on Academics policies and
procedures, and the institution is not required to take any action regarding
its APP data in a particular area.
b. Recommended Action: Based on the results of the review, the
subcommittee considers the institution's APP data to be in general
conformity with the applicable NCAA legislation and the Committee on
Academics policies and procedures but recommends the institution
implement steps to ensure that the institution's APP data remains in
conformity with all applicable legislation and policies and procedures.
c. Required Actions: Based on the staff's findings of the review, the
subcommittee does not consider the institution's data to be in conformity
with applicable legislation and the Committee on Academics policies and
procedures. The institution will be required to take actions that will bring it
in conformity.
Additionally, the subcommittee may require the institution to change and/or
create policies regarding the compilation, review, and submission of APP
data, provide additional documentation or information and/or require the
institution's data in this area to be reviewed during a subsequent data review.
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11. Final Report.
The subcommittee will provide the institution with a final report of its findings. The
report will provide the subcommittee findings in each area and any action for the
institution regarding these findings. The subcommittee's decisions are final and
cannot be appealed.
If an institution fails to take the required action(s) within the stated period, the
institution's data will be considered invalid, and the institution will be considered
to have not submitted its APP data and will be ineligible for any NCAA
championship or bowl game until the required action is taken.
12. Failure to Comply with Staff and/or Subcommittee Requests.
If the institution fails to provide information or documentation within the stated
period as requested by the staff or subcommittee, the institution's chancellor or
president will be required to participate on a teleconference with the chair of the
subcommittee and/or other individuals as deemed necessary. If the institution
continues to fail to provide requested information or documentation to the staff or
subcommittee in a timely manner, the subcommittee has the authority to deem the
institution's data unusable. (Revised: 04/13. Effective: Immediately.)
13. Required Changes to Submitted Data and Impact of Changes on Penalties.
If an institution is required to amend its previously submitted APR and/or GSR data,
any resulting change to the institution's APR and/or GSR will not affect the status
of any previously earned APP penalties or loss of access to postseason competition.
Additionally, any APR data corrections resulting from the data review that are
confirmed by December 1 will be considered in determining the current multiyear
APR and penalties for the following academic year. After December 1, no corrections
discovered in the data review process will impact the team's multiyear APR or APP
penalties for the following academic year, other than those made through the data
correction phase. (Adopted: 02/12. Revised 06/15; effective for institutions selected
for a data review during the 2014-15 academic year and beyond.)
14. Ethical Considerations.
The following guidelines have been established for data reviews in an effort to
protect the integrity of the APP data review process:
a. All aspects of the data review visit are to be treated as confidential. This
confidentiality extends to evaluation materials provided by the institution
(including institutional responses to the staff's findings), issues identified by
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the staff/subcommittee, staff files and notes, and conversations with the
institution.
b. Institutions should not offer, and staff members may not accept gifts or
gratuities of any kind.
15. Rules Violations.
NCAA member institutions are obligated to self-report all violations of NCAA
legislation. The staff/subcommittee will advise the institution of any information
discovered during the data review process concerning possible violation(s) of NCAA
legislation and will remind the institution of its obligation to self-report violations.
The staff/subcommittee may engage the enforcement staff at any time and share
information obtained through the data review process.
If the staff/subcommittee has identified possible violations impacting current
student-athletes, the staff/subcommittee may suspend the APP data review until the
enforcement investigation is complete. The staff/subcommittee may use
information gathered by the enforcement staff in the APP data review process. In
addition, if the staff/subcommittee refers a potential violation to enforcement, the
subcommittee may delay issuing all or part of its final report until the institution
has determined whether a violation has occurred and the effect, if any, the violation
has on the institution's APP data. (Adopted: 06/14. Effective: Immediately.)
16. Deadline to Notify Student-Athletes of Pending Postseason Ineligibility.
Institutions must notify student-athletes on teams potentially subject to postseason
competition restrictions by June 1 in instances in which the institution's data review
and/or APP waiver processes are incomplete. This policy permits student-athletes
in their last season of competition to transfer, if desired, in accordance with current
committee policies, even if the data review or waiver request has not been fully
resolved. (Adopted: 10/13. Effective: Immediately.)
17. Waiver of the Deadline to Notify Student-Athletes of Pending Postseason
Ineligibility.
The June 1 notification date can be appealed to the subcommittee in instances in
which there are mitigating circumstances beyond the control of the institution that
impact the timely resolution of the data review and/or waiver request. Such a
request must be made in writing by the institution's chancellor or president. The
subcommittee shall conduct its deliberations by videoconference, email or in
person. Such deliberations shall involve only the subcommittee members and staff
members.
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Should the subcommittee deny such a request, an appeal of the subcommittee's
decision would be considered by the chair of the committee and, in instances of a
conflict of interest, by the vice chair of the committee. The appeal request must be
submitted within seven calendar days of the receipt of the notification of the
subcommittee's decision.
The chair's (or vice chair's) consideration of the appeal must be based on the
following criteria: The institution must demonstrate that the subcommittee abused
its discretion in denying the request. Abuse of discretion occurs when the
subcommittee fails to follow NCAA legislation and/or established APP policies and
procedures and the failure to adhere to legislation or policies that reasonably could
have resulted in a different decision. The chair (or vice chair) has the ability to
request clarification of any facts from the chair of the subcommittee.
The chair (or vice chair) will conduct a review on the paper record and the
institution will not participate in the review. The chair (or vice chair) may approve
or deny the appeal request. If the chair (or vice chair) denies the request, this
decision is final and no further appellate opportunity is provided. (Adopted: 10/13.
Effective: Immediately.)
18. Data Review On-Campus Visit
a. Notification.
Staff has the authority to determine that an on-campus review of APP data is
necessary at any point in the process. Staff will inform the institution's
chancellor or president of the decision to conduct a visit.
b. Length of Visit.
The APP data review visits will generally take place over a two-day period.
Every effort will be made to establish a schedule in advance that reflects
accurately the length and scope of the visit. Unanticipated events may
require changes in the schedule at the time of the visit; therefore, staff has
the authority to modify the schedule as necessary within the established time
period.
c. Introductory Meeting.
Staff will conduct an informal meeting at the beginning of the visit with the
institution's chancellor/president, primary and secondary contacts and any
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individuals the chancellor/president elects to invite. The purpose of the
meeting is to introduce the staff member(s) and to provide a brief outline of
what staff will be doing while on campus.
d. Education Sessions.
Staff will conduct an informal educational session regarding APP data
submission during the in-person visit. The institution may invite
participants at its discretion. The purpose of the educational session is to
discuss issues that arose from the data review and to provide the institution's
staff with an opportunity to ask questions regarding the APP data submission
process. Please note, this session is not intended to cover general NCAA
interpretive questions or to discuss the merits of the APP.
Staff will also conduct an educational session regarding the APP for the
institution's coaches and other administrators not directly involved in the
data review or in the normal collection and submission of the APP data.
e. Exit Meeting.
Staff will conduct an informal meeting at the end of the visit with the
institution's chancellor or president and any other individuals at the
chancellor or president's discretion. The purpose of the meeting is to provide
general impressions of the visit and to share information, including any
serious problems that were discovered during the visit that may be contained
in the staff's formal written preliminary report. Finally, staff should provide
information regarding the next steps in the process and the anticipated
timetable.
f. Costs of the On-Campus Visit.
The costs related to APP data review will be shared by the institution and the
NCAA. The institution is responsible for work-related needs (e.g., copiers,
meetings rooms, computers, access, printers) for the staff member(s) during
the visit, as well as all costs associated with preparation and providing
requested documentation. The NCAA is responsible for
expenses of staff
member(s) related to the data review visit
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Unusable Data
An institution's data will be considered unusable if an institution fails to submit complete
data, is unable to provide documentation to verify the validity of its APP data or fails to
comply with staff and/or subcommittee requests on timelines during the data review.
(Adopted: 04/13. Effective: 04/13.)
Any institution that has its data rendered unusable shall have until the following academic
year to regain championship eligibility. Specifically, the institution will have until August
15 (for fall championship sports, winter championship sports and spring championship
sport with fall competition used for championship selection) and October
1 (for spring championship sports) in the following academic year to rectify its unusable
data and regain access to championships. (Adopted: 10/14. Effective: 10/14.)
If it is determined that an institution has submitted unusable data during the APP data
review process, the following will occur:
1. All teams at the institution will be immediately rendered ineligible for postseason
competition (e.g., NCAA championships, National Collegiate Championships,
football bowl games, NIT, CIT, CBI). After the completion of the data review
process, or when the subcommittee concludes that all required information has
been provided by the institution and the accuracy of the data has been verified, all
teams at the institution will regain access to postseason competition. [Note: A
school or teams could be otherwise ineligible for postseason competition (e.g., due
to enforcement issues or not meeting APP benchmark).]
2. Staff will conduct an on-campus visit unless a visit has occurred as part of the
current APP data review process. The purpose of the visit is to review
documentation supporting the institution's APP data and to conduct an educational
session regarding APP data submission requirements and other topics as deemed
necessary by the subcommittee and/or staff. Staff or subcommittee may conduct
additional on-campus visit(s) as part of this process.
3. The institution will be placed in a one-year probationary period, which may include:
a. Recurring checks between staff and the institution's certifying officer;
b. Required attendance for institutional representatives at Regional Rules
Seminars and/or participation in APP webinars or other educational
opportunities;
c. Creation of an academic certification and data-improvement plan for review
by staff and/or the subcommittee;
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d. Submission of midyear academic data;
e. Expanded data review to include additional teams and/or academic years;
f. Ineligibility for public recognition of any high-performing teams and AASP
monies until the APP data review is complete; and
g. Any additional corrective measures as determined by the subcommittee.
4. After the one-year probationary period, staff will conduct a follow-up visit to
determine the reliability of the institution's APP data.
Subcommittee Review.
1. The subcommittee may review the institution's data review documentation, at any
point during the probationary period, to determine whether the institution may
regain postseason eligibility. The subcommittee may determine:
a. The institution has provided the requested documentation, and/or the
accuracy of the data has been verified. In this case, the institution's teams
would regain access to postseason competition, but the institution would
remain in the probationary period; or
b. The institution has not provided the requested documentation, the
institution has provided incomplete information, and/or the inaccuracies
remain in the data. In this case, the institution's teams would remain
ineligible for postseason competition and the institution would remain in the
probationary period.
The subcommittee's decision is final and cannot be appealed.
2. At the conclusion of the probationary period, staff will conduct an on-campus visit
to determine the validity of the APP data. After the visit, the subcommittee will
review the institution's data review documentation. The subcommittee may
determine:
a. The institution's APP data is usable. The institution and staff will confirm
the institution's APP data and complete the data review process. The
subcommittee will provide the institution with a final report and notify the
chancellor or president in writing that the data review is complete.
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b. The institution's data remains unusable.
If the institution's teams previously regained access to postseason
competition during the probationary period, the institution will be placed
into another one-year probationary period and will be subject to conditions
2 through 4 listed above.
If the institution's teams did not regain access to postseason competition
during the probationary period, the institution will be placed into another
one-year probationary period and will be subject to conditions 1 through 4
listed above. In addition, institutional representatives, including the
institution's president, may be required to participate in an in-person
meeting with the full committee to discuss the issues regarding the
institution's data. A report of that meeting will be provided to the Division I
Council for its consideration. (Adopted: 06/10. Effective for institutions
selected for data review during the 2010-11 academic year and beyond. Revised:
04/13. Effective: Immediately. Revised 05/15. Effective Immediately.)
3. At the end of a second probationary period, staff will conduct an on-campus visit to
determine the validity of the APP data. After the visit, the subcommittee will review
the institution's data review documentation. The subcommittee may determine:
a. The institution's APP data is usable. The institution and staff will confirm
the accuracy of the institution's APP data. The subcommittee will provide
the institution with a final report and notify the chancellor or president in
writing that the data review is complete.
b. The institution's APP data is unusable. Institutional representatives,
including the institution's chancellor or president, will be required to
participate in an in-person meeting with the full committee to discuss the
issues regarding the institution's data. A report of that meeting will be
provided to Division I Council for its consideration.
Final Report.
When the subcommittee determines the institution's data to be usable and that all
requirements have been met, the subcommittee will provide the institution with a final
report of its findings. The subcommittee findings are final and cannot be appealed. Please
note, an institution's data review is not complete until the subcommittee notifies an
institution's chancellor or president in writing that the review is complete.
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Permission to Contact/Waiver of Transfer Residency.
If an institution's data are deemed unusable, the subcommittee has the authority to
recommend a waiver of the transfer residency requirements for a student-athlete who has
one season of eligibility remaining (if the transfer requirements are met), at its discretion,
based on the facts of each institution's case. (Adopted: 07/13. Effective: 08/13 for
institutions with data deemed unusable on or after 08/01/13 and beyond. Revised: 8/18.
Effective: Immediately)
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Committee on Academics Subcommittee on Data
Interpretations
Interpretations
The Committee on Academics shall oversee all aspects of the APP. These responsibilities
include interpreting all APP data legislation and policies and procedures, including, but
not limited to those referenced in Bylaws 14, 15.01.8 and 18.4.2.3. The Committee on
Academics has the exclusive authority to interpret and provide written interpretations for
all aspects of the APP. Neither the NCAA Division I Interpretations Committee nor the
NCAA Division I Committee for Legislative Relief has the authority to provide any type of
relief or render a decision for a request that involves legislation and/or policies and
procedures relative to the APP.
The Committee on Academics shall render decisions related to legitimate interpretative
inquiries regarding the application of APP legislation and policies and procedures. The
committee does not have the authority to make or change legislation but shall interpret
legislation and policies consistent with its intent.
The Committee on Academics also shall consider and recommend editorial revisions and
official interpretations it has issued for inclusion into the NCAA Division I Manual and will
review all related staff interpretations to maintain the integrity of the interpretation
process.
Interpretive Request Process
1. Types of interpretations that can be issued:
The committee/subcommittee shall issue an official interpretation only when it is
determined by that group that the issue is one of national significance. When an
official interpretation is issued, it will be issued as either a confirmation or
determination. Listed below is the distinction between the two:
a. A confirmation is a verification of the legislation and or policies and
procedures. The confirmation is responsive to an inquiry and is binding on
all institutions for present and past actions.
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b. A determination is an interpretation issued when an issue or fact is not
clearly addressed by the legislation and/or policies and procedures. It is
binding on the institution making the request and other institutions once it
is published to the Division I membership.
2. Receipt of the Interpretive Request.
Generally, the subcommittee will review interpretative requests in the following
situations:
a. Referrals from the NCAA academic and membership affairs staff regarding
the application of legislation, other interpretations and/or policies and
procedures.
b. Referrals from Division I governance entities (e.g., cabinets/committees) of
issues related to the application of legislation and/or policies and procedures.
c. A request by a member institution or conference to review an interpretation
provided by the academic and membership affairs staff or the application of
the APP legislation and/or policies and procedures, provided the legislation,
policies or other official interpretations do not address the issue.
When necessary, member institutions and/or conferences must make all
interpretative requests before filing an appeal of an APP penalty. Further, the
interpretations process must be complete, including final review of any interpretive
appeals, before proceeding with a related appeal of any penalties. Once an appeal
has been filed, it will be assumed that the institution does not have any outstanding
interpretative questions or concerns related to the imposed penalties.
3. Required Documentation.
Interpretative requests from a member institution or conference must be submitted
in writing. Requests from a member institution may be submitted by the
institution's conference or by one of the five individuals authorized to request such
interpretations on behalf of the institution (i.e., chancellor or president, athletics
director, faculty athletics representative, senior woman administrator or
compliance coordinator).
When seeking an interpretive clarification, an institution or conference must submit
an interpretive request and supporting documentation outlining the issue in
question. The request must outline the limitations in the applications of current
legislation and/or official interpretations to the institution's specific circumstances.
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4. Staff and Committee/Subcommittee Interpretations/Legislation Review.
a. Staff Review: All interpretative requests must be forwarded in writing to
the staff liaisons to the Committee on Academics. The staff liaisons will
review each request and, if possible, will provide a written response. If
appropriate, the staff will issue a staff interpretation. The Committee on
Academics or one of its subcommittees will review all staff interpretations.
b. Committee Review: If the staff is unable to render a decision or if the issue
is of national significance, the staff may forward the interpretative request to
the Committee on Academics and/or a subcommittee of Committee on
Academics based on the topical nature of the request. The committee and/or
subcommittees shall review the following issues:
(1) Subcommittee on Data: All issues related to the following: defining
the APR cohort; filing APR, APC or GSR data; notification of Level-
One and -Two penalties; appeals/extension requests; and all other
matters referred to the subcommittee by the Committee on
Academics chair for review.
(2) Subcommittee on Penalties and Appeals: All issues related to the
imposition and/or appeal of Level-One and -Two penalties, any other
matters related to appeals and all other matters referred to the
subcommittee by the Committee on Academics chair for review.
(3) Full Committee: All issues related to the penalties and rewards
structure. In addition, the Committee on Academics will be the final
authority to hear appeals of subcommittee interpretations, as well as
to review all subcommittee interpretations. (Revised: 04/07. Effective:
04/07.)
5. Meeting Protocol.
Committee meetings may occur in person, by videoconference, by email or by any
other means deemed appropriate by the chair. The respective subcommittee or
committee shall meet as often as necessary during the academic year to review
interpretative issues related to the application of legislation and/or policies and
procedures. All subcommittee decisions will be reviewed by the full committee.
All materials provided by the entity requesting the interpretation, along with a
summary/background information sheet prepared by the staff, shall be forwarded
to the appropriate subcommittee before the request being reviewed.
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The staff liaison will provide a brief summation of the issue and will provide any
legislative or interpretative assistance as needed or requested by the
committee/subcommittee. Only the staff liaisons and committee or subcommittee
members shall participate in review of the issue unless additional individuals are
invited to be on the videoconference by the chair of the committee or
subcommittee.
For the committee or subcommittee to deliberate and render a decision, a quorum
of more than 50 percent of the committee or subcommittee members eligible to
vote must be present.
The conflict of interest section of this document applies to the committee members'
involvement in interpretive matters.
6. Issuance of Interpretations.
Interpretations issued by the committee/subcommittee/staff shall be binding
immediately on notification to the affected institution or conference. Institutions
will be notified initially by telephone and subsequently in writing after the
committee/subcommittee's minutes of the meeting have been finalized. All other
member institutions are bound by the committee/subcommittee's interpretation
after publication and circulation to the membership. If an issue is of national
significance, an official interpretation shall be issued and published on LSDBi.
7. Review/Appeals.
The Committee on Academics shall review all interpretations issued by the
subcommittees and may approve, reverse, or modify such interpretations. A
member institution or conference may appeal a subcommittee(s)'s interpretation to
the Committee on Academics within 30 calendar days following the subcommittee's
decision. Such appeals must be submitted in writing by the institution's chancellor
or president, athletics director, or faculty athletics representative and must set
forth an interpretative argument as to why the decision of the subcommittee is
erroneous.
The Committee on Academics interpretive decisions are final, and no additional
appeal opportunity exists for a member institution or conference.
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8. Ex Parte Communication.
To maintain the integrity of the interpretation process, the influence of outside
discussions and arguments should be kept to a minimum. Once an issue has been
submitted to the committee/subcommittee for review, each committee member
shall not discuss the issue with noncommittee members (e.g., the public or the
membership) before discussion by the committee.
3A-1
NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate Calculation Examples
2023-24
Appendix 3A
APPENDIX 3A
NCAA Division I Academic Progress
Rate
Calculation Examples
Example No. 1: A student-athlete enrolled full time in the fall semester, earned
eligibility and returned for the spring semester. The student-
athlete enrolled full time in the spring, withdrew in the sixth week
of the semester after the census date and did not earn any hours.
The student-athlete does not return to the institution the next fall
term.
Answer: This student-athlete would earn “2/2” in fall and “0/2” in spring,
assuming the student-athlete did not earn the eligibility point.
Example No. 2: In the fall term, a student-athlete enrolled full time and earned the
eligibility point; however, the student-athlete did not enroll in the
spring. The student-athlete then returned to school full time the
next fall.
Answer: The student-athlete earned “1/2” points for the fall term and would
not receive the retention point. The student-athlete is not in the
cohort for the spring term.
Example No. 3: A student-athlete enrolled full time in the fall term and was not
academically eligible for the spring term. The student-athlete did
not enroll in the spring term. The student-athlete attended
summer classes and became eligible for the fall term. Then, the
student-athlete returned full time in the next fall term.
Answer: This student-athlete earned “0/2” points for the fall term and
remained "0/2" despite regaining eligibility during the summer.
The eligibility point is based on eligibility going into the next
regular academic term, which was spring. The student-athlete was
not included in the spring cohort, so the student-athlete was "0/2"
for the entire academic year.
Example No. 4: A student-athlete enrolled full time in the fall term and
participated in a study-abroad program sponsored or affiliated with
the institution in the spring term. The student-athlete earned
eligibility for the next academic year and was retained in the next
fall term.
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NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate Calculation Examples
2023-24
Appendix 3A
Answer: The student-athlete earned "2/2" points for the fall term and
earned "2/2" points for the spring term.
[Note: The student-athlete must be participating in a study-abroad
program that is affiliated with the student-athlete's institution. If a
student-athlete participated in a study-abroad program that is
independent of the student-athlete's institution, the student-
athlete would lose the retention point and earn "1/2" points.]
Example No. 5: A student-athlete on athletics aid was enrolled full time in the fall
term and attended classes for 15 days, which is after the official
census date, at Institution A. The student-athlete subsequently
transferred before Institution B's census date and before the fifth
week of classes and completed the fall term at Institution B.
Answer: The student-athlete is included in the fall cohort at Institution A
and Institution B. The student-athlete was enrolled full time as of
the fifth week of classes or the official census date, whichever is
earlier at both institutions.
Example No. 6: A student-athlete was enrolled in the winter term and was
academically eligible to compete at the end of the term. The
student-athlete spent the spring term in a co-op program as part of
their degree program. The student-athlete was considered enrolled
full time by the institution but received no credit hours for the co-
op program and will need a progress-toward-degree waiver to be
eligible the following fall.
Answer: The student-athlete earned a "2/2" for the winter term and is part
of the spring cohort if the student-athlete was on athletics aid.
However, since the student-athlete earned no credit hours, they
are a "1/2" for the spring term unless a progress-toward-degree
waiver is granted. If a progress-toward-degree waiver is granted,
the student-athlete will earn "2/2" points.
Example No. 7: Following the completion of the fall term, a football student-
athlete graduates and exhausts his eligibility. The student-athlete
enrolls full time in the spring and is on athletics aid. Is the student-
athlete in the APR cohort for the spring term?
Answer: The student-athlete would not be in the APR cohort for the spring.
Student-athletes who have graduated and have exhausted athletics
eligibility shall not be included in the APR cohort even if such
students appear to meet criteria to be included in the APR cohort.
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NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate Calculation Examples
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Appendix 3A
Example No. 8: If a student-athlete uses an exception to the full-time enrollment
requirement and then does not fulfill the conditions of that
requirement (e.g., a student-athlete enrolled in less than a full-time
program of studies required to complete graduation requirements
does not graduate in that term), how should an institution calculate
the student-athlete's APR?
Answer: The student-athlete would not earn the eligibility point for the
term in which the student-athlete enrolled in less than a full-time
program of studies and failed to graduate. Losing the eligibility
point would be consistent with the application of the exception for
less than full-time enrollment for the final semester of a student-
athlete's baccalaureate degree program. Such a student-athlete
who fails to complete all degree requirements during the term
forfeits eligibility in all sports.
Example No. 9: A student-athlete transfers from Institution A to Institution B
between their fourth and fifth semesters (or sixth and seventh
quarters) without designating a degree at Institution A. May
Institution A apply the degree of its choice to the student-athlete's
academic record for purposes of determining the student-athlete's
eligibility for data collection?
Answer: Yes. If a student-athlete leaves an institution or quits the team and
remains at the institution without designating a degree at the time
degree designation is legislatively required, an institution may
consider the student-athlete's academic record using any of the
institution's degree programs for purposes of determining if the
student-athlete would have met all required academic eligibility
requirements. If, in using this degree, the student-athlete would
have been academically eligible, the institution will be awarded the
eligibility point for purposes of the APR.
Example No. 10: A student-athlete transfers to Institution X, enters in the fall term
and must serve one year of residency (e.g., does not satisfy a
transfer exception). The student-athlete is retained for the spring
term and meets all applicable academic eligibility requirements to
be eligible for competition in the spring term (e.g., six-hour and
grade-point average requirements). Does the student-athlete earn
the fall eligibility point even though serving an academic year in
residence?
Answer: Yes. If the student-athlete would have been academically eligible to
compete except for the transfer-residency requirement, the student
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NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate Calculation Examples
2023-24
Appendix 3A
will receive the eligibility point for the fall term.
Example No. 11: A student-athlete is a nonqualifier at Institution X entering in the
fall term and must serve one year of residency (e.g., does not satisfy
initial-eligibility requirements). The student-athlete is retained for
the spring term and meets all applicable academic eligibility
requirements but is serving a year of residency and is not able to
compete in the spring. Does this student-athlete earn the eligibility
APR point for the spring term?
Answer: Yes. If the student-athlete is academically eligible to compete
except for the residency requirement, the student-athlete will
receive the eligibility point for the spring term.
Example No. 12: A student-athlete is in the APR cohort in the 2015 fall semester; but
in preparation for the 2016 summer Olympics, receives an
international competition waiver and is not enrolled in the spring
for the 2016 spring semester. Does the student-athlete lose the
retention point?
Answer: No. The retention point would not be calculated and no
adjustment would be needed. This is consistent with the
calculation for student-athletes who are allowable exclusions to the
graduation rate calculation or meet legislative exceptions to the
five-year clock. Further, such student-athletes would not be
included in the cohort for the spring term.
If an institution receives an athletics activities waiver for a student-
athlete that participated in the Olympics, the institution should
follow all prompts in the Academic Portal related to legislated
exception/allowable exclusion to address the lost retention point.
If an institution does not receive or has yet to apply for an athletics
activities waiver, the institution will lose the retention point;
however, the institution would be permitted to file an adjustment
request during the appropriate period to address the lost retention
point.
Example No. 13: A student-athlete is found to have violated the institution’s
academic policy by engaging in academic misconduct. However,
the student-athlete remains in good academic standing at the
institution in accordance with institutional policy. Does the student
earn the APR eligibility point for the term?
Answer: No since the violation was an academic violation.
3A-5
NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate Calculation Examples
2023-24
Appendix 3A
Legislative Exceptions and Allowable Exclusions.
Example No. 1: A student-athlete enrolls full time in 2016 spring term and would be
eligible for the following academic term but is not retained due to
participation in an official religious mission. How is the spring 2016
retention point considered?
Answer: As participation on an official religious mission is considered a
legislated exception, the student-athlete's retention status for 2016
spring should be entered as "Legislated Exception/Allowable
Exclusion." The student-athlete would be considered a "1/1."
Example No. 2: A student-athlete enrolls full time in 2015 fall term, but before
completing the term the student-athlete dies. Is the student-athlete
included in the APR cohort?
Answer: Yes. A student-athlete who passes away during the term is included in
APR for that term. The retention at the end of the term should be
entered as “Legislated Exception/Allowable Exclusion” with the reason
for non-retention listed as “Death or Permanent Disability.” The
student will earn the eligibility point and will be considered “1/1.”
Example No. 3: A student-athlete enrolls full time in the 2015 fall term and becomes
pregnant during the term. The student-athlete earns the eligibility
point but does not return for the 2016 spring term. How is the
student-athlete's 2015 fall retention point considered?
Answer: As pregnancy is considered a legislated exception, the student-
athlete's retention status for 2015 fall should be entered as
"Legislated Exception/Allowable Exclusion." The student-athlete
would be considered a "1/1."
Incomplete Grades – Examples of Posting for APR Calculation
Example No. 1: A basketball student-athlete receives athletically related financial
aid during the 2018-19 academic year. At the end of the 2019
summer term, the student-athlete received an "incomplete" in one
class that must be completed for them to be eligible to compete in
the fall and be awarded the eligibility point for the spring term. At
3A-6
NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate Calculation Examples
2023-24
Appendix 3A
the institution, an "incomplete" credit is posted in the term that
the student-athlete initially enrolled in the course. Thus, in this
instance, the grade would post for the 2013 summer term. How
would this be reflected in the APR?
Answer: If the grade was posted before the APR data submission date, the
student-athlete should be credited with earning the eligibility
point for the spring. If the grade is posted after the APR data
submission date, the institution may request an adjustment for the
lost eligibility point and must provide mitigation explaining why
the "incomplete" was not restored before the APR submission date.
Example No. 2: A softball student-athlete receives athletically related financial aid
during the 2018-19 academic year. At the conclusion of the 2018 fall
term, the student-athlete received an "incomplete" in one class and
is ineligible for the spring term. This student-athlete completes
the class in a summer 2019 term. How is this reflected in the APR?
Answer: Academic eligibility is based on satisfying institutional, conference
and NCAA requirements. This student-athlete was not eligible for
the entire spring term and completed the class in a later term.
Therefore, this student-athlete would not have earned the
eligibility point for the 2018 fall term, regardless of the term in
which the completed course grade was applied.
Five- and Six-Year Degree Programs – Examples of APR Calculation
Example No. 1: How are APR points awarded for student-athletes enrolled in five-
and six-year degree programs?
Answer: A student-athlete enrolled in a five- or six-year degree program will
earn an eligibility point in a term if the student-athlete is
academically eligible to compete the following regular academic
term based on applicable eligibility requirements for five- or six-
year baccalaureate degree programs. A student-athlete enrolled in
a five- or six-year degree program will earn a retention point if the
student-athlete is retained as a full-time student the following
regular academic term.
Example No. 2: A student-athlete enrolls in a five- or six-year degree program
3A-7
NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate Calculation Examples
2023-24
Appendix 3A
during the last term of their fifth year. How is the APR eligibility
point determined for this student-athlete in that 10
th
term?
Answer: The APR eligibility point normally is awarded only if a student-
athlete graduates at the conclusion of five years. A student-athlete
enrolled in a five- or six-year degree program who is completing
their fifth year will be awarded a point for eligibility in the last
term, provided the student-athlete meets the academic
requirements outlined below.
Example No 3: Student-athlete B is enrolled in a six-year degree program that
requires the student-athlete to complete 208-semester hours.
During the sixth year of the degree, the student-athlete is required
to complete two rotations for 40-semester hours. At the conclusion
of student-athlete B's fifth year, the student-athlete has completed
all the academic requirements of their degree except for the two
required rotations. How is the APR eligibility point determined for
this student-athlete?
Answer: The institution may award the eligibility point for this student-
athlete because the student-athlete has completed all the
requirements for the designated degree program for years one
through five and has only the requirements for the sixth year
remaining.
Delayed-Graduation Points
Example No. 1: A former student-athlete departs the institution without
completing an undergraduate degree. The student-athlete earns an
undergraduate degree at a second institution. The student-athlete
returns to the original institution and graduates with a second
undergraduate degree. Does the student-athlete qualify for a
delayed- graduation point?
Answer: Yes, if the student-athlete is considered graduated at the original
institution and the student-athlete meets all other delayed-
graduation point criteria.
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NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate Calculation Examples
2023-24
Appendix 3A
Example No. 2: A former student-athlete completed an undergraduate degree and
exhausted eligibility while pursuing a graduate degree. The
student-athlete departed the institution without completing the
graduate degree. The student-athlete later returned, completed the
graduate degree and graduated from the institution. Does the
student-athlete qualify for a delayed-graduation point?
Answer: Yes, if the student-athlete is considered graduated by the
institution and meets all other delayed-graduation point criteria.
Frequently Asked Questions on APR Cohort Composition
2023-24
Appendix 3B
3B-1
APPENDIX 3B
Frequently Asked Questions on NCAA
Division I Academic Progress Rate
Cohort Composition
Noncounters on Athletics Aid in the NCAA Division I Academic
Progress Rate
Cohort
Question No. 1: Do medical noncounters, and noncounters, aided after the departure
of a head coach have to re-enroll full time to earn the retention
point?
Answer: Yes. Retention for a student-athlete requires full-time enrollment
unless they meet a legislated exception to full-time enrollment.
Progress-toward-degree waivers of full-time enrollment are
considered legislated exceptions.
Question No. 2: If a student-athlete in the cohort initially attends the institution for
eight weeks then receives a medical withdrawal for a serious medical
condition, is this student-athlete included in the cohort? What if a
medical-absence waiver was never submitted because the student-
athlete did not return to the institution?
Answer: This student-athlete is in the cohort since they received athletics aid
and was enrolled full time as of the fifth week of classes or official
census date, whichever is earlier. The student-athlete's lost NCAA
Division I Academic Progress Rate point(s) may be addressed
through the adjustment process.
Revocation of Scholarship during the Term
Question No. 1: If a student-athlete begins the academic year on athletics aid but the
aid is later found to have been provided impermissibly is the
student-athlete included in the APR calculation for that term? For
example, an incoming student-athlete is certified as a qualifier,
receives athletics aid and attends classes. However, the student-
athlete is declared ineligible midyear due to invalidation of the
student-athlete’s test score and the student-athlete does not receive
aid from that point forward. As a condition of reinstatement, the
student-athlete will repay the aid received during the fall term. Is the
Frequently Asked Questions on APR Cohort Composition
2023-24
Appendix 3B
3B-2
student-athlete included in the team's APR cohort for the fall term,
even though the aid will be repaid?
Answer: Such a student-athlete would not be included in the APR cohort,
since the cohort is intended to be comprised of student-athletes who
receive only permissible institutional athletically related financial
aid. For teams that offer athletics financial aid, the APR cohort was
developed to include only student-athletes who received athletically
related financial aid and to exclude recruited student-athletes not
awarded athletically related financial aid. This included student-
athletes who were ineligible to receive athletically related financial
aid. To remain consistent with the original design of the APR cohort,
student-athletes impermissibly awarded athletically related financial
aid are not included in the cohort. If this student-athlete receives
athletics aid in subsequent years, the student-athlete will enter the
APR cohort for those terms during which the student-athlete receive
athletics aid.
Question No. 2: If a student-athlete begins the spring term full time and on athletics
aid, but then drops to part-time status in the middle of the semester
and athletics aid is revoked due to part-time status, is the student-
athlete included in the APR calculation for that term?
Answer: Because the student-athlete received permissible athletics aid and
was enrolled full time as of the institution's fifth week of classes or
official census date for that institution, the student-athlete will be
included in the team's APR for that term.
Question No. 3: A student-athlete begins the academic year on athletics aid written
for the full academic year. The institution includes an academic
component in the aid award requiring the student-athlete to attend
study hall in order to keep the aid. If the student-athlete fails to
meet the academic component, the aid may be canceled under
NCAA legislation. If the aid is canceled midway through the
academic term, is this student-athlete included in the APR cohort
for that academic term?
Answer: Because the student-athlete received permissible athletics aid as of
the fifth week of classes or the official census date, whichever is
earlier, the student-athlete would be a part of the team's APR cohort
for that academic term. If the aid was canceled before the fifth week
of classes or the official census date, the student-athlete should be
removed from the team's APR cohort for that academic term. If the
Frequently Asked Questions on APR Cohort Composition
2023-24
Appendix 3B
3B-3
aid was canceled after the fifth week of classes or the official census
date, the student-athlete's lost APR point(s) may be addressed
through the APR adjustment process.
Student-Athletes Who Quit Nonscholarship Teams
Question: Is a student-athlete who quits a nonscholarship team at the end of
the fall term included in the spring cohort?
Answer: No. The student-athlete will not be included in the APR cohort
during the spring term since the student-athlete was not on the
team. For teams not awarding any athletics aid, a student-athlete is
considered in the cohort if they are on the team at any point on or
after the first date of competition during that term only.
Recruited Student-Athlete Whose Standardized Test Scores Are
Invalidated – Nonscholarship Teams.
Question: Is a recruited student-athlete whose standardized test score was
invalidated following the team's first date of competition in the
championship segment, and who was subsequently determined to be
a nonqualifier, included in the APR cohort?
Answer: No. A recruited student-athlete whose standardized test was
invalidated following the team's first date of competition in the
championship segment, and who was subsequently determined to be
a nonqualifier, should not be included in the APR cohort for
nonscholarship teams. (Adopted: 10/08. Effective: 10/08 for the
2008-
09 APR cohort; not retroactive to any prior year cohorts)
Student-Athletes Receiving Athletically Related Financial Aid for Only
One Term
Question: If a student-athlete received athletics aid in the fall term but not for
the spring term (e.g., quits team, aid canceled) and remains enrolled
at the institution for the spring term, are they in the APR cohort in
the spring term?
Answer: No, the student-athlete will not be included in the APR cohort
Frequently Asked Questions on APR Cohort Composition
2023-24
Appendix 3B
3B-4
during the spring term since no athletically related financial aid was
received. Because the student-athlete received athletically related
financial aid for the fall semester, they will be included in the team's
APR for that term only
Student-Athletes Receiving Preseason Expenses or Summer Athletics
Aid
Question: Does the receipt of preseason expenses or athletics aid during a
summer term trigger a student-athlete's inclusion in the cohort?
Answer: No, receipt of preseason expenses and athletics aid during the
summer term would not result in a student-athlete being included in
the cohort. The trigger for including a student-athlete in the cohort
is the receipt of athletically related financial aid during a regular
academic term.
Student-Athletes Receiving Athletics Aid Contingent on Meeting
Nonathletics Criteria
Question: If a student-athlete is offered and accepts athletically related
financial aid contingent on satisfying some nonathletics criteria
before receiving any athletics aid, are they in the APR cohort?
Answer: Yes, if the student-athlete meets all other criteria to be included in
the APR cohort, that student-athlete shall be included in the APR
cohort for that term(s), whether the stated nonathletics criteria are
met or not. (Adopted: 07/08. Effective: 07/08 for the 2007-08 APR
cohort; retroactive to any prior year cohorts)
Student-Athletes Receiving Outside Aid
Question No. 1: Should student-athletes who receive no athletics aid but receive
outside aid that is countable against the team limit (e.g., athletics
participation considered a major criterion) be included in the APR
cohort?
Answer: No, student-athletes whose only countable aid is outside aid would
not be included in the cohort. The cohort is comprised of student-
Frequently Asked Questions on APR Cohort Composition
2023-24
Appendix 3B
3B-5
athletes who receive institutional financial aid based in any degree
on athletics ability. Because the outside scholarship is not
considered institutional aid, the student-athlete is not included in
the APR cohort for that team.
Question No. 2: Should a student-athlete who receives athletics aid from the NCAA
degree-completion program be included in the APR cohort?
Answer: No,
receipt of funds from the NCAA degree-completion program
would NOT result in the student-athlete being included as part of
the
cohort.
Question No. 3: Should a student-athlete who receives dollars from the NCAA
Student Assistance Fund to cover "other expenses related to
attendance" (i.e., regular term expenses other than tuition and fees,
room and board and required course-related books) be included in
the APR cohort?
Answer: No.
Medical-Absence Waivers [NCAA Bylaw 14.4.3.6-(a)]
Question No. 1: If a student-athlete is granted a medical-absence waiver per NCAA
Bylaw 14.4.3.6-(a), is the student-athlete included in the cohort? For
example, if a student-athlete in the cohort initially attends the
institution for nine weeks, withdraws for a serious medical condition
and is granted a medical-absence waiver on the student-athlete’s
return in the spring term, is this student-athlete included in the
cohort?
Answer: Yes. The student-athlete is included in the cohort for the term(s) in
which the medical-absence waiver applies. Any lost APR points
should be addressed through the APR adjustment process.
Question No. 2: A student-athlete in the APR cohort withdraws from the fall term for
a serious medical condition and would qualify for a medical-absence
waiver. In order to adjust the lost point(s) from the fall term, is an
institution required to submit a medical-absence waiver to their
conference office?
Answer: No. The institution could address the lost points through the APR
adjustment process without obtaining a medical-absence waiver
Frequently Asked Questions on APR Cohort Composition
2023-24
Appendix 3B
3B-6
from its conference.
Question No. 3: A student-athlete withdraws from the 2021 fall term. The student-
athlete is awarded a medical-absence waiver for the fall term. Using
the prorated nine-hour standard from the medical-absence waiver,
the student-athlete meets all academic eligibility requirements. Does
the student-athlete earn the eligibility point?
Answer: Yes. The student-athlete's eligibility status should be entered as
"Yes." If the student-athlete does not meet all academic eligibility
requirements using the prorated nine-hour standard from the
medical-absence waiver, the student-athlete's eligibility status
should be entered as "Medical Absence." This triggers an automatic
adjustment in the Academic Portal.
Student-Athletes Receiving Retroactive Athletics Aid
Question: Should student-athletes who receive athletics aid during the spring
term of a given year, but the aid is made retroactive to the beginning
of the academic year, be included in the APR cohort for the fall term
in addition to the spring term?
Answer: Yes, a student-athlete would be included in the APR cohort for any
term in which the student-athlete receives retroactive athletics aid.
3C-1
Frequently Asked Questions on Impact of Graduation on the APR 2023-24
Appendix 3C
APPENDIX 3C
Frequently Asked Questions on
Impact of Graduation on
NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate
Question No. 1: May a student-athlete use the summer after their 10th semester/15th
quarter to graduate and earn the eligibility point for the 10th
semester/15th quarter?
Answer: Yes, a student-athlete may use summer hours finished after their 10th
semester/15th quarter to complete graduation requirements and be
considered a spring graduate if the requirements are completed before
the beginning of the next regular academic term.
Question No. 2: May a student-athlete return to the institution in the fall term (11th
full-time term) to graduate and earn the retention point?
Answer: Yes, if the student-athlete returns full time in the fall term, they will
earn the retention point. The student-athlete’s APR points would be
recorded as “1/2” for the prior spring term because they did not
graduate in their 10th semester/15th quarter. If the student-athlete
graduates that fall term, they may earn a delayed-graduation point for
the team provided the criteria are met.
Question No. 3: Is a student-athlete who uses the missed-term exception required to
graduate within five years of enrollment in order to earn the eligibility
point?
Answer: No, for NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate purposes, a student-
athlete has five years of actual full-time enrollment (i.e., 10
semesters/15 quarters) in which to graduate. The term to which a
missed-term exception is applied does not count against the five-year
period for graduation.
Question No. 4: Does a term in which a student-athlete is enrolled part time due to a
progress-toward-degree waiver count in the requirement to graduate
within five years of full-time enrollment?
Answer: Yes, a term in which a student-athlete is permitted to be enrolled less
than full time due to a progress-toward-degree waiver is still
considered a full-time term of attendance for purposes of the APR.
3C-2
Frequently Asked Questions on Impact of Graduation on the APR 2023-24
Appendix 3C
For example, a student-athlete with an education-impacting disability
is granted a progress-toward-degree waiver to be enrolled part time,
and the student-athlete uses the part-time enrollment option during
two regular semesters of their academic career. These two terms
would count toward their 10 semesters of full-time enrollment.
Incomplete Grades – Graduation
Question No. 1: A student-athlete receives an incomplete grade summer 2021 (spring
2021 was their 10th full-time semester of collegiate enrollment). They
then completed all the necessary coursework to remove the
incomplete grades and graduation was posted to summer 2021. Will
the student-athlete earn the eligibility and retention point for 2017
spring semester?
Answer: Yes, if the student-athlete finished the incomplete before the APR
submission date and, per institutional policy, the grade for the course
was posted on the 2021 summer term—adding the credit hour(s)
necessary for graduation—they earned the eligibility point for spring
2021 once that grade was posted, and the institution considers the
student-athlete a graduate in the previous term. However, if the grade
was posted after the APR submission date, the student-athlete would
not earn the 2021 spring eligibility or retention point. The institution
may award a delayed-graduation point for the student-athlete during
the next academic year's APR data submission.
Question No. 2: A student-athlete is required to complete an internship before
graduation. The 2021 spring semester is their 10th full-time semester
of enrollment. They register for the internship during the summer,
take an incomplete and plan to complete the internship in the fall
semester. The student-athlete will not be enrolled during the fall
term. Will they earn the spring eligibility and retention points?
Answer: If the internship is not completed before the APR submission date, the
student-athlete will not earn the 2021 spring eligibility or retention
points.
3C-3
Frequently Asked Questions on Impact of Graduation on the APR 2023-24
Appendix 3C
Delayed-Graduation Points
Question: May an institution earn a delayed-graduation point for a student-
athlete who departed the institution before the current multiyear
cohort?
Answer: Yes. A student-athlete must graduate during the current multiyear
cohort to be awarded a delayed-graduation point, but the last term of
enrollment may be from any previous academic year. For example, an
institution may earn a delayed-graduation point for a student-athlete
who departed the institution 10 years ago if the student graduates
during a year in the current multiyear cohort. Please note, the
student-athlete must meet all other delayed-graduation point criteria.
Other Graduation Calculation Issues
Question No. 1: A student-athlete was enrolled in the 2020 fall semester, was not
retained for the 2021 spring semester and then graduated summer
2021. Will they earn the eligibility and retention points for the 2020
fall semester?
Answer: Yes, because the student-athlete is considered a graduate before the
start of the next academic year (in this case, fall 2021), they would be
a "2/2," reflected as a graduate for the 2020 fall term, though
technically they graduated summer 2021. This is consistent with how
summer graduates are treated when their last regular full-time term
is spring. If they graduate in summer after that spring, they are a "2/2"
in the spring term.
Question No. 2: A student-athlete completed all coursework for graduation in the
2020 fall semester, but graduation was not conferred until the 2021
spring semester. Will they earn the eligibility and retention points for
the 2020 fall semester?
Answer: Yes, because the student-athlete completed all graduation
requirements (administrative and academic) before the start of the
next academic term (in this case, spring 2021), they would be a "2/2,"
reflected as a graduate for the 2020 fall term, though technically they
"graduated" in spring 2021.
Question No. 3: A student-athlete had four units remaining for graduation after fall
2021. They completed the four units at a two-year college in the winter
intersession, transferred those credits back to the original
3C-4
Frequently Asked Questions on Impact of Graduation on the APR 2023-24
Appendix 3C
institution and graduated in the 2022 spring semester. Will they earn
the eligibility and retention points for the 2021 fall semester?
Answer: Yes, because the student-athlete graduated before the start of the next
academic year (in this case, fall 2022), they would be a "2/2," reflected
as graduated for the 2021 fall term, though technically they graduated
in spring 2022.
Question No. 4: A student-athlete received all incomplete grades for the 2020 fall
semester, which was their 10th full-time semester of collegiate
enrollment. They then completed all the necessary coursework to
remove the incomplete grades and graduated in the 2021 spring
semester. Will they earn eligibility and retention points for the 2020
fall semester?
Answer: Yes, if the student-athlete is considered a graduate before the start of
the next academic year (in this case fall 2021), then they would be a
"2/2," reflected as a graduate for the 2017 fall term, though technically
they graduated summer 2021.
Question No. 5: After four years of enrollment, a student-athlete completed all
coursework for graduation during summer 2020. However, the
institution does not confer degrees during the summer. The student-
athlete does not return to the institution for the next fall. Will they
earn the retention points for the 2020 spring semester?
Answer: No, the student-athlete is not considered graduated and would not
earn the retention point. A student-athlete is considered "graduated"
for purposes of the APR if they completed all graduation requirements
(e.g., academic and administrative) and are considered by the
institution to have graduated. The student-athlete's lost APR point
may be addressed through the adjustment process.
Question No. 6: A student-athlete graduated from Institution A with eligibility
remaining, transferred to Institution B per NCAA Bylaw 14.6 and
received athletics aid to participate in athletics at the second
institution. How is this student-athlete reflected in Institution B's
APR?
Answer: 1. The student-athlete is included in the cohort for Institution B
since they received athletics aid.
3C-5
Frequently Asked Questions on Impact of Graduation on the APR 2023-24
Appendix 3C
2. Through the 2019-20 data year, the student-athlete will
automatically receive the retention point for each semester that
student-athlete continues after graduation (will be reflected as
Post/Bac in the NCAA Academic Portal). Beginning with the
2020-21 data year (fall 2021 submission date), retention is no
longer collected for student-athletes who continue enrollment
after graduation.
3. The student-athlete will receive the eligibility point if they meet
NCAA, conference and institutional requirements for graduate
student-athletes (e.g., Bylaw
14.4.3.6-c).
The eligibility point will be earned based on meeting whatever
academic eligibility rules are applicable (i.e., six hours).
Question No. 7: A student-athlete attends an institution for five years, exhausts their
eligibility but does not graduate. Does the student-athlete earn the
eligibility point in their 10th full-time semester of enrollment?
Answer: No, the student-athlete will not earn the eligibility point in their 10th
full-time semester because they did not graduate.
Question No. 8: A student-athlete only needed a few credits to graduate in spring 2021
and, thus, enrolls less than full time. Will they earn the retention point
for the 2020 fall term?
Answer: Taking only those courses required to graduate is a legislated
exception to the full-time enrollment legislation (Bylaw 14.2.2.1.3). If
the student-athlete meets this bylaw, they meet an exception to the
full-time enrollment legislation and, therefore, are considered
retained. Additionally, the student-athlete also must be included in
the cohort during the spring term.
Question No. 9: Following the completion of the fall term, a student-athlete graduates
and exhausts their eligibility. The student-athlete enrolls full time in
the spring and is on athletics aid. Is the student-athlete in the APR
cohort for the spring term?
Answer: No, the student-athlete would not be in the APR cohort for the spring.
Student-athletes who have graduated and have exhausted athletics
eligibility shall not be included in the APR cohort even if such
students appear to meet criteria to be included in the APR cohort.
3C-6
Frequently Asked Questions on Impact of Graduation on the APR 2023-24
Appendix 3C
Question No. 11: A student-athlete graduates from Institution A during the fall term
and returns to the institution to complete their athletics eligibility in
the spring term. How is the student-athlete's eligibility calculated if
the student-athlete begins coursework toward a second baccalaureate
degree?
Answer: The eligibility point is earned if the student-athlete is academically
eligible to compete in the next academic term (e.g., passes at least six
hours of degree credit, remains in good academic standing).
Appendix 3D
3D-1
Examples of Cross Country/Track and Field
APR Cohort Compositions
2023-24
Appendix 3D
3D-2
3D-1
APPENDIX 3D
Frequently Asked Questions on
NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate
Cross Country/Track and Field Cohort Composition
Question No. 1: When did the new cohort definition for cross country and track and
field go into effect?
Answer: Data submitted in the fall of 2015 for the 2014-15 academic year was
submitted using the new cohort definitions for cross country and track
and field.
Question No. 2: If a student-athlete is on both the indoor and outdoor track and field
squad lists for a reporting year, will the student-athlete be counted
twice in the track cohort?
Answer: No, the student-athlete will be counted only once for the track cohort.
The student-athlete may also be included in the cross country cohort if
the definition is met.
Question No. 3: How do I make sure a student-athlete is included in the correct track or
cross country cohort in the NCAA Academic Portal?
Answer: Student-athletes must be noted as indoor and/or outdoor track and
field in the Academic Portal. For example, institutions must select
women's track, indoor and women's track, outdoor as the sports in
which the student-athlete participated on the student-athlete details
screen. However, the NCAA Division I Academic Progress Report will
only list a men's track and field APR and women's track and field APR.
If a student-athlete also competes in cross country, that sport should
also be selected for the student-athlete. To ensure that the student-
athlete is counted as part of any or all of these cohorts, set the athletics
aid field to YES for each sport.
Question No. 4: How is the Head Coaches APR recorded for cross country and track?
Answer: Coaches must be reported as indoor and/or outdoor track and field
coach. However, starting with the 2014-15 data, the APR associated with
the coach represents the new APR cohort definition, even if the coach
only was the head coach of one of the teams.
Appendix 3D
Examples of Cross Country/Track and Field
APR Cohort Compositions
2023-24
Appendix 3D
3D-2
Question No. 5: If a track team falls below the penalty benchmark and later loses access
to postseason competition, will the team be ineligible for postseason in
both indoor and outdoor track and field?
Answer: Yes. Further, student-athletes who are members of the track team may
not qualify as individuals for any postseason competition. Lastly, any
NCAA Division I Academic Performance Program penalties (e.g.,
reduction in out-of-season countable athletically related activities) shall
be applied to both indoor and outdoor track and field teams.
Question No. 6: Does this change impact Graduation Success Rate data collection and
reporting?
Answer: No.
Question No. 7: Which multiyear APR will be used to determine whether a team is
required to develop an APR improvement plan or not?
Answer: The APR that is used to determine a team's penalty status.
3E-1
2023-24
Appendix 3E
Frequently Asked Questions on the Adjustment
Requests for Student-Athletes Who Transfer
APPENDIX 3E
NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate
Adjustment Requests for
Student-Athletes Who Transfer
Transfers within the APR
The NCAA Division I Committee on Academic Performance approved an automatic
adjustment to the calculation of the NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate to discount
the lost retention point when a student-athlete transfers. Requests for transfer student-
athletes who meet all criteria for the automatic adjustment of the retention point should
be submitted at the same time as an institution's APR data through the NCAA Division I
Academic Portal. If the criteria are met, the adjustment is applied immediately. If the
automatic adjustment criteria are not met, the institution may submit an adjustment
request for staff review using the adjustment tab of the academic portal.
Student-Athletes Transferring to a Four-Year School.
The criteria for the automatic transfer adjustment of the retention point for a student-
athlete that transfers to a four-year institution are (Adopted: 10/16. Revised 6/20. Effective:
Immediately for 2020-21 data and beyond; not retroactive.):
1. The student-athlete earned the eligibility point in the last term of enrollment before
transfer (If the eligibility point was lost and adjusted, the student-athlete did not
earn the point.); and
2. The student-athlete immediately transferred to another four-year institution. This
requires full-time enrollment at the new institution at the next available regular
academic term; and
Student-Athletes Transferring to a Two-Year School.
The criteria for the automatic transfer adjustment of the retention point for a student-
athlete that transfers to two-year institution are:
1. The student-athlete earned the eligibility point in the last term of enrollment before
transfer (If the eligibility point was lost and adjusted, the student-athlete did not
earn the point.);
3E-2
2023-24
Appendix 3E
Frequently Asked Questions on the Adjustment
Requests for Student-Athletes Who Transfer
2. The student-athlete immediately transferred to a two-year institution. This requires
full-time enrollment at the new institution at the next available regular academic
term; and
3. At the time of departure, the student-athlete presents a cumulative grade-point
average at the original institution of at least 3.300. (Adopted: 02/17. Effective:
Immediately, retroactive to any year in the current multiyear cohort.)
Transfer Adjustments for Staff Review.
When the lost retention point does not qualify for an automatic transfer adjustment, the
institution can request the NCAA staff review the adjustment. The adjustment directive in
Appendix 3F includes details on the staff review of transfer adjustments.
The following information contains questions and answers to assist the membership in its
understanding of the APR adjustment directive for student-athletes who transfer.
Question No. 1: When are these adjustment requests submitted?
Answer: APR adjustment requests that meet all the criteria for the automatic
adjustment of the retention point for a student-athlete who
transfers
are submitted as part of APR data collection. Once an institution
submits its data, the lost points will automatically be calculated and
reflected in a team’s APR. Institutions do not have to submit any
documentation or requests for these types of adjustments to the NCAA
national office but must maintain documentation on campus that
indicates that the student-athlete met the criteria for the adjustment.
Question No. 2: What do I do if I have a transfer student-athlete who meets all the
criteria for the automatic adjustment to the retention point, but I
already submitted my APR data?
Answer: Your institution should update this during the correction period.
Question No. 3: If a student-athlete transfers immediately to a college or university
located in a foreign country, is that considered a four-year
institution?
Answer: Yes, it would be considered a four-year institution. Documentation
would need to be obtained to verify that the student-athlete
immediately enrolled full time at the foreign institution since leaving
your institution.
3E-3
2023-24
Appendix 3E
Frequently Asked Questions on the Adjustment
Requests for Student-Athletes Who Transfer
Question No. 4: For a student-athlete who initially transferred into our institution, is
the grade-point average criteria for the adjustment when the student-
athlete transfers to a two-year school based only on the work the
student-athlete completed at our institution or a combination with the
previous institution?
Answer: The grade-point average for the adjustment criteria is the grade-point
average used for certification at your institution for graduation
purposes.
Question No. 5: When a student-athlete transfers from our institution, does the
student-athlete need to be enrolled immediately in the next regular
academic term as a full-time student?
Answer: Yes, documentation would need to be obtained to verify that the
student-athlete immediately enrolled full time in the next regular
academic term for that institution.
Question No. 6: If the student-athlete does not meet all criteria for an automatic transfer
adjustment, are institutions permitted to submit adjustment requests?
Answer: Yes. However, if the one criterion not being met is part “a” (the
requirement that the student-athlete earned the eligibility point in the
last term of enrollment), they do not qualify for the transfer adjustment.
If the one criterion not being met is part “b” or part “c” for a transfer to
a two-year school, then documentation supported mitigation should be
provided with the request for staff review. Note that all transfer
adjustment requests must include a student-athlete grade-point
average that is within .100 of the automatic adjustment grade-point
average requirement to be reviewed. The institution may always
consider requesting a different type of adjustment if the grade-point
average deficiency is greater.
Question No. 7: If a student-athlete departs our institution at the end of the spring term
with a 3.2580 grade-point average, attends summer school at the new
institution and transfers the class back to our institution to raise his
grade-point average to above 3.300, may we receive the automatic
adjustment for the lost retention point, provided all other criteria are
met?
Answer: Yes, provided those credits are accepted by the original institution and
are calculated into the grade-point average per institutional policy.
3E-4
2023-24
Appendix 3E
Frequently Asked Questions on the Adjustment
Requests for Student-Athletes Who Transfer
Question No. 8: If a student-athlete attends summer school or mini-term that is
completed at a different institution other than where the student-
athlete is transferring to, and our institution accepts the credit and the
grade raises the student-athlete's grade-point average to 3.300 before he
or she formally withdraws from our institution, may we
receive the
automatic adjustment for the lost retention point, provided all other
criteria are met?
Answer: Yes since the student-athlete presented a cumulative grade-point
average of 3.300 or higher at the time of transfer from your institution.
Question No. 9: What type of documentation is needed to document the transfer and
enrollment at the second institution?
Answer: It is recommended that the institution secure documentation such as a
transcript, letter from a school official on institutional letterhead, class
schedule or any other type of official document to demonstrate that the
student-athlete did immediately transfer to another four-year
institution and was enrolled full time. Signed documentation from an
institution's director of athletics, senior women administrator,
compliance coordinator or faculty athletics representative is also
acceptable. Other acceptable forms of
documentation would include a
signed matriculation statement from the second institution's certifying
officer, registrar's office and any other institutional academic official
outside the athletics department.
Documentation from a state or
government agency would also be acceptable. A copy of the team's
roster, which includes the student-athlete's name, would not be
considered acceptable documentation.
Question No. 10: How long should an institution retain documentation for transfer
student-athletes awarded the automatic transfer adjustment?
Answer: It is recommended that the institution retain such documentation for
as long as the transfer student-athlete is included in the team's
multiyear APR cohort. Please note, the documentation is not submitted
to the national office and should be kept on file on campus. However,
the documentation will be requested if an institution is selected for an
APP data review.
Question No. 11: What does it mean to transfer "immediately to another institution"?
Answer: A student-athlete must enroll full time at another institution in the next
available regular academic term. For example, a student-athlete who
departs an institution following the completion of the 2021 spring term
3E-5
2023-24
Appendix 3E
Frequently Asked Questions on the Adjustment
Requests for Student-Athletes Who Transfer
must be enrolled full time at another institution by the start of the 2021
fall term to qualify for the adjustment.
Question No. 12: What do I do if I was unable to obtain documentation for a student-
athlete who transfers; however, later I was able to secure it, but we have
already completed the data collection process and our APR report is
final?
Answer: Submit a correction request during the following year's data collection
process.
Question No. 13: What is included in the rigorous review of academic factors for transfer
student-athletes who move on to a two-year school and don’t meet the
grade-point average requirement?
Answer: The staff will review academic factors (e.g., number of transferable
credit hours accepted by the next institution and applicable to the
student-athlete's designated degree program, positive trends in the
student-athlete's academic performance) and any other information
provided by the institution that indicates that the transfer student-
athlete will be academically successful at the next institution.
NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate Adjustment Directive
2023-24
Appendix 3F
3F-1
APPENDIX 3F
NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate
Adjustment Directive
Background.
The NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate (APR) is a metric that awards points for
academic eligibility/graduation and retention. Eligibility is important as it measures a
student's progress toward a degree at regular intervals. Retention is a crucial part of the
APR because of the following:
1. Current data indicate that retention remains an important predictor of a team’s
Graduation Success Rate (GSR).
2. By awarding points for retention, potential issues related to "run-offs" and "recruiting
mistakes" could be monitored and addressed.
3. Term-by-term retention points allow a student-athlete to receive "credit" for every
term they return, even if they eventually transfer or are not retained for any reason.
This "partial credit" model has been a significant improvement over the Federal
Graduation Rate and is a very important consideration when assessing eligibility plus
retention for the APR calculation.
The NCAA Division I Committee on Academics has approved this directive to provide
guidance to the NCAA staff and the NCAA Division I Committee on Academics
Subcommittee on Data in creating automatic adjustment criteria and reviewing APR
adjustment requests. The committee recognizes there may be some legitimate reasons why
student-athletes are not retained and/or do not maintain academic eligibility; and in these
instances, a student-athlete's lost points may be adjusted.
Guiding Principles.
Adjustments to a team's APR will be considered based on circumstances surrounding
individual student-athletes. Adjustments generally will be reviewed in the context of
whether the documented mitigating circumstances surrounding the lost point(s) are
beyond the control of the student-athlete and/or the team/institution. If the circumstances
are found to be within the control of the student-athlete or the team/institution, the
request is likely to be denied.
NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate Adjustment Directive
2023-24
Appendix 3F
3F-2
Approval of an adjustment request does not result in the awarding of any lost eligibility
and/or retention points. Rather it removes the lost points from both the numerator and
the denominator. Thus, the "1/2" becomes a "1/1," or the "0/2" becomes a "0/1" or "0/0."
Please note some adjustment criteria require the earning of the eligibility point for the
request to adjust the lost retention point to be considered. If the eligibility point was
lost and adjusted the student-athlete did not earn the point.
Automatic Adjustment.
Automatic adjustments are adjustments for any lost point(s) that institutions can self-apply
when completing data entry without submitting an APR adjustment request to staff. While
no documentation is submitted to NCAA staff, the institution should maintain the
supporting documentation on campus. These automatic adjustments are indicated within
the student-athlete’s academic details page of the Academic Portal.
In the event an automatic adjustment is applicable, but was not applied, the institution
must submit a correction request, not an adjustment request through the Academic
Portal. The correction request will allow staff to apply the automatic adjustment, as the
institution would have done on campus. Supporting documentation will be required to
complete the correction request.
If the below criteria for an automatic adjustment are met, an APR adjustment request for
staff is not required, and the institution may apply the automatic adjustment.
Automatic Adjustments for Lost Eligibility Points.
1. Medical-absence waiver. The institution has received an approved medical-absence
waiver from the conference office (or in the case of an independent institution, from
the NCAA Division I Progress-Toward-Degree Waivers Committee), which coincides
with the term(s) in which student-athlete lost the APR eligibility point(s). An
approved medical absence waiver prorates the 18/27 credit-hour requirement to nine
(9) credit hours per actual term(s) of attendance during the academic year.
Portal Application: The application of the medical absence waiver, for APP
purposes, requires institutions to do an analysis to determine if the student-
athlete can meet the prorated credit-hour requirement as well as all other
applicable progress-toward-degree requirements in the term(s) of attendance.
a. If the student-athlete can be certified as meeting all applicable
progress-toward-degree requirements using the medical absence
waiver, the student-athlete is considered to have earned the eligibility
point and should be marked as “Yes” in response to the question “Was
NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate Adjustment Directive
2023-24
Appendix 3F
3F-3
the student academically eligible?”
b. If, even with the prorated requirement, the student-athlete cannot be
certified as meeting all applicable progress-toward-degree
requirements, the student-athlete is considered to have lost the
eligibility point and should be marked as “Medical Absence” in
response to the question “Was the student academically eligible?,”
which provides an automatic adjustment to the lost point. Please note
that medical absence waivers are only applicable to the eligibility
point, and lost retention point must be addressed via the adjustment
process (Revised June 2020. Effective immediately).
Note: If a medical-absence waiver has not been approved by the conference
office, the institution may submit an adjustment request for staff
consideration. (Adopted: 02/10. Revised: 10/16. Effective: Immediately.)
Automatic Adjustments for Lost Retention Points.
1. Missed term. Once during a student-athlete's career, an institution may apply an APR
adjustment to a lost retention point based on the following criteria:
a. The student-athlete must meet all criteria for the missed-term exception as
outlined in NCAA Bylaw 14.4.3.6-(a):
i. The student-athlete did not attend class during a regular academic
term while enrolled in a full-time program of studies;
ii. The student-athlete engaged in no outside competition in the sport
during the academic term or terms in which the student-athlete was
not in attendance; and
iii. At the time of certification, the student-athlete has fulfilled the
progress-toward-degree requirements (per Bylaw 14.4.3.1) for the term
in which the student-athlete was in attendance.
b. The student-athlete must have returned to the institution as a full-time
student in a later term; and earned the eligibility point in the last term of
enrollment before departure. (Note: A student-athlete is required to earn the
eligibility point. If the eligibility point was lost and adjusted the student-
athlete did not earn the point.)
NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate Adjustment Directive
2023-24
Appendix 3F
3F-4
Portal Application: The institution should select "Missed Term" as the
outcome for the student-athlete's retention point in the Academic Portal and
respond to the questions that appear. If the institution cannot answer “yes” to
all the questions, the automatic adjustment will not be applied, and the
institution may submit an adjustment request for staff consideration.
(Adopted: 04/07. Effective: 04/07 for the 2006‐07 APR cohort and beyond; not
retroactive to any prior year cohorts)
Note: Adjustments to the application of the missed term legislation made
during 2020-21 due to COVID apply to the retention adjustment criteria for
2020-21 data as well.
2. Professional athletics opportunity. The student-athlete completed an academic term
and was not retained due to participation in professional sports as a vocation. (Note:
A student-athlete is required to earn the eligibility point. If the eligibility point was
lost and adjusted the student-athlete did not earn the point.). Such participation must
occur before the fifth week of classes or census date, whichever is earlier, of the next
academic year and must be demonstrated by documentation as listed below. If the
professionalization process was impacted by COVID-19, and the institution cannot
document that the student-athlete met the criteria by the specified date, the
institution cannot apply the automatic adjustment and must file a staff-processed
adjustment request. Acceptable documentation includes:
a. Signed contract with a professional sports team or organization;
b. Established pattern of acceptance of prize money for competition;
c. Documented declaration of intent to compete as a professional in an individual
sport (e.g., tennis, golf); or
d. Other evidence determined by the staff/committee to confirm the individual's
professional sports vocation.
The following actions alone, do not sufficiently demonstrate participation in
professional sports as a vocation:
a. Signing a contract with an agent;
b. Signing a commercial endorsement agreement;
c. Declaring for a professional sports draft; or
NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate Adjustment Directive
2023-24
Appendix 3F
3F-5
d. Participating in professional sports tryouts.
Portal Application: If the student-athlete meets the above criteria, the
institution should select "Professional Athletics" as the outcome for the
student-athlete's retention point in the Academic Portal and respond to the
questions that appear. If the student-athlete does not meet all the criteria, the
institution may submit an adjustment request for staff consideration. (Revised:
10/16. Effective: Immediately.)
3. Transfer. The student-athlete was not retained because they transferred to another
institution and meets the following criteria: (Revised July 2021. Effective immediately
for the 2020‐21 data and beyond. Not retroactive to any data year before 2020‐21.)
a. The student-athlete earned the eligibility point in the last term of enrollment
before transfer (If the eligibility point was lost and adjusted the student-athlete
did not earn the point.);
b. If transferring to a two-year institution the student-athlete presents a cumulative
grade-point average at the original institution of at least 3.300. The required
cumulative GPA must be presented by the start of the next regular academic
term at the new school; and (Revised June 2020. Effective immediately, retroactive
to any year in the current multiyear cohort)
c. The student-athlete immediately transferred to another two-year or four-year
institution. This requires full-time enrollment at the new institution at the next
available regular academic term.
Portal Application: The institution should select "Transfer" as the outcome for
the student-athlete's retention point in the Academic Portal and respond to
the questions that appear. If the institution cannot answer “yes” to all the
questions, the automatic adjustment will not be applied, and the institution
may submit an adjustment request for staff consideration. (Adopted: 10/16.
Effective: Immediately. Revised: 10/17. Effective: Immediately, retroactive to any year in
the current multiyear cohort.)
Staff Processing.
Staff Authority in APR Adjustment Requests.
The committee has provided the staff with the authority to use its discretion in the
application of this directive. Exceptions to this directive may be applied when warranted,
in the staff's judgment, by the unique circumstances of a specific request. Further, the
committee has afforded the staff the authority to approve eligibility and/or retention
NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate Adjustment Directive
2023-24
Appendix 3F
3F-6
adjustment requests as appropriate, depending on the unique circumstances of the request.
All APR adjustment requests are submitted through the Academic Portal. When submitted,
the APR adjustment request is assigned to a NCAA adjustment team staff member. The
staff member serves as a contact for the institution and reviews the request and all
supporting documentation. Should additional documentation be required, the staff
member will initiate contact with the institution to make a request of the documentation.
The institution is given a deadline for providing the requested additional documentation.
The APR adjustment request is processed with the documentation available to staff. Once
decided, the institution will receive a decision email.
Appeals and Reconsiderations.
If the APR adjustment request is denied by staff, the institution is permitted to appeal the
staff’s decision. The appeal request is initiated by the institution through the Academic
Portal. The request must be initiated within five (5) calendar days of the staff’s decision
and a signature page must be provided. The appeal is heard by the Subcommittee on Data.
Once decided, the institution will receive a decision email. Appeals filed after an
institution’s data is considered final and the president or chancellor has been notified of
such cannot be considered. (Revised 10/22. Effective: Immediately)
Additionally, an institution is permitted to request the staff reconsider APR adjustment
requests that were previously denied if either of the following occur:
1. The institution can provide new information, not previously considered, to staff that
may impact the outcome of the original APR adjustment request; or
2. The APR adjustment directive is updated, and the update may impact the outcome of
the original APR adjustment request.
An institution may not request retroactive relief from penalties or loss of access to
postseason competition or retroactive incentives based on an adjustment to data made in
later academic year(s). Requests for reconsideration will not be heard by the subcommittee
until the staff has reviewed and considered the request. Reconsideration requests filed after
an institution’s data is considered final and the president or chancellor has been notified
of such cannot be considered. (Revised 10/22. Effective: Immediately)
NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate Adjustment Directive
2023-24
Appendix 3F
3F-7
Circumstances that Do Not Warrant an Adjustment of the Retention
and/or Eligibility
Points.
Circumstances that are generally considered to be within the control of the student-athlete
and/or the institution include, but are not limited to the following:
1. Student-athlete departed the institution due to lack of playing time or desire to play
for a different coach.
2. Student-athlete departed the institution due to a coaching change.
3. Student-athlete departed the institution because they were placed on academic
suspension.
4. Student-athlete departed an institution or did not meet academic requirements
because of disciplinary actions taken at the institution, because of the student-
athlete’s behavior (e.g., crime, academic fraud, dismissed from team, positive drug
test).
5. Student-athlete departed an institution because their team is subject to disciplinary
measures (e.g., infractions sanctions).
6. Student-athlete departed an institution because their athletically related aid was not
renewed or was reduced.
7. Student-athlete did not meet academic requirements because of their participation in
a professional sport(s) as a vocation.
8. Student-athlete was not eligible or retained because of their involvement with name,
image and likeness activities. (Adopted July 2021; effective immediately.)
Circumstances Warranting an Adjustment Request.
These APR adjustment requests are submitted to staff through the Academic Portal.
Adjustment requests will be approved only if stated conditions described below are met.
Eligibility.
A student-athlete who was not academically eligible to compete in the next regular
academic term due to circumstances outside of their control and failed to earn the
eligibility point may be considered for an adjustment in the following situations. In all
circumstances, contemporaneous documentation must be included. When relief for the
NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate Adjustment Directive
2023-24
Appendix 3F
3F-8
lost eligibility point is being requested, the documentation must clearly demonstrate how
the mitigating circumstances impacted the student-athlete’s academic performance. The
following mitigation will be considered:
1. An incapacitating injury or illness to the student-athlete or an immediate family
member that is clearly supported by contemporaneous medical documentation.
(Revised June 2020. Effective immediately, retroactive to any year in the current
multiyear cohort)
a. Physical health. The documentation must clearly indicate that a student-athlete
was unable to be academically successful as a result of the physical injury or
illness impacting the student-athlete or an immediate family member.
b. Mental health. The documentation must clearly indicate that a student-athlete
was unable to be academically successful as a result of the mental health issues
impacting the student-athlete or an immediate family member.
2. A natural disaster (e.g., earthquakes, floods).
3. Extreme financial difficulties as a result of a specific event (e.g., layoff, death in the
family) experienced by the student-athlete or by an individual on whom the student-
athlete is legally dependent. These circumstances must be clearly supported by
objective documentation (e.g., decree of bankruptcy, proof of termination) and must
be beyond the control of the student-athlete or the individual on whom the student-
athlete is legally dependent.
4. Harassment. This circumstance must be clearly supported by contemporaneous
objective documentation (e.g., police report).
5. Participation in the following Olympic or international competition supported by
contemporaneous documentation:
a. Official Pan American, World Championships, World Cup, World University
Games and Olympic training, tryouts and competition (or the junior level
equivalent competition); (Revised: 02/17. Effective: Immediately, retroactive to
any year in the current multi‐year cohort.)
b. Officially recognized training and competition, qualifying for final Olympic
tryouts; or
c. Official tryouts and competition involving national teams sponsored by the
appropriate national governing bodies of the U.S. Olympic Committee; or for
student-athletes representing another nation, the equivalent organization of
NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate Adjustment Directive
2023-24
Appendix 3F
3F-9
that nation (or the junior level equivalent competition). (Revised: 02/17. Effective:
Immediately, retroactive to any year in the current multi‐year cohort.)
The Olympic or international training, tryouts and competition must occur
within one year of the student-athlete’s departure from the institution. (Adopted:
04/09. Effective 04/09 for the 2008‐09 APR cohort, retroactive to any prior year
cohorts.)
6. Other unforeseen events and/or circumstances, supported by contemporaneous
documentation, beyond the student-athlete’s and/or institution’s control that led to
lost eligibility point in a term.
7. The student-athlete was rendered academically ineligible and the institution was not
able to submit a progress-toward-degree waiver (e.g., transfer, withdrawal, no
pending competition). The analysis is dependent on contemporaneous
documentation of mitigating circumstances.
Retention.
A student-athlete who is not retained by the institution in the next regular academic term
due to circumstances outside of their control and failed to earn the retention point may be
considered for an adjustment in the following situations. In all circumstances,
contemporaneous documentation must be included. When relief for the lost retention
point is being requested, the documentation must clearly indicate that a student-athlete
was unable to be retained by the institution as a result of the mitigating circumstances.
The following mitigation will be considered:
1. An incapacitating injury or illness to the student-athlete or an immediate family
member that is clearly supported by contemporaneous medical documentation.
(Revised June 2020. Effective immediately, retroactive to any year in the current
multiyear cohort)
a. Physical health. The documentation must clearly indicate that a student-athlete
was unable to be retained by the institution as a result of the physical injury or
illness impacting the student-athlete or an immediate family member.
b. Mental health. The documentation must clearly indicate that a student-athlete
was unable to be retained by the institution as a result of the mental health issues
impacting the student-athlete or an immediate family member.
2. A natural disaster (e.g., earthquakes, floods).
NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate Adjustment Directive
2023-24
Appendix 3F
3F-10
3. Extreme financial difficulties as a result of a specific event (e.g., layoff, death in the
family) experienced by the student-athlete or by an individual on whom the student-
athlete is legally dependent. These circumstances must be clearly supported by
objective documentation (e.g., decree of bankruptcy, proof of termination) and must
be beyond the control of the student-athlete or the individual on whom the student-
athlete is legally dependent.
4. Harassment. This circumstance must be clearly supported by objective
documentation (e.g., police report).
5. Participation in the following Olympic or international competition supported by
contemporaneous documentation:
a. Official Pan American, World Championships, World Cup, World University
Games and Olympic training, tryouts and competition (or the junior level
equivalent competition); (Revised: 02/17. Effective: Immediately, retroactive to
any year in the current multi‐year cohort.)
b. Officially recognized training and competition, qualifying for final Olympic
tryouts; or
c. Official tryouts and competition involving national teams sponsored by the
appropriate national governing bodies of the U.S. Olympic Committee; or for
student-athletes representing another nation, the equivalent organization of
that nation (or the junior level equivalent competition). (Revised: 02/17. Effective:
Immediately, retroactive to any year in the current multi‐year cohort.)
The Olympic or international training, tryouts and competition must occur
within one year of the student-athlete’s departure from the institution. (Adopted:
04/09. Effective 04/09 for the 2008‐09 APR cohort, retroactive to any prior year
cohorts.)
6. A professional athletics opportunity. The student-athlete was not retained due to
participation in professional sports as a vocation, however, does not meet the criteria
for the automatic professional athletics adjustment. (Note: A student-athlete is
required to earn the eligibility point. If the eligibility point was lost and adjusted the
student-athlete did not earn the point.) Documented mitigating circumstances
required.
7. Transfer.
a. The student-athlete was not retained because they transferred to another
NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate Adjustment Directive
2023-24
Appendix 3F
3F-11
institution and meets the following criteria:
(1) The student-athlete earned the eligibility point in the last term of
enrollment before transfer. (If the eligibility point was lost and adjusted the
student-athlete did not earn the point.)
(2) The student-athlete immediately transferred to a two-year institution. This
requires full-time enrollment at the new institution at the next available
regular academic term.
(3) The student-athlete presents a cumulative grade-point average at the
original institution of at least a 3.200, but less than a 3.3oo for a two-year
college transfer and satisfies a rigorous review of academic factors (e.g.,
number of transferable credit hours accepted by the next institution and
applicable to the student-athlete’s designated degree program, positive
trends in the student-athlete’s academic performance, academic
performance each term of full-time enrollment, access to academic support
services at the next institution and a reasonable expectation of graduation
within five years of initial full-time enrollment). The required cumulative
GPA must be presented by the start of the next regular academic term at
the new school. (Adopted: 10/17. Effective: Immediately, retroactive to any
year in the current multiyear cohort. Revised June 2020. Effective
immediately, retroactive to any year in the current multiyear cohort)
Note: This adjustment request will be subject to a high review standard.
Please refer to 3F-12 & 13.
b. The student-athlete was not retained because they transferred to another
institution and meets the following criteria:
(1) The student-athlete earned the eligibility point in the last term of
enrollment before transfer. (If the eligibility point was lost and adjusted the
student-athlete did not earn the point.
(2) The student-athlete presents no more than a year gap in enrollment,
supported by documented mitigation, before transfer to another four-year
or two-year institution.
(3) The student-athlete presents a cumulative grade-point average at the
original institution of at least 3.300 if transferring to a two-year institution.
c. The student-athlete was not retained because they transferred to another
NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate Adjustment Directive
2023-24
Appendix 3F
3F-12
institution when the student-athlete’s team at the original institution is
ineligible for postseason competition due to the APP and the student-athlete
does not need a legislative relief waiver for the residency requirement (e.g.,
sports that allow for the one-time transfer exception or situations where a
student-athlete transfers to a Division II institution) and meets the following
criteria: (Adopted: 04/12. Effective 04/12 for the 2011‐12 APR cohort, not retroactive
to any prior year cohorts.)
(1)
The institution to which the student-athlete transferred received an
approval of an NCAA Division I Committee for Legislative Relief waiver of
the residency requirement under Bylaw 14.7.2 and the committee
recommended approval of the waiver request;
(2)
The student-athlete immediately transferred to another four-year
institution. This requires full-time enrollment at the new institution at the
next available regular academic term;
(3)
The student-athlete did not lose any APR points at that institution,
including the eligibility point in the last semester of enrollment before
transfer; and
(4)
The penalty would preclude the institution’s team in that sport from
participating in postseason competition during all the remaining seasons
of the student-athlete’s eligibility.
8. The student-athlete was not retained due to other unforeseen events and/or
circumstances, supported by contemporaneous documentation, beyond the student-
athlete and/or institution’s control (e.g., degree program offerings).
Questions regarding the APR Adjustment Directive should be directed to staff.
NCAA DIVISION I ACADEMIC PROGRESS RATE TRANSFER ADJUSTMENT ANALYSIS
Institution: Case No.:
Student-
Athlete:
Requirements by Grade-Point Average
Identify grade-point average of the student-
athlete who transferred.
Note: Deficiencies >.100 will be denied.
(A different type of adjustment may be
requested based on other mitigation).
As the deficiency increases, a higher ratio of positive
indicators is required for approval.
4-2 transfers:
3.275-3.299 (requires at least two positive factors)
3.250-3.274 (requires at least three positive factors)
3.225-3.249 (requires at least four positive factors)
3.200-3.224 (requires at least five positive factors)
Objective
Question
Documentation
+/-/n
Comments
1.
4-2 Transfer – Likelihood of
graduation with an associate degree.
How quickly will the student-athlete complete an associate
degree? Is there documentation of the number of courses that
transferred to the new school and that apply to the degree?
2.
Ratio of regular academic terms >
grade-point average requirements.
Has the student-athlete met the grade-point average
requirement in most regular terms? If only one term, did
student-athlete meet grade-point average requirement during
regular academic term?
3.
Trending of academic performance
during regular academic terms.
Note: Applicable for students with
more than one full-time term.
How is the student-athlete's academic performance trending
during regular academic terms?
4.
Credits transferable to next school.
How many credits transferred to the new school?
5. Course progression/repeated courses.
Has the student-athlete progressed in his/her coursework
appropriately (e.g., 300 level for third-year students)? Are the
courses degree applicable? Has the student-athlete repeated
multiple courses?
6. Academic support plan.
If the student-athlete will have an academic support plan at
the new school, is there documentation that the plan has been
created and includes measurable outcomes?
7.
Other mitigating conditions.
Note: Only considered if request
cannot be approved based on other
factors.
Were there any mitigating circumstances related to the
student-athlete's sub-3.3 performance?
The staff will review all transfer adjustment requests using this form as an evaluation tool. Under the guidance of the NCAA Division I
Committee on Academics Subcommittee on Data and using documentation provided by the institution that lost a retention point, the
staff will use its discretion to determine how to value each applicable review factor (+/-/n).
Legend: (+) Awarded for positive tendency. (-) Awarded for negative tendency. (n) Awarded if unable to define or if equal.
Frequently Asked Questions on the Collection
of Two-Year Transfer Data 2023-24
Appendix 3G
3G-1
APPENDIX 3G
Frequently Asked Questions on
Collection of Two-Year
Transfer Data
Question No. 1: Why are institutions being asked to submit this data?
Answer: Since June 2007, four separate groups within the NCAA
governance structure have initiated reviews of issues impacting the
academic performance of two-year college transfer student-
athletes. Each group noted the need for additional research
regarding the academic performance of two-year college transfer
student-athletes, specifically their performance at their respective
two-year college(s). However, there are limited data available on
the two-year college academic performance of student-athletes.
Without comprehensive data on two-year college transfer student-
athletes, the membership's ability to provide thorough analysis
regarding the academic preparation and success of two-year
college transfers is limited. The collection of these data is
essential in understanding the academic profiles of two-year
college transfers and is providing reliable data to various
governance groups as they consider policies and legislative changes
regarding two-year college transfers.
Question No. 2: Why are the academic data only being collected for four sports?
Answer: The four identified sports have the largest number of transfer
students from two-year colleges. In addition, it is anticipated
that data from these sports will be sufficient for obtaining the
research to inform policy decisions.
Question No. 3: Does the institution need to submit any documentation (e.g.,
transcripts, credit evaluation) to the national office?
Answer: No. An institution is not required to submit any documentation to
the national office for this specific data collection. However,
institutions are encouraged to maintain the documentation on
campus in the event of an NCAA Division I Academic Performance
Program Data Review.
Frequently Asked Questions on the Collection
of Two-Year Transfer Data 2023-24
Appendix 3G
3G-2
Question No. 4: What if an institution does not submit any data or incomplete
data on its two-year college transfers?
Answer: If an institution fails to submit any data or submits incomplete
data on its two-year college transfers, it will render all of its
teams ineligible for championships. The institution must submit
the requisite data and then request reinstatement for
championships. If an institution is unable to obtain the requisite
data or encounters issues with this data collection, the institution
should contact the NCAA academic and membership affairs staff.
Question No. 5: What if the institution is unable to obtain requisite
information until after the NCAA Division I Academic Progress
Rate/Academic Performance Census data has been submitted?
Answer: This information must be completed and submitted with the
institution's APR data. If this timeline cannot be met, the
institution should request an extension of the data submission
deadline.
Question No. 6: Does the academic data have to be submitted for a student-athlete
who initially attended a four-year institution, then transferred to
a two-year college and then transferred to the submitting
institution (i.e., 4-2-4 transfer)?
Answer: Yes; however, the submitting institution needs to only report the
additional academic data for the student-athlete's attendance at
the two-year college. Credits earned by the student-athlete from
the first four-year institution should not be entered into the
new data fields regarding two-year college attendance; however,
they should be included in the total transfer credits field on the
student-athlete's main data screen.
Question No. 7: Does the academic data have to be submitted for a student-athlete
who initially attended a two-year college, then transferred to a
different four-year institution and then transferred to the
submitting institution (i.e., 2-4-4 transfer)?
Answer: No; institutions are required to supply the additional academic
data only for student-athletes who transferred directly from a
two- year college to the current institution.
Frequently Asked Questions on the Collection
of Two-Year Transfer Data 2023-24
Appendix 3G
3G-3
Question No. 8: What is difference between total credit hours, transferrable
credit hours and degree credit hours?
Answer: Total credit hours are those credit hours the student-athlete
earned at the two-year college(s). Transferrable credit hours are
only those credit hours earned at the two-year college(s) that
transferred into your institution. Degree credit hours are only
those credit hours earned at a two-year college that transferred
into your institution and were applied to the student-athlete's
designated degree program at the time of transfer.
Question No. 9: Should credit hours earned at a two-year college before
initial full-time collegiate enrollment be included in these data?
Answer: Yes. All two-year college hours should be reported regardless of
when the student-athlete earned them (e.g., high school dual
enrollment, before initial full-time enrollment). As a reminder,
this data is only being collected for student-athletes who
transferred to the submitting institution from a two-year college.
This data is not being collected for a freshman who initially
enrolls at the submitting institution and earned dual enrollment
credits at a two-year college.
Question No. 10: What if the student-athlete transferred to the submitting
institution before being required to designate a degree program?
Answer: The submitting institution should report all credits that would
transfer into any degree program at the four-year institution.
Question No. 11: What if the student-athlete changed majors after their first
term at the submitting institution?
Answer: The degree credit hours field should reflect the student-
athlete's degree program at the time of transfer.
Question No. 12: What is the difference between overall grade-point average and
transferrable grade-point average?
Answer: The overall grade-point average is the total grade-point average
based on all coursework at the two-year college(s). The
transferrable grade-point average is not a requirement for the
Frequently Asked Questions on the Collection
of Two-Year Transfer Data 2023-24
Appendix 3G
3G-4
additional academic data but is the grade-point average earned in
all courses that transferred into the institution as defined in NCAA
Bylaw 14.5.4.6.3.2 (calculation of grade-point average for
transferable credit).
Question No. 13: What if the student-athlete received an initial-eligibility waiver
and was considered to be a partial qualifier?
Answer: Please indicate the student-athlete was a nonqualifier for
purposes of this data collection.
Question No. 14: What if the student-athlete did not have a final academic
certification from the NCAA Eligibility Center?
Answer: The student-athlete should be reported as not being certified
or as not registering with the NCAA Eligibility Center.
Question No. 15: May I import the data from Compliance Assistant?
Answer: Yes. These data fields are currently available in CA.
Question No. 16: What should be reported if the student-athlete was charged with
a season of competition but did not actually compete? For
example, the student-athlete competed after their 21st birthday
before initial full-time enrollment and was charged with a season
of competition.
Answer: Only the number of seasons in which the student-athlete actually
participated at a two-year college should be reported.
Question No. 17: What is considered to be a physical education activity credit?
Answer: Physical education activity courses are courses that involve body
movement produced by skeletal muscles resulting in energy
expenditures through organized group or class activities (e.g.,
swimming, team sports, weightlifting). Physical education theory
or pedagogy courses should not be reported as physical education
activity courses.
Question No. 18: What is considered an English credit?
Answer: Courses that were offered in the two-year college's English
department and were earned (both college level and remedial)
should be reported as English credit hours earned. Courses that
Frequently Asked Questions on the Collection
of Two-Year Transfer Data 2023-24
Appendix 3G
3G-5
transferred into the submitting institution's English department
should be reported as English credit hours transferred. A course
that transferred into another department but met a writing
requirement would not be considered an English course (e.g.,
history course with a writing component).
Question No. 19: What is considered a math credit?
Answer: Courses that were offered in the two-year college's mathematics
department and were earned (both college level and remedial)
should be reported as math credit hours earned. Courses that
transferred into the submitting institution's mathematics
department should be reported as math credit hours transferred. A
course that transferred into another department but met a
quantitative requirement would not be considered a math course
(e.g., logic course offered in the philosophy department).
Question No. 20: What is considered a science credit?
Answer: Courses that were offered in the two-year college's natural or
physical science departments (e.g., biology, chemistry, physics,
geology) and were earned (both college level and remedial)
should be reported as science credit hours earned. Courses that
transferred into the submitting institution's natural or physical
science departments should be reported as science credit hours
transferred. Social science courses (e.g., psychology, sociology) and
health science courses (e.g., nursing, exercise science) would not
be considered a science course.
Question No. 21: What should be reported if the submitting institution does not
accept any credit hours from two-year colleges?
Answer: The institution must report zero for the degree credit hours
and transfer credit-hour fields. The institution will not be able to
submit its APP data if these fields are blank.
Question No. 22: Is part-time attendance at a two-year college included in
determining the total number of two-year colleges attended?
Answer: Yes. Please include all two-year colleges that the student-athlete
attended including high school dual enrollment and attendance
before initial full-time enrollment.
Frequently Asked Questions on the Collection
of Two-Year Transfer Data 2023-24
Appendix 3G
3G-6
Question No. 23: What if the student-athlete earned an associate of science or
an associate of applied science instead of an associate of arts
degree?
Answer: If the student-athlete received an associate degree before
transferring to the submitting institution, the student-athlete
should be reported as a two-year college graduate.
Question No. 24: If a student-athlete attended a two-year college using semester
terms and the submitting institution is a quarter institution,
should the number of terms the student-athlete attended the two-
year college be reported in semesters or quarters?
Answer: The submitting institution should convert the terms to its
academic calendar (semesters or quarters). For example, if a
student-athlete attended a two-year college for four semesters and
transferred to a quarter institution, the submitting institution
should report six terms at the two-year college (1 semester = 3/2
quarters and 1 quarter = 2/3 semester).
Question No. 25: Are institutions required to submit the data for transfer
student-athletes who attended a two-year college in a foreign
country?
Answer: No. A two-year college in a foreign country is considered to be a
four- year college for NCAA transfer purposes.
Guide of Possible Student-Athlete Outcomes
2023-24
Appendix 3H
3H-1
APPENDIX 3H
Guide of Possible
Student-Athlete
Outcomes
The following table is provided as a rough guide of possible individual student-athlete
outcomes.
E1
R1
E2
R2
E3
R3
F, S
W, S
8–Point
4-Point
calc
calc
Scale
Scale
N
A
0/1
0/1
0
/2
0/1
N
C
0/1
0/1
0/
2
0/1
N
N
0/2
0/2
0/4
0
/2
N
Y
1/2
1/2
2/
4
1/2
Y
A
1/1
1/1
2/2
1/1
Y
C
1/1
1/1
2/2
1/1
Y
G
2/2
2/2
4/4
2/2
Y
N
1/2
1/2
2/
4
1/2
Y
T
1/1
1/1
2/2
1/1
Y
Y
2/2
2/2
4/4
2/2
N
A
0/1
0/1
0
/2
0/1
N
C
0/1
0/1
0/
2
0/1
N
N
0/2
0/2
0/4
0
/2
N
Y
1/2
1/2
2/
4
1/2
Y
A
1/1
1/1
2/2
1/1
Y
C
1/1
1/1
2/2
1/1
Y
G
2/2
2/2
4/4
2/2
Y
N
1/2
1/2
2/
4
1/2
Y
T
1/1
1/1
2/2
1/1
Y
Y
2/2
2/2
4/4
2/2
N
A
0/1
0/1
0
/2
0/1
N
C
0/1
0/1
0/
2
0/1
N
N
0/2
0/2
0/4
0
/2
N
Y
1/2
1/2
2/
4
1/2
Y
A
1/1
1/1
2/2
1/1
Y
C
1/1
1/1
2/2
1/1
Y
G
2/2
2/2
4/4
2/2
Y
N
1/2
1/2
2/
4
1/2
Y
T
1/1
1/1
2/2
1/1
Y
Y
2/2
2/2
4/4
2/2
N
Y
N
N
1/4
0/2
1/6
0.5/3
N
Y
N
Y
2/4
1/2
3/6
1.5/3
N
Y
Y
G
3/4
2/2
5/6
2.5/3
N
Y
Y
N
2/4
1/2
3/6
1.5/3
Guide of Possible Student-Athlete Outcomes
2023-24
Appendix 3H
3H-2
N
Y
Y
Y
3/4
2/2
5/6
2.5/3
Y
C
N
C
1/2
0/1
1/3
.5/1.5
E1
R1
E2
R2
E3
R3
F, S
calc
W, S
calc
8-Point
4
-Point
Y
C
Y
C
2/2
1/1
3/3
1.5/1.5
Y
G
Y
C
4/4
2/2
6/6
3/3
Y
Y
N
A
2/3
0/1
2/4
1/2
Y
Y
N
N
2/4
0/2
2/6
1/3
Y
Y
N
Y
3/4
1/2
4/6
2/3
Y
Y
Y
A
3/3
1/1
4/4
2/2
Y
Y
Y
G
4/4
2/2
6/6
3/3
Y
Y
Y
N
3/4
1/2
4/6
2/3
Y
Y
Y
T
3/3
1/1
4/4
2/2
Y
Y
Y
Y
4/4
2/2
6/6
3/3
N
Y
N
N
0/2
1/4
1/6
0.5/3
N
Y
N
Y
1/2
2/4
3/6
1.5/3
N
Y
Y
N
1/2
2/4
3/6
1.5/3
N
Y
Y
Y
2/2
3/4
5/6
2.5/3
Y
C
N
C
0/1
1/2
1/3
.5/1.5
Y
C
Y
C
1/1
2/2
3/3
1.5/1.5
Y
Y
N
A
0/1
2/3
2/4
1/2
Y
Y
N
N
0/2
2/4
2/6
1/3
Y
Y
N
Y
1/2
3/4
4/6
2/3
Y
Y
Y
G
2/2
4/4
6/6
3/3
Y
Y
Y
N
1/2
3/4
4/6
2/3
Y
Y
Y
Y
2/2
4/4
6/6
3/3
N
Y
N
Y
N
N
1/4
1/4
2/8
1/4
N
Y
N
Y
N
Y
2/4
2/4
4/8
2/4
N
Y
N
Y
Y
G
3/4
3/4
6/8
3/4
N
Y
N
Y
Y
N
2/4
2/4
4/8
2/4
N
Y
N
Y
Y
Y
3/4
3/4
6/8
3/4
N
Y
Y
Y
N
N
1/4
2/4
3/8
1.5/4
N
Y
Y
Y
N
Y
2/4
3/4
5/8
2.5/4
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
G
3/4
4/4
7/8
3.5/4
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
2/4
3/4
5/8
2.5/4
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
3/4
4/4
7/8
3.5/4
Y
C
Y
C
N
C
2/2
1/2
3/4
1.5/2
Y
C
Y
C
Y
C
2/2
2/2
4/4
2/2
Y
G
N
C
Y
C
2/3
1/2
3/5
1.5/2.5
Y
G
Y
C
N
C
3/3
1/2
4/5
2/2.5
Y
G
Y
C
Y
C
3/3
2/2
5/5
2.5/2.5
Y
Y
N
Y
N
N
2/4
1/4
3/8
1.5/4
Y
Y
N
Y
N
Y
3/4
2/4
5/8
2.5/4
Guide of Possible Student-Athlete Outcomes
2023-24
Appendix 3H
3H-3
Y
Y
N
Y
Y
G
4/4
3/4
7/8
3.5/4
Y
Y
N
Y
Y
N
3/4
2/4
5/8
2.5/4
Y
Y
N
Y
Y
Y
4/4
3/4
7/8
3.5/4
Y
Y
Y
G
N
C
2/3
2/3
4/6
2/3
Y
Y
Y
G
Y
C
3/3
3/3
6/6
3/3
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
A
2/3
2/3
4/6
2/3
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
2/4
2/4
4/8
2/4
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
Y
3/4
3/4
6/8
3/4
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
A
3/3
3/3
6/6
3/3
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
G
4/4
4/4
8/8
4/4
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
3/4
3/4
6/8
3/4
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
T
3/3
3/3
6/6
3/3
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
4/4
4/4
8/8
4/4
N
N
N
N
0/4
0/4
0/8
0/4
N
N
N
Y
1/4
1/4
2/8
1/4
N
Y
Y
Y
3/4
3/4
6/8
3/4
Y
A
Y
Y
3/3
3/3
6/6
3/3
Y
N
N
N
1/4
1/4
2/8
1/4
Y
N
N
Y
2/4
2/4
4/8
2/4
Y
N
Y
G
3/4
3/4
6/8
3/4
Y
N
Y
N
2/4
2/4
4/8
2/4
Y
N
Y
Y
3/4
3/4
6/8
3/4
Y
Y
Y
G
4/4
4/4
8/8
4/4
Y
Y
Y
Y
4/4
4/4
8/8
4/4
Table created by Donald Morrison, faculty athletics representative, University of
California, Los Angeles. Supplemented in August 2009 by NCAA research staff.
E
n
= Eligibility status at the end of term n within a given academic year.
R
n
= Retention status at the end of term n within a given academic year.
Y = Student-athlete was eligible or retained after that term.
N = Student-athlete was not eligible or retained after that term.
G = Student-athlete graduated that term.
A = NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate point was adjusted.
Guide of Possible Student-Athlete Outcomes
2023-24
Appendix 3H
3H-4
T = Retention point automatically adjusted due to transfer.
C = Continuing/post-baccalaureate student-athlete.
Blank = Student-athlete not in cohort during that term.
F, S calc = Partial APR contribution for student-athlete based on fall and spring
eligibility, retention checks.
W, S calc = Partial APR contribution for student-athlete based on winter and
spring eligibility, retention checks.
8-point scale = Sum of points earned/possible under each calculation.
4-point scale = Actual APR contribution for student-athlete.
Frequently Asked Questions on the Head Coaches APR Portfolio
Appendix 3I
3I-1
2023-24
APPENDIX 3I
Frequently Asked Questions on the Head Coaches
NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate Portfolio
Question No. 1: Can the head coaches' rate data be imported from Compliance
Assistant?
Answer: No. However, most head coaches' data are already prepopulated in the
Academic Portal, so this is not part of a Compliance Assistant import.
Question No. 2: How were the head coaches' data that are prepopulated in the portal
obtained?
Answer: The information is obtained from the NCAA membership database
and sports-sponsorship forms submitted by the institution.
Question No. 3: Should an "interim" head coach be reported?
Answer: Yes. Only coaches officially employed by a Division I institution as a
head coach will have an APR calculated in the Academic Portal. A head
coach designated as an "interim," will be included in the portal for the
"interim" period, but no APR will be calculated for the interim coach.
Question No. 4: If a sport had co-head coaches, should both coaches' names be
reported?
Answer: Yes. All head coaches should be reported. The portal will allow
overlapping employment periods and the ability to enter multiple
head coaches for an academic year for a sport.
Question No. 5: Is there an appeal process available to the head coach if they wish to
appeal the team's APRs?
Answer: No. Opportunities for appeals would have been available during the
annual NCAA Division I Academic Performance Program Data
Collection Process (e.g., data corrections and adjustments).
Question No. 6: What does an institution need to do if the head coach listed in the
portal appears correct, but the name is misspelled?
Frequently Asked Questions on the Head Coaches APR Portfolio
Appendix 3I
3I-2
2023-24
Answer: The institution should report a correction request. An NCAA staff
member will contact the individual making the request to notify them
of the change.
Question No. 7: Is the employment start date the date the head coach signed the
employment contract or the date the coach began duties as a head
coach?
Answer: The employment start date should be the date the coach started duties
as a head coach.
Question No. 8: Is the employment end date the date on which the coach was no
longer employed by the institution or the date on which the coach was
no longer the head coach?
Answer: The employment end date is the date the coach was no longer the
head coach of that sport.
Question No. 9: What if an institution does not submit any data or incomplete data
for the head coaches?
Answer: It will render all of its teams ineligible for championships. The
institution must submit the data and then request reinstatement for
championships.
Question No. 10: Will institutions be able to submit corrections to the data after
submission of all APR/APC data?
Answer: Yes. Any corrections to the head coaches' employment data must be
submitted during the institution's regular corrections period with any
corrections to an institution's APR data. Institutions are
permitted to request corrections to APC and APR data for any
academic year, including academic years not included in the current
multiyear APR calculation. Only institutions (not individuals) may
request the corrections.
Question No. 11: Will the APR for head coaches be reported as an average for all years
they were employed at the institution?
Answer: No. The APR reported will be the team's single-year APR for each
academic year (August 1 through July 31) the head coach was employed
at the institution.
Frequently Asked Questions on the Head Coaches APR Portfolio
Appendix 3I
3I-3
2023-24
Question No. 12: When will the head coaches' APR be reported publicly?
Answer: The head coaches' APR is currently available on the NCAA website
and will be updated annually each spring.
Question No. 13: Does the institution need to submit any documentation (e.g.,
contracts, employment records) to the NCAA national office?
Answer: No. An institution is not required to submit any documentation to the
national office for this specific data collection.
Question No. 14: If an institution sponsors one or two sports at the NCAA Division I
level, are they required to submit this data for those sports?
Answer: Yes. This data collection applies to its Division I teams even though
the institution is a NCAA Division II or NCAA Division III institution.
Question No. 15: If an institution used to sponsor a sport and dropped it or transitioned
it to another division, are they required to submit this data for those
sports?
Answer: Yes. Institutions will be asked to provide the information for each of
the years in which the sport was an active Division I team. If the sport
was dropped or transitioned before the 2003-04 academic year, the
institution will not be required to provide the information for that
year. However, if the APR from an academic year for the team is not
reported as part of the institution's APR report, it will not be included
as part of the public release of this data.
Frequently Asked Questions on the Collection of
Graduation Rate Data 2023-24
Appendix 3J
3J-1
APPENDIX 3J
Frequently Asked Questions
Collection of Graduation Rate Data
Institutional Reporting Requirements
Question No. 1: What do I need to submit?
Answer: All NCAA member institutions MUST complete the student-body graduation
rates and the student-body enrollment (first column on that page).
Institutions that offer athletics aid must also complete the student-athlete
enrollment.
NCAA Division I members must also provide the Graduation Success Rate for
student-athletes.
Question No. 2: Our institution recently dropped a sport/reclassified from Division I to
Division III and is no longer awarding athletics aid in that particular sport or
throughout the athletics program for all sports. What data do we need to
submit?
Answer: Your institution is required to complete the federal Integrated
Postsecondary-Education Data System (IPEDS) section for student-athletes
up to and including the last freshman cohort for whom your institution
awarded athletics aid. For example, if the last freshman class that was
awarded athletics aid was the class entering fall 2016, then, the 2016 fall
cohort would be the last cohort for which your institution would be required
to submit federal IPEDS data.
Question No. 3: Our institution does not have NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate
(APR) data for the 2016-17 cohort. What data reporting requirements do we
need to meet?
Answer: Your institution would be required to report the following data for the 2013-
14 cohort:
1. Student-body graduation rate data.
2. Student-athlete graduation rate data.
Frequently Asked Questions on the Collection of
Graduation Rate Data 2023-24
Appendix 3J
3J-2
3. Student-athlete enrollment data (academic year 2022-23).
4. Student-body enrollment data (academic year 2022-23).
5. Student-athlete GSR data.
Question No. 4: Is our institution required to submit data for sports that are not being
used to meet sports-sponsorship requirements?
Answer: Yes, institutions must report data for ALL sports even if the sport is not
being used to meet NCAA sports-sponsorship requirements.
Question No. 5: Our institution awards athletics aid in a non-NCAA sponsored sport.
How does our institution report graduation rates, GSR and ASR data for
that sport?
Answer: If your institution awards athletics aid in a non-NCAA sponsored sport,
your institution is required to report their graduation rates to comply
with federal reporting requirements (freshmen who received athletics
aid). However, you do not need to provide information on student-
athletes who meet the GSR/ASR definition (nonscholarship, mid-year
or transfer students). Since student-athletes aided in non-NCAA sports
will not be part of the annual Academic Progress Rate, your institution
will need to enter their data, either manually or by importing a text file.
Instructions for creating the file may be found under the “Graduation
Rates” tab.
Question No. 6: Our institution’s graduate date is schedule after June 1 and we will not
be able to update the final outcome for some of our student-athlete.
What should we do?
Keep in mind that this collection is based upon a six-year timeframe.
Students in this cohort (2016-17 had until August 31, 2022, to graduate,
not 2023.
Question No. 7: Our institution recently dropped a sport; do we still need to report data for the
dropped sport?
Answer: Yes. You will continue to report data for that sport until the last year you had
freshmen who received athletics aid, to satisfy federal reporting requirements. The
GSR/ASR page will reflect a federal graduation rate (FGR) for that sport, but not a
GSR.
Frequently Asked Questions on the Collection of
Graduation Rate Data 2023-24
Appendix 3J
3J-3
Student Reporting
Question No. 1: Our institution's census (enrollment) date is after the fifth week of
classes. Should a student-athlete who was included in the APR data be
included in the GSR data if they withdrew after the fifth week of classes
but before the census (enrollment) date?
Answer: Only student-athletes who were enrolled as of the institution's census
(enrollment) date should be included in the graduation (federal and
GSR) cohorts.
Question No. 2: Our institution does not offer athletics aid in a sport and has a
nonscholarship freshman who was on a team's roster for only the
freshman year—they either left or were removed from the team. Does
our institution still need to include this student-athlete when reporting
GSR data?
Answer: Yes, such a student-athlete remains in the cohort regardless of the
number of years they participated in a sport.
Question No. 3: How are multisport student-athletes reported?
Answer: Multisport student-athletes should be reported only ONCE and should
be placed in the sport for which they received athletics aid as freshmen.
If a student-athlete received athletics aid in more than one sport during
the freshman year, the federal hierarchy should be followed (i.e.,
football, basketball, baseball, cross country/track, all other sports) and
the student-athlete should be reported accordingly.
A student-athlete who did not receive athletics aid as a freshman but
was recruited or on a roster as of the first date of competition should be
reported in that sport. Institutions should use the federal hierarchy for
a freshman student-athlete who participated in more than one sport
without receiving athletics aid. If the freshman student-athlete did not
receive athletics aid but participated in more than one of the "other"
sports, the institution should select a sport to place the student-athlete.
Question No. 4: A student-athlete graduated from another four-year institution and
then transferred to our institution seeking a second baccalaureate or
graduate degree. Should this student-athlete be included in our
institution's reporting of graduation rates data?
Frequently Asked Questions on the Collection of
Graduation Rate Data 2023-24
Appendix 3J
3J-4
Answer: No, the student-athlete has already graduated from another institution
and should be excluded from your institution's reporting. Graduation
rates and GSR reporting are for undergraduate students and student-
athletes only.
Question No. 5: How are the sports of cross country and indoor and outdoor track and
field reported for the GSR? In the past, these three sports have been
combined when reporting the IPEDS-Graduation Rate Survey/federal
graduation data. Will the GSR also combine these three sports when
reporting data?
Answer: Yes, these three sports will continue to be combined. However, if cross
country or indoor or outdoor track and field teams fall into the APP
penalty structure and the GSR is needed for one of these three sports,
that institution may be required to provide the data necessary to
separate the graduation rate by sport.
Question No. 6: How should we report student-athletes who were awarded athletics aid
after their freshman year?
Answer: Student-athletes who did not receive athletics aid their first year at your
institution should not be included in the GSR reporting.
Question No. 7: Our institution has a student-athlete who enrolled part time at our
institution for an entire academic year following high school graduation
and then later enrolled full time at our institution. Should we include
them in the reporting year's cohort?
Answer: No, the student-athlete should not be included within the reporting.
Question No. 8: Our institution has a student-athlete who enrolled part time at another
institution for an entire academic year following high school graduation
and then later enrolled full time at our institution. Should we include
the student-athlete in the reporting year's cohort?
Answer: No, the student-athlete should not be included in the reporting.
Question No. 9: Our institution has a student-athlete who enrolled in the fall term but
did not receive athletics aid until the spring term. Should we include
the student-athlete in the reporting year's cohort?
Frequently Asked Questions on the Collection of
Graduation Rate Data 2023-24
Appendix 3J
3J-5
Answer: Yes, freshmen who enter an institution in the fall can receive athletics
aid at any time during their freshman year to be included in the
reporting. However, midyear freshmen and transfers MUST receive
athletics aid their first time at your institution to be included in the
Division I GSR.
Question No. 10: What is the NCAA ID or unique identification number
Answer: This is a unique identification number that is required for each student-
athlete record. Student-athletes at Division I institutions should have
an NCAA ID obtained through the NCAA Eligibility Center
and there is a look-up function with the system to find the number. It
the student-athlete does not have an NCAA ID, your institution needs
to create and enter for
student-athletes who are not in a reporting year’s APR cohort but
should be included in the reporting year’s GSR cohort.
Question No. 11: Our institution offers a PharmD program or other professional program
where the student graduates at the end of seven years with their degree
but does not receive a baccalaureate degree. How do we record a final
outcome for this student?
Answer: The student should be removed from the reporting cohort. Please pull
down on the box, “reason not in cohort” and select “seven-year degree
program.” This will remove the student-athlete from the reporting.
Question No. 12: A student begins initial full-time enrollment at another institution in
the spring semester and, later, transfers to our institution and receives
athletics aid. Is the student included in our GSR?
Answer: No, while a student can transfer to your institution at any time in an
academic year, the student has to have their initial enrollment in the
fall term of the academic year to be included in the GSR as a transfer
student.
Question No. 13: There is a student-athlete missing from the GSR/ASR, who according to our records,
meets the definition to be included. How do we add this student?
Answer: Remember that the student-athlete names on the Student-Athlete Outcomes page
are pulled from the data previously entered in APR. First check the "Student List"
page under the "Academic Data" tab to find the student (you will have to change
the academic year). If you find the student- athlete, confirm the enrollment dates
as well as the first year of academic data reported. If there are errors with the
reported data or if the student- athlete is not listed in either APR or APC, please
Frequently Asked Questions on the Collection of
Graduation Rate Data 2023-24
Appendix 3J
3J-6
contact Sadie Martinez. Do not add the student manually on the Outcomes page.
Question No. 14: We have a student who has transitioned while attending the institution. How do
we report this student?
Answer: Per the Department of Education, transgender students should be counted
consistent with their gender identity. For example, a student who identifies as male
should be counted in the same way as other male students, even if the participant's
records or identification documents indicate a different sex. This may result in
having to revise your initial cohort.
Allowable Exclusions/Left Eligible Reporting.
Question No. 1: If a student-athlete leaves our institution to serve in the armed forces
for another country, can they be reported as an allowable exclusion?
Answer: Yes, a student-athlete who leaves your institution to serve in any
country's armed forces may be reported as an allowable exclusion.
Question No. 2: Our institution has a female student-athlete who became pregnant and
was indicated as an allowable exclusion in APR. Is pregnancy also an
allowable exclusion for graduation rates and GSR?
Answer: No, allowable exclusions for graduation rates, GSR are limited to
military service, death or permanent disability, official religious mission
and foreign aid service. Pregnancy is NOT considered an allowable
exclusion for this data report and cannot be reported as such.
Question No. 3: If a student-athlete were diagnosed with cancer, would this be
considered an allowable exclusion?
Answer: Yes.
Question No. 4: Our institution has a student-athlete who initially enrolled full time at
another four-year institution the fall term and received athletics aid.
The student-athlete left that institution following the spring term for
active military duty and was reported by that institution as an allowable
exclusion for this reporting. The student-athlete later transferred to our
institution and received athletics aid. However, the student-athlete did
not graduate by the end of the sixth year since initial full-time
enrollment. Can our institution report this student-athlete as an
allowable exclusion even though the student-athlete did not report for
Frequently Asked Questions on the Collection of
Graduation Rate Data 2023-24
Appendix 3J
3J-7
active military duty while enrolled at our institution?
Answer: Yes.
Question No. 5: Our institution had several student-athletes who were medical
noncounters who continued to receive athletics aid after their freshman
year. Are these student-athletes considered allowable exclusions for
GSR reporting?
Answer: No, these student-athletes would not be considered allowable
exclusions for the GSR since they are not permanently disabled and
were able to return to your institution.
Question No. 6: Our institution has a student-athlete who received a medical-absence
waiver for an entire academic year. Is this student-athlete included or
GSR reporting?
Answer: Yes, student-athletes who receive a medical-absence waiver should be
included within the GSR cohort if they meet the definition to be
included within the GSR cohort.
Question No. 7: Our institution has a student-athlete who left the institution
academically ineligible because of incomplete grades on their
transcript. They returned to our institution to make up the coursework
and received passing grades. Can our institution report the student-
athlete as "Left Eligible?"
Answer: No, GSR data submission requires institutions to report on those
student-athletes with athletics eligibility remaining who left their
institutions prior to receiving their baccalaureate degree and who
would have been academically eligible to compete in the next regular
academic term had they returned to their institutions. Since these
student-athletes would have been academically ineligible to compete
had they returned to their institutions, they would be noted as
academically ineligible for GSR reporting and cannot be reported as
"Left Eligible."
Question No. 8: A student-athlete left the institution academically ineligible; however,
the student-athlete received an APR adjustment for the lost eligibility
point. Can that student-athlete be reported as "Left Eligible?"
Answer: No, adjustments in the APR do not apply to the GSR. Since this student-
athlete left the institution academically ineligible to compete had they
Frequently Asked Questions on the Collection of
Graduation Rate Data 2023-24
Appendix 3J
3J-8
returned to the institution, they would be noted as academically
ineligible for GSR reporting and cannot be reported as "Left Eligible."
Question No. 9: A student-athlete left our institution academically eligible with athletics
eligibility remaining after the third year of enrollment; however, the
student-athlete returned to the institution prior to the end of the sixth
year since initial full-time enrollment and has not yet graduated. Can
this student-athlete be reported as “Left Eligible?”
Answer: No, the student-athlete’s status must be determined based upon their
last status at your institution as of the end of the sixth year since initial
full-time enrollment (August 31, 2019, for the 2013 freshman cohort).
However, there is now an exception for students who have left the
institution for professional athletics and were academically eligible to
compete at the time of their departure. The student-athlete’s status at
the time of the departure (i.e., left eligible) will be used for GSR
reporting purposes, even if they have returned to the institution (either
full or part time) within the six-year timeframe.
Question No. 10: We have a student-athlete who quit the team after the freshman year
yet remained at our institution for another year before transferring. At
which point do we determine the final outcome – when the student
quits the team or leaves the institution?
Answer: The determination for the final outcome is made when the student-
athlete separates from the institution, not the team. This may result in
having to perform an athletics eligibility check for a student who is no
longer a student-athlete.
Chapter 4
NCAA Division I
Committee on Academics
Policies and Procedures
2023-24
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Policies and Procedures
Chapter 4
Organization of the NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Policies and
Procedures
The Committee on Academics Policies and Procedures document outlines the operations
and authority of the Committee and the three reporting subcommittees.
CHAPTER 1: NCAA Division I Committee on Academics
Policies and procedures applicable to full committee administration.
Applicable NCAA Division I Academic Performance Program legislation, standards
and policies related to the academic-values-based revenue distribution.
CHAPTER 2: NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Subcommittee on
Student-Athlete Academics
Policies and procedures applicable to Subcommittee on Student-Athlete Academic's
administration.
CHAPTER 3: NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Subcommittee on
Data
Policies and procedures applicable to Subcommittee on Data's administration.
Appendices (e.g., factual examples, FAQs, waiver directives).
CHAPTER 4: NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Subcommittee on
Penalties and Appeals
Policies and procedures applicable to Subcommittee on Penalties and Appeals'
administration.
Appendices (e.g., factual examples, FAQs, waiver directives).
Color Codes:
Portions of the Manual highlighted in the following colors indicate:
Grey = Changes or revisions via NCAA Division I Proposal 2014-2 or policy
recommendations by the Committee on Academics.
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Policies and Procedures
Chapter 4
Table of Contents
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Subcommittee on Penalties and
Appeals
Purpose ......................................................................................................1
Duties and Responsibilities ........................................................................1
Composition................................................................................................2
Selection of Subcommittee Chair ...............................................................2
Responsibilities of Subcommittee Chair .....................................................2
Reporting Lines ..........................................................................................3
Absences ....................................................................................................4
Voting Procedures ......................................................................................4
Forwarding Subcommittee Recommendations ...........................................4
Noncontroversial Policies and Procedures Guidelines ...............................5
Speaking Agent Policy ................................................................................5
Conflicts of Interest .....................................................................................6
NCAA Division I Academic Performance Program Access to Postseason
Competition
Limited-Resource Institutions .....................................................................8
Postseason Access Filters .........................................................................8
Notification of a Team's Loss of Access to Postseason Competition ....... 14
Timing of Loss of Access to Postseason Competition .............................. 14
Timing of Loss of Access to Postseason Competition for
New Division I Teams ............................................................................ 14
Notifying Student-Athletes of Loss of Access to Postseason
Competition............................................................................................ 14
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Policies and Procedures
Chapter 4
Table of Contents (continued)
Deadline to Notify Student-Athletes of Pending Loss of Access to
Postseason Competition ........................................................................ 15
Waiver of the Deadline to Notify Student-Athletes of Pending Loss of
Access to Postseason Competition ....................................................... 15
Loss of Access to Postseason Competition and Transfers ....................... 16
Academic Performance Program Waivers of Loss of Access to
Postseason Competition
Application Procedures ............................................................................. 17
Staff Conflict of Interest ........................................................................... 18
Use of Third Parties in Waiver Requests .................................................. 18
Staff Review, Deliberations and Decisions ............................................... 19
Reporting Staff Decisions ......................................................................... 20
Appeals of Staff Decisions ........................................................................ 20
Subcommittee/Committee Conflict of Interest........................................... 21
Ex Parte Communication .......................................................................... 21
Appeal Procedures ................................................................................... 21
Appeals of Subcommittee Decisions ........................................................ 25
Committee Deliberations and Decisions ................................................... 26
Reconsideration of Waiver Requests ....................................................... 27
Review of Conditionally Approved Waivers of Loss of Access to
Postseason Competition ........................................................................ 27
Appeals and Reconsideration of Staff Decisions on Conditionally
Approved Waivers of Access to Postseason Competition ..................... 29
Subcommittee Deliberations and Decisions on Appeals of Conditionally
Approved Waivers of Access to Postseason Competition ..................... 29
Academic Performance Penalties
APP Penalty Structure ............................................................................. 32
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Policies and Procedures
Chapter 4
Table of Contents (continued)
Limited-Resource Institutions .................................................................. 33
APP Penalty Filters .................................................................................. 33
Notification of a Team’s APP Penalties .................................................. 38
Timing of APP Penalties ......................................................................... 38
Timeline for New Division I Teams .........................................................38
Reporting of APP Penalties Taken .......................................................... 38
Academic Performance Program Waivers of Penalties General
Staff Conflict of Interest ........................................................................... 39
Use of Third Parties in Waiver Requests .................................................. 39
Subcommittee/Committee Conflict of Interest........................................... 40
Ex Parte Communication .......................................................................... 40
Data Issues............................................................................................... 40
Delay Requests ....................................................................................... 40
Academic Performance Program Waivers of Penalties
Application Procedures ............................................................................. 41
Staff Review, Deliberations and Decisions .............................................. 41
Reporting Staff Decisions ......................................................................... 43
Appeals of Staff Decisions ........................................................................ 43
Appeal Procedures ................................................................................... 44
Reconsideration of Level-One or Two APP Penalty
Waiver Requests.................................................................................... 47
Review of Conditionally Approved Level-One or-Two APP
Penalty Waivers .................................................................................... 47
Appeals and Reconsideration of Staff Decisions on Conditionally
Approved Waivers of Level-One and Two Penalties ............................. 49
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Policies and Procedures
Chapter 4
Table of Contents (continued)
Academic Performance Program APR Improvement Plans
Plan Development and Submission Requirements .................................. 51
APR Improvement Plan Submission Dates ............................................. 52
Additional Requirements for Limited-Resource Institutions ..................... 52
Implementations of APR Improvement Plans ........................................... 53
Failure to Develop a Required APR Improvement Plan ............................ 55
Staff Evaluation of New APR Improvement Plans and the
Implementation of Previous Improvement Plans .................................... 55
Academic Performance Program Public Recognition Program
APP Public Recognition Program ............................................................. 57
Committee on Academics Subcommittee on Penalties and Appeals
Interpretations
Interpretations ........................................................................................... 58
Interpretive Request Process .................................................................. 58
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Policies and Procedures
Chapter 4
4-1
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics
Subcommittee on Penalties and Appeals
Purpose
The NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Subcommittee on Penalties and Appeals is
one of three standing subcommittees that reports directly to and helps facilitate the work of
the NCAA Division I Committee on Academics. The others are the NCAA Division I
Committee on Academics Subcommittee on Data and the NCAA Division I Committee on
Academics Subcommittee on Student-Athlete Academics.
The Subcommittee on Penalties and Appeals' purpose is to administer specific aspects of the
NCAA Division I Academic Performance Program on behalf of the NCAA Division I
membership and the Committee on Academics. The central purpose of the APP is to ensure
that the membership is dedicated to providing student-athletes with an exemplary
educational and intercollegiate athletics experience in an environment that recognizes and
supports the primacy of the academic mission of its member institutions, while enhancing the
ability of student-athletes to earn a degree. (Revised: 10/11. Effective: 10/11)
Duties and Responsibilities
The Subcommittee on Penalties and Appeals will:
1. Study issues and develop policies related to APP penalties and appeals and the
application of APP penalties and access to postseason competition.
2. Recommend changes to the APP for consideration by the Committee on Academics
based on research, data analysis and practical experience. Evaluate APP policies and
determine if any should be forwarded to the full committee for review and/or possible
action.
3. Interpret APP penalties and appeals legislation and policies, including access to
postseason competition and waiver requests.
4. Take final action on routine or noncontroversial matters of operational policy and
procedures (e.g., the waiver directive).
5. Administer and oversee all aspects of APP waiver requests and appeals processes,
including requests to waive loss of access to postseason competition and requests to
waive Level-One and -Two APP penalties.
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Policies and Procedures
Chapter 4
4-2
6. With the Subcommittee on Data, oversee the committee reporting function, including
responsibility for written notification to institutions of penalties resulting from
failure to meet minimum established APR and/or GSR criteria for the APP penalty
structure.
7. Administer and oversee any other matters, not otherwise specified, as directed by the
Committee on Academics.
Composition
The subcommittee shall consist of five members of the Committee on Academics. All
subcommittee members shall be on the staff of an active Division I institution or conference.
One member will serve as chair, at the discretion of the chair of the Committee on Academics.
Selection of Subcommittee Chair
Each of the committee's subcommittees shall have a chair. Subcommittee chairs normally
serve as chair for the remainder of their respective committee term. Subcommittee chairs are
to be selected as follows:
1. The subcommittee discusses the pending open chair position and subcommittee
members are provided the opportunity to nominate themselves or another member for
the position.
2. The current subcommittee chair or the staff confirms the interest and willingness of
each nominee to serve as chair.
3. Names of nominees and a recommendation of the outgoing chair are provided to the
Committee on Academics chair.
4. The Committee on Academics chair selects the subcommittee chair.
Responsibilities of Subcommittee Chair
1. Oversee the development of subcommittee agendas.
2. Lead the subcommittee's videoconferences and meetings.
3. Welcome and assist in transition and training of new subcommittee members.
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Policies and Procedures
Chapter 4
4-3
4. Review and decide appeals of staff decisions in waiver cases.
5. Review appealed cases forwarded from staff that do not align with the standard
appellate process to determine if the subcommittee should consider the appeal.
6. Contact subcommittee members who are not fulfilling their responsibilities and
recommend to the committee chair that a subcommittee member be replaced if such
member is not fulfilling their duties.
7. Present subcommittee reports during full Committee on Academics meetings.
8. Participate as members of the Committee on Academics Administrative Committee.
9. Recommend selection of new subcommittee chair.
10. Hear and decide any requests for extensions of the timeline for loss of access to
postseason competition and Level-One and -Two penalty waiver appeal requests.
11. Perform and oversee any other matters as necessary to execute specific subcommittee
duties and responsibilities.
Reporting Lines
The Subcommittee on Penalties and Appeals reports to the Committee on Academics. As the
division's primary academic authority, the Committee on Academics retains the authority to
review action taken by the Subcommittee on Penalties and Appeals on routine and
noncontroversial matters of policies and procedures.
Committee on Academics
Comprised of 20 members including at least 2 chancellors
or presidents; one provost; four faculty athletics
representatives; one director of athletics; one senior
woman administrator; one conference administrator and
one student-athlete. At least two members from each of
the three Division I membership subdivisions.
Subcommittee on
Student-Athlete
Academics
Six members of
Committee on
Academics including
SAAC representative.
Progress-Toward-
Degree Waivers
Committee
High School
Review
Committee+
Student Records
Review
Committee+
Initial Eligibility
Waivers
Committee+
(4 subcommittees)
International
Student Records
Committee+
Subcommittee on
Data
Six members of
Committee on
Academics.
Subcommittee on
Penalties and
Appeals
Five members of
Committee on
Academics.
NCAA Academic Governance Structure
+ Operations managed by the NCAA Eligibility Center
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Policies and Procedures
Chapter 4
4-4
Absences
The Subcommittee on Penalties and Appeals generally conducts in-person meetings and
videoconferences. Alternates may not be appointed to attend a meeting or videoconference
in the absence of a subcommittee member. Subcommittee members who are not in
attendance at two consecutive meetings or videoconferences will be contacted by the chair of
the subcommittee to discuss the member's continued service to the subcommittee and
committee. Further absences will result in the committee chair or staff contacting the
subcommittee member to discuss the member's excessive absences. A subcommittee member
may be dismissed from the subcommittee and committee after further absences.
Voting Procedures
The method of voting on issues considered by the subcommittee will be verbal if the vote is
conducted via teleconference, or by the show of hands if the vote is conducted in person or
on videoconference. The vote is taken of the subcommittee members present, except for
actions taken by unanimous or obvious consent. The chair, or acting chair, shall not vote
unless there is a tie vote among present and voting members. In situations where there is a tie
vote, the chair will cast the deciding vote. Subcommittee members must be present to vote,
and a simple majority of members present, and voting will prevail.
Forwarding Subcommittee Recommendations
Subcommittees that report to the Committee on Academics follow these policies in
forwarding recommendations to the full committee:
1. Each subcommittee will determine whether it may take final action on a policy and
procedure item without referral to the Committee on Academics (see Noncontroversial
Policies and Procedures – Guidelines);
2. Each subcommittee must provide a written report of its meetings and
videoconferences to the full committee. These reports must include any requests for
full committee action recommended by the subcommittee.
3. Any legislative change recommended by a subcommittee must be presented to the full
committee for discussion and action.
4. The committee may elect to alter any subcommittee recommendation requiring a vote
of the full committee.
5. If further deliberations are required, the committee may table the recommendation or
refer it back to the subcommittee for additional discussion.
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Policies and Procedures
Chapter 4
4-5
Noncontroversial Policies and Procedures Guidelines
The following guidelines are to assist the subcommittee in determining whether a policy and
procedure is routine and noncontroversial in nature:
1. A subcommittee policy or procedure may be considered noncontroversial only if:
a. Broader consultation and debate by the Committee on Academics is unlikely to
improve the policy or procedure in any substantial way.
b. Significant disagreement or alternative points of view will not be generated.
c. Such policies and procedures do not have a significant impact (unanticipated
consequences, undesirable precedent) on existing legislation or current policies
and procedures.
2. A noncontroversial policy or procedure, at a minimum, should have the following
factors present:
a. The policy or procedure should have minimal impact on competitive or
recruiting equity.
b. The policy or procedure should have minimal financial impact.
c. The policy or procedure must enjoy broad support from the originating
subcommittee.
d. The policy or procedure should not negatively impact student-athlete welfare.
e. The policy or procedure should not significantly impact the Division I academic
standards (initial and continuing eligibility).
Speaking Agent Policy
The NCAA speaking agent policy is as follows:
"The president of the Association and the chair of the Board of Governors are the only individuals
authorized to speak on behalf of the Association except as outlined below.
An individual representing a member institution or conference who speaks or opines on an
Association issue only has the authority to express the view of that individual or the member
institution or conference unless the individual has been designated by the Board of Governors of
the Association as a speaking agent of the Association on that issue.
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Policies and Procedures
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4-6
Committee chairs are hereby designated as speaking agents of their committees regarding issues
within their committees' jurisdiction on which there is consensus, except that positions of
advocacy on behalf of the committee or the Association to be communicated in writing or orally
to persons or entities external to the Association must have prior approval by the NCAA Board
of Governors or the president of the Association. For the purposes of this policy, committees
include all NCAA committees, cabinets, boards, councils, subcommittees, and special and ad
hoc groups.
The president of the Association is hereby granted authority to designate additional speaking
agents of the Association."
Subcommittee members are expected to adhere to this policy.
Conflict of Interest Policy
A subcommittee member shall not participate in the subcommittee's discussion or vote on
any action that might bring direct or indirect financial benefit to the member or any
organization in which the member is financially interested (other than the member's
institution or the conference of which it is a member). A violation of this rule by a member of
the committee shall not invalidate the action taken by the subcommittee if, following
disclosure of the conflict of interest, the subcommittee authorizes, ratifies or approves the
action by a vote sufficient for the purpose, without counting the vote of the subcommittee
member with the conflict of interest, and the Committee on Academics approves such action.
Additionally, subcommittee members must recuse themselves from participation in a waiver
appeal or committee discussion in which they are personally connected with an institution or
conference (e.g., previous employer, conference member, alma mater). A subcommittee
member with a personal relationship or institutional affiliation that reasonably would result
in any appearance of bias or prejudice should refrain from participating in any manner in the
review or discussion. However, a subcommittee member that has recused themself may
participate in the preparation of a waiver request for their own institution, including, but not
limited to, drafting the waiver application, preparing waiver arguments and gathering waiver
materials.
It is the responsibility of the subcommittee member to remove themself if a conflict exists.
Institutional objections to a subcommittee member participating in a waiver appeal must be
raised with and resolved by the chair or acting chair as soon as recognized but will not be
considered unless the concern is raised before the subcommittee's review. Participation by a
subcommittee member in previous APP matters involving the institution or with regard to
general policy (e.g., NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate adjustments) does not
constitute a conflict of interest requiring recusal.
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Policies and Procedures
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4-7
This conflict-of-interest policy shall apply for all aspects of the subcommittee member's
participation in subcommittee-related activities.
In the event that the subcommittee chair must recuse themself or is unable to participate in
subcommittee business, the remaining members must vote, by simple majority, to determine
who will serve as "acting chair." In addition, in the event that an institution objects to the
chair participating in a review or waiver request based on a conflict-of-interest concern, the
remaining members must vote, by simple majority, to determine who will serve as "acting
chair," and the acting chair will resolve the conflict of interest issue regarding the chair before
the hearing. If the acting chair finds that no conflict exists, then the chair may resume that
role. (Revised: 12/08. Effective: 12/08)
NCAA Division I Academic Performance Program
Access to Postseason Competition
The APP is the result of an April 2002 NCAA Division I Board of Directors resolution outlining
the academic reform package and instructing that a system of incentives and disincentives be
developed that rewards those sports teams that do well academically and penalizes those that
do not.
In October 2011, the Board of Directors approved modifications to the APP. These
modifications included adoption of academic standards for access to postseason competition.
Therefore, academic performance, as measured by the APR, is now an element of qualification
for postseason participation. This modification is designed to embed academics as a first
expectation.
Access to postseason competition is tied directly to the "benefits" of Association membership.
For those sports teams and athletics programs that perform at an unacceptable level
academically, benefits will be denied or restricted. See Appendix 4G for information on when
the NCAA postseason begins for each sport. NOTE: The Board of Directors approved the
suspension of loss of access to postseason competition for the 2021-22 (2019-20
academic data), 2022-23 (2020-21 academic data) and 2023-24 (2021-22 academic data)
academic years for those teams not meeting the APR benchmark. The program returns
to normal operations with the submission of the 2022-23 academic data.
Several key principles guide access to postseason competition:
1. Access to postseason competition is contingent on an expected level of academic
performance as demonstrated with the APP's rates and metrics. Failing to meet these
standards may cause a team and all individual student-athletes to lose access to
postseason competition. All Division I athletics programs and sports teams will be
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Policies and Procedures
Chapter 4
4-8
subject to the use of the APR benchmark as an access point for postseason competition.
This includes Division I sports offered at NCAA Divisions II and III institutions.
2. The APP's goal is to encourage improved academic performance of all student-athletes
on all sports teams so the mission of the NCAA and its commitment to student-athletes
can be better realized.
3. The APP structure must appropriately address those programs that have demonstrated
academic underachievement (e.g., those with multiyear rates below the postseason
access benchmark).
NCAA Division I Bylaws 15.01.8 and 14.8 provide the legislative foundation for academic
requirements to access postseason competition.
Limited-Resource Institutions
The Committee on Academics recognizes limited-resource institutions as in need of
additional accommodations within the APP. Specific institutional characteristics are
reviewed annually to identify LRIs: (1) Average Pell Grant dollars awarded to first-time full-
time undergraduate students (to assess neediness of student-body); (2) Per capita
institutional spending (to determine the neediness of the institution); and (3) Per capita
athletics spending (to assess neediness of the athletics department).
Institutions with the most limited resources, ranking in the bottom 15 percent, excluding
Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) institutions, have access to a mission filter to avoid loss of
access to postseason competition. This filter is only available the first time a team from an
LRI loses access to postseason competition. These institutions also have access to LRI filters
to avoid loss of access to postseason competition and APP penalties. These filters can be used
twice over five years beginning in 2016-17. (Adopted: 07/09. Revised: 10/11. Effective: 10/11.
Revised: 4/16. Effective: 4/16.Revised:4/18. Effective: 4/18)
Written notification will be provided annually by the staff to institutions ranking in the
bottom 15 percent based on institutional resources and to institutions no longer within the
15th percentile. (Adopted: 07/09. Revised: 10/11. Effective: 10/11.)
Postseason Access Filters
A team with a multiyear APR below 930 loses access to postseason competition. Limited filters
will be applied to confirm whether the team will actually lose access to postseason.
1. Improvement Filter. If a team's APR falls below the APP threshold for access to
postseason competition a second time and beyond, it is reviewed with the
improvement filter. This filter considers meaningful improvement as defined by the
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Policies and Procedures
Chapter 4
4-9
Committee on Academics as a means to avoid loss of access to postseason competition.
Meaningful improvement is defined as an average APR of 950 over the two most recent
years making up the current multiyear rate. The two-year APR average is calculated by
summing the APR points earned in the two most recent years (including delayed-
graduation points earned during those two years) and dividing by the sum of the points
possible for the two most recent years. This filter is automatically applied the second
year and beyond that a team faces a loss of access to postseason competition. Level-
One penalties are not impacted by this filter. The impact on Level-Two penalties is
addressed later in this chapter.
2. Non-FBS Limited-Resource Institution Filters. Teams at non-FBS institutions,
identified as limited resource, with a multiyear APR below the benchmark required to
avoid loss of access to postseason competition have access to additional filters.
a. Mission Filter. The first time a team falls below the APP threshold for access to
postseason competition, the team can benefit from the application of the
mission filter. The filter considers if the institution is identified as limited
resourced and is not FBS. In such cases if the team's most recent four-year
Graduation Success Rate is 50 percent or higher, the filter provides relief from
loss of access to postseason competition. The mission filter is only available
the first time a team loses access to postseason competition. It is unavailable
Improvement Filter Example
Men's cross-country team has the following APR data:
Single
- Year
APR –
Year 1
Single
-Year
APR –
Year 2
Single
-Year
APR –
Year 3
Single
-Year
APR –
Year 4
Multi-
year
APR
937
844
906
1000
922
The team has lost access to postseason competition for the second time
, and thus
is able
to use the improvement filter. Calculation of the two most recent data years'
APR:
Year 3 Year 4 2-Year Average
U29 points earned + U32 points earned = U61 points earned U = 953
32 point possible 32 points possible 64 points possible
The two most recent years' average APR is 950 or greater, so the team meets the
improvement filter and has access to postseason competition.
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Policies and Procedures
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to a team after the team initially loses access to postseason competition. This
filter is automatically applied only one time and impacts only postseason access.
No other filter exists the first time a team is below the benchmark. Specific
Level-One or -Two penalties are not impacted by this filter. (Revised: 1/15.
Effective: 1/15. Revised: 6/15. Effective: 6/15. Revised 4/18. Effective: 4/18)
b. Other LRI Filters. Teams at non-FBS LRIs that present a multiyear APR below
the benchmark required to avoid loss of access to postseason competition have
access to additional filters. These filters are available to each team at a non-FBS
LRI twice within a rolling five-year period. They require an APR Improvement
Plan that meets a set of enhanced criteria established by the committee. The
following chart explains the application of LRI filters (Revised: 02/16. Effective
for data submitted in the fall of 2016. Revised 05/20. Effective for data submitted
in the fall 2021).
LRI Filters
(began with the 2015-16 data)
Three filters for teams with an APR <930:
1. 920 multiyear APR;
2. 940 two-year APR (most recent years); or
3. 930 single-year APR and meets one of five
improvement tests. See Appendix 4F for
more information on improvement tests.
Filters can be used twice over a rolling five-
year period; LRI must decide if it will avail
itself to the filters at the time of data
submission.
Filters require an APR Improvement Plan that
meets a set of enhanced criteria established
by the Committee on Academics to ensure
more presidential engagement.
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Policies and Procedures
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To access the LRI filters above, the institution must have developed a meaningful APR
Improvement Plan and have had a history of implementing any prior plans. To satisfy
this requirement the following enhanced criteria must be met:
a. A history of implementation of APR Improvement Plans – significant and
critical elements - if a plan was previously required. Implementation reports
must include a signed statement from the chancellor/president on the
effectiveness of the initiatives that were implemented. The implementation
report must include demonstration that all goals tied to a team's critical issues
were implemented. The implementation report must also include a report on
the progress made implementing any long-term goals;
b. Broad-based participation in the development, assessment, and oversight of the
plan. The APR Improvement Plan development team must include the
institution's highest academic authority (e.g., provost). As appropriate, the plan
team should include representatives from any function area or department of
the institution that is required to complete a step (e.g., admissions, academic
support, athletic administration, coaches, faculty groups, technology staff,
purchasing, finance);
c. A current APR Improvement Plan that identifies critical issues supported by
data analysis;
d. Goals in the current APR Improvement Plan must be performance based (e.g.,
decrease the number of lost eligibility points) and outcome specific (e.g., create
an academic profile for successful two-year transfer student-athletes). They
should include short-term benchmarks to track their progress. Steps designed
LRI Filter Example
Institutional use of the LRI filter:
2017-18
SPORT
2018-19
SPORT
2019-20
SPORT
2020-21
SPORT
2021-22
SPORT
2022-23
SPORT
2023-24
SPORT
2024-25
SPORT
MTR
MTR
Eligible
MBA
MFB
MFB
Eligible
WBB
WSO
WSO
Eligible
Men's Track (MTR) example: The team used the LRI filter in both 2017-18 and 2018-19. The
next opportunity the team would be eligible to use the filter would be for the 2022-23 academic
year based on 2020-21 APP data.
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to achieve the goals should specify how the goal will be achieved and should
include specific individuals and their roles in the process. Goals can be short- or
long-term, but long-term goals must include short-term benchmarks to track
and demonstrate progress;
e. The APR Improvement Plan must include a reporting timeline created by the
institution. The timeline can be adjusted if needed, but all adjustments must be
communicated with and approved by the NCAA staff. (Adopted: 04/12. Effective:
04/12. Revised 10/15 and 2/16. Effective for APR Improvement Plans written for
2016-17 and beyond.);
f. Projected single-year APR targets that elevate the team out of the penalty
structure within four-years; and
g. Approval by chancellor or president. When developing a new APR Improvement
Plan, the institution must make the chancellor or president and the
improvement plan team, including the institution's highest academic
authority, available for videoconference in which they outline the improvement
plan in order to demonstrate involvement in its development and future
implementation;
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This chart demonstrates the process for determining access to postseason competition:
Is the team's
multiyear APR
930 or higher?
YES
NO
Has the institution notified the staff
that it plans to use an LRI filters this
year (can be used twice in five
years)?
Are the institution's resources
classified in the bottom 15
percent of all Division I
institutions?
YES
YES
YES
NO
Is the team's most recent
GSR 50% or higher?
(Mission Filter)
YES
NO
Does the institution's APR
Improvement Plan meet the
committee's requirements?
Stop here.
This team is subject to loss of
access to postseason
competition.
Is the team's multiyear APR 920 or
higher OR is the average of the
team's two most recent single years
of APR data 940 or higher OR does
it have at least a 930 in its current
single-year data and meet one
improvement test?
YES
Stop here.
This team is eligible
to request an LRI
filter and may not
be subject to loss of
access to postseason
competition.
Stop here.
This team is
subject to loss of
access to
postseason
competition.
NO
Is this the first time the
team has faced a loss of
postseason?
YES
NO
Is the average of the
team's two most recent
single years of APR
data 950 or higher?
(Improvement Filter)
NO
Stop here.
This team is not
subject to loss of
access to
postseason
competition.
YES
Stop here.
This team is not subject
to loss of access to
postseason competition.
Are the institution's resources classified in
the bottom 15% of all Division I institutions
and is the institution not FBS?
(Other LRI Filters)
Stop here.
This team is
subject to loss
of access to
postseason
competition.
NO
Stop here.
This team is not
subject to loss of
access to postseason
competition.
YES
NO
NO
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Notification of Loss of Access to Postseason Competition
Once an institution confirms its data is accurate in the correction/adjustment period of the
data collection process, and if any of the institution's teams are subject to a loss of postseason
access, a report will be posted on the institution's password-protected APP website accessed
through the Academic Portal. The report will indicate any team(s) that has lost access to
postseason competition. The availability of the report is considered official notification of the
loss of postseason access. Public announcements of team APR, access to postseason
competition and penalties will occur in the late spring of each academic year.
Timing of Loss of Access to Postseason Competition
Teams subject to loss of access to postseason competition will lose that access in the academic
year following official notice of the loss of access. For example, a team that received notice of
loss of access to postseason competition during the 2023-24 academic year cannot participate
in postseason competition in the 2024-25 academic year. Public release of all teams losing
access to postseason competition in 2024-25 will be announced in May 2024.
Timing of the Loss of Access to Postseason Competition for New
Division I Teams
Teams transitioning to Division I will be subject to loss of access to postseason competition
after three years of APR/Academic Performance Census data have been submitted if the three-
year APR is below the benchmark.
Notifying Student-Athletes of Team's Loss of Access to Postseason
Competition
Institutions with a team that has lost access to postseason competition are required to advise
the team's student-athletes regarding the team's loss of access to postseason competition and
the applicable transfer policies within 48 hours of the final notice of penalties (if no waiver is
requested) or within 48 hours of the decision following the institution's final appellate
opportunity, whichever is later. Additionally, institutions are required to note within the
NCAA's Academic Portal the date that student-athletes were notified. (Adopted: 07/12.
Effective: 07/12.)
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Deadline to Notify Student-Athletes of Pending Loss of Access to
Postseason Competition for School's in Data Review and/or APP Waiver
Process
Institutions must notify student-athletes on teams potentially subject to loss of access to
postseason competition by June 1 in instances in which the school's data review and/or APP
waiver processes are incomplete. This policy permits student-athletes in their last season of
competition to transfer, if desired, in accordance with current committee policies, even if the
data review or waiver request has not been fully resolved. (Adopted: 10/13. Effective: 10/13.)
Waiver of the Deadline to Notify Student-Athletes of Pending Loss of
Access to Postseason Competition
An institution can request a waiver to the June 1 notification date from the Subcommittee on
Data in instances in which there are mitigating circumstances beyond the control of the
institution that impact the timely resolution of the data review and/or a waiver request. Such
a request must be made in writing by the institution's chancellor or president. The
Subcommittee on Data shall conduct its deliberations by teleconference, email or in person.
Such deliberations shall involve only Subcommittee on Data members and national office staff
members.
Should the subcommittee deny such a request, an appeal of the subcommittee's decision
would be considered by the chair of the Committee on Academics and, in instances of a
conflict of interest, by the vice chair of the Committee on Academics. The appeal request must
be submitted within seven calendar days of the receipt of the notification of the Subcommittee
on Data's decision.
The chair's (or vice chair's) consideration of the appeal must be based on the following criteria:
The institution must demonstrate that the Subcommittee on Data abused its discretion in
denying the request. Abuse of discretion occurs when the subcommittee fails to follow NCAA
legislation and/or established APP policies and procedures, and the failure to adhere to
legislation or policies reasonably could have resulted in a different decision. The chair (or vice
chair) can request clarification of any facts from the chair of the Subcommittee on Data.
The chair (or vice chair) will conduct their review on the paper record and the institution will
not participate in the review. The chair (or vice chair) may approve or deny the appeal request.
If the chair (or vice chair) denies the request, this decision is final and no further appellate
opportunity is provided. (Adopted: 10/13. Effective: 10/13.)
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Loss of Access to Postseason Competition and Transfers
1. Permission to Contact Transfer from Institution Ineligible for Postseason Competition
(Bylaw 13.1.1.3.5).
Per Bylaw 13.1.1.3.5, an institution may contact a student-athlete at another institution
whose team is ineligible for postseason competition during the remaining seasons of
the student-athlete's eligibility due to sanctions pursuant to the Academic
Performance Program, without obtaining authorization through the notification of
transfer process. The student-athlete's institution must be notified of the recruitment
and may establish reasonable restrictions related to the contact (e.g., no visits during
class time), provided such restrictions do not preclude the opportunity for the student-
athlete to discuss transfer possibilities with the other institution [see Bylaw 14.7.2-(d)]
2. Transfer Exceptions for Student-Athletes on Teams Subject to Loss of Access to
Postseason Competition.
Requests for a waiver of the transfer year in residence for a student-athlete who
transfers when their team is subject to loss of access to postseason competition due to
a low APR for the remainder of the student-athlete's seasons of eligibility may only be
initiated by a member institution through existing procedures for the submission of a
waiver to the NCAA Division I Committee for Legislative Relief.
To be eligible for a waiver of the transfer year in residence, pursuant to Bylaw 14.7.2,
the loss of access to postseason competition must preclude the student-athlete and/or
the student-athlete's team from participating in postseason competition during all
remaining seasons of the student-athlete's eligibility. Only remaining seasons of
eligibility will be considered, not the amount of time remaining on the student-
athlete's "five-year clock." Therefore, the waiver is generally only available to student-
athletes with one season of eligibility remaining.
The Committee on Academics or the staff, at the discretion of the Committee on
Academics, will have the authority to review waivers of the transfer-residency
requirement under Bylaw 14.7.2 to provide a recommendation to the Committee for
Legislative Relief. Should a student-athlete receive a waiver of the transfer-residency
requirement, the institution from which the student-athlete departed will be able to
request an adjustment to any lost retention point.
All waiver requests should include information regarding the academic impact of the
student-athletes transfer and should be signed by the student-athlete. The following
information should be included to describe the academic impact:
a. The student-athlete's career APR eligibility and retention-point history;
b. The student-athlete's grade-point average and credit hours earned; and
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c. The impact of the transfer on the student-athlete's anticipated date of
graduation. The staff will provide an annual report of all requests and decisions
to the Committee on Academics.
Notice of the availability of the waiver and waiver decisions will be provided as follows:
a. Teams that have lost access to postseason competition will be notified of the
process via correspondence from the Committee on Academics.
b. Teams that have lost access to postseason competition will be notified of all
decisions for student-athletes transferring from its institutions.
c. Student-athletes will be notified of this option by the institutions they attend.
(Adopted: 07/09)
Academic Performance Program
Waivers of Loss of Access to
Postseason Competition
In accord with Bylaw 18.4.2.3, institutions may request a waiver of the loss of access to
postseason competition, and the Committee on Academics has the authority to waive the
application of the loss of postseason competition. The committee's decision is final, conclusive
and not subject to further review by any other authority.
For teams that have lost access to postseason competition within the APP penalty structure,
the staff will initially decide all requests to waive Bylaw 18.4.2.3 with appeals heard by the
Subcommittee on Penalties and Appeals. Decisions of the Subcommittee on Penalties and
Appeals may be appealed to the university presidents of the full Committee on Academics,
including the full committee chair, based on the criteria outlined in these policies. (Revised:
10/16. Effective: 10/16.)
Application Procedures
A member institution that seeks to delay imposing or to waive the application of the loss of
access to postseason competition (Bylaw 18.4.2.3) shall submit an online waiver application
through the Academic Portal to the national office only after it has received electronic
notification indicating that one or more of the institution's teams have lost access to
postseason. Such a request may also include any request to waive an APP Level-One or -Two
penalty.
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Waiver requests must be filed within 14 calendar days of the institution's completion of
the correction/adjustment period, or after receiving a final decision of all adjustment
requests.
The reviewing body may request additional pertinent information before a decision is
rendered.
Any waiver request filed after the allotted 14 calendar days must include an explanation of
why the request was not filed within the prescribed time period. The chair of the
Subcommittee on Penalties and Appeals must determine whether any request filed after 14
calendar days will be considered. (Revised: 07/14. Effective: 07/14)
Requests to extend the institution's time to appeal a staff decision or to delay the hearing of
an appeal should be provided in writing to the chair of the Subcommittee on Penalties and
Appeals via the staff member assigned to the case. Such a request should be made within the
original seven days allotted to appeal the staff decision. The subcommittee chair has the
authority to decide if the extension or delay should be granted.
The online waiver application submitted by the institution will produce a signature page that
must be signed by the chancellor or president. The completed waiver application shall set
forth the reasons the institution believes that application of the loss of access to postseason
competition (Bylaw 18.4.2.3) is not warranted. In addition to the information included on the
form, the institution may submit additional information and supporting documentation it
believes is relevant to the case. The staff, subcommittee and/or committee may request
additional pertinent information before a final determination is made.
Staff Conflict of Interest
A staff member must recuse themself from participation in a waiver request in which there is
a personal connection with an institution or conference (e.g., previous employer, conference
member, alma mater). A staff member with a personal relationship or institutional affiliation
that reasonably would result in any appearance of bias or prejudice should refrain from
participating in any manner in the processing of an APP penalty waiver request. It is the
responsibility of the staff member to remove themself if a conflict exists.
Institutional objections to a staff member participating in the review of a waiver must be
raised with the subcommittee chair or acting chair as soon as recognized but will not be
considered unless the concern is raised before the review.
Use of Third Parties in Waiver Requests
Institutions are permitted to engage the assistance of a third party (e.g., outside legal counsel,
consultant who is not a full-time employee of the institution) in preparing an APP waiver
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request or in preparing to appeal a staff decision. However, the staff is not to discuss a waiver
request with a third party unless directed to by the institution (e.g., chancellor or president,
director of athletics) in writing. Further, the staff will generally communicate all requests for
additional documentation, decisions and any other issues related to the waiver request with
the institutional employee designated as the waiver contact unless otherwise directed in
writing by the institution.
Staff Review, Deliberations and Decisions
On receipt of an institution's request, the staff will review the application to ensure it is
complete, email the applicant institution the status of the request and identify the staff
member handling the request. No final decision will be rendered until all required
documentation has been received by the staff.
The staff has the authority to consider, deliberate and render a decision on all requests to
waive the loss of access to postseason competition in conjunction with APP Level-One or -
Two penalties. Staff decisions will be based on some or all of the following criteria:
• The waiver directive approved by the Committee on Academics (See Appendix 4C)
including:
a. Mitigating circumstances and specifically extraordinary mitigation in cases in
which the team has lost access to postseason competition for the first time. The
staff must consider if the mitigation is extraordinary as defined by the
Committee on Academics and whether those mitigating circumstances were
within the control of the member institution and/or student-athlete(s);
b. Review of current APR Improvement Plan and implementation of previously
created APR Improvement Plan(s);
c. Academic factors;
d. Alternative penalties offered by the institution, if any; and
e. All applicable information, including whether or not the team has lost access to
postseason competition in prior years.
After reviewing all information, the staff will render one of the following decisions on requests
to waive loss of access to postseason in conjunction with APP Level-One or -Two penalties:
1. Approval: The staff determines the institution's request demonstrates evidence that
a waiver of Bylaw 18.4.2.3 is warranted with no conditions. The team regains access to
postseason competition in the following academic year.
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2. Conditional Approval: The staff determines the institution's request demonstrates
evidence that a waiver of Bylaw 18.4.2.3 is warranted if specific conditions are met by
the institution/team. Such conditions will be outlined by the staff in the decision
notification. Failure to meet the stated conditions will result in the decision converting
to a denial and the loss of access to postseason competition is applied at the next
opportunity.
3. Denial: The staff determines the institution's request does not demonstrate that a
waiver of Bylaw 18.4.2.3 is warranted. The team remains unable to access postseason
competition in the next academic year.
Reporting Staff Decisions
The staff shall submit summaries of all decisions made by the staff to the subcommittee for
their review. The subcommittee may not reverse these staff decisions but may provide
feedback and direction for future cases.
Appeals of Staff Decisions
The Committee on Academics has authorized the Subcommittee on Penalties and Appeals to
consider appeals of staff decisions involving Bylaw 18.4.2.3 when a team is subject to loss of
access to postseason competition. An institution may appeal the Subcommittee on Penalties
and Appeals' decision to the Committee on Academics' university presidents, including the
full committee chair. In cases where the committee's presidents determine the Subcommittee
on Penalties and Appeals abused its discretion in denying the institution's request, the full
Committee on Academics will review the institution's appeal. The Committee on Academics'
decision may be appealed to a subcommittee of the Board of Directors. Revised: 06/16.
Effective: Immediately.)
A member institution seeking to appeal a staff decision shall submit the online waiver appeal
application to the national office using the Academic Portal. The online appeal application
will produce a signature page that must be signed by the chancellor or president and provided
to the national office. The completed waiver appeal application shall set forth the rationale
for the appeal.
All appeals of a staff decision should be filed within seven calendar days of electronic
notification of the staff's decision. Any appeal filed after seven calendar days must include
a written explanation why the appeal was not filed within the prescribed time period. The
chair of the Subcommittee on Penalties and Appeals shall determine whether any appeal filed
after seven calendar days will be considered. (Revised: 07/07)
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Additionally, any request to extend the appeal filing deadline or to change the dates of the
Subcommittee on Penalties and Appeal's review of an appealed case must be provided in
writing within the seven-calendar day period between the notice of the staff decision and the
date the appeal was originally due. The chair of the Subcommittee on Penalties and Appeals
shall determine whether or not any extension or delay will be granted.
Subcommittee/Committee Conflict of Interest
The conflict-of-interest section of this chapter applies to all committee members' involvement
in waiver and appeal requests.
Ex Parte Communication
To maintain the integrity of the waiver process, the influence of outside discussions and
arguments should be kept to a minimum. Once an issue has been submitted to the
committee/subcommittee for review, each committee member shall not discuss the issue with
noncommittee members (e.g., the public or the membership) prior to discussion by the
committee.
Appeal Procedures
The Subcommittee on Penalties and Appeals will conduct its deliberations and render a
decision by teleconference. A quorum for the review of appeal cases shall be a majority of
subcommittee members present and voting. Appeals of staff decisions on loss of access to
postseason shall involve only Subcommittee on Penalties and Appeals members, staff
members and specified representatives from the institution. (Adopted: 10/12. Effective: 10/12.)
Each of the following individuals from the institution must participate in the appeal:
1. Chancellor or president (or their designee);
2. Director of athletics or senior woman administrator;
3. Faculty athletics representative;
4. Head coach of the penalized team(s); and
5. Any other individuals whose presence was requested by the subcommittee.
The institution, at its discretion, may permit other institutional staff members and conference
office staff members (e.g., conference commissioner) to be on the teleconference for the
appeal.
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An institution and any individual whose presence have been requested by the Subcommittee
on Penalties and Appeals may have legal counsel present; however, an individual must speak
on behalf of themself.
Student-athletes and noninstitutional or nonconference office staff members are not
permitted to participate in the teleconference or be present on the teleconference.
The lead NCAA administrator who handled the case (or a staff member with case
administrative oversight responsibilities) and staff member(s) supporting the work of the
committee must participate on the teleconference.
The staff member who processed the case will present the case to the Subcommittee on
Penalties and Appeals. Institutional representatives will be allotted a specified amount of time
to present their appeal rationale and any other pertinent information. The Subcommittee on
Penalties and Appeals members may then ask questions of the staff member presenting the
case and/or the institution. At the conclusion of the question-and-answer period, that staff
member and any institutional representatives will exit the teleconference or meeting and a
separate staff member will support the Subcommittee on Penalties and Appeals through
deliberations. That staff member is only allowed to provide clarification of policies related to
the appellate process. They cannot respond to questions about the facts or the merits of the
case.
The Subcommittee on Penalties and Appeals chair, at their discretion, has the authority to
remove a participant from the teleconference or meeting. The Subcommittee on Penalties and
Appeals chair is not required to give advance notice/warning for removing any participants.
The appeal proceedings will continue as follows:
1. Documents Reviewed by the Subcommittee.
The subcommittee will receive and review the notice of loss of access to postseason
competition, the waiver application (including supporting documents), staff decision
and rationale, the institution's request for an appeal, and the applicant team(s) APP
data, the APR Improvement Plans and any other documents submitted by the
institution. Before the teleconference or meeting, the staff will distribute to the
institution and subcommittee an agenda of teams to be discussed and a list of specific
documents that comprise the record the subcommittee will review.
2. Introduction.
The subcommittee chair will call the meeting to order and introduce the members of
the subcommittee.
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Following introductions of the subcommittee, the chair of the subcommittee will ask
the institution to select one person to speak on behalf of the institution (institutional
spokesperson). This person must employed by the institution on a full-time basis. An
involved individual must speak on behalf of themself.
The institution will introduce its representatives followed by individuals whose
presence has been requested by the subcommittee or the institution and conference
office representatives. The NCAA staff will introduce themselves. After the
introductions, the subcommittee chair may make announcements.
3. Review of the Appeal.
The staff member who processed the case (or a staff member with oversight
responsibilities) has five minutes per team to describe the facts of the case and the
staff's rationale.
The institution's spokesperson will then have 10 minutes per team to describe the case
and explain the reasons for requesting that the staff's decision be overturned or
modified.
The chair or acting chair is responsible for monitoring the time. Following the case
presentation, the subcommittee members may ask questions of all participants. Once
all questions have been answered, the meeting will conclude with the staff and
institution each providing a five-minute closing statement. The closing statement must
be presented by the institution's spokesperson and the staff member who presented
the case.
4. Subcommittee Deliberations and Decisions.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the subcommittee members must deliberate. Neither
the institution, conference nor staff member(s) presenting the case may be present for
the deliberations. The staff members supporting the committee will be present during
deliberations but will not be the same staff member(s) who presented the case.
(Adopted: 01/08. Effective: 01/08)
The Subcommittee on Penalties and Appeals decisions will include consideration of
the following:
• The waiver directive approved by the Committee on Academics (See Appendix
4C) including:
(1) Mitigating circumstances and specifically extraordinary mitigation in
cases in which the team has lost access to postseason competition for the
first time. The subcommittee must consider if the mitigation is
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extraordinary as defined by the Committee on Academics and whether
those mitigating circumstances were within the control of the member
institution and/or student-athlete(s);
(2) Review of current APR Improvement Plan and implementation of
previously created APR Improvement Plan(s);
(3) Academic factors;
(4) Alternative penalties offered by the institution, if any; and
(5) All applicable information, including whether the team has lost access to
postseason competition in prior years.
A simple majority of the Subcommittee on Penalties and Appeals members present and
voting is necessary for a decision. The chair, or acting chair, shall not vote unless there
is a tie vote among present and voting members. In situations where there is a tie vote,
the chair shall cast the deciding vote.
After reviewing all information, the Subcommittee on Penalties and Appeals will
render one of the following decisions:
a. Approval: The Subcommittee on Penalties and Appeals determines the
institution's request demonstrates evidence that a waiver of Bylaw 18.4.2.3 is
warranted with no conditions. The team regains access to postseason
competition the following academic year.
b. Conditional Approval: The Subcommittee on Penalties and Appeals
determines the institution's request demonstrates evidence that a waiver of
Bylaw 18.4.2.3 is warranted if specific conditions are met by the
institution/team. Such conditions will be outlined by the subcommittee in the
decision notification. Failure to meet the stated conditions will result in the
decision converting to a denial, and the loss of access to postseason competition
is applied at the next opportunity.
c. Denial: The Subcommittee on Penalties and Appeals determines the
institution's request does not demonstrate circumstances warranting a waiver
of Bylaw 18.4.2.3. The team remains unable to access postseason competition in
the next academic year.
Electronic confirmation of the decision must be provided by the staff to the institution
within 21 calendar days of the subcommittee's decision.
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Appeals of Subcommittee Decisions
The Subcommittee on Penalties and Appeals' decision on a request to waive a team's loss of
access to postseason competition may be appealed in writing to the Committee on Academics
chair, or in the event of recusal by the chair, to the Committee on Academics vice chair. The
appeal request must be submitted within seven calendar days of the receipt of the notification
of the Subcommittee on Penalties and Appeals' decision. The chair (or vice chair) will forward
the appeal to the committee's university presidents. If the committee's university presidents
determine that the subcommittee abused its discretion, the full Committee on Academics will
review the institution's request. If the Committee on Academics denies the request, this
decision is final and no further appellate opportunity is provided. (Revised 06/16. Effective:
Immediately.)
Any appeal submitted after seven calendar days must include an explanation of why the
request was not filed within the prescribed time period. The chair of the committee must
determine whether any request filed after seven calendar days will be considered. Appeals
filed after an institution’s data is considered final and the president or chancellor has
been notified of such cannot be considered. (Revised 10/22. Effective: Immediately)
The committee's university president's consideration of the appeal request must be based on
the following criteria: The institution must demonstrate that the Subcommittee on Penalties
and Appeals abused its discretion in denying the request. Abuse of discretion occurs when the
Subcommittee on Penalties and Appeals fails to follow NCAA legislation and/or established
Committee on Academics policies and procedures, and the failure to adhere to legislation or
policies reasonably could have resulted in a different decision by the Subcommittee on
Penalties and Appeals. The committee's university presidents have the ability to request
clarification of any facts from the chair of the Subcommittee on Penalties and Appeals. If,
based on these criteria, the committee's university presidents forward the waiver request to
the full committee, the committee hearing may be conducted by teleconference or in-person
meeting and shall include some opportunity for the institution to present its request orally as
well as in writing. The full committee's decision shall be final and not subject to any further
review. Additionally, members of the Subcommittee on Penalties and Appeals who
participated in the initial appeal denial shall not participate in the full committee appeal,
except for the acting chair that may present information but may not deliberate or vote.
(Revised: 06/16. Effective: Immediately.)
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Committee Deliberations and Decisions
If the waiver appeal is to be heard by the committee, decisions will include consideration of
the following:
• The waiver directive approved by the Committee on Academics (See Appendix 4C)
including:
a. Mitigating circumstances and specifically extraordinary mitigation in cases in
which the team has lost access to postseason competition for the first time. The
subcommittee must consider if the mitigation is extraordinary as defined by the
Committee on Academics and whether those mitigating circumstances were
within the control of the member institution and/or student-athlete(s);
b. Review of current APR Improvement Plan and implementation of previously
created APR Improvement Plan(s);
c. Academic factors;
d. Alternative penalties offered by the institution, if any; and
e. All applicable information, including whether or not the team has lost access to
postseason competition in prior years.
The committee will receive the staff and subcommittee decisions, the institution's original
and appellate request, all supporting documentation and the team(s) APP data.
A simple majority of the committee members present, and voting is necessary for a decision.
The chair, or acting chair, shall not vote unless there is a tie vote among present and voting
members. In situations where there is a tie vote, the chair shall cast the deciding vote.
After reviewing all information, the committee will render one of the following decisions:
1. Approval: The committee determines the institution's request demonstrates evidence
that a waiver of Bylaw 18.4.2.3 is warranted with no conditions. The team regains access to
postseason competition the following academic year.
2. Conditional Approval: The committee determines the institution's request
demonstrates evidence that a waiver of Bylaw 18.4.2.3 is warranted if specific conditions
are met by the institution/team. Such conditions will be outlined by the committee in the
decision notification. Failure to meet the stated conditions will result in the decision
converting to a denial and the loss of access to postseason competition is applied at the
next opportunity.
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3. Denial: The committee determines the institution's request does not demonstrate
circumstances warranting a waiver of Bylaw 18.4.2.3. The team remains unable to access
postseason competition in the next academic year.
If relief is not provided, the institution will be notified that the team has lost access to
postseason competition in the next academic year. The committee's decisions are final and
binding. There is no further appeal.
Reconsideration of Waiver Requests
After the staff and/or subcommittee have issued a decision on a waiver request, the institution
may ask the staff or subcommittee to reconsider its decision if the institution submits new
relevant information. Requests with new relevant information may not be considered by the
subcommittee until the staff has reviewed the new information. APR Improvement Plans
modified and submitted after the staff/subcommittee decision has been rendered will not be
considered new information. Reconsideration requests filed after an institution’s data is
considered final and the president or chancellor has been notified of such cannot be
considered. (Adopted: 04/10. Effective: 04/10. Revised 10/22. Effective: Immediately)
Review of Conditionally Approved Waivers of Loss of Access to
Postseason Competition.
The staff has authority to review conditionally approved waivers to determine whether the
condition(s) was satisfied. If the condition(s) was not satisfied, the institution can explain to
the staff why it failed to meet the condition(s) or why it disagrees with the staff's findings. The
staff can accept the institution's argument and waive the unmet condition, or it can allow the
denied waiver to stand due to the unmet condition. The staff's decision may be appealed to
the Subcommittee on Penalties and Appeals. The subcommittee's decision is final and not
subject to further review by any other authority.
1. Review of Conditionally Approved Waivers Procedures.
The NCAA staff shall review the APP data and other relevant information of all
institutions that had conditionally approved waivers from the previous year to confirm
whether the stated condition(s) has been satisfied. The staff will conduct this review
once the APR data submission correction and adjustment phases are complete.
If the stated condition(s) has been satisfied, the staff will notify the institution in
writing that the condition was met and the lost access to postseason competition has
been waived.
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If the condition(s) was not satisfied, the staff will provide written notification that the
previously conditionally approved waiver is denied, and the team loses access to
postseason competition at the next available opportunity. Furthermore, the staff will
notify the institution that it may provide an explanation regarding why it failed to
satisfy the condition(s) or why it believes it did meet the stated conditions(s).
That request must be submitted electronically to the national office via the Academic
Portal. Requests must be submitted within seven calendar days after the
notification that the condition(s) was not met and the team has lost access to
postseason competition. The online application will produce a signature page that
must be signed by the institution's chancellor or president.
The request must set forth the reasons why the institution failed to meet its
condition(s) or why it believes it met the stated condition(s). The institution may
submit additional information that it believes is relevant to the case. The
subcommittee may request additional pertinent information before a final
determination is made.
Any request filed after seven calendar days must include an explanation of why the
request was not filed within the prescribed time period. The chair of the subcommittee
must determine whether any request filed after seven calendar days will be considered.
2. Staff Deliberations and Decisions.
The staff may grant relief based on some or all of the following criteria:
a. Mitigating circumstances that impacted the team meeting the condition and
whether the mitigating circumstances were within the control of the institution,
and/or the student-athletes.
b. Size of the variance between the team's most recent single-year APR and the
APR required as the condition.
c. Improvement of the team's APR, eligibility and/or retention APR in the most
recent academic year compared to previous years.
d. Review of implementation of the APR Improvement Plan submitted with the
original waiver.
e. Any additional information provided by the institution.
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After reviewing all the information, the staff may render one of the following decisions:
a. Approved: The staff determines that the condition(s) is satisfied, or the
explanation provided by the institution is sufficient to satisfy the condition(s)
and as a result, the team regains access to postseason competition.
b. Denied: The staff determines that the institution does not present
circumstances that warrant relief from the staff conditional approval and as a
result, the team remains without access to postseason competition in the next
academic year.
Appeals and Reconsiderations of Staff Decisions on Conditionally
Approved Waivers of Loss of Access to Postseason Competition.
After the staff has rendered a decision, the institution may appeal the decision to the
Subcommittee on Penalties and Appeals. The subcommittee's decision is final and is not
subject to further review by any other authority.
The appeal request must be submitted electronically to the national office via the Academic
Portal. Requests must be submitted within seven calendar days after the notification
that the condition(s) has not been met and the team has lost access to postseason
competition. The online application will produce a signature page that must be signed by
the institution's chancellor or president.
The request must set forth the reasons why the team failed to meet its condition(s) or why it
believes it met the stated condition(s) and as a result why the loss of access to postseason
competition is not warranted. The institution may submit additional information that it
believes is relevant to the case. The subcommittee may request additional pertinent
information before a final determination is made.
Any request filed after seven calendar days must include an explanation of why the request
was not filed within the prescribed time period. The chair of the subcommittee must
determine whether any request filed after seven calendar days will be considered. Appeals
and reconsideration requests filed after an institution’s data is considered final and
the president or chancellor has been notified of such cannot be considered. (Revised
10/22. Effective: Immediately)
Subcommittee Deliberation and Decisions on Appeals of Conditionally
Approved Waivers of the Loss of Postseason Competition.
Subcommittee decisions will include consideration of the following:
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1. Mitigating circumstances that impacted the team meeting the condition and whether
the mitigating circumstances were within the control of the institution and/or student-
athletes.
2. Size of the variance between the team's most recent single-year APR and the APR
required as the condition.
3. Improvement of the team's APR, eligibility and/or retention APR in the most recent
academic year compared to previous years.
4. Review of implementation of the APR Improvement Plan submitted with the original
waiver.
5. Any additional information provided by the institution.
The subcommittee will receive the original staff conditional approval decision, staff decision
regarding condition(s) not being met, the institution's request and supporting documentation
and the team(s) APP data.
The subcommittee will conduct its deliberations by teleconference. Such deliberations shall
include only committee members and staff members supporting the committee.
A simple majority of the subcommittee members present, and voting is necessary for a
decision. The chair, or acting chair, shall not vote unless there is a tie vote among present and
voting members. In situations where there is a tie vote, the chair shall cast the deciding vote.
After reviewing all information, the subcommittee will render one of the following decisions:
1. Approved: The subcommittee determines that the condition(s) is satisfied, or the
explanation provided by the institution is sufficient to satisfy the condition(s) and as a
result, the team regains access to postseason competition.
2. Denied: The subcommittee determines that the institution does not present
circumstances that warrant relief from the staff conditional approval; and as a result,
the team is subject to the loss of access to postseason competition at the next available
opportunity.
The subcommittee's decision is final and not subject to further review by any other authority.
After the staff and/or subcommittee issued a decision on the review of a conditionally
approved waiver of the loss of access to postseason competition, the institution may ask the
staff or subcommittee to reconsider its decision if the institution submits new relevant
information. Requests with new relevant information may not be considered by the
subcommittee until the staff has reviewed the new information.
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Academic Performance Program Penalties
The APP is the result of an April 2002 Board of Directors resolution outlining the academic
reform package and instructing that a system of incentives and disincentives be developed
that rewards those sports teams that do well academically and penalizes those that do not.
In October 2011, the Board of Directors approved modifications to the APP. These
modifications included a new penalty benchmark as well as a three-level penalty structure for
all underperforming teams. These modifications are designed to embed academics as a first
expectation.
The penalty structure is tied directly to the "benefits" of Association membership. For those
sports teams and athletics programs that perform at an unacceptable level academically,
benefits will be denied or restricted.
Several key principles guide access to postseason competition and the penalty structure:
1. Access to postseason competition is contingent on an expected level of academic
performance as demonstrated with the APP's rates and metrics. Failing to meet these
standards may cause a team to lose access to postseason competition. All Division I
athletics programs and sports teams will be subject to the use of the APR benchmark
as an access point for postseason competition. This includes Division I sports offered
at Divisions II and III institutions.
2. The goal is to encourage improved academic performance of all student-athletes on all
sports teams so the mission of the NCAA and the commitment to student-athletes can
be better realized.
3. The APP structure must appropriately penalize those programs that have
demonstrated academic underachievement (e.g., those with multiyear rates below the
penalty benchmark).
4. All Division I athletics programs and sports teams will be subject to the penalty
structure. This includes Division I sports offered at Divisions II and III institutions.
Bylaws 15.01.8 and 14.8 provide the legislative foundation for the penalty structure and
academic requirements to access postseason competition.
NOTE: The Board of Directors approved the suspension of APP penalties for the 2021-22
(2019-20 academic data), 2022-23 (2020-21 academic data) and 2023-24 (2021-22 academic
data) academic years for those teams not meeting the APR benchmark.
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APP Penalty Structure
A team incurs an APP penalty when it presents a multiyear APR below 930. The APP penalty
structure includes two levels. APP penalties are progressive and cumulative, with each year
below the penalty benchmark bringing more severe penalty elements. The penalty elements
must be taken in the academic year following official notification of penalties, which occurs
when an institution's penalty and postseason access report is available following verification
of its APP data.
The progressive and cumulative nature of the penalty structure means that each time a team
presents a multiyear APR below the penalty benchmark, it will move to the next penalty level
while also being subject to the previous penalty level elements. If the team avoids penalties
and loss of access to postseason competition for three consecutive years by presenting a
multiyear APR at or above 930, by meeting a filter or by receiving a waiver of all APP penalties
and loss of access to postseason competition, the team will go back to a Level-One penalty if
its multiyear APR falls below the benchmark again. Otherwise, each failure to meet the
benchmark will result in a repeat of previous penalties, as well as a progression to the next
penalty level. If a team continues to perform below the benchmark after reaching Level-Two,
the team will remain at Level-Two and continue to be subject to Level-Two penalties. (Revised:
06/16. Effective: Immediately.)
The APP penalty structure is as follows:
1. Level-One Penalties.
The team is subject to restrictions on countable athletically-related activities consisting
of four hours per week during the declared playing and practice season (20 hours
reduced to 16) as well as an additional required day off. The athletic time must be
replaced with academic activities for all student-athletes in the cohort of the team
subject to penalties. Level-One penalties must be imposed in the academic year
following notification of APRs, and penalties and the penalty package may not be
separated.
2. Level-Two Penalties.
The team is subject to playing and practice season restrictions in addition to Level-One
penalties. Penalized team will face a reduction from eight hours to four hours per week
for Countable Athletically Related Activities outside of the playing season. These four
hours must be replaced with academic activities for all student-athletes in the cohort
of the team subject to penalties. Of the remaining four hours of athletics activities, not
more than two hours per week may be spent on skill-related workouts.
Additionally, in a sport with a non-championship segment of the playing and practice
season, penalized teams will not be permitted to participate in that segment. In sports
where there is no championship segment distinction, teams will face a 10 percent
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reduction in the playing and practice season and competition. In the sport of football,
the team will face the elimination of spring practice and the spring game/scrimmage.
Level-Two penalties must be imposed in the academic year following notification of
APRs and penalties and the penalty package may not be separated. See Appendix 4B
for more information.
See Appendix 4A for a review of possible penalty scenarios.
Limited-Resource Institutions
The Committee on Academics recognizes limited-resource institutions as in need of
additional accommodations within the APP. Specific institutional characteristics are
reviewed annually to identify LRIs: (1) Average Pell Grant dollars awarded to first-time full-
time undergraduate students (to assess neediness of student-body); (2) Per capita
institutional spending (to determine the neediness of the institution); and (3) Per capita
athletics spending (to assess neediness of the athletics department). Institutions with the
most limited resources, ranking in the bottom 15 percent, excluding Football Bowl
Subdivision (FBS) institutions, have access to a mission filter to avoid loss of access to
postseason competition. This filter is only available the first time a team from an LRI loses
access to postseason competition. These institutions also have access to LRI filters to avoid
loss of access to postseason competition and APP penalties. These filters can be used twice
over five years beginning in 2016-17. (Adopted: 07/09. Revised: 10/11. Effective: 10/11. Revised:
4/16. Effective: 4/16. Revised:4/18. Effective: 4/18)
Written notification will be provided by the staff to institutions ranking in the bottom 15
percent based on institutional resources and to institutions no longer within the 15th
percentile. (Adopted: 07/09; Revised: 10/11; Effective: 10/11)
APP Penalty Filters
All teams penalized at Level-Two are reviewed to determine if the team can filter out of the
penalty structure by demonstrating improvement. This filter places strong emphasis on teams
making meaningful academic improvement, as defined by the committee, specifically in the
two most recent data years. (Adopted: 10/11. Effective with penalties applicable in 2012-13 and
beyond.)
1. Improvement Filter.
Teams potentially subject to Level-Two in the penalty structure will have access to an
improvement filter.
The Committee on Academics defines meaningful improvement as an average APR of
950 over the two most recent years making up the current multiyear rate. The two-year
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APR average is calculated by summing the APR points earned in the two most recent
years (including delayed-graduation points earned during those two years) and
dividing by the sum of the points possible for the two most recent years. This filter is
calculated electronically and can be applied multiple times, but not when the team
faces Level-One penalties.
Improvement Filter Example
Men's cross-country team has the following APR data:
Single-
Year
APR –
Year 1
Single-
Year
APR –
Year 2
Single-
Year
APR –
Year 3
Single-
Year
APR –
Year 4
Multiyear
APR
937
844
906
1000
922
The team has a Level-Two APP penalty and thus is able
to use the
improvement filter. Calculation of the two most recent data years' APR:
Year 3 Year 4 2-Year Average
U29 points earned +U32 points earned = U61 points earned U = 953
32 points possible 32 points possible 64 points possible
The two most recent years'
average APR is 950 or greater, so the team
meets the improvement filter and is not subject to Level-
Two penalties.
This counts as a clean year in the penalty structure.
2. Non-FBS Limited-Resource Institution Filters. Teams at non-FBS LRIs that present a
multiyear APR below the benchmark required to avoid APP penalties have access to
additional filters. These filters are available to each team at a non-FBS LRI twice within
a rolling five-year period. They require an APR Improvement Plan that meets a set of
enhanced criteria established by the committee. The following chart explains the
application of LRI filters (Revised: 02/16. Effective with data submitted fall 2016. Revised
05/20. Effective for data submitted in the fall 2021):
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To access the LRI filters above, the institution must have developed a meaningful APR
Improvement Plan and have had a history of implementing any prior plans. To satisfy this
requirement the following enhanced criteria must be met:
a. A history of implementation of APR Improvement Plans – significant and
critical elements - if a plan was previously required. Implementation reports
must include a signed statement from the chancellor/president on the
effectiveness of the initiatives that were implemented. The implementation
report must include demonstration that all goals tied to a team's critical issues
LRI Filters
(began with the 2015-16 data)
Three filters for teams with an APR < 930:
1. 920 multiyear APR;
2. 940 two-year APR (most recent years); or
3. 930 single-
year APR and meets one of five
improvement tests. See Appendix 4F for more
information on improvement tests.
Filters can be used twice over a rolling five-year
period; The LRI must decide if it will avail itself to the
filters at the time it submits its data.
Filters require an APR Improvement Plan that meets a
set of enhanced criteria established by the Committee
on Academics to ensure more presidential
engagement.
LRI Filter Example
Institutional use of the LRI filter:
2017-18
SPORT
2018-19
SPORT
2019-20
SPORT
2020-21
SPORT
2021-22
SPORT
2022-23
SPORT
2023-24
SPORT
2024-25
SPORT
MTR
MTR
Eligible
MBA
MFB
MFB
Eligible
WBB
WSO
WSO
Eligible
Men's Track (MTR) example: The team used the LRI filter in both 2017-18 and 2018-19. The
next opportunity the team would be eligible to use the filter would be for the 2022-23 academic
year based on 2020-21 APP data.
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were implemented. The implementation report must also include a report on
the progress made implementing any long-term goals;
b. Broad-based participation in the development, assessment and oversight of the
plan. The APR Improvement Plan development team must include the
institution's highest academic authority (e.g., provost). As appropriate, the plan
team should include representatives from any function area or department of
the institution that is required to complete a step (e.g., admissions, academic
support, athletic administration, coaches, faculty groups, technology staff,
purchasing, finance);
c. A current APR Improvement Plan that identifies critical issues supported by
data analysis;
d. Goals in the current APR Improvement Plan must be performance based (e.g.,
decrease the number of lost eligibility points) and outcome specific (e.g., create
an academic profile for successful two-year transfer student-athletes). They
should include short-term benchmarks to track their progress. Steps designed
to achieve the goals should specify how the goal will be achieved and should
include specific individuals and their roles in the process. Goals can be short or
long term, but long-term goals must include short-term benchmarks to track
progress;
e. The APR Improvement Plan must include a reporting timeline created by the
institution. The timeline can be adjusted if needed, but all adjustments must be
communicated with and approved by the NCAA staff. (Adopted: 04/12. Effective:
04/12. Revised 10/15 and 02/16. Effective for APR Improvement Plans written for
2016-17 and beyond.);
f. Projected single-year APR targets that elevate the team out of the penalty
structure within four-years; and;
g. Approval by chancellor or president. When developing a new APR Improvement
Plan, the institution must make the chancellor or president and the
improvement plan team, including the institution's highest academic authority,
available for videoconference in which they outline the improvement plan to
demonstrate involvement in its development and future implementation.
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This chart demonstrates the process for determining if a team is subject to APP penalties:
Notification of Team's
Stop here.
This team is not subject to
APP penalties.
Is the team subject to a Level-1
APP Penalty?
Is the team's
multiyear APR
930 or higher?
Is the average of the
team's two most
recent single years of
APR data 950 or
higher?
(Improvement Filter)
NO
YES
YES
NO
YES
YES
NO
NO
Stop here.
This team is not
subject to APP
penalties.
Are the institution's resources classified in
the bottom 15% of all Division I
institutions and is the institution not FBS?
(Other LRI Filters)
Are the institution's resources
classified in the bottom 15% of all
Division I institutions and is the
institution not FBS?
YES
NO
Stop here.
This team is
subject to APP
penalties.
Does the institution's APR
Improvement Plan meet the
committee's requirements?
YES
NO
Is the team's multi-year APR 920 or
higher OR is the average of the team's
two most recent single years of APR
data 940 or higher OR does it have at
least a 930 in its current single-year
data and meet one improvement test?
Stop here.
This team
is subject to
APP
penalties.
YES
NO
Stop here.
This team is
subject to APP
penalties.
Stop here.
This team is not
subject to APP
penalties.
Has the institution notified the staff
that it plans to use the LRI filters this
year (can be used twice in five years)?
Stop here.
This team is
subject to APP
penalties.
NO
YES
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Notification of a Team's APP Penalties
Once an institution confirms its data is accurate in the correction/adjustment period of the
data collection process, and if any of the institution's teams are subject to APP penalties, a
penalty report will be posted on the institution's password-protected APP website accessed
through the Academic Portal. The report will indicate the penalized team(s) and provide the
level of penalty that is applicable to the team(s). The availability of the penalty report is
considered official notification of APP penalties. Public announcements of team APR, access
to postseason competition and penalties will occur in the late spring of each academic year.
Timing of APP Penalties
Institutions with a team subject to APP penalties must take the penalties in the academic year
following receipt of official notice of the penalty. For example, if a team received notice of its
penalty following APP data submission in the fall of 2023, those penalties must be taken in
the 2024-25 academic year. Components of the cumulative penalty package (i.e., Countable
Athletically Related Activities restrictions, reduction in number of contests) may not be
separated.
Failure to Take a Penalty within the Prescribed Timeline
Institutions that fail to take APP penalties within the prescribed time period will be required
to report a violation of the applicable bylaw (Bylaws 14.8.1.1) to the NCAA enforcement staff.
(Adopted: 07/07. Effective: 07/07)
Timeline for New Division I Teams
Teams transitioning to Division I will not be subject to penalties until they have submitted
three years of APR/APC data and only if their three-year APR is below the benchmark.
Report of APP Penalties Taken
Institutions are required to provide to the national office documentation that an APP penalty
was imposed as prescribed by the Committee on Academics. The institution will be contacted
in the summer after the year in which the penalty was to be taken and asked to provide
documentation that the penalty was taken. The staff will review the documentation and
determine if the team took the penalty appropriately. Failure to take the penalty as prescribed
will result in the institution being required to report a secondary violation to the NCAA
enforcement staff. That staff will determine the penalty for failure to take the APP penalty.
See Appendix 4B for frequently asked questions on ensuring CARA penalties are imposed
correctly and the reporting requirements for APP penalties.
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Academic Performance Program
Waivers of Penalties General
As described in Bylaw 14, the Committee on Academics has the authority to waive the
application of Bylaw 14.8.1.1 (Penalties). The committee has established guidelines for
reviewing APP penalty waivers in the APP waiver directive (See Appendix 4C) and has
authorized the Subcommittee on Penalties and Appeals and the staff to review waivers of APP
penalties. The subcommittee's decisions shall be final, conclusive and not subject to further
review by any other authority. (Revised: 10/11. Effective: 10/11. Revised: 06/16. Effective: 06/16.)
APP penalty waivers are considered separately from waivers of loss of access to postseason
competition, although they may be submitted simultaneously. Please refer to that section of
this chapter for more information on loss of access to postseason competition.
Staff Conflict of Interest
A staff member must recuse themself from participation in a waiver request in which they are
connected personally with an institution or conference (e.g., previous employer, conference
member, alma mater). A staff member with a personal relationship or institutional affiliation
that reasonably would result in any appearance of bias or prejudice should refrain from
participating in any manner in the processing of an APP penalty waiver request. It is the
responsibility of the staff member to remove themself if a conflict exists.
Institutional objections to a staff member participating in the review of an appeal must be
raised with the subcommittee chair or acting chair as soon as recognized but will not be
considered unless the concern is raised before the review.
Use of Third Parties in Waiver Requests
Institutions are permitted to engage the assistance of a third party (e.g., outside legal counsel,
consultant who is not a full-time employee of the institution) in preparing an APP waiver
request or in preparing to appeal a staff decision. However, the staff is not to discuss a waiver
request with a third party unless directed to by the institution (e.g., chancellor or president,
director of athletics) in writing. Further, the staff will generally communicate all requests for
additional documentation, decisions and any other issues related to the waiver request with
the institutional employee designated as the waiver contact unless otherwise directed in
writing by the institution.
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Subcommittee/Committee Conflict of Interest
The conflict-of-interest section of this document applies to the committee members'
involvement in waiver and appeal requests.
Ex Parte Communication
In order to maintain the integrity of the waiver process, the influence of outside discussions
and arguments should be kept to a minimum. Once an issue has been submitted to the
committee/subcommittee for review, each committee member shall not discuss the issue with
noncommittee members (e.g., the public or the membership) prior to discussion by the
committee.
Data Issues
At the start of the APP penalty waiver process, institutions are required to confirm the
accuracy of its APP data and confirm that no data issues are outstanding or unresolved. The
institution is expected to review its data and notify the staff of any possible corrections or
adjustments. Once the data issues are addressed, the institution’s chancellor or president
must sign off on the data before the staff can begin the waiver review process. Failure to
confirm accuracy and finality of data within the prescribed timeframe would result in denial
of a waiver.
Delay Requests
APP penalties must be imposed in the academic year following notification of APRs, and
penalties and the applicable penalty package may not be separated. However, the Committee
on Academics' policies and procedures and its APP penalty waiver directive permit an
institution to request a delay in applying a penalty for one or more of its teams. Delay
requests must be submitted within 14 calendar days of the electronic notification of
final penalties. Such requests must be submitted to the Chair for the Subcommittee on
Penalties and Appeals and will be approved only in rare instances when an institution can
demonstrate that it is unable to apply such penalties within the prescribed period due to
unanticipated and extraordinary circumstances outside the control of the institution, involved
team and student-athlete (e.g., natural disaster). Further, institutions that fail to apply APP
penalties within the prescribed time period will be required to report a violation of Bylaw
14.8.1.1 to the NCAA enforcement staff. (Adopted: 04/07. Effective: 4/07.)
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Academic Performance Program
Waivers of Penalties
Application Procedures
All penalty waiver requests must be submitted electronically to the national office via the
Academic Portal. Waivers must be submitted within 14 calendar days of the institution
entering the penalty waiver period. An institution may request full or partial relief from
any or all penalty elements. The online waiver application will produce a signature page that
must be signed by the institution's chancellor or president.
The waiver request must set forth the reasons the institution believes that application of Bylaw
14.8.1.1. should not apply. The institution must submit a waiver for each team the institution
wishes to seek relief. The institution may include information and supporting documentation
it considers relevant to its request. (Revised: 06/16. Effective: 06/16.)
The reviewing body may request additional pertinent information before a decision is
rendered. Any waiver request filed after 14 calendar days must include an explanation of why
the request was not filed within the prescribed time period. The chair of the Subcommittee
on Penalties and Appeals must determine whether any request filed after 14 calendar days will
be considered. (Revised: 10/06. Revised: 04/07. Revised: 04/11. Effective: 10/11.)
Requests to extend the institution's time to appeal a staff decision or to delay the hearing of
an appeal should be provided in writing to the chair of the Subcommittee on Penalties and
Appeals via the staff member assigned to the case. Such a request should be made within the
original seven days to appeal the staff decision. The subcommittee chair has the authority to
decide if the extension or delay should be granted.
Staff Review, Deliberations and Decisions
On receipt of an institution's request, the staff will review the application to ensure it is
complete, email the institution's designated contact regarding the status of the request and
identify the staff member handling the request. A request will not be processed and reviewed
until all required documentation has been received by the staff. An institution has 10 calendar
days to submit requested documents. If it does not provide the documentation within the
timeframe, the case will be staff denied.
The staff has the authority to render a decision for all penalty waiver requests. Decisions will
include consideration of the following:
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• The waiver directive approved by the Committee on Academics (See Appendix 4C)
including:
a. Historical-academic performance of the respective penalized team(s) and/or
student-athlete(s);
b. Mitigating circumstances and whether the mitigating circumstances were
within the control of the member institution and student-athlete(s) and had a
direct impact on the team's APR;
c. Size of variance between the team's APR and the penalty benchmark;
d. Review of current APR Improvement Plan and implementation of previous APR
Improvement Plan(s);
e. Alternative penalties offered by the institution, if any; and
f. Other factors deemed relevant to the waiver request.
The staff has the authority to review and decide all penalty waiver requests. After reviewing
all information, the staff will render one of the following decisions:
1. Approved: The staff determines the institution's request demonstrated evidence that
a waiver of Bylaw 14.8.1.1 is warranted with no conditions. In such instances, the team
will not be subject to the penalty elements.
2. Partially Approved: The staff determines the institution's request demonstrated
evidence that a partial waiver of Bylaw 14.8.1.1. is warranted with no conditions. In such
instances, the team will not be subject to all the penalty elements, because some
elements will be waived.
3. Conditionally Approved (Full or Partial): The staff determines that the institution's
request demonstrated evidence that a waiver of Bylaw 14.8.1.1. is warranted if the
institution/team(s) meets specific conditions. Such conditions will be outlined by the
staff in the decision notification. In such instances, the team will not be subject to the
penalty elements (some or all depending on the scope of the approval), but rather they
will be conditionally waived. Failure to meet the stated conditions will result in the
decision converting to a denial and the waived penalty being applied at the next
available opportunity.
4. Denied: The staff determines the institution's request does not demonstrate
circumstances warranting a waiver of Bylaw 14.8.1.1. The institution will be responsible
for applying the designated penalty or penalties at the originally prescribed times.
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Electronic confirmation of the decision must be provided by the staff to the institution within
seven calendar days of its decision.
Reporting Staff Decisions
The staff shall submit summaries of all decisions made by the staff to the subcommittee for
their review. The subcommittee may not reverse these staff decisions but may provide
feedback and direction for future cases.
Appeals of Staff Decisions
The Committee on Academics has authorized the Subcommittee on Penalties and Appeals to
consider appeals of staff decisions involving Bylaw 14.8.1.1 Level-One and Level-Two penalties.
After the staff has rendered a decision, the institution may appeal the decision to the
subcommittee. The subcommittee's decision is final and is not subject to further review by
any other authority.
Subcommittee members may not discuss a pending request with the staff processing the case
or institutional representatives without all parties having the opportunity to participate.
However, the staff supporting the work of the committee may contact the subcommittee chair
to arrange a teleconference or to discuss procedural matters relevant to processing an
institution's request. Further, the subcommittee members may contact the staff supporting
the work of the committee to request that additional information about the case be submitted.
A member institution seeking to appeal a staff decision shall submit the online waiver appeal
application to the national office using the Academic Portal. The online appeal program will
produce a signature page that must be signed by the chancellor or president and must be
provided to the national office. The completed waiver appeal application shall set forth the
rationale for the appeal.
All appeals of a staff decision must be filed with the national office within seven
calendar days of electronic notification of the staff's decision. Any appeal filed after
seven calendar days must include a written explanation of why the appeal was not filed within
the prescribed time period. The chair of the Subcommittee on Penalties and Appeals shall
determine whether any appeal filed after seven calendar days will be considered. Appeals
filed after an institution’s data is considered final and the president or chancellor has
been notified of such cannot be considered. (Revised: 07/07. Effective: 07/07 Revised
10/22. Effective: Immediately.)
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Additionally, any request to extend the appeal filing deadline or to change the dates of the
Subcommittee on Penalties and Appeal's review of an appealed case must be provided in
writing within the seven-calendar day period between the notice of the staff decision and the
date the appeal was originally due. The chair of the Subcommittee on Penalties and Appeals
shall determine whether any extension or delay will be granted.
Appeal Procedures
The Subcommittee on Penalties and Appeals will conduct its deliberations and render a
decision by teleconference. A quorum for the review of appeal cases shall be a majority of
subcommittee members present and voting. Appeals of staff decisions on loss of access to
postseason shall involve only Subcommittee on Penalties and Appeals members, staff
members and specified representatives from the institution. (Adopted: 10/12. Effective: 10/12.)
Each of the following individuals from the institution must participate in the appeal:
1. Chancellor or president (or their designee);
2. Director of athletics;
3. Faculty athletics representative;
4. Head coach of the penalized team(s); and
5. Any other individuals whose presence was requested by the subcommittee (e.g., senior
woman administrator). (Revised: 06/16. Effective: 06/16.)
The institution at its discretion may permit other institutional staff members and conference
office staff members (e.g., conference commissioner) to be on the teleconference for the
appeal.
An institution and any individual whose presence has been requested by the Subcommittee
on Penalties and Appeals may have legal counsel present; however, an individual must speak
on behalf of themself.
Student-athletes, noninstitutional or nonconference office staff members are not permitted
to participate in the teleconference or be present on the teleconference. The lead
administrator who handled the case (or a staff member with case administrative oversight
responsibilities) and staff member(s) supporting the work of the committee must participate
on the teleconference.
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The subcommittee chair, at their discretion, has the authority to remove a participant from
participating or being present on the teleconference. The subcommittee chair is not required
to give advance notice/warning for removing any participants.
The appeal proceedings will continue as follows:
1. Documents Reviewed by the Subcommittee.
The subcommittee will receive and review the penalty report; the waiver application
(including supporting documents); staff decision and rationale; the institution's
request for an appeal; and the applicant team(s) APP data. Before the teleconference
or meeting, the staff will distribute to the institution and subcommittee an agenda of
teams to be discussed and a list of specific documents that comprise the record the
subcommittee will review.
2. Introduction.
The subcommittee chair will call the meeting to order and introduce the members of
the subcommittee.
Following introductions of the subcommittee, the chair of the subcommittee will ask
the institution to select one person to speak on behalf of the institution (institutional
spokesperson). This person must be someone who is employed by the institution on a
full-time basis. An involved individual must speak on behalf of themself.
The institution will introduce its representatives followed by individuals whose
presence has been requested by the subcommittee or the institution and conference
office representatives. The NCAA staff will introduce themselves. After the
introductions, the subcommittee chair may make any announcements.
3. Review of the Appeal.
The staff member who handled the case (or a staff member with oversight
responsibilities) has five minutes per team to describe the facts of the case and the
staff's rationale.
The institution's spokesperson will then have 10 minutes per team to describe the case
and explain the reasons for requesting that the staff's decision be overturned or
modified.
The chair or acting chair is responsible for monitoring the time. Following the
description of the case, the subcommittee members may ask questions of all
participants. Once all questions have been answered, the meeting will conclude with
the staff and institution each providing a five-minute closing statement. The closing
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statement must be conducted by the institution's spokesperson and the staff member
who presented the case.
4. Deliberations and Decision.
At the conclusion of the teleconference, the subcommittee members must deliberate.
Neither the institution, conference nor staff member(s) presenting the case may be
present for the deliberations. The staff member(s) supporting the committee will be
present during deliberations but will not be the same staff member(s) presenting the
case. (Adopted: 01/08. Effective: 01/08.)
The Subcommittee on Penalties and Appeals' decisions will include consideration of
the following:
• The waiver directive approved by the Committee on Academics (See 5TAppendix
4c) including:
(1) Historical-academic performance of the respective penalized team(s)
and/or student-athlete(s);
(2) Mitigating circumstances and whether the mitigating circumstances
were within the control of the member institution and student-athlete(s)
and had a direct impact on the team's APR;
(3) Size of variance between the team's APR and the penalty benchmark;
(4) Review of current APR Improvement Plan and implementation of
previous APR Improvement Plan(s);
(5) Alternative penalties offered by the institution, if any; and
(6) Other factors deemed relevant to the waiver request.
After reviewing all information, the subcommittee will render one of the following
decisions:
a. Approved: The subcommittee determines the institution's request
demonstrated evidence that waiver of Bylaw 14.8.1.1 is warranted with no
conditions. In such instances, the team will not be subject to the Level-Two
penalty elements.
b. Partially Approved: The subcommittee determines the institution's request
demonstrated evidence that a partial waiver of Bylaw 14.8.1.1 is warranted with
no conditions. In such instances, the team will not be subject to all the Level-
One and Level-Two penalty elements, but rather some elements will be waived.
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c. Conditionally Approved (Full or Partial): The subcommittee determines
that the institution's request demonstrated evidence that a waiver of Bylaw
14.8.1.1 is warranted if specific conditions are met by the institution/team(s).
Such conditions will be outlined by the staff in the decision notification. In such
instances, the team will not be subject to the Level-One or -Two penalty
elements (some or all depending on the scope of the approval), but rather they
will be conditionally waived. Failure to meet the stated conditions will result in
the decision converting to a denial and the waived penalty being applied at the
next available opportunity.
d. Denied: The subcommittee determines the institution's request does not
demonstrate circumstances warranting a waiver of Bylaw 14.8.1.1. The
institution will be responsible for applying the designated penalty at the
originally prescribed times.
Electronic confirmation of the decision must be provided by the staff to the institution
within 21 calendar days of the decision.
Reconsideration of Level-One or -Two APP Penalty Waiver Requests
After the staff and/or subcommittee have issued a decision on a Level-One or -Two waiver
request, the institution may ask the staff or subcommittee to reconsider its decision if the
institution submits new, relevant information that is not data related. Any data issues not
identified before the original waiver decision will be resolved the following academic year in
accordance with established policies and procedures. Requests with new information may not
be considered by the subcommittee until the staff has reviewed the new information. APR
Improvement Plans modified and submitted after the staff/subcommittee decision has been
rendered will not be considered new information. Reconsideration requests filed after an
institution’s data is considered final and the president or chancellor has been notified
of such cannot be considered. (Adopted: 04/10. Effective: 04/10. Revised: 07/12. Effective:
07/12. Revised 10/22. Effective: Immediately)
Review of Conditionally Approved Level-One and -Two APP Penalty
Waivers
The NCAA staff shall review the APP data and other relevant information of all institutions
that had conditionally approved waivers from the previous year to confirm whether the stated
condition(s) has been satisfied. The staff will conduct this review once the APR data
submission correction and adjustment phases are complete.
If the stated condition(s) has been satisfied, the staff will notify the institution in writing that
the condition was met and the appropriate APP penalty has been waived.
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If the condition(s) was not satisfied, the staff will provide written electronic notification that
the previously conditionally approved waiver is denied, and the team must impose the Level-
One or -Two APP penalty at the next available opportunity. Furthermore, the staff will notify
the institution that it may provide an explanation regarding why it failed to satisfy the
condition(s) or why it believes it did meet the stated conditions(s).
That request must be submitted electronically to the national office via the Academic Portal.
Requests must be submitted within seven calendar days after the notification that the
condition(s) was not met and the team has an APP penalty. The online application will
produce a signature page that must be signed by the institution's chancellor or president.
The request must set forth the reasons why the institution failed to meet its condition(s) or
why it believes it met the stated condition(s). The institution may submit additional
information that it believes is relevant to the case. The subcommittee may request additional
pertinent information before a final determination is made.
Any request filed after seven calendar days must include an explanation of why the request
was not filed within the prescribed time period. The chair of the subcommittee must
determine whether any request filed after seven calendar days will be considered.
• Staff Deliberations and Decisions.
The staff may grant relief based on some or all of the following criteria:
a. Mitigating circumstances that impacted the team meeting the condition and
whether the mitigating circumstances were within the control of the institution
and/or the student-athletes.
b. Size of the variance between the team's most recent single-year APR and the
APR required as the condition.
c. Improvement of the team's APR, eligibility and/or retention APR in the most
recent academic year compared to previous years.
d. Review of implementation of the APR Improvement Plan submitted with the
original waiver.
e. Any additional information provided by the institution.
After reviewing all the information, the staff may render one of the following decisions:
a. Approved: The staff determines that the condition(s) is satisfied, or the
explanation provided by the institution is sufficient to satisfy the condition(s)
and, as a result, the team avoids Level-One or –Two APP penalties.
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b. Denied: The staff determines that the institution does not present
circumstances that warrant relief from the staff conditional approval and, as a
result, the team must impose its Level-One or –Two APP penalties at the next
available opportunity.
Appeals and Reconsiderations of Staff Decisions on Conditionally
Approved Waivers of Level-One and -Two Penalties.
After the staff has rendered a decision, the institution may appeal the decision to the
Subcommittee on Penalties and Appeals. The subcommittee's decision is final and is not
subject to further review by any other authority.
The appeal request must be submitted electronically to the national office via the Academic
Portal. Requests must be submitted within seven calendar days after the notification that the
condition(s) has not been met and the team has an APP penalty. The online application will
produce a signature page that must be signed by the institution's chancellor or president.
The request must set forth the reasons why the team failed to meet its condition(s) or why it
believes it met the stated condition(s) and as a result why the APP penalty is not warranted.
The institution may submit additional information that it believes is relevant to the case. The
subcommittee may request additional pertinent information before a final determination is
made.
Any request filed after seven calendar days must include an explanation of why the request
was not filed within the prescribed time period. The chair of the subcommittee must
determine whether any request filed after seven calendar days will be considered. Appeals and
reconsideration request filed after an institution’s data is considered final and the president
or chancellor has been notified of such cannot be considered. (Revised 10/22. Effective:
Immediately)
1. Subcommittee Deliberation and Decisions.
Subcommittee decisions will include consideration of the following:
a. Mitigating circumstances that impacted the team meeting the condition and
whether the mitigating circumstances were within the control of the institution
and/or student-athletes.
b. Size of the variance between the team's most recent single-year APR and the
APR required as the condition.
c. Improvement of the team's APR, eligibility and/or retention APR in the most
recent academic year compared to previous years.
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d. Review of implementation of the APR Improvement Plan submitted with the
original waiver.
e. Any additional information provided by the institution.
The subcommittee will receive the original staff conditional approval decision, staff
decision regarding condition(s) not being met, the institution's request and supporting
documentation and the team(s) APP data.
The subcommittee may conduct its deliberations by facsimile, teleconference, email,
Internet or in-person meeting. Such deliberations shall include only committee
members and staff members supporting the committee.
A simple majority of the subcommittee members present, and voting is necessary for a
decision. The chair, or acting chair, shall not vote unless there is a tie vote among
present and voting members. In situations where there is a tie vote, the chair shall cast
the deciding vote.
After reviewing all information, the subcommittee will render one of the following
decisions:
a. Approved: The subcommittee determines that the condition(s) is satisfied, or
the explanation provided by the institution is sufficient to satisfy the
condition(s) and, as a result, the team's Level-One or -Two APP penalties.
b. Denied: The subcommittee determines that the institution does not present
circumstances that warrant relief from the staff conditional approval and as a
result, the team must impose the Level-One or -Two APP penalties at the next
available opportunity.
The subcommittee's decision is final and not subject to further review by any other
authority.
Written or electronic confirmation of the decision must be provided by the
subcommittee to the institution within 21 calendar days of the decision.
2. Reconsideration.
After the staff and/or subcommittee issued a decision on the review of a conditionally
approved waiver of the APP penalties, the institution may ask the staff or
subcommittee to reconsider its decision if the institution submits new relevant
information. Requests with new relevant information may not be considered by the
subcommittee until the staff has reviewed the new information.
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Academic Performance Program
APR Improvement Plans
APR Improvement Plans are meant to encourage teams and institutions to make immediate
improvements to support student-athlete academic performance. An APR Improvement Plan
should be developed through broad-based campus participation and should identify and
address the critical issues impacting a team's student-athlete academic performance,
retention and graduation.
Plan Development and Submission Requirements
Each institution with a team(s) with a multiyear APR below 930 must develop and submit an
APR Improvement Plan to the national office. [Note: All institutions with multiyear rates
including at least two years of APP data are subject to the plan development and submission
requirements.] Teams that have a squad-size adjusted APR above 930 are not subject to this
requirement. The institution's chancellor or president must review and approve the
institution's APR Improvement Plan in writing. (Revised: 10/11. Effective: 10/11.)
Institutions selected for an APP data review may be required to submit plans to the national
office. Further, these institutions must submit copies of all previous APR Improvement Plans,
progress reports of those plans and any intended plan amendments. (Adopted: 04/07. Effective:
04/07)
Any institution that received a conditionally approved waiver of an APP penalty that must
demonstrate acceptable implementation of its APR Improvement Plan as a condition of its
approved waiver must submit information regarding implementation of its plan to the
national office by the prescribed deadline.
Third parties hired by the institution to assist with the development of an APR Improvement
Plan are permitted. However, all communication will take place between NCAA staff and the
institutional contact. NCAA staff will not communicate with third parties unless authorized
to do so, in writing, by the institution. Such authorization must include a signed statement
from the director of athletics expressly granting permission for the staff to communicate with
the third party. If any third-party attempts to contact the staff about an improvement plan,
the staff will direct that person back to the institutional contact.
See Appendix 4E for APR Improvement Plan requirements. The online submission system is
part of the Academic Portal.
5T
The following link allows access to educational materials you may find helpful in developing
and submitting your institution's APR Improvement Plan and record of implementation:
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5T5T
http://www.ncaa.org/governance/committees/division-i-committee-academics
See Appendix 4D for frequently asked questions on APR Improvement Plans.
APR Improvement Plan Submission Dates
Institutions required to submit new APR Improvement Plans and implementation reports on
plans from a previous year must do so via the online submission system by the established
deadline communicated to the institutions each year. The committee established the
following dates for the submission of 2023-24 APR Improvement Plans and/or evidence of
implementation of the previous year's plan for the 2022-23 academic year:
2023-24 APR Improvement Plan/Implementation Reporting Requirement
Dates
Institution with team(s) that were required to submit a plan in 2022-23
(implementation report only). July 15
LRIs hoping to use an LRI filter (new plan). October 15
Institutions with team(s) with a multiyear APR below 930 (new plan). November 1
Institutions requesting a waiver of an APP penalty (implementation of previous
plans and any new plans) November 1
(or with waiver request; whichever is earlier)
(Adopted: 04/10. Revised: 10/11. Effective: 10/11. Revised: 07/12. Effective: 07/12. Revised:
02/16. Effective for plans submitted in 2016-17 and beyond.)
Additional Requirements for Limited-Resource Institutions
Plans submitted by institutions that have been identified as limited resource must meet
several additional requirements in order to be used to access the LRI filters referenced earlier
in this document. The institution must have developed a meaningful APR Improvement Plan
and have had a history of implementing any prior plans. To satisfy this requirement the
following criteria must be met:
1. A history of implementation of APR Improvement Plans – significant and critical
elements - if a plan was previously required. Implementation reports must include a
signed statement from the chancellor/president on the effectiveness of the goals that
were implemented. The implementation report must include demonstration that all
goals tied to a team's critical issues were implemented. The implementation report
must also include a report on the progress made implementing any long-term goals;
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2. Broad-based participation in the development, assessment and oversight of the plan.
The APR Improvement Plan development team must include the institution's highest
academic authority (e.g., provost). As appropriate, the plan team should include
representatives from any function area or department of the institution that is required
to complete a step (e.g., admissions, academic support, athletic administration,
coaches, faculty groups, technology staff, purchasing, finance);
3. A current APR Improvement Plan that identifies critical issues supported by data
analysis;
4. Goals in the current APR Improvement Plan must be performance based (e.g., decrease
the number of lost eligibility points) and outcome specific (e.g., create an academic
profile for successful two-year transfer student-athletes). They should include short-
term benchmarks to track their progress. Steps designed to achieve the goals should
specify how the goal will be achieved and should include specific individuals and their
roles in the process. Goals can be short or long-term, but long-term goals must include
short-term benchmarks to track progress;
5. The APR Improvement Plan must include a reporting timeline created by the
institution. The timeline can be adjusted if needed, but all adjustments must be
communicated with and approved by the NCAA staff. (Adopted: 4/12. Effective: 4/12.
Revised 10/15 and 2/16. Effective for APR Improvement Plans written for 2016-17 and
beyond.);
6. Projected single-year APR targets that elevate the team out of the penalty structure
within four years; and
7. Approval by chancellor or president. When developing a new APR Improvement Plan,
the institution must make the chancellor or president and the improvement plan team,
including the institution's highest academic authority, available for videoconference in
which they outline the improvement plan in order to demonstrate involvement in its
development and future implementation.
Implementation of APR Improvement Plans
Except in unique circumstances (e.g., natural disaster), the staff should not favorably consider
any explanation offered by an institution for not implementing all critical element(s) of an
APR Improvement Plan. However, the staff may favorably consider the following when
evaluating implementation of an institution's plan:
1. Evidence that a critical element of the plan was addressed effectively by an alternate
initiative or method not reflected in the original plan; or
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2. Objective data that demonstrates that the previously identified issue is no longer a
critical issue impacting the team(s). (Adopted: 07/09)
A plan is considered implemented when:
1. The institution demonstrated that the essential steps outlined for every critical issue
have been completed;
• Critical issues are defined as those issues, identified by the institution, which
impact the team's academic performance and, if implemented, have the greatest
likelihood of assisting the team's APR improvement.
2. The institution achieved or demonstrated progress toward the measurable goals for
every critical issue;
3. The individuals/officers responsible for the goals/steps of every critical issue
contributed to its completion and/or attempted completion; and
4. If institution has not implemented the steps outlined in the plan that address a critical
issue, the institution provided:
a. Evidence that the critical element of the plan was effectively addressed by an
alternative step or method not reflected in the original plan; or
b. Objective data that demonstrates that the issue is no longer a critical issue
impacting the team(s).
Plans are considered not implemented when:
1. The institution did not demonstrate that the essential steps outlined for every critical
issue have been completed;
2. The institution did not demonstrate progress toward the measurable goals for every
critical issue;
3. The institution did not implement the steps outlined in the plan that address a critical
issue, the institution did not provide:
a. Evidence that a critical element of the plan was effectively addressed by an
alternative initiative or method not reflected in the original plan; or
b. Objective data that demonstrates that the previously identified issue is no
longer a critical issue impacting the team(s); and
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4. The individuals/officers responsible for the goals/steps of every critical issue did not
participate in the completion or attempted completion of the goals/steps.
Failure to Develop a Required APR Improvement Plan
An institution that is required to create and/or submit and APR Improvement Plan, but fails
to create or submit a plan meeting all committee specifications, will be subject to the following
prescribed penalties:
1. A presumption that any related penalty waiver(s) will be denied; and
2. Notification to the institution's chancellor or president and conference office that the
institution failed to create or submit an acceptable APR Improvement Plan. (Adopted:
07/09)
Staff Evaluation of New APR Improvement Plans and the Implementation
of Previous Improvement Plans
1. Staff Evaluation of Implementation of APR Improvement Plans.
a. The staff does not determine if the implementation of an APR Improvement
Plan is acceptable or unacceptable.
b. Institutions with a conditional waiver of APP penalties will meet the
implemented APR Improvement Plan requirement when:
(1) The institution demonstrated that the essential steps outlined for every
critical issue have been completed;
• Critical issues are defined as those issues, identified by the
institution, which impact the team's academic performance and,
if implemented, have the greatest likelihood of assisting the
team's APR improvement.
(2) The institution achieved or demonstrated progress toward the
measurable goals for every critical issue;
(3) The individuals or officers responsible for the goals/steps of every critical
issue contributed to its completion and/or attempted completion; and
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(4) If the institution has not implemented the steps outlined in the plan that
address a critical issue, the institution provided:
(a) Evidence that the critical element of the plan was effectively
addressed by an alternative initiative or method not reflected in
the original plan, or
(b) Objective data that demonstrates that the issue is no longer a
critical issue impacting the team(s).
2. Staff Evaluation of APR Improvement Plans.
a. The staff does not determine if an APR Improvement Plan is acceptable or
unacceptable.
b. The staff will confirm that each APR Improvement Plan has the following
elements: developed through broad-based participation, meaningful data
analysis and presidential approval.
c. If any of the above elements are missing, the plan has not met submission
requirements and the staff will return the plan to the institution for revision.
d. The staff's written evaluation of the APR Improvement Plan will provide:
(1) Assessment of broad-based participation in plan's development,
institution's data analysis and approval of plan.
(2) Identification of potentially critical issues not addressed by the
institution.
(3) Assessment of the effectiveness of the plan's goals focusing on:
(a) Individuals responsible for implementation and oversight.
(b) Specificity and adequacy of steps to achieve goal.
(c) Effectiveness to address issue.
3. Updating Plans After Receipt of Staff Evaluation.
a. Institutions are no longer required to amend or update its plan after receiving
the staff's evaluation.
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b. If an institution has submitted its plan as part of an APP penalty waiver, it will
have two weeks after receiving the staff evaluation to update its APR
Improvement Plan.
c. The staff will not consider plans submitted after this period as new information
for purposes of APP penalty waivers.
Academic Performance Program
Public Recognition Program
During the 2005-06 academic year, the Committee on Academic Performance instituted a
team-centered public recognition program that highlights the academic performance of the
top 10 percent of teams in each sport based on APR. In order to be eligible for the Public
Recognition Awards list, a team must have reported at least two years of APR data. The list of
recognized institutions is posted on the NCAA website and institutions are encouraged to
celebrate APR success throughout the year. (Adopted: 04/07. Effective: 04/07)
The committee modified this element of the program in 2015 by expanding the number of
teams in each sport recognized in the public recognition program that has a multiyear cohort
size of less than 10. So, if the top 10 percent in a sport includes eight teams with a multiyear
cohort below 10, then the next eight teams beyond the top 10 percent would also be
recognized. (Adopted: 02/15. Effective: Immediately. Not retroactive.)
The committee will continue attempts to identify and implement additional, meaningful
incentives in future years.
NOTE: The Board of Directors approved the suspension of APP penalties, loss of access
to postseason competition, and the public recognition program for the 2020-21 (2019-
20 academic data), 2021-22 (2020-21 academic data) and 2022-23 (2021-22 academic data)
academic years. The program returns to normal operations with the submission of the
2022-23 academic data.
The public recognition program will return in the spring 2024 as a publicly searchable
database.
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Policies and Procedures
Chapter 4
4-58
Committee on Academics
Subcommittee on Penalties and Appeals Interpretations
Interpretations
The Committee on Academics shall oversee all aspects of the APP. These responsibilities
include interpreting all APP penalty and appeal legislation and policies and procedures,
including, but not limited to those referenced in Bylaws 14, 15.01.8 and 18.4.2.3. The
Committee on Academics has the exclusive authority to interpret and provide written
interpretations for all aspects of the APP. Neither the NCAA Division I Interpretations
Committee, nor the Committee for Legislative Relief has the authority to provide any type of
relief or render a decision for a request that involves legislation and/or policies and
procedures relative to the APP.
The Committee on Academics shall render decisions related to legitimate interpretative
inquiries regarding the application of APP legislation and policies and procedures. The
committee does not have the authority to make or change legislation but shall interpret
legislation and policies consistent with its intent.
The Committee on Academics also shall consider and recommend editorial revisions and
official interpretations it has issued for inclusion into the NCAA Division I Manual and will
review all related staff interpretations to maintain the integrity of the interpretation process.
Interpretive Request Process
1. Types of Interpretations.
The committee/subcommittee shall issue an official interpretation only when it is
determined by that group that the issue is one of national significance. When an
official interpretation is issued, it will be issued as either a confirmation or
determination. Listed below is the distinction between the two.
a. A confirmation is a verification of the legislation and or policies and
procedures. The confirmation is responsive to an inquiry and is binding on all
institutions for present and past actions.
b. A determination is an interpretation issued when an issue or fact is not clearly
addressed by the legislation and/or policies and procedures. It is binding on
the institution making the request and other institutions once it is published
to the Division I membership.
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Policies and Procedures
Chapter 4
4-59
2. Receipt of the Interpretive Request.
Generally, the subcommittee will review interpretative requests in the following
situations:
a. Referrals from the NCAA academic and membership affairs staff regarding the
application of legislation, other interpretations and/or policies and procedures.
b. Referrals from Division I governance entities (e.g., cabinets/committees) of
issues related to the application of legislation and/or policies and procedures.
c. A request by a member institution or conference to review an interpretation
provided by the academic and membership affairs staff or the application of the
APP legislation and/or policies and procedures, provided the legislation,
policies or other official interpretations do not address the issue.
When necessary, member institutions and/or conferences must make all
interpretative requests before filing an appeal of an APP penalty. Further, the
interpretations process must be complete, including final review of any interpretive
appeals, before proceeding with a related appeal of any penalties. Once an appeal has
been filed, it will be assumed that the institution does not have any outstanding
interpretative questions or concerns related to the imposed penalties.
3. Required Documentation.
Interpretative requests from a member institution or conference must be submitted
in writing. Requests from a member institution may be submitted by the institution's
conference or by one of the five individuals authorized to request such interpretations
on behalf of the institution (i.e., chancellor or president, faculty athletics
representative, athletics director, senior woman administrator or compliance
coordinator).
When seeking an interpretive clarification, an institution or conference must submit
an interpretive request and supporting documentation outlining the issue in question.
The request must outline the limitations in the applications of current legislation
and/or official interpretations to the institution's specific circumstances.
4.
Staff and Committee/Subcommittee Interpretations/Legislation Review.
a. Staff Review: All interpretative requests must be forwarded in writing to the
staff liaisons to the Committee on Academics. The staff liaisons will review each
request and, if possible, will provide a written response. If appropriate, the staff
will issue a staff interpretation. The Committee on Academics or one of its
subcommittees will review all staff interpretations.
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Policies and Procedures
Chapter 4
4-60
b. Committee Review: If the staff is unable to render a decision or if the issue is
of national significance, the staff may forward the interpretative request to the
Committee on Academics and/or a subcommittee of Committee on Academics
based on the topical nature of the request. The committee and/or
subcommittees shall review the following issues:
(1) Subcommittee on Data: All issues related to the following: defining
the APR cohort, filing APR, APC or GSR data, notification of Level-One
and -Two penalties, appeals/extension requests and all other matters
referred to the subcommittee by the Committee on Academics chair for
review.
(2) Subcommittee on Penalties and Appeals: All issues related to the
imposition and/or appeal of Level-One and -Two penalties, any other
matters related to appeal, and all other matters referred to the
subcommittee by the Committee on Academics chair for review.
(3) Full Committee: All issues related to the penalties and rewards
structure. In addition, the Committee on Academics will be the final
authority to hear appeals of subcommittee interpretations, as well as to
review all subcommittee interpretations. (Revised: 04/07; Effective:
04/07)
5. Meeting Protocol.
Committee meetings may occur in person, by teleconference, by email or by any other
means deemed appropriate by the chair. The respective subcommittee or committee
shall meet as often as necessary during the academic year to review interpretative
issues related to the application of legislation and/or policies and procedures. The full
committee will review all subcommittee decisions.
All materials provided by the entity requesting the interpretation, along with a
summary/background information sheet prepared by the staff, shall be forwarded to
the appropriate subcommittee before the request being reviewed.
The staff liaison will provide a brief summation of the issue and will provide any
legislative or interpretative assistance as needed or requested by the
committee/subcommittee. Only the staff liaisons and committee or subcommittee
members shall participate in review of the issue unless additional individuals are
invited to be on the teleconference by the chair of the committee or subcommittee.
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Policies and Procedures
Chapter 4
4-61
In order for the committee or subcommittee to deliberate and render a decision, a
quorum of more than 50 percent of the committee or subcommittee members eligible
to vote must be present.
The conflict-of-interest section of this document applies to the committee members'
involvement in interpretive matters.
6.
Issuance of Interpretations.
Interpretations issued by the committee/subcommittee/staff shall be binding
immediately on notification to the affected institution or conference. Institutions will
be notified initially by telephone and then in writing after the
committee/subcommittee's minutes of the meeting have been finalized. All other
member institutions are bound by the committee subcommittee's interpretation after
publication and circulation to the membership. If an issue is of national significance,
an official interpretation shall be issued and published on LSDBi.
7.
Review/Appeals.
The Committee on Academics shall review all interpretations issued by the
subcommittees and may approve, reverse or modify such interpretations. A member
institution or conference may appeal an interpretation of the subcommittee(s) to the
Committee on Academics within 30 calendar days following the subcommittee's
decision. Such appeals must be submitted in writing by the institution's chancellor or
president, faculty athletics representative or director of athletics and must set forth an
interpretative argument as to why the decision of the subcommittee is erroneous.
The Committee on Academics interpretive decisions are final, and no additional
appeal opportunity exists for a member institution or conference.
8. Ex Parte Communication.
To maintain the integrity of the interpretation process, the influence of outside
discussions and arguments should be kept to a minimum. Once an issue has been
submitted to the committee/subcommittee for review, each committee member shall
not discuss the issue with noncommittee members (e.g., the public or the
membership) prior to discussion by the committee.
4A-1
NCAA Division I Academic Performance Program Penalty and Loss of Access to
Postseason Competition Scenarios 2023-24
Appendix 4A
APPENDIX 4A
NCAA Division I Academic Performance Program Penalty and
Loss of
Access to Postseason Competition Scenarios
The following scenarios are designed to assist institutions in understanding the progressive
and cumulative nature of NCAA Division I Academic Performance Program penalties as well
as the loss of access to postseason competition.
Example One – Baseball Team
Year 1: Team's multiyear NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate is below 930 and
team receives a Level-One Penalty consisting of a four-hour and one-day
reduction in countable athletically related activities during the playing and
practice season as well as the loss of access to postseason competition in the
following academic year. Countable athletically related activities time must be
replaced with academic activities.
Year 2: Team's multiyear APR is above 930. No penalty. This qualifies as clean year
number one.
Year 3: Team's multiyear APR is below 930 but team satisfies the improvement filter.
The team is eligible for the improvement filter because it would have been
subject to a Level-Two Penalty and loss of access to postseason competition
for the second time. No penalty or loss of access to postseason. This qualifies
as clean year number two.
Year 4: Team's multiyear APR is below 930, but team receives an APP penalty waiver
as well as a waiver of loss of access to postseason competition. This qualifies
as clean year number three. No penalty, and team is reset to level one in the
penalty structure if it falls below the benchmark in the future.
Year 5: Team's multiyear APR is below 930. Team is again subject to Level-One Penalty
of four-hour and one-day CARA reduction in the playing and practice season,
as well as loss of access to postseason competition. Because the team is back at
Level-One Penalty, it is not eligible for the improvement filter.
4A-2
NCAA Division I Academic Performance Program Penalty and Loss of Access to
Postseason Competition Scenarios 2023-24
Appendix 4A
Example Two - Football Team
Year 1: Team's multiyear APR is below 930, and team receives Level-One Penalty
consisting of a four-hour and one-day CARA reduction in the playing and
practice season as well as the loss of postseason competition. CARA time
must be replaced with academic activities.
Year 2: Team's multiyear APR is below 930 but satisfies the improvement filter. The
team is eligible for the filter because it would have been subject to a Level-
Two penalty and loss of access to postseason competition for the second
time. No penalty or loss of postseason. This qualifies as clean year number
one.
Year 3: Team's multiyear APR is below 930 but satisfies the improvement filter. No
penalty or loss of postseason. This qualifies as clean year number two.
Year 4: Team's multiyear APR is below 930 but does not satisfy the improvement
filter, and team is subject to Level-One and Level-Two Penalties, including a
four-hour and one-day CARA reduction in the playing and practice season
and elimination of spring football and the spring game. The team is subject
to the loss of postseason competition for the second time.
Year 5: Team's multiyear APR is below 930 but does not satisfy the improvement
filter and is subject to Level-One and Level-Two penalties for the second
time, including a four-hour and one-day CARA reduction in the playing and
practice season, and the elimination of spring football and the spring game.
The team is also subject to the loss of postseason competition for the third
time.
Example Three - Basketball Team
Year 1: Team's multiyear APR is below 930 and team receives Level-One Penalty
consisting of a four-hour and one-day CARA reduction in the playing and
practice season. CARA time must be replaced with academic activities. The
team is subject to the loss of postseason competition for the first time.
Year 2: Team's multiyear APR is below 930, but team satisfies the improvement filter.
The team is eligible for the filter because it would have been subject to a
Level-Two Penalty and loss of access to postseason competition for the
second time. This qualifies as clean year number one.
4A-3
NCAA Division I Academic Performance Program Penalty and Loss of Access to
Postseason Competition Scenarios 2023-24
Appendix 4A
Year 3: Team's multiyear APR is below 930, but team satisfies the improvement filter.
No penalty or loss of access to postseason competition. This qualifies as clean
year number two.
Year 4: Team's multiyear APR is below 930, but team does not satisfy the
improvement filter and is subject to Level-One and Level-Two Penalties,
including a four-hour and one-day reduction in CARA in the playing and
practice season, a four-hour reduction in the amount of CARA out of season
and a 10 percent reduction in the length of season (14 days) and the number
of basketball games (three games). The team is subject to the loss of
postseason competition for the second time.
Year 5: Team's multiyear APR is below 930 but satisfies the improvement filter. No
penalty or loss of access to postseason competition. This qualifies as clean
year number one.
Year 6: Team's multiyear APR is below 930 but satisfies the improvement filter. No
penalty or loss of access to postseason competition. This qualifies as clean
year number two.
Year 7: Team's multiyear APR is below 930 but does not satisfy the improvement
filter and is subject to Level-One and Level-Two penalties, including a four-
hour and one-day CARA reduction in the playing and practice season, and a
10 percent reduction in the length of season (14 days) and the number of
basketball games (three games). The team is subject to the loss of postseason
competition for the third time.
Year 8: Team's multiyear APR is below 930 but does not satisfy the improvement
filter and is subject to Level-One and Level-Two Penalties, again. Penalties
will include a four-hour and one-day reduction in CARA in the playing and
practice season, a four-hour reduction in the amount of CARA out of season,
and a 10 percent reduction in the length of season (14 days) and the number
of basketball games (three games). The team is subject to the loss of
postseason competition for the fourth time.
4B-1
FAQs on Loss of Access to Postseason Competition and Penalty Application and
Reporting Requirements 2023-24
Appendix 4B
APPENDIX 4B
Frequently Asked Questions on Loss of Access to
Postseason
Competition and Penalty Application and
Reporting Requirements
The following will assist institutions in ensuring the countable athletically related
activity penalties are imposed correctly:
Question No. 1: When does the four-hour countable athletically related activity restriction
apply?
Answer: The Level-One NCAA Division I Academic Performance Program penalty
CARA restriction applies only during the period when the team is subject
to the 20-hour per week limitation. The Level-Two APP penalty CARA
restriction applies during the period when the team is subject to the eight-
hour per week limitation.
Question No. 2: Do the hour or additional day-off restrictions apply when there are no daily
and weekly hour limits per the bylaws (e.g., vacation periods)?
Answer: No, the CARA restriction only applies during the time period when the
team is subject to the daily and weekly hour limits (e.g., 20 hours per week,
required day off). Because the reduced CARA time is to be supplemented
with academic activities, the restriction does not apply when no classes are
in session.
Question No. 3: Do the hour and/or additional day-off restrictions apply to CARA related
to conference and/or postseason championships?
Answer: The weekly hour restrictions and day-off restriction applies during a week
in which a team is participating in conference and/or postseason
championships per NCAA Division I Bylaw 17.1.7.4. The exception to the
one day off per week does not apply to the required day off per the team's
penalty.
Question No. 4: In the sport of basketball, how is the additional day-off restriction applied
in a week when a team is participating in three contests per Bylaw 17.1.7.10?
4B-2
FAQs on Loss of Access to Postseason Competition and Penalty Application and
Reporting Requirements 2023-24
Appendix 4B
Answer: If the institution uses the legislated exception for the one day off per week
requirement when it has three contests in the same week, the following
requirements apply:
(a) The team will not impose the additional day-off penalty during the
week the team has three contests; and
(b) The team will take an additional day off the week before or after the
week the team has three contests.
Question No. 5: Do the weekly CARA restrictions apply to a student-athlete who is also a
member of another team at the institution that is not subject to an APP
penalty?
Answer: No, the CARA restriction applies to the team's weekly CARA limitations
and does not apply to the individual student-athlete limitations for those
student-athletes who are members of more than one team at the
institution.
The following will assist institutions in ensuring that the policy of replacing
CARA time with academic activities is imposed correctly:
Question No. 1: What are acceptable academic activities?
Answer: The following activities are acceptable academic activities:
(a) Study hall.
(b) Tutoring.
(c) Meeting with academic support personnel.
(d) Meeting with departmental academic advisor.
(e) Meeting with professor.
(f) Meeting with formal study group.
(g) Meeting with informal study group.
(h) Faculty mentoring.
4B-3
FAQs on Loss of Access to Postseason Competition and Penalty Application and
Reporting Requirements 2023-24
Appendix 4B
(i) Peer mentoring.
(j) Meeting with career counselor.
(k) Career development seminar.
(l) Life skills development session.
(m) Campus seminars.
(n) Supplemental instruction session.
(o) Study skills seminars.
The following activities would NOT be considered acceptable academic
activities:
(a) Meeting with coaches in their offices to study.
(b) Academic activity while traveling (e.g., on a bus, plane).
(c) Academic meetings with coaches.
(d) Community service with athletics team/department.
(e) Promotional activities.
(f) Hosting recruits for official or unofficial visits.
(g) Team meetings (not related to academics).
Question No. 2: Does the institution have to document the academic activities for student-
athletes who are not in the APR cohort?
Answer: No.
Question No. 3: Do all student-athletes on the penalized team have to complete the same
academic activity?
Answer: No; institutions can determine what academic activities are most
appropriate for each student-athlete on the penalized team. But all student-
athletes in the team's cohort, regardless of academic performance, must
4B-4
FAQs on Loss of Access to Postseason Competition and Penalty Application and
Reporting Requirements 2023-24
Appendix 4B
participate in some academic activity to replace the CARA time. This must
be documented.
Question No. 4: Should the academic activities be related to the elements included in the
team's/institution's APR Improvement Plans?
Answer: It is not necessary that the activities be specifically related to the issues
identified within the APR Improvement Plan, however, this is encouraged.
Question No. 5: Can individual student-athletes be exempt from the academic activities if
they are doing everything they can, to meet the mission of the athletics
department, university and the NCAA (e.g., student-athletes meeting all
progress-toward-degree requirements, institutional requirements)?
Answer: No; CARA penalties are team penalties. The intent of the penalty structure
is for all student-athletes on a penalized team to engage in more academic
activities and less athletics time. The institution does not have the
discretion to excuse high-performing student-athletes from the required
academic activities. As stated above, all team members do not have to
participate in the same academic activities. However, every student-athlete
in the penalized team's APR cohort is required to participate in monitored
academic activities. This participation should be logged to demonstrate
that the penalty was taken as prescribed. (Revised: 10/09. Effective: 10/09.
Revised: 10/10. Effective: 10/10)
Question No. 6: Who is responsible for monitoring the academic activity?
Answer: Each institution must designate the staff member(s) responsible for
monitoring the activities. All team members' time must be monitored and
recorded so that it can be reported back to the staff. (Revised: 10/10)
The following addresses frequently asked questions with respect to teams that
are subject to contest and season reduction penalties:
Question No. 1: When must the 10 percent season reduction be taken?
Answer: The 10 percent season-reduction penalty must be taken at the beginning of
the regular playing and practice season. For example, a basketball team
subject to a reduction of the playing and practice season must start its
regular season 14 days later than the first permitted day of in-season
practice.
4B-5
FAQs on Loss of Access to Postseason Competition and Penalty Application and
Reporting Requirements 2023-24
Appendix 4B
Question No. 2: For the sports of men's and women's basketball, how is the 10 percent
contest reduction calculated?
Answer: The APP penalty requiring a reduction of 10 percent of the number of
contests results in a three-game reduction from the maximum number of
permissible contests.
The following addresses the reporting requirements for APP penalties:
Question No. 1: When does an institution have to report how the team applied the penalty?
Answer: All materials must be submitted to the NCAA national office not later than
July 15 following the academic year in which the penalty was applied. For
example, teams applying the penalty during the 2022-23 academic year
must submit an electronic report to the NCAA Division I Committee on
Academics not later than July 15, 2023.
Question No. 2: May an institution provide a squad list to document that a financial aid
penalty was imposed?
Answer: The institution may submit a squad list. Squad lists submitted to document
appropriate application of financial aid penalties must include all required
signatures. (Adopted: 10/09)
Question No. 3: What will an institution have to report regarding the academic activities in
which the team participated in place of CARA time?
Answer: The institution will need to include a narrative completed by a person who
works with academic support for student-athletes. The narrative must
describe the academic activities the student-athletes on the team
participated in to replace the reduced CARA. The narrative should
demonstrate how all student-athletes used the added academic time, even
if all student-athletes did not participate in the same activities. The
institution should also include logs of student-athletes participating in the
academic activities.
Question No. 4: How will an institution report a reduction in playing and practice time,
seasons of competition and nonchampionship segments of the team's
playing and practice season?
Answer: The institution will need to include CARA logs and a record of the team's
4B-6
FAQs on Loss of Access to Postseason Competition and Penalty Application and
Reporting Requirements 2023-24
Appendix 4B
completed schedule to indicate these penalty elements were taken
appropriately.
Question No. 5: What if a team does not impose all or part of the penalty?
Answer: The institution shall report a violation to the NCAA enforcement staff.
[References: NCAA Bylaws 17.1.1 (Playing Season), 17.1.7.3.6 (Vacation
Periods and Between Terms),
17.1.7.3.8 (Multisport Participant); 17.1.7.4
(Required Day-Off – Playing Season),
and 17.1.9 (General Regulations for
Computing Playing Seasons Applicable to all Sports).]
The following addresses the application of the loss of access to postseason
competition:
Question No. 1: If a team is subject to the loss of access to postseason competition (due to
falling below the APR benchmark) in the same year it is subject to
withholding from postseason competition due to any other process (e.g.,
NCAA Division I Committee on Infractions, missed APP data deadline),
may these be served at the same time?
Answer: The Committee on Academics' policy requires that a penalty or loss of
access to postseason competition be applied in the academic year following
the release of the applicable APR data, unless otherwise specified. In this
case, the team may take the two instances of loss of access to postseason
simultaneously in order to satisfy the Committee on Academics' policy.
Question No. 2: If a team is subject to the loss of access to postseason competition and APP
penalties (due to falling below the APR benchmark) in the same year it is
subject to penalties due to any other process (e.g., Committee on
Infractions), will the penalties be compounded? For example, if a team is
subject to a 10 percent contest reduction through the APP process and is
also subject to a 10 percent contest reduction due to Committee on
Infractions' penalties, is the team now required to impose a 20 percent
contest reduction?
Answer: No, in this instance, the penalties are not compounded, and the team would
only be required to impose a 10 percent contest reduction in order to satisfy
the Committee on Academics' policy.
Question No. 3: What if a team is subject to the loss of access to postseason competition in
the same year due to unusable data and a multiyear APR below 930?
4B-7
FAQs on Loss of Access to Postseason Competition and Penalty Application and
Reporting Requirements 2023-24
Appendix 4B
Answer: In this case, the team may take the two instances of a loss of access to
postseason simultaneously.
Question No. 4: If a team is subject to the loss of access to postseason competition (due to
falling below the APR benchmark) in the same year an NCAA
championship is cancelled, will the loss of access to postseason competition
be considered to have been served?
Answer: Yes, those teams will have served the loss of access to postseason
competition despite the championship being cancelled.
Question No. 5: Beyond the 2019-20 data, can COVID-19 be cited in future adjustments
requests as mitigation for lost points (for example, mitigation for transfers
who do not enroll in the next possible term)?
Answer: Yes. Such requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Question No. 6: Could COVID-19 be considered extraordinary mitigation in the future for
teams facing first-year penalties or first-time loss of access to postseason
competition?
Answer: Yes. COVID-19 meets the definition of a catastrophic event, and therefore,
could be presented as mitigation like a natural disaster described as
extraordinary mitigation in the penalty waiver directive. The institution
would have to identify the points the team lost due to the catastrophic event,
and the impact would likely have to be on multiple academic years.
The following addresses the impact of Level-Two APP penalties:
All teams in Level-Two are subject to the following penalties:
1. Reduction of the penalized teams' CARA time by four hours and one day per week of CARA
during the playing season (Level-One element). This results in 16 hours per week and five
days per week of CARA allowed. The reduced CARA time must be replaced with academic
support activities; and
2. Reduction of the penalized teams' CARA time by four hours per week outside of the playing
season. This results in four hours per week of CARA allowed. The CARA time must be
replaced with academic support activities. (Revised: 1/15. Effective: 1/15. Revised: 2/16.
Effective 2/16.)
The following charts indicate the application of all other Level-Two Penalties:
Sports with Nonchampionship Season Elimination
4B-8
FAQs on Loss of Access to Postseason Competition and Penalty Application and
Reporting Requirements 2023-24
Appendix 4B
Sport
Penalty
Cross country, men's and women's (but
does not sponsor indoor or outdoor track
and field).
No dates of competition during segment
other than
segment in which NCAA
championship is conducted.
Field hockey, women's.
No dates of competition during segment
other than
segment in which NCAA
championship is conducted.
Soccer, men's and women's.
No dates of competition during segment
other than
segment in which NCAA
championship is conducted.
Softball, women's.
No contests during nonchampionship segment.
Volleyball, men's and women's.
No dates of competition during segment other than
segment in which NCAA championship is conducted.
Sports with 10 Percent Reduction in Contests and Playing Season
Sport
Game Reduction
Season Reduction
Acrobatics and Tumbling, Women’s
12 to 11 dates of competition.
144-day season to 130-day
season.
Baseball.
56 to 50 contests.
132-day season to 119-day
season.
Basketball, men's and women's.
29 to 26 contests.
1
Reduction of 10 percent of
playing and practice days
between first allowable
practice and end of
2
Bowling, women's.
32 to 29 dates of competition.
144-day season to 130-day
season.
Cross country, men's and
women's.
7 to 6 dates of competition.
144-day season to 130-day
season.
Fencing.
11 to 10 dates of competition.
144-day season to 130-day
season.
4B-9
FAQs on Loss of Access to Postseason Competition and Penalty Application and
Reporting Requirements 2023-24
Appendix 4B
Golf, men's and women's.
24 to 22 dates of competition.
144-day season to 130-day
season.
Gymnastics, men's and women's.
13 to 12 dates of competition.
144-day season to 130-day
season.
Ice Hockey, men's and
women's.
34 to 31 contests.
132-day season to 119-day
season.
Lacrosse, men's and women’s.
17 to 15 dates of competition.
132-day season to 119-day
season.
Rifle, mixed.
13 to 12 dates of competition.
144-day season to 130-day
season.
Rowing, women's.
20 to 18 dates of competition.
156-day season to 140-day
season.
Beach volleyball, women's.
16 to 14 dates of competition.
132-day season to 119-day
season.
Skiing, men's and women's.
32 to 29 dates of
competition
in both alpine and Nordic
events.
144-day season to 130-day
season.
Swimming and diving, men's and
women's.
20 to 18 dates of competition.
144-day season to 130-day
season.
Tennis, men's and women's.
25 to 22 dates of competition.
144-day season to 130-day
season.
Track and field, men's and
women's
(only).
18 to 16 dates of
competition.
144-day season to 130-day
season.
Track and field, men's and
women's
(indoor and
outdoor).
18 to 16 dates of
competition.
156-day season to 140-day
season.
Triathlon, women’s.
6to 5 dates of competition.
144-day season to 130-day
season.
Water Polo, men's and women's.
21 to 19 dates of competition.
132-day season to 119-day
season.
Wrestling, men’s and women’s
16 to 14 dates of
competition.
144-day season to 130-day
season.
Football
Sport
Penalty
Football.
No spring football practice sessions per Bylaw
17.11.7.5 including the spring game.
1
For teams that plan to participate in a qualifying regular season multiple-team event (e.g., Maui
Invitational), the reduction would be from 27 to 24 contests (includes the event as one contest).
4B-10
FAQs on Loss of Access to Postseason Competition and Penalty Application and
Reporting Requirements 2023-24
Appendix 4B
2
The start date for men's and women's basketball will vary depending on the year; however, the
penalized team's playing and practice season must start 14 days later than the first permitted day of
in-season practice. The 14 calendar days that are removed from the start of the regular season will be
considered out-of-season and will be governed by the out-of-season legislation.
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics APP Access to Postseason and
Penalty Waiver Directive 2023-24
Appendix 4C
4C-1
APPENDIX 4C
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics
NCAA Division I Academic Performance Program
Access to Postseason and Penalty Waiver Directive
Background
The central purpose of the NCAA Division I Academic Performance Program is to ensure that
the NCAA Division I membership is dedicated to providing student-athletes with an exemplary
education and intercollegiate athletics experience in an environment that recognizes and
supports the primacy of the academic mission of its member institutions while enhancing the
ability of student-athletes to earn a degree. Additionally, the program provides an academic
access point to NCAA benefits, including postseason competition.
When a team's academic performance measured by the multiyear NCAA Division I Academic
Progress Rate falls below 930, that team loses access to postseason competition and is subject
to penalties. Filters are applied to teams' data to account for improvement and resources in
the penalty calculation. NCAA Division I Bylaws 14.8.1.1.2, 14.8.1.2.3, 14.8.2 and 18.4.2.3.1 provide
for waivers of APP penalties or access to postseason competition. The NCAA Division I
Committee on Academics has approved this directive to provide guidance to the NCAA staff
and the NCAA Division I Committee on Academics Subcommittee on Penalties and Appeals
in reviewing APP penalty waiver requests.
Guiding Principles
1. Requests to waive loss of access to postseason competition and APP Level-One and -
Two penalties will be considered independently. The requests are filed simultaneously,
but the access to postseason competition and APP penalties have different standards
for relief. (Revised 04/16. Effective: 04/16)
2. APP penalty and postseason waiver requests involve a review of the entire athletics
team's overall academic performance. The APR is a team rate and not based on the
academic performance of a single student-athlete. Therefore, the review of waiver
requests shall consider all student-athletes included in the team's multiyear APR. This
approach considers the loss of all APR points, not just those of select students. This
approach could be referred to as the "top-down approach" (e.g., start at an APR of 1000
and explain the loss of all points). To that end, all data issues must be resolved prior to
the review of a waiver request.
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics APP Access to Postseason and
Penalty Waiver Directive 2023-24
Appendix 4C
4C-2
3. NCAA Division I APR Improvement Plans are reviewed with the waiver request. Plans
should be designed to assist teams in achieving APRs above the penalty benchmarks in
a reasonable time by identifying and addressing issues impacting a team's APR with
measurable goals, steps to achieve the stated goals, and a timetable for implementation.
4. The identification of academically underperforming teams that are subject to an APP
penalty includes consideration of resource level and squad size. Therefore, the
staff/subcommittee/committee will generally not consider these elements in its review
of APP penalty waiver or loss of access to postseason waiver requests.
Waivers of Loss of Access to Postseason Competition
1. First Occasion Team Loses Access to Postseason Competition. Institutions are permitted
to submit a waiver request the first occasion a team loses access to postseason
competition. The committee has established a high threshold for relief in these cases
and generally relief will not be provided.
•
Factors to be considered. The staff/subcommittee will consider the following
factors in reviewing such a request:
(1) Extraordinary Mitigating Circumstances. The institution's cited
mitigation must be clearly out of the control of the institution, the
athletics department and the team's student-athletes. It must pertain to
matters not previously addressed in the APP (e.g., small squad size,
institutional mission, adjustments to APP data). Finally, it must have
impacted the team over the multiple years that make up the four-year
APR. An example of mitigation that would be considered extraordinary is
a natural disaster that impacts a team's APR over multiple years. An
example of mitigation that would not be considered extraordinary would
be head coaching change, significant leadership change at the institution
or institutional reclassification or institutional dismissal of student-
athletes.
If an institution cannot demonstrate extraordinary mitigating
circumstances impacted a team the first time it loses access to postseason
competition, the waiver request will be denied. (Revised: 1/15. Effective:
1/15)
(2) APR Improvement Plan. An institution's commitment to improving the
penalized team's academic performance as outlined in the APR
Improvement Plan must be considered in reviewing a waiver requesting
relief of the loss of access to postseason competition. Previous plans will
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics APP Access to Postseason and
Penalty Waiver Directive 2023-24
Appendix 4C
4C-3
be reviewed for a sense of the institution's history of implementing
initiatives to address critical issues. Current plans will be reviewed for
identification of critical areas impacting academic success as well as other
components demonstrating the institution's accountability toward
meeting the stated goals of the APP (e.g., graduating student-athletes).
(3) Academic Factors. A waiver request must include a comprehensive review
of the team's historical academic performance to determine if the team's
placement in the APP penalty structure is the result of habitual
underperformance or the result of some anomaly event (see the list on
Page No. 4). Overall academic performance will be evaluated to determine
if the team is demonstrating sustainable academic improvement.
(4) Alternative Penalty Options. Within the waiver request, an institution
may ask that an alternative to the loss of access to postseason competition
be imposed on the team. The institution must include an explanation of
how this proposal equates to a loss of postseason access.
2. Second Occasion Team is Subject to Loss of Postseason Competition. Institutions are
permitted to request a waiver of a team's loss of access to postseason competition.
•
Factors to be considered. The second or subsequent time a team loses access to
postseason competition, the staff/subcommittee will review the request using the
same factors used in considering an APP penalty waiver (see Page Nos. 4–7 for
more information). If a team has demonstrated meaningful improvement and
some of the factors in item 3b below are present, the level of mitigation required
to receive relief may be less stringent than what is required the first time a team
lost access to postseason competition.
3. Notes on Outcomes. A loss of access to postseason competition waiver request will be
approved, conditionally approved or denied.
a. Waiver requests will be denied the first time a team loses access to postseason
competition if the institution cannot demonstrate extraordinary mitigating
circumstances as described on Page No. 2. (Revised: 1/15. Effective: Immediately)
b. Waiver requests should be denied the second and subsequent times a team loses
access to postseason competition if the institution cannot demonstrate:
(1) Significant academic improvement that is sustainable;
(2) Mitigating circumstances as defined on Page No. 6;
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics APP Access to Postseason and
Penalty Waiver Directive 2023-24
Appendix 4C
4C-4
(3) An APR Improvement Plan that demonstrates the institution's
commitment to improving the team's academic performance by
identifying critical issues that have impacted the team's APR and
addressing those issues with clear steps and specific, measurable goals.
Additionally, the institution is expected to demonstrate a history of
implementation of initiatives designed to address critical issues from any
previous APR Improvement Plans; and
(4) An expectation that the team will achieve an APR of 930 or higher in a
reasonable period of time.
APP Penalty Waivers
Institutions are permitted to request a waiver of a team's APP penalties. The
staff/subcommittee will consider the following factors in reviewing such a request:
1. Academic Factors. Evaluating a team's academic performance is an important part of
the APP penalty waiver process. The staff/subcommittee's review of a team's academic
performance may include consideration of the following elements:
a. A comprehensive review of the team's historical APP performance, including any
penalty history and academic trends to determine if the team's placement in the
APP penalty structure is the result of habitual underperformance or the result of
some anomaly. Overall academic performance will be evaluated to determine if
the team is demonstrating sustainable academic improvement.
b. The team's Graduation Success Rate and Federal Graduation Rate if available.
c. Eligibility and Retention. The team's eligibility and retention will be compared
against the following:
1. The team's academic profile including hours earned, grade-point average,
eligibility and retention points.
2. The academic profile of the team when admitted to the member institution,
including admissions status as compared to the general student-body and/or
other student-athletes at the institution.
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics APP Access to Postseason and
Penalty Waiver Directive 2023-24
Appendix 4C
4C-5
3. The number of graduates the team has generated over the four years that
make up the multiyear rate.
4. The number of student-athletes who were not academically eligible and not
retained included in the multiyear APR.
5. Other academic data elements that may be relevant to the case.
2. Other Factors. The staff/subcommittee's review of a team's academic performance may
also include consideration of the following elements:
a. Size of variance between the team's APR and the applicable APP penalty
benchmark (930).
b. The team's single-year APRs that comprise the multiyear rate. Specifically, the
number of single-year APRs above or below the penalty benchmark (930).
c. The institution's history of implementation of initiatives to address critical issues
identified in its previous APR Improvement Plan(s) as well as the current plan's
ability to identify and address critical issues that have impacted the team's APR
with clear steps and specific, measurable goals.
d. Mitigating circumstances that have affected the team's APR (see below).
e. An institution may request that an alternative penalty be imposed in lieu of the
assigned APP penalty. Should an institution offer an alternative penalty, the
staff/subcommittee would consider the various factors as well as the alternate
penalty in the decision. The institution must demonstrate how the alternate
penalty equates to the penalty it would replace. (Revised 4/16. Effective: 4/16)
f. Teams asserting that they have advanced in the penalty structure due to
corrections to APP data identified in an APP data review must demonstrate that
the current penalty is due to a lost opportunity for the institution to identify
academic issues impacting the team's academic performance; to develop an
appropriate APR Improvement Plan and to have an opportunity to rectify
academic issues. If the institution can demonstrate this lost opportunity to
identify and correct academic issues affecting the team's academic performance
the staff and/or subcommittee may consider this a mitigating circumstance
warranting relief from a penalty, however all such requests will be reviewed on
a case-by-case basis to allow for other factors to be reviewed as well.
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics APP Access to Postseason and
Penalty Waiver Directive 2023-24
Appendix 4C
4C-6
3. Mitigating Circumstances. Circumstances will be considered as compelling mitigating
factors if the institution can demonstrate that it had a direct correlation, supported by
objective documentation, to the team's ability to earn eligibility/graduation and/or
retention points. The institution may reference mitigation that was considered in a
previous waiver request if the impact of the mitigation is evidenced in the current APR.
A team whose APR is negatively affected by a unique one-time circumstance, but
otherwise is not historically an underperforming team, should be treated differently
than a team that has a history and pattern of academic underachievement.
Circumstances not considered compelling mitigation may include, but are not limited
to, the following:
a. Unreasonable reliance by a student-athlete on misinformation from an
institutional staff member (e.g., misadvisement);
b. Institutional lack of understanding regarding the APP;
c. Failure to develop and implement an APR Improvement Plan;
d. Conferences and/or institutions with more stringent academic standards than
NCAA Division I progress-toward-degree requirements; or
e. Circumstances submitted in a request to receive an adjustment of an individual
student-athlete's APR retention and/or eligibility or graduation point if the
institution received relief for those circumstances by way of an APR adjustment.
Institutions are limited to submitting information concerning mitigating circumstances
only for the academic years used to calculate that team's current multiyear APR.
However, the staff, subcommittee and committee reserve the right to consider any
relevant information that would explain the team's historical performance.
4. Notes on Outcomes. An APP penalty waiver request will be partially or fully approved,
conditionally approved or denied. Requests will likely be denied if the institution
cannot demonstrate:
a. Significant academic improvement that is sustainable; or
b. The team is performing well academically but for one or more years of APP data
impacted by compelling, documented mitigating circumstances.
c. The institution's history of implementation of initiatives to address critical issues
identified in its previous APR Improvement Plan(s) as well as the current plan's
ability to identify and address critical issues that have impacted the team's APR
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics APP Access to Postseason and
Penalty Waiver Directive 2023-24
Appendix 4C
4C-7
with clear steps and specific, measurable goals; and
d. An expectation that the team will achieve an APR of 930 or higher in a reasonable
period of time.
Use of Conditional Approvals
Waivers of APP penalties and loss of access to postseason competition may receive conditional
approval. A waiver that is conditionally approved does not waive the team's penalty unless the
team satisfies the stated condition(s). These conditions may include, but are not limited to:
1. Demonstrated implementation of the institution's written APR Improvement Plan,
especially issues identified as critical to the team's academic improvement, or any
element specifically required by the staff/subcommittee/committee;
2. Attendance at mandatory educational sessions;
3. Meeting or maintaining single-year eligibility and retention goals and/or, meeting or
maintaining a specified single-year APR without the inclusion of delayed- graduation
points;
4. Requiring the institution to demonstrate it has satisfied its commitment of resources to
enhance academic support initiatives that are part of the institution's APR Improvement
Plan or cited in its APP penalty waiver rationale;
5. Requiring the institution to impose limits, restrictions or penalties that are part of its
APR Improvement Plan or cited in its waiver rationale (e.g., withhold a head coach from
contests); and
6. Requiring an institution comply with identified minimal academic profiles for entering
student-athletes that are part of its APR Improvement Plan or its waiver rationale.
(Revised: 10/08; 10/10)
An institution/team that fails to meet the stated condition(s) by the given timeframe shall have
the waiver decision converted to a denial and the APP penalty must be applied to the team
within the prescribed period of time.
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics APP Access to Postseason and
Penalty Waiver Directive 2023-24
Appendix 4C
4C-8
Review of Conditionally Approved Penalty Waivers
At some point established within the waiver decision, the staff verifies that all established
conditions were satisfied (e.g., single-year APR, acceptable implementation of APR
Improvement Plan). If the staff concludes that the team has not satisfied the established
condition(s), the subcommittee or staff may consider mitigating circumstances presented by
the institution. Such reviews shall occur on a case-by-case basis and shall include consideration
of any mitigation for the team's failure to reach the target APR, as well as the totality of the
team's circumstance with regard to the imposed conditions. In such cases, the staff will review
factors including improvement in the single-year and multiyear APRs, how close the team
came to meeting the target and mitigating circumstances. This action does not change an
institution's opportunity to explain why it failed to meet the condition(s) or to appeal a
decision by the staff. Appeals of the staff determinations will be heard by the subcommittee.
The subcommittee's decision is final.
Finally, if it is determined that a conditional waiver is not satisfied and the waiver is denied,
the institution must impose the resulting penalties in the time period prescribed by the
subcommittee, but generally the academic year following denial of the appeal or, if there was
no appeal, following determination that the conditions were not met (e.g., determined
condition was not met in 2018-19 results in the imposition of the penalties in 2019-20).
If the team is subject to a penalty in the next academic year, the team is potentially subject to
the penalty level that was conditionally waived and the next penalty level if it fails to meet the
conditions of the waived penalty.
APR Improvement Plans
APR Improvement Plans are meant to encourage institutions that have a team with an APR
below 930 to develop and implement strategies to improve the academic performance,
eligibility, retention and graduation rates of the student-athletes on the team. Institutions
seeking relief from an APP penalty are expected to demonstrate that the team's academic
performance will improve, and the team will achieve an APR of 930 in a reasonable period of
time. Therefore, APR Improvement Plans submitted with a waiver request will be reviewed as
follows:
1. Institutions/teams will be accountable for identifying issues impacting the penalized
team's ability to move its APR above the established benchmark. The following shall be
addressed:
a. Using data analysis, identify any critical issues impacting the academic
performance, eligibility, retention and graduation of the team's student-athletes.
NCAA Division I Committee on Academics APP Access to Postseason and
Penalty Waiver Directive 2023-24
Appendix 4C
4C-9
b. Develop specific and measurable goals to address the critical issues, steps to
meet the goals, timetables for implementation and identify persons responsible
for each step outlined in the plan.
c. Identify specific target APR goals for the team(s) for the current and future
academic years that will assist the team in meeting the 930 benchmark in a
reasonable period of time.
d. Demonstrate implementation of initiatives the institution has developed in any
previous APR improvement plan(s) that address the critical issues impacting the
team's academic success.
2. If an institution fails to create and submit an appropriate APR Improvement Plan, as
defined by the committee, there is a presumption that any penalty waiver request will
be denied.
Frequently Asked Questions - NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate Appendix 4D
Improvement Plans 2023-24
APPENDIX 4D
Frequently Asked Questions on
NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate Improvement Plans
Question No. 1: When do I have to file an NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate (APR)
Improvement Plan with the NCAA national office?
Answer: An institution is required to file an APR Improvement Plan if a team's
multiyear APR is below 930 or if the institution is requesting a penalty waiver,
regardless of filter use. Submission deadlines are our outlined within this
chapter.
Question No. 2: Do I need to submit an APR Improvement Plan if the team is eligible to use
the squad size adjustment?
Answer: It depends on. If the team's APR is below 930 WITH the squad-size
adjustment, that team IS REQUIRED to submit an APR Improvement Plan
to NCAA staff. If the team's score is above 930 WITH the squad-size
adjustment, the team IS NOT required to submit an APR Improvement Plan.
Question No. 3: Is a data analysis required for APR Improvement Plan submission?
Answer: Yes, institutions must provide a meaningful analysis of the team(s)'s most
current APR data. The expectation is that an institution will complete a
thorough data analysis before the creation of the APR Improvement Plan.
Plans must include an assessment and evaluation of the academic admissions
profiles and academic outcomes for all student-athletes on teams with a
multiyear APR below 930. The plan must include any critical issues (e.g.,
changes to the entering profile) based on this evaluation.
NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate Improvement Plan Requirements
2023-24
Appendix 4E
4E-1
APPENDIX 4E
NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate Improvement Plan
Requirements
Purpose of the NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate Improvement Plan
The purpose of the NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate Improvement Plan is to allow an
institution to demonstrate its commitment to the NCAA Division I Academic Performance
Program. The plan serves as a framework for an institution to improve teams' APRs by monitoring
each team's academic, retention and graduation performance; identifying critical issues impacting
any team with a multiyear APR below 930; and developing initiatives to address an
underperforming team's critical issues.
Institutions that have at least one team with an APR below 930 are required to develop and submit
an APR Improvement Plan. The first section of this document outlines the standards by which
APR Improvement Plans will be reviewed to determine if an institution has implemented its
improvement plan submitted for the previous academic year. Implementation of APR
Improvement Plans is used in the analysis of APP waiver requests, and for limited-resource
institutions to access filters to allow underperforming teams to access postseason competition and
avoid APP penalties. The second section of this document outlines the minimum requirements
for new or revised APR Improvement Plans.
Key Terminology
1. Data analysis is the review of APP and other data (e.g., incoming student-athlete profiles,
progress of "at-risk" student-athletes, progress of student-athletes admitted under the
institution's regular admission standards) with the focus on determining what points are
being lost and who is losing them. The institution is encouraged to look for common
themes in the point loss over the four years that make up the multiyear APR cohort in order
to identify critical issues impacting the team's academic success.
2. Critical issues are those issues, identified by the institution through data analysis, that
impact the underperforming team's academic, retention or graduation performance. For
example, if the institution has concluded that a large number of APR points are lost by
2-4 transfers, the institution should review its data to determine what kinds of points this
group is losing (eligibility or retention) and what common factors are in play with student-
athletes in this group that lose points. Narrowed down, these identified points become the
team's critical issues.
NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate Improvement Plan Requirements
2023-24
Appendix 4E
4E-2
3. Goals are initiatives that should tie back to the critical issue. They should be specific and
measurable in order for the institution to be able to demonstrate if its goals were effective. In
the example above, the goal may be to reduce the number of eligibility points lost by two-year
transfer student-athletes by 50 percent.
4. Steps are the specific actions or processes designed to bring the goals to life. They usually
include the individuals responsible for components of the process, and possible timelines as
well. In the example above, the steps in the initiative might include coordinating with the
admissions office to design an "at-risk" evaluation.
Submission Requirements
Each institution with a team(s) with a multiyear APR below 930 must develop and submit an APR
Improvement Plan to the national office, even if the team is not subject to APP penalties or the loss
of postseason competition. All institutions with multiyear rates, including at least two years of APR
data, are subject to the plan development and submission requirements. Teams that have a squad
size adjusted APR above 930 are not subject to this requirement.
Institutions selected for an APP data review may be required to submit plans to the national office if
they have a team with a multiyear APR below 930.
Institutions that received a conditionally approved waiver of an APP penalty that must demonstrate
acceptable implementation of its APR Improvement Plan as a condition of its waiver, must submit
information regarding implementation of its plan to the national office by the prescribed deadline.
Limited-Resource Institutions’ Access to Filters
Limited-resource institutions can access filters to avoid APP penalties and loss of access to postseason
competition provided the institution has submitted an APR Improvement Plan that meets established
criteria. Limited-resource institutions are defined as teams in the bottom 15 percent of all Division I
member institutions in resources (using the same formula the NCAA Division I Committee on
Academics uses for other purposes), excluding all Football Bowl Subdivision institutions.
NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate Improvement Plan Requirements
2023-24
Appendix 4E
4E-3
APR Improvement Plan Requirements for Limited-Resource Institutions
Plans submitted by institutions that have been identified as limited resource must meet several
additional requirements to be used to access the limited-resource institution filters referenced earlier
in this document. The institution must have developed a meaningful APR Improvement Plan and
have had a history of implementing any prior plans. To satisfy this requirement the following criteria
must be met:
1. A history of implementation of APR Improvement Plans – significant and critical elements - if
a plan was previously required. Implementation reports must include a signed statement from
the chancellor/president on the effectiveness of the initiatives that were implemented. The
implementation report must include demonstration that all essential initiatives tied to a
team's critical issues were implemented. The implementation report must also include a report
on the progress made implementing any long-term goals;
2. Broad-based participation in the development, assessment and oversight of the plan. The APR
Improvement Plan development team must include the institution’s highest academic
authority (e.g., provost). As appropriate, the plan team should include representatives from
any function area or department of the institution that is required to complete a step (e.g.,
admissions, academic support, athletic administration, coaches, faculty groups, technology
staff, purchasing, finance);
3. A current APR Improvement Plan that identifies critical issues supported by data analysis;
4. Goals in the current APR Improvement Plan must be performance based (e.g., decrease the
number of lost eligibility points) and outcome specific (e.g., create an academic profile for
successful two-year transfer student-athletes). They should include short-term benchmarks to
track their progress. Steps designed to achieve the goals should specify how the goal will be
achieved and should include specific individuals and their roles in the process. Goals can be
short- or long-term, but long-term goals must include short-term benchmarks to track
progress;
5. The APR Improvement Plan must include a reporting timeline created by the institution. The
NCAA staff must check in with the institution regarding progress on implementation before
the implementation report due date. The timeline can be adjusted if needed, but all
adjustments must be communicated with and approved by the NCAA staff. (Adopted: 4/12.
Effective: 4/12. Revised 10/15 and 2/16. Effective for APR Improvement Plans written for 2016-17
and beyond);
6. Projected single-year APR targets that elevate the team out of the penalty structure within
four-years; and
NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate Improvement Plan Requirements
2023-24
Appendix 4E
4E-4
7. Approval by chancellor or president. When developing a new APR Improvement Plan, the
institution must make the chancellor or president and the improvement plan team, including
the institution’s highest academic authority, available for videoconference in which they
outline the improvement plan in order to demonstrate involvement in its development and
future implementation.
Failure to Develop a Required APR Improvement Plan
An institution that is required to create and/or submit an APR Improvement Plan, but fails to create
or submit a plan meeting all committee specifications, will be subject to the following prescribed
penalties:
1. A presumption that any related penalty waiver(s) will be denied; and
2. Notification to the institution's chancellor or president and conference office that the
institution failed to create or submit an acceptable APR Improvement Plan.
Implementation Requirements
An APR Improvement Plan is considered to be implemented when:
1. The institution demonstrated that the essential steps outlined to address critical issues have
been completed;
2. The institution achieved or demonstrated progress toward the measurable goals established
to address critical issues;
3. The individuals responsible for the goals/steps designed to address critical issues contributed
to their completion and/or attempted completion; and
4. If the institution did not implement the steps outlined in the plan, the institution provided.
a. Evidence that the team's critical issue was effectively addressed by an alternative
method not reflected in the original plan; or
b. Objective data that demonstrates that the issue is no longer a critical issue impacting
the team(s) academic, retention or graduation performance.
NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate Improvement Plan Requirements
2023-24
Appendix 4E
4E-5
An APR Improvement Plan is considered not implemented when:
1. The institution demonstrated that the essential steps outlined to address critical issues have
not been completed;
2. The institution did not achieve or demonstrate progress toward the measurable goals
established to address critical issues;
3. The individuals responsible for the goals/steps to address critical issues did not contribute to
their completion and/or attempted completion; and
4. If the institution did not implement the steps outlined in the plan, the institution did not
provide:
a. Evidence that the team's critical issue was effectively addressed by an alternative
initiative or method not reflected in the original plan, or
b. Objective data that demonstrates that the issue is no longer a critical issue impacting
the team(s) academic, retention or graduation performance.
New or Revised APR Improvement Plan Requirements
APR Improvement Plans must have the following elements to meet submission requirements and
receive a staff evaluation:
1. Broad-based participation.
• The APR Improvement Plan must be developed with significant input from
appropriate institutional constituent groups inside and outside of athletics.
2. Institutional approval.
• The completed APR Improvement Plan must be reviewed and approved by the
chancellor/president, to ensure that it represents the commitment and support of
the entire institution to improve the team's APR.
3. Data analysis.
a. Institutions must provide a meaningful analysis of the team(s)'s most current APR
data. To document the analysis, the institution must upload any documents, charts,
spreadsheets, etc., that were used by the APR Improvement Plan team during its
analysis of data beyond what is provided in the Academic portal.
NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate Improvement Plan Requirements
2023-24
Appendix 4E
4E-6
b. The data analysis by the institution should include the following information:
(1) The entering profile of student-athletes in the four-year cohort of the affected
team(s) (e.g., high school core-course grade-point average, two-year
transferable credits, ACT/SAT score, etc.);
(2) An accounting of all points lost over the four years making up the multiyear
APR. This should include a summary of lost eligibility and retention points,
indication why points were lost as well as any themes in the point loss;
(3) Reasons for loss of eligibility point. Specifically, the progress-toward-degree
requirement not satisfied by the student-athlete;
(4) Circumstances surrounding loss of retention point (e.g., professional
departure, lack of playing time, suspension/dismissal, etc.); and
(5) Analysis of patterns and trends in the historical academic data (e.g., low
average credit hours earned and term grade-point average in the fall,
significant amount of "0/2s" by two-year transfers in final term of eligibility).
4. Additional required elements of the APR Improvement Plan.
a. Plan activity/assessment.
• The APR Improvement Plan is a dynamic document. The institution should
conduct regular assessments to determine if the critical issues, measurable
goals and steps are still appropriate.
b. Timely development of plan.
• The APR Improvement Plan must be developed in time for it to be effective
for the current academic year.
c. Identification of issues.
• Institutions must identify critical issues currently impacting the team(s) APR
based on the analysis of the team(s)'s APR data.
d. Specific and measurable goals.
(1) The institution must identify at least one goal per critical issue. However, the
issue may lead to multiple goals.
NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate Improvement Plan Requirements
2023-24
Appendix 4E
4E-7
(2) Goals must be established in terms that are specific and measurable in order
for the institution to determine if the goal has been achieved.
e. Steps to achieve goals.
• The APR Improvement Plan must include specific, detailed steps the
institution will take to achieve the goals in each initiative.
f. Responsible individuals.
• The institution must identify at least one institutional staff member
responsible for carrying out the step(s) to achieve the goals.
g. Timeline to complete initiatives and meet goals.
(1) The institution must include a specific timetable to complete the steps to
achieve the goals.
(2) The timeline should refer to a point within the academic year.
4F-1
Limited-Resource Institutions NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate
Improvement Review 2023-
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Appendix 4F
APPENDIX 4F
Limited-Resource Institutions
NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate
Improvement Review
In October 2015, the NCAA Division I Committee on Academics elected to amend application of
the NCAA Division I Academic Performance Program filters for limited-resource institutions.
These filters allow teams at limited-resource institutions to avoid APP penalties and loss of access
to postseason competition.
For the purpose of these filters, limited-resource institutions will be defined as teams in the
bottom 15 percent of all NCAA Division I member institutions in resources, excluding all Football
Bowl Subdivision institutions, using a formula that considers (1) average Pell Grant dollars
awarded to first-time undergraduate students (to assess the need of the student body; (2) per
capita institutional spending (to assess the need of the institution); and (3) per capita athletic
spending (to assess the need of the athletics department). FBS institutions/teams shall not be
eligible for these filters regardless of resource level. The filters impact both access to postseason
competition and Level-One and Level-Two penalties. (Adopted: 07/09. Revised: 10/11. Effective:
10/11. Revised: 4/16. Effective: 4/16. Revised: 4/18. Effective: 4/18)
The committee elected to maintain the same filters that have been used in the past but modified
their application. The changes are reflected below:
Current Model
(starts with the 2015-16 data)
Three filters for teams with an
APR <930:
1. 920 multiyear APR;
2. 940 two-year APR; or
3. 930 single-year APR and
meets one of five
improvement tests.
Filters can be used twice over rolling five-year
period; LRI must decide if it will avail itself to
the filters at the time it submits its data.
Filters require an APR Improvement Plan
that meets a set of more robust criteria
established by the committee
to ensure
greater presidential engagement.
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Appendix 4F
To access the limited-resource institution filters above, the institution must have developed
a meaningful APR Improvement Plan and have a history of implementing its prior plans. To
satisfy this requirement the following criteria must be met:
1. A history of implementation of APR Improvement Plans – significant and critical
elements - if a plan was previously required. Implementation reports must include a
signed statement from the chancellor/president on the effectiveness of the initiatives
that were implemented. The implementation report must include demonstration that
all essential initiatives tied to a team's critical issues were implemented. The
implementation report must also include a report on the progress made implementing
any long-term goals.
2. Broad-based participation in the development, assessment and oversight of the plan.
The APR Improvement Plan development team must include the institution’s highest
academic authority (e.g., provost). As appropriate, the plan team should include
representatives from any function area or department of the institution that is required
to complete a step (e.g., admissions, academic support, athletic administration,
coaches, faculty groups, technology staff, purchasing, finance).
3. A current APR Improvement Plan that identifies critical issues supported by data
analysis.
4. Goals in the current APR Improvement Plan must be performance based (e.g., decrease
the number of lost eligibility points) and outcome specific (e.g., create an academic
profile for successful two-year transfer student-athletes). They should include short-
term benchmarks to track their progress. Steps designed to achieve the goals should
specify how the goal will be achieved and should include specific individuals and their
roles in the process. Goals can be short- or long-term, but long-term goals must
include short-term benchmarks to track progress.
5. The APR Improvement Plan must include a reporting timeline created by the
institution. The NCAA staff must check in with the institution regarding progress on
implementation before the implementation report due date. The timeline can be
adjusted if needed, but all adjustments must be communicated with and approved by
the NCAA staff. (Adopted: 4/12. Effective: 4/12. Revised 10/15 and 2/16. Effective for APR
Improvement Plans written for 2016-17 and beyond).
6. Projected single-year APR targets that elevate the team out of the penalty structure
within four-years; and
7. Approval by chancellor or president. When developing a new APR Improvement Plan,
the institution must make the chancellor or president and the improvement plan team,
including the institution’s highest academic authority, available for videoconference
in which they outline the improvement plan to demonstrate involvement in its
development and future implementation.
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Appendix 4F
Team Improvement Tests
Team APR data will be examined to identify squads making meaningful improvement toward
an APR of 930. The committee defined meaningful improvement as a change in APR that is
greater than would be expected due to typical year-to-year fluctuations. A statistical analysis
will be used to identify meaningful APR improvement. This analysis considers the differences
in squad size that could be perceived as impacting observed APR variations (for example, a
20-point jump in a football team's APR is more meaningful than the same increase for a
smaller squad). If a team fails to demonstrate meaningful improvement, it fails the
improvement review and may seek relief from the penalty through the waiver process.
Based on this standard, the following chart was developed to provide the minimum
improvement needed based on an average cohort size.
Average Cohort Size
Increase in APR
Needed to
2
250
3
150
4
110
5
90
6
80
7
70
8-9
60
10-11
50
12-18
40
19-30
30
31+
20
For teams with a four-year multiyear APR, results of the following five tests are compared to
the above chart to ensure that varied patterns of improvement are correctly credited. Having
a single-year APR at or above 930 in the most recent year and meeting the standard indicated
on the chart for any one of the five following tests indicates the team has made significant
APR improvement:
1. Comparing the most recent single-year APR to the previous single-year APR (e.g.,
2022-23 single-year APR compared to 2021-22 single-year APR).
2. Comparing the most recent single-year APR to the multiyear APR for the previous two
years (e.g., 2022-23 single-year APR compared to 2021-22 and 2020-21 multiyear APR).
3. Comparing the most recent single-year APR to the multiyear APR for the previous
three years (e.g., 2022-23 single-year APR compared to 2021-22, 2020-21, and 2019-20
multiyear APR).
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Appendix 4F
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4. Comparing the multiyear APR from years four and three to the multiyear APR from
years two and one (e.g., 2022-23 and 2021-22 multiyear APR compared to 2020-21 and
2019-20 multiyear APR).
5. Comparing the initial single-year APR to the multiyear APR for the three most recent
years (e.g., 2019-20 single-year APR compared to 2020-21, 2021-22, and 2022-23
multiyear APR). (Adopted: 01/09. Effective with the collection of 2008-09 APR data; not
retroactive to any prior year penalties.)
For teams with a three-year APR (e.g., new programs or reclassifying institutions),
improvement will be evaluated using tests one and two only.
To determine if a team has demonstrated meaningful improvement, the steps listed below
will be reviewed electronically.
EXAMPLE ONE
Determine the different variables to be used in each of the four tests. Please note that the APR
adjusted for squad size should NOT be used for any variable in any of the five tests.
All multiyear APRs are calculated by adding all APR points and delayed-graduation points
earned for the noted academic years and dividing that number by the total possible points
that could have been earned. The raw APR is multiplied by 1000 to achieve the final APR.
For a team at an institution on a quarter calendar, the APR should be calculated based on the
computation approved by the committee as outlined in the data collection portion of this
manual.
Step One: Determine if team's most recent single-year APR is at or above 930 in 2022-23.
Step Two: Determine variables for each test.
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Appendix 4F
Test One: Variable One – 2022-23 single-year APR.
Variable Two – 2021-22 single-year APR.
Test Two: Variable One – 2022-23 single-year APR.
Variable Two – 2021-22 and 2020-21 multiyear APR.
Test Three: Variable One – 2022-23 single year APR.
Variable Two –2021-22, 2020-21, and 2019-20 multiyear APR.
Test Four: Variable One – 2022-23 and 2021-22 multiyear APR.
Variable Two – 2020-21 and 2019-20 multiyear APR.
Test Five: Variable One – 2022-23, 2021-22, and 2020-21 multiyear APR.
Variable Two – 2019-2020 single-year APR.
Insert variables in the respective formula and determine the result:
Test One: Variable One (2022-23 single-year APR) minus Variable Two (2021-22
single- year APR).
Test Two: Variable One (2022-23 single-year APR) minus Variable Two (2021-22 and
2020-21 multiyear APR).
Test Three: Variable One (2022-23 single-year APR) minus Variable Two (2021-22,
2020-21, and 2019-20 multiyear APR).
Test Four: Variable One (2022-23 and 2021-22 multiyear APR) minus Variable Two
(2020-21 and 2019-20 multiyear APR).
Test Five: Variable One (2022-23, 2021-22, and 2020-21 multiyear APR) minus
Variable Two (2019-20 single-year APR).
Add the number of student-athletes in the cohort for each cohort year being used in the
particular test and divide by the number of cohort years being compared. Average cohort
sizes should be rounded appropriately to the nearest whole number.
Step Three: Calculate results for each test.
Step Four: Determine the average cohort size.
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Appendix 4F
Review the above chart to determine if the results from Step Two are equal to or greater than the
improvement corresponding to the average cohort size from Step Three. If it is equal to or greater for
any one of the five tests, the team has demonstrated meaningful improvement.
EXAMPLE:
A basketball team had the following APR data for the past four cohort years:
2019-20: 12 Student-athletes in the cohort.
40 APR points earned out of 48 possible APR points.
0 Delayed-graduation points. Single-year APR of 833.
2020-21 13 Student-athletes in the cohort.
38 APR points earned out of 52 possible APR points.
0 Delayed-graduation points. Single-year APR of 731.
2021-22: 14 Student-athletes in the cohort.
52 APR points earned out of 56 possible APR points.
0 Delayed-graduation points. Single-year APR of 929.
2022-23: 13 Student-athletes in the cohort.
47 APR points earned out of 50 possible APR points.
1 Delayed-graduation point. Single-year APR of 940.
Test One: Variable One – 2022-23 single-year APR = 940.
Variable Two – 2021-22 single-year APR = 929.
Test Two: Variable One – 2022-23 single-year APR = 940.
Variable Two – 2021-22 and 2020-21 multiyear APR = 833.
52 + 38
56 + 52
*1000 = 833
Step Five: Review results.
Step One: Determine if team's most recent single-year APR is at or above 930. Yes.
Step Two: Determine variables for each test.
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Appendix 4F
Test Three: Variable One – 2022-23 single-year APR = 940.
Variable Two – 2021-22, 2020-21, and 2019-20 multiyear APR = 833.
52 + 38 + 40
*1000 =833
56 + 52 + 48
Test Four: Variable One – 2022-23 and 2021-22 multiyear APR = 933.
47 + 52
50 + 56
*1000 = 933
Variable Two – 2020-21 and
2019-20 multiyear APR = 780.
38 + 40
*1000 = 780
52 + 48
Test Five: Variable One – 2022-23, 2021-22, and 2020-21 multiyear APR =867.
47 + 52 + 38
*1000 = 867
50 + 56 + 52
Variable Two – 2019-20 single-year APR = 833.
Test One: Variable One (2022-23 single-year APR) minus Variable Two (2021-22
single- year APR).
940 – 929 = 11
Test Two: Variable One (2022-23 single-year APR) minus Variable Two (2021-22 and 2020-21
multiyear APR).
940 – 833 = 107
Test Three: Variable One (2022-23 single-year APR) minus Variable Two (2021-22, 2020-
21, and 2019-20 multiyear APR).
940 – 833 = 107
Step Three: Calculate result for each test.
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Appendix 4F
Test Four: Variable One (2022-23 and 2021-22 multiyear APR) minus Variable Two
(2020-21 and 2019-20 multiyear APR).
933 – 780 = 153
Test Five: Variable One (2022-23, 2021-22, and 2020-21 multiyear APR) minus
Variable Two (2019-20).
867 - 833 = 34
Test One: 2022-23+ 2021-22 cohorts = Average cohort
2 (number of years)
13 + 14 = 27/2 = 13.5 (round to nearest whole number) Average cohort = 14
Test Two: 2022-23 + 2021-22 + 2020-21 cohorts = Average cohort
3 (number of years)
13 + 14 + 13 = 40/3 = 13.33 (round to nearest whole number) Average cohort = 13
Test Three: 2022-23 + 2021-22 + 2020-21 + 2019-20 cohorts = Average cohort
4 (number of years)
13 + 14 + 13 + 12 = 52/4 = 13 (round to nearest whole number) Average cohort = 13
Test Four: 2022-23 + 2021-22 + 2020-21 + 2019-20 cohorts = Average cohort
4 (number of years)
13 + 14 + 13 + 12 = 52/4 = 13 (round to nearest whole number) Average cohort = 13
Test Five: 2022-23 + 2021-22 + 2020-21 + 2019-20 cohorts = Average cohort
4 (number of years)
13 + 14 + 13 + 12 = 52/4 = 13 (round to nearest whole number) Average cohort = 13
Step Four: Determine the average cohort size.
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Appendix 4F
Test One: Step Three result = 11.
Average cohort size = 14.
APR improvement needed = 40 points. Improvement IS NOT met.
Test Two: Step Three result = 107.
Average cohort size = 13.
APR improvement needed = 40 points. Improvement IS met.
Test Three: Step Three result = 107.
Average cohort size = 13.
APR improvement needed = 40 points. Improvement IS met.
Test Four: Step Three result = 153.
Average cohort size = 13.
APR improvement needed = 40 points. Improvement IS met.
Test Five: Step Three result = 34.
Average cohort size = 13.
APR improvement needed = 40 points. Improvement IS NOT met.
Step Five: Review results.
Postseason for NCAA Division I Academic Performance Program Purposes
2023-24
Appendix 4G
4G-1
APPENDIX 4G
Postseason for APP Purposes
Postseason is defined as any competition not considered regular season competition per NCAA
Bylaw 17 (e.g., NCAA championships, national collegiate championships, football bowl games,
National Invitation Tournament, Collegeinsider.com Postseason Tournament and College
Basketball Invitational). The following chart indicates when NCAA postseason competition
begins for each sport.
Sport
Start of Postseason
Men's Baseball
First/Second Round.
Men's Basketball
First/Second Round.
Men's Cross Country
NCAA Regionals.
Men's Football
First Round.
Men's Golf
Regionals.
Men's Gymnastics
Qualification Meet at Finals Site.
Men's Ice Hockey
First Round.
Men's Lacrosse
First Round.
Men's Soccer
First/Second Round.
Men's Swimming and Diving
Diving Zone Meets/Swimming Finals.
Men's Tennis
First/Second Round.
Men's Track and Field, Indoor
Finals.
Men's Track and Field, Outdoor
Regionals.
Men's Water Polo
Final Site (play-ins).
Men's Volleyball
Final Site (play-ins).
Men's Wrestling
NCAA Regionals.
Mixed Fencing
Regionals.
Mixed Rifle
Finals.
Mixed Skiing
Finals.
Women's Basketball
First/Second Round.
Women's Bowling
Finals.
Women's Cross Country
NCAA Regionals.
Women's Field Hockey
First/Second Round (play-ins).
Women's Golf
Regionals.
Women's Gymnastics
Regionals.
Women's Ice Hockey
First Round.
Women's Lacrosse
First/Second Round (play-ins).
Women's Rowing
Finals.
Postseason for NCAA Division I Academic Performance Program Purposes
2023-24
Appendix 4G
4G-2
Women's Soccer
First/Second Round.
Sport Start of Postseason
Women's Softball First/Second Rounds.
Women's Swimming and Diving Diving Zone Meets/Swimming Finals.
Women's Tennis First/Second Round.
Women's Track and Field, Indoor Finals.
Women's Track and Field, Outdoor Regionals.
Women's Volleyball First/Second Rounds.
Women's Water Polo Final Site (play-ins).
