Amend NAIA Bylaws Article V, Section C, Item 2c, Note 2 as follows:

2. An entering freshman student can be eligible immediately by achieving an overall high school grade point average of 2.300 or higher on a 4.000 scale. Alternatively, an entering freshman student can become eligible by meeting two of the three entry-level requirements below. The three entry-level requirements are as follows:

a. A minimum score of 18 on the ACT or 970 on the SAT (Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math) for tests taken beginning May 2019. EFFECTIVE DATE May 1, 2019 (for tests taken beginning May 1, 2019);

EXCEPTION: For ACT tests taken beginning March 2016 through April 30, 2019, a minimum score of 16 will satisfy this requirement. This exception will apply to tests taken through April 30, 2019, after which point the exception no longer applies. For SAT tests taken prior to May 1, 2019, a minimum score of an 860 will satisfy this requirement.

NOTE: The test score must be achieved at a single test sitting administered by a certified tester on a National, International or official state assessment testing date to apply to this requirement. A test taken under any conditions other than those listed is considered by both testing agencies to be a residual test and cannot be used for certification purposes. The ACT/SAT must be taken prior to the beginning of the term in which the student initially participates.

b. An overall high school grade point average of 2.000 or higher on a 4.000 scale;
. . .

c. Rank in the upper half of the student’s high school class, as it appears on the final high school transcript after the student’s date of graduation. The class rank must appear on the student’s transcript, leaving certificate or other academic document. If the student’s class rank does not appear on the above-mentioned documents, the rank can be provided to the NAIA Eligibility Center via the NAIA High School Portal.

EXCEPTION 1: Completion of nine institutional credit hours prior to identification at any institution of higher education can be used if no class rank appears on the final official high school transcript. The credit hours must be completed with a grade of “C” or better. The coursework must be accepted as institutional credit on the certifying NAIA institution’s official transcript. The coursework must also be shown as earned prior to the term in which the student wishes to compete, as indicated on an official transcript. For CLEP or AP credit not applied to the transcript within a term, official documentation issued by the testing service noting the date the exam was taken will suffice.
. . .

NOTE 2: Home-schooled Students
Home-schooled students who complete a home schooling program conducted in accordance with the laws of the student’s state of residence will meet entering freshmen requirements by satisfying any of the following three options:

a. Satisfy the ACT or SAT minimum test score requirement as defined in Article V, Section C, Item 2a. For tests taken beginning May 2019, achieve a minimum score of 20 on the ACT or 1040 (Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math) on the SAT.

For ACT tests taken prior to March 2016, a minimum score of 20 is required. For ACT tests taken beginning March 2016 through April 2019, a minimum score of 18 will satisfy this requirement. For SAT tests taken prior to May 2019, a minimum score of 950 (Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math) is required.

b. Completion of nine institutional credit hours prior to identification at any institution of higher education as described in Article V, Section C, Item 2c, Exception 1. The credit hours must be completed with a grade of “C” or better. The coursework must be accepted as institutional credit on the certifying NAIA institution’s official transcript. The coursework must also be shown as earned prior to the term in which the student wishes to compete, as indicated on an official transcript.

c. Receive a home school waiver from the NAIA Home School Committee. A student receiving a home school waiver will be recognized as meeting entering freshman requirements. The Council of Faculty Athletics Representatives shall establish policy governing the issuance of a home school waiver by the NAIA Home School Committee.

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Intent: To remove the elevated test score option for home-schooled students, and enable home-schooled students to gain eligibility by meeting the same qualifying test scores as student-athletes from traditional high schools.

Effective Date: May 1, 2024 as applied to eligibility decisions for NAIA competition in August 2024 or beyond

Submitted by: Home School Committee