Compliance - Current Student-Athletes

Information for Current Student-Athletes

NCAA STUDENT-ATHLETE STATEMENT
NCAA DRUG TESTING CONSENT FORM
SUMMARY OF NCAA REGULATIONS
NIL

This site is intended to highlight some pertinent NCAA rules for you as an enrolled student-athlete at Menlo College. It is impossible to cover every NCAA rule that impacts you as a Division II student-athlete, but we will cover some of the most frequently asked questions. If you ever have any questions about NCAA rules and regulations, please contact the Associate Director of Athletics for Compliance and Student Services..

Definition of a Student-Athlete

An enrolled student-athlete is a student who has begun his or her first day of initial full-time collegiate enrollment or who has reported for intercollegiate practice at Menlo College.

Athletic Scholarships

The NCAA has strict limits on the amount of full scholarships allowed for each sport. Included in the NCAA limit are any athletics aid received by a student-athlete, known as a grant-in-aid, and all other aid that is considered "countable" by the NCAA. Athletic scholarships can only be offered on a one academic year basis. At the end of the academic year, the scholarship can be renewed, reduced or non-renewed at the coach's discretion. All reductions and non-renewals can be appealed through the Financial Aid Office and must be submitted in writing within two weeks of the non-renewal notice.

Outside Scholarships

All outside scholarships (e.g., booster club awards, local scholarships, etc.) received by Menlo student-athletes must be submitted to the Financial Aid Office for review. Outside scholarships can impact your individual/team scholarship limits AND your eligibility, so it is important to report these awards in an accurate and timely manner to both the Financial Aid Office and the Athletics Department. Even if you get a check directly from the awarding agency, you still must report this aid. At the beginning of every academic year you will be required to notify us of all outside scholarships you have received on your beginning of the year compliance forms. If you receive an outside scholarship during the academic year that is not included on your financial aid form, please notify the Financial Aid Office and Associate Director of Athletics for Compliance and Student Services immediately.

Private Lessons

Division II student-athletes are allowed to conduct private lessons. However there are strict rules they must follow. As a Menlo College student-athlete, you are not allowed to provide lessons anywhere on campus and there are restrictions on how you can advertise your lessons. Prior to any advertisement or offer of lessons, contact the Compliance Office.

Sports Wagering

NCAA rules prohibit student-athletes from participating in any gambling activity that involves any sport sponsored by the NCAA at any level. Any activity that involves putting something at risk for the chance to win something in return is considered sports wagering and an NCAA violation. Risk + Reward = Violation. This includes fantasy leagues and tournament brackets that meet the above guidelines.

Year-Round Drug Testing

The NCAA randomly selects institutions and student-athletes for drug testing throughout the academic year, including the summer. All student-athletes are subject to drug testing before, during or after their competitive seasons. All student-athletes need to be aware of the NCAA Banned Drugs list and should check with the Athletic Trainers for any questions. Student-athletes who test positive are subject to at least a 365-day suspension and loss of eligibility. Many nutritional/dietary supplements contain NCAA banned substances. In addition, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not strictly regulate the supplement industry; therefore the purity and safety of nutritional/dietary supplements cannot be guaranteed. Impure supplements may lead to a positive drug test.

Student-Athlete Advisory Committee

The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) exists to provide a forum for student-athletes to discuss issues of concern and to increase communication with the Athletics Department. The committee discusses issues such as department policies and procedures, as well as current and proposed NCAA legislation. In addition, the SAAC encourages support for the Menlo College Athletics Department through both on-campus and local community service initiatives.

Mission:
The mission of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) is to enhance the total student-athlete experience by: promoting opportunity for all student-athletes; protecting student-athlete’s well-being; promoting community outreach; giving a voice to all student-athletes; and fostering a positive student-athlete image.

Functions of SAAC
The committee seeks to promote healthy and constant communication between the student-athletes at Menlo College, the athletic administration, and conference office. The SAAC also gives student-athletes the opportunity to communicate suggestions, needs, wants, praise, and problems to the athletics administration as well as encouraging student-athlete involvement in community service projects, both on campus and within the community. Finally, the committee designs programs that encourage academic success, health promotion, social responsibility, and general awareness of the needs of Menlo College student-athletes.

Membership
All varsity teams
SAAC Representative Selection Process
Each athletic team, in consultation with the coach, will be responsible for selecting two SAAC representatives. These representatives will be submitted to the committee advisor. All SAAC members will hold this position for one school year. First-semester or first-year student athletes will be allowed to serve as a SAAC member for that given year. The SAAC team representatives of this organization must meet the following requirements:
- Have at least a 3.00 GPA at the time of their selection and it should be maintained through the duration of their term.
- Be enrolled in a minimum of twelve credit hours.
- Be in good standing with the college.
- Must uphold the standards of athletic conduct as defined in the Student-Athlete Handbook.
- Must be listed on the official roster of a varsity team. If status changes and rep is no longer listed on the official roster, a new member must be appointed.
- All are subject to removal from this organization by the Executive Committee or SAAC advisor, should the SAAC member fail to maintain the requirements described above.
SAAC Executive Board
Two officers (President, Vice President) and the SAAC advisor comprise the SAAC Executive Board. These officers each play an important role in the organization of the committee. They will meet at the beginning of the week leading up to each general SAAC meeting to discuss the agenda and any new information or proposals. It is preferable that the Executive Board meet at least 72 hours before a general SAAC meeting. However, that scheduling is the responsibility of the Executive members.
Community Service and Engagement
In keeping with the mission of Menlo College, Menlo College Athletics is committed to serving and engaging our community. SAAC is a great way to get involved in community engagement and service activities. Additionally, every Menlo College team is encouraged to organize and/or participate in at least one community engagement activity during the year. Mnelo College offers a variety of on and off-campus ministries and opportunities to get involved in community engagement and service.

Academic Eligibility

Below is an outline of the basic NCAA Division II academic eligibility rules as they apply at Menlo College. If you have any questions about the below rules or need help in determining if your academic plan meets NCAA eligibility requirements, please contact the Associate Director of Athletics for Compliance and Student Services.

Full-Time Enrollment - 12 units
A student-athlete must be a full-time student in order to participate (practice or compete). The only exception to this rule for both competition and practice eligibility is for graduating students who don't need 12 units to finish their final semester - they must have notification on file, with the Athletics Department, prior to the term in which they are less than full-time. The notification includes verification from the Registrar that they are taking what they need to graduate. All required paperwork is available
through the Associate Director of Athletics for Compliance and Student Services and is separate from what you must file with the College if you are seeking to pay only part-time student fees in your final semester.

Good Academic Standing
The definition of good academic standing is used to determine a student-athlete’s eligibility for Federal, State and Institutional financial aid.

Regular Standing - A student is considered to be in good standing with a 2.00 cumulative grade point average (GPA) in courses taken at Menlo College and on Menlo College off-campus programs. Students below a 2.0 GPA will automatically be put on academic probation and have one semester to raise their GPA.
Athletics Eligibility - To compete, intercollegiate athletes must have a 2.0 Cumulative GPA after each semester in college and pass a minimum of nine credit hours. In addition, athletes must meet all conference and NCAA eligibility standards.

Major Declaration
Students must declare a major by the start of their fifth full-time semester to remain eligible. If you plan on switching majors please consult with the Associate Director of Athletics for Compliance and Student Services, Academic Advising and Registrar first as it may impact your eligibility.

24/9 Hour Rule
At the start of each academic year (fall semester), a student's continuing eligibility is determined by whether or not the student successfully completed at least 24-semester hours since the start of the previous year. This includes summer school hours. In addition, student-athletes must pass at least nine credit hours each regular semester to remain eligible to compete for the next semester. Summer school cannot be used to meet the 9-hour semester requirement.
**As of August 1, 2025 the 18 hour rule will no longer be in effect per NCAA legislative updates.

What Counts for Meeting the 24/9 Hour Requirements?

Prior to the Fifth Full-Time Semester
If you have not yet reached your fifth full-time semester of enrollment, all units (minus repeated credits) are considered acceptable under NCAA Division II rules and will count towards your annual 24-hour and semester 9-hour requirements.
Start of 5th Full-Time Semester|
Beginning in your fifth full-time semester, your annual 24 credit hours and your semester's 9-hours must go directly towards your degree. A course is considered as going towards your degree if it:
- Goes towards your MAJOR requirements; or
- Goes towards your COLLEGE General Education requirements; or
- Goes towards a MINOR that is required to obtain a degree.*