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Student-Athlete Support Services is a joint effort between Academic Affairs and the UNCW Athletic Department, which seeks to support the academic enrichment and life skill development of every Seahawk student-athlete. SASS Academic Coordinators work diligently to meet the needs of student-athletes’ healthy balance of athletic demands while maintaining satisfactory academic standards.
Once student-athletes are admitted to the university, Student-Athlete Support Services Academic Coordinators assist them with registration, sequencing and scheduling of required courses, and selection of a major. They also arrange tutoring assistance and monitor student-athletes’ grades, class attendance, study habits, and progress toward a degree. When a student-athlete declares his or her major, the Academic Coordinators continue to monitor academic performance and progress in conjunction with the student-athlete’s departmental advisor.
Central to the role of SASS is the maintenance of a strong working relationship between the program advisors and the university’s athletic department and coaches. The Academic Coordinators are knowledgeable about NCAA and CAA rules that apply to eligibility for practice and competition. They are available for consultation when unusual or difficult rule interpretations are needed. They also play a key role in the athletic certification process for all student-athletes.
Student-Athlete Academic Eligibility Requirements
Student-Athlete Support Services helps to monitor the academic progress of each student-athlete as it relates to NCAA, CAA and institutional rules and regulations. The following are examples of rules applying to a student-athlete’s academic progress:
- Student-athletes must be enrolled in no fewer than 12 semester hours (full-time) during the fall and spring semesters to be eligible for practice, competition and financial aid.
- Student-athletes must earn at least six (6) semester hours each semester to be eligible for the following semester.
- Student-athletes must earn 18 semester hours during the regular academic year (fall and spring).
- The NCAA requires student-athletes to maintain progress towards a degree and has set benchmarks they must meet throughout their career. Student-athletes must earn: 24 hours prior to the start of their third semester; 40% of a degree prior to the start of their fifth semester; 60% of a degree prior to the start of their seventh semester; 80% of a degree prior to the start of their ninth semester.
- The NCAA requires a student-athlete to designate a major by the beginning of their fifth semester, or to be
taking major courses that lead to a degree, as certified by the dean or an appropriate academic advisor.
- Student-athletes must meet UNCW and NCAA minimum cumulative grade point averages in order to compete.
- In order to determine initial athletic eligibility, all student-athletes must be approved through the NCAA Eligibility Center.
A number of other policies affect a student-athlete’s participation in a varsity sport. Additional information can be found in the Student-Athlete Handbook.
NCAA Academic Requirements for Continuing Eligibility
The minimum guidelines defining satisfactory progress toward a degree for student-athletes are as follows:
Year 1 - Freshman
- Earn a minimum of 6 credit hours each semester to maintain eligibility for the following semester.
By the beginning of Year 2
- Earn 18 credit hours during the regular academic year (fall and spring semesters).
- Earn 24 credit hours before the start of the third semester of enrollment.
- Maintain at least a 1.80 cumulative GPA.
Year 2 - Sophomore
- Earn a minimum of 6 credit hours each semester to maintain eligibility the following semester.
- Maintain at least a 1.80 cumulative GPA through the third semester for eligibility the following semester.
By the beginning of Year 3
- Earn 18 credit hours during the regular academic year (fall and spring semesters).
- Declare a major.
- Meet 40% of degree requirements.
- Maintain at least a 1.90 cumulative GPA.
Year 3 - Junior
- Complete a minimum of 6 degree applicable hours each semester for eligibility the following semester.
- Maintain at least a 1.90 cumulative GPA through the fifth semester for eligibility the following semester.
By the beginning of Year 4
- Earn 18 degree applicable hours during the regular academic year (fall and spring semesters).
- Meet 60% of degree requirements.
- Maintain at least a 2.00 cumulative GPA.
Year 4 - Senior
- Earn a minimum of 6 degree applicable hours each semester for eligibility the following semester.
- Maintain at least a 2.00 cumulative GPA through the seventh semester for eligibility the following semester.
By the beginning of Year 5
- Earn 18 degree applicable hours during the regular academic year (fall and spring semesters).
- Earn 80% of degree requirements.
- Maintain at least a 2.00 cumulative GPA.
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