Policies & Procedures

Student Financial Aid Policies

Guidelines and Policies for Eligibility and Financial Aid for Student Athletes - 4A8

1. General Guidelines
   
   
   1. Undergraduate students are admitted to the University in accordance with established entrance requirements. Graduate students are admitted to degree programs in accordance with established policies of the Graduate School.
   2. Students receiving financial aid shall observe University, state, and federal regulations governing financial awards.
   3. Undergraduate and graduate students are required to make Satisfactory Academic Progress in order to maintain financial aid and eligibility for participation in intercollegiate athletics.
   4. Undergraduate students are required to make normal academic progress as defined by policies governing their undergraduate status in order to maintain financial aid and eligibility for participation in intercollegiate athletics.
   5. Students participating in intercollegiate athletics are expected to adhere to University standards on class attendance.
      
2. Eligibility for Participation in Intercollegiate Athletics
   
   
   1. To qualify for participation in Intercollegiate Athletics it is necessary that the undergraduate student:
      
      
      1. Be certified by the NCAA Eligibility Center as having fulfilled the NCAA requirements for freshman eligibility, or be certified by the Office of the Registrar as having fulfilled the NCAA requirements for transfer eligibility.
      2. Be an enrolled student in good standing registered for a minimum of 12 semester hours of credit during the semesters of participation, be attending classes and be pursuing the successful completion of courses. A student can be enrolled in less than 12 semester hours during their last semester, assuming they are enrolled in all courses necessary for graduation.
      3. Be certified by the Office of the Registrar as having fulfilled the NCAA satisfactory progress-towards-degree requirements for each term following the first term of participation.
      4. Officially declare a major course of study by the beginning of the fifth semester of enrollment. 
      5. Comply with all SIUE Sports Medicine policies and requirements, including submitting all required medical documentation of health forms.
      6. Not be under any student sanction which requires disciplinary probation or separation.
      7. Comply with University and NCAA requirements including, but not limited to, those regarding seasons of competition, amateur status, awards and benefits, ethical conduct, financial assistance, and outside competition.
         
   2. To qualify for participation in Intercollegiate Athletics, it is necessary that the graduate student:
      
      
      1. Have previously attended SIUE as an undergraduate student-athlete, or fulfills the requirements of the NCAA's graduate student transfer exception and has eligibility remaining per NCAA regulations.
      2. Have eligibility remaining under the NCAA's five-year rule.
      3. Be admitted to the Graduate School and be enrolled as a full-time student in good standing, as defined by the student's graduate program during each semester of participation, attend classes regularly, and pursue the successful completion of courses.
      4. Maintain a minimum grade point average as defined by the student's graduate program each semester of enrollment as a graduate student.
      5. Comply with all SIUE Sports Medicine policies and requirements, including submitting all required medical documentation and health forms.
      6. Not be under any student sanction which requires disciplinary probation or separation.
      7. Comply with University and NCAA requirements including, but not limited to, those regarding season of competition, amateur status, awards and benefits, ethical conduct, financial assistance, student-athlete statement, and outside competition.
         
3. Athletic Awards
   
   
   1. Athletic scholarships are awarded on an annual basis pursuant to NCAA financial aid bylaws, but are reviewed each academic term.
   2. A student who fails to make Satisfactory Academic Progress is ineligible for athletic awards.
   3. An undergraduate student returned to good standing must reapply for a previously held athletic award. The graduate student whose grade point average drops below 3.0 is placed on academic warning and may not be eligible for continued athletic awards as identified in this section. Should an athletic award be withdrawn for reason of academic warning, the graduate student may reapply for the previously held award when the student's grade point average again reaches 3.0.
   4. Changes to athletic scholarships are made pursuant to NCAA financial aid bylaws.
   5. If a student's athletic scholarship is reduced or cancelled, the OFfice of Student Financial Aid will notify the student in writing before July 1 following the year in which the aid was reduced or cancelled. The written notification will include information regarding the student's opportunity to appeal the change in award.

Approved by Chancellor effective 6/20/19
This policy was issued on July 11, 2019, replacing the April 4, 2000 version.
Document Reference: 4A8
Origin: OP 4/17/84; OP 8/7/90; OP 2/27/92; OC 7/18/97; OC 6/20/19