UAH Athletics

Less than full-time load:

All student-athletes are required to be full time students at UAH (NCAA Bylaw 14.1.7.1) in order to be eligible for practice, financial aid, and competition. Full time status of all student-athletes is verified prior to eligibility certification in the fall or mid-year (if applicable) and before competition in each semester. Student-athletes are never allowed to drop classes unless it is approved by the Director of Athletic Compliance. 

There is an NCAA Bylaw exception to student-athletes carrying a full time load ONLY in their final semester prior to graduation, and only under certain conditions. NCAA Bylaw 14.1.7.1.3 (DI and DII) One of the main conditions for use of this exception is that the university academic officials/faculty, certify that the student-athlete is carrying for credit the courses necessary to complete the degree requirements. Following are steps that the student-athlete must take in order to receive approval from the Director of Athletic Compliance to be in less than a full time course of study and be eligible for practice, financial aid and/or competition:

1. Student athletes need to be full time until they receive approval to be considered less than full time.

2. Student athletes must request and receive a copy of an official UAH degree audit from the degree auditor(s) at the University after the second to last semester before graduation, and before the final semester begins. The degree auditor offices are currently located behind Charger Central in the University Center, and they are in the Records Office of Enrollment Services. This degree audit will specify which classes are needed in order to graduate at the end of the semester. The degree audit is to be signed and dated by the auditor.

3. Student athletes must request and receive a copy of a letter from their faculty advisor or the Dean of their college, specifying what classes are outstanding and need to be completed before the declared degree is awarded. This letter is to be signed and dated by the faculty advisor or dean.

4. Both the degree audit and the letter from the faculty advisor/Dean, are to be given to the Director of Athletic Compliance, prior to the beginning of the final semester, and no later than prior to the student athlete dropping below full time.

5. The Director of Athletic Compliance will review the two documents outlined above: (a) match them both to see if they are both have the same information, (b) and then match them with the student athlete’s enrollment for their final semester, (c) and approve or not approve the student athlete’s request to drop below full time.

6. If the request is approved, the student athlete will be allowed to take the appropriate steps to drop only those classes that are approved to be dropped, and must stay in and complete the outstanding courses as listed on the two above mentioned documents.