California Community College Ruling Could Impact Future NCAA Eligibility

The California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) has ruled that their athletes can compete this Spring while being enrolled in just 9 units or credit hours. Enrollment in just 9 units or credit hours is almost always classified as part-time enrollment.

A term of part-time enrollment in most cases won’t negatively impact an athlete’s future eligibility for NCAA or NAIA.

However, any CCCAA athlete who competes this Spring while enrolled as a part-time student will need to keep in mind that this will be considered a full-time term of enrollment by NCAA or NAIA standards.

• For a CCCAA athlete in this situation who is hoping to transfer to an NCAA Division I university to compete next Fall, it could impact the number of hours they will need to have completed toward their specific chosen degree.

• For an athlete transferring to an NCAA Division II program, it will mean that all 9 units that they are currently taking at their CCCAA college will need to be transferable credits to the Division II university to which they will transfer.

• For an athlete transferring to an NAIA program, competing this Spring while being enrolled in just nine hours could impact their transfer eligibility under the NAIA’s 24/36 Hour Rule or the Progress Rule.

The document “CCCAA Modifications Due to COVID-19” was most recently updated on March 22nd. It describes the special actions or exceptions that the CCCAA has taken regarding eligibility for their student-athletes due to the impact of COVID-19 on instruction as well as on athletic participation at those colleges. Here’s a link to the full document: https://www.cccaasports.org/coronavirus/CCCAA_Modifications_Due_to_COVID-19_032221.pdf

Do you Have Questions and Need Assistance?

We know that these eligibility rules can be confusing, especially when you also consider that the rules of the CCCAA may not align with the NCAA or the NAIA.

If you have questions or need assistance regarding how these rules could affect your student-athlete, schedule a confidential Eligibility Consult online, call us at 913-766-1235 or send an email to rick@informedathlete.com.