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NAIA Eligibility Rules Explained

Eligibility touches everything inside an NAIA athletic department. Academics. Participation. Paperwork. Institutional policy.

For compliance staff, administrators, and coaches, managing NAIA eligibility is an ongoing operational responsibility. 

‍This content is informational and does not replace official NAIA rules, the NAIA Eligibility Center, or PlayNAIA guidance.

What This Article Covers: 
Core NAIA Eligibility & Compliance Rules
Eligibility applies to all athletes and includes multiple academic and participation requirements.
NAIA Compliance Paperwork
Eligibility depends on required forms and documents being completed and accessible.
Institutional Policy Management
Schools must manage their own eligibility policies in addition to NAIA rules.

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Core NAIA Eligibility & Compliance Rules

Eligibility affects every student-athlete, every season of competition, and every sport. It applies to incoming freshmen, transfer students, and continuing athletes alike, with different requirements at different points in the eligibility process.

The following NAIA eligibility rules are among the most impactful for daily compliance operations at an NAIA school.

The 24-Hour Rule

Academic progress matters every term. Under NAIA rules, the 24/36-Hour Rule requires student-athletes to maintain progress toward their degree by earning a minimum number of institutional credit hours in their most recent terms of attendance.

At a high level, after completing the second semester (or third quarter) of attendance, a student must have earned:

1. 24 institutional credit hours in the two most recent terms at a semester-based institution, or

2. 36 institutional credit hours in the three most recent terms at a quarter-based institution

3. Credit hours must be institutional credit reflected on the student’s current institution transcript; transfer hours may count if accepted as institutional credit.

4. Withdrawals count as attempted credit hours for eligibility purposes

This requirement is evaluated on a rolling, term-by-term basis throughout a student-athlete’s career.

Programs often rely on manual transcript reviews or end-of-term checks. When course loads change, withdrawals occur, or non-term hours are involved, eligibility risk can go unnoticed until it’s too late.
WinWon centralizes academic records inside each athlete profile, allowing compliance and academic staff to monitor credit-hour progress alongside eligibility context, enrollment status, and participation, without relying on disconnected systems.

Minimum GPA Monitoring

Academic eligibility doesn’t pause once a season starts.

Student-athletes must meet NAIA eligibility GPA standards, including maintaining a minimum cumulative GPA across each semester. Eligibility must be monitored continuously throughout the academic year.

Common issues include delayed GPA updates and academic data living outside the athlete record, limiting visibility for coaches and compliance staff.
WinWon centralizes academic data within each athlete's profile, allowing departments to monitor GPA status alongside participation and enrollment information in one place.

The NAIA 24-Week Rule

Weeks matter, but they’re harder to track than they should be.

The NAIA limits how many weeks a student-athlete can participate. Those weeks still count when schedules shift, events move, or games get added.

Many programs track weeks in spreadsheets that require constant recalculation. Small changes can quickly create uncertainty.
WinWon provides calendar-based visibility into participation weeks, helping staff understand where each athlete stands as schedules change.

NAIA Off-Day Policy

Off days are simple in theory and difficult in practice.T

he NAIA off-day policy requires student-athletes to receive designated days off during participation periods, with limited exceptions defined by NAIA rules.

Inconsistent enforcement across teams and difficulty tracking exceptions are common challenges.
WinWon allows departments to monitor off days directly within the athletic calendar using configurable time blocks and rules, supporting consistency across programs.

NAIA Compliance Paperwork

Eligibility depends on more than participation and academics.

NAIA compliance requires eligibility forms, certifications, attestations, and supporting documentation to be completed, stored, and accessible.

When documents are scattered across inboxes and shared drives, it becomes difficult to determine what’s complete and current.
‍

Institutional Policy Management

NAIA rules are only part of the picture.

Each NAIA institution is responsible for defining and enforcing institution-specific eligibility policies alongside NAIA requirements.

When policies are undocumented or inconsistently applied, compliance risk increases.

NAIA Rules, Explained and Operationalized

These guides break down the most common NAIA compliance rules and how schools actually track them day to day. Each article focuses on practical workflows, common mistakes, and how to maintain consistent visibility across staff.

Compliance Hub

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NAIA Compliance Hub
A centralized starting point for NAIA compliance resources, rule explainers, and operational best practices.

24-Week Rule

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How to Track the NAIA 24-Week Rule.
Practical guidance on monitoring participation weeks, avoiding miscounts when schedules change, and keeping coaches and compliance aligned.

Off-Day Policy

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How to Track Your NAIA Off-Day Policy.
‍Step-by-step guidance for enforcing required off days, managing exceptions, and maintaining consistent tracking across teams and seasons.

One Platform for Eligibility Visibility

Eligibility works best when information is connected.

WinWon brings participation tracking, academic data, documents, and communication into a single system used across the athletic department. Staff see the same information at the same time, reducing manual work and uncertainty.

“It’s not just faster—it’s cleaner. I can see everything from one dashboard, and I know the data is right. That gives us peace of mind.”

Brandon Perry, Athletic Director, Johnson University

How Does WinWon Support NAIA Athletic Departments?

Finally, One Source of Truth for Everyone in Your Athletic Department

NAIA Eligibility

The Future of Academic Automation

Automated academic tracking that’s more accurate, less painful, and easier to keep current across teams. Coaches and compliance staff see the same status without chasing transcripts one by one.

Explore The Features  ⟶The OLLU Case Study ⟶
NAIA Student Athlete Communications

Every Athlete, One Source of Truth

Give student-athletes a single app for eligibility, schedules, announcements, and every key connection across the department. WinWon ties it all together—so communication, compliance, and coordination never fall out of sync.

Explore The Features  ⟶The Avila Case Study ⟶
NAIA Athlete Recruiting

Recruit Smarter, Not Harder

Replace spreadsheets and guesswork with intelligent search, automated outreach, and real-time insights. WinWon connects every text, email, and evaluation to your recruiting board automatically—turning conversations into commitments faster.

Explore The Features  ⟶The LSUS Case Study ⟶
NAIA Calendar and Time-Tracking

Where Schedules Become Compliance

If your department is juggling Outlook, GCal, and spreadsheets just to manage off-day rules, you’re not alone. WinWon replaces that chaos with one centralized calendar that syncs instantly and turns every event into a compliance record—so tracking stays accurate when schedules change.

Explore The Features  ⟶The Mount Mercy Case Study ⟶
Questionnaires & E-Sign Documents

Paperwork That Files Itself

E-sign documents and smart questionnaires automatically attach to athlete profiles the moment they’re submitted. WinWon builds your audit trail for you—no chasing attachments, no duplicate uploads, just time saved and accuracy gained.

Explore The Features  ⟶The Faulkner Case Study ⟶

Common Questions

See below for frequently asked questions and their answers.

What are the basic NAIA eligibility requirements for incoming students?
To be eligible to compete at an NAIA school, students must meet NAIA eligibility requirements tied to academics and enrollment status. This typically includes completing high school graduation, submitting student transcripts, and registering with the NAIA Eligibility Center through a PlayNAIA profile.

Eligibility is determined before a student can practice, play, or compete at an NAIA institution.
How does high school graduation factor into NAIA eligibility?
High school graduation is required for eligibility at an NAIA college or university. The NAIA evaluates a student’s academic record based on coursework completed during high school, final transcripts, and graduation status.For high school student athletes, graduating on time and submitting complete transcripts helps avoid delays during the eligibility process.
What GPA is required to be eligible in the NAIA?
The NAIA uses a 4.0 scale when evaluating academic eligibility. In many cases, students must earn a high school GPA that meets minimum standards, often referenced as a 2.0 on a 4.0 scale or higher, depending on the pathway used.A GPA of 2.0 may allow a student to qualify, but eligibility is determined using multiple criteria, not GPA alone.
What are the three straightforward academic criteria used by the NAIA?
The NAIA outlines three straightforward academic criteria that determine initial eligibility. These include GPA, standardized test scores, and class rank or completion benchmarks. Meeting the three following criteria can mean a student instantly qualifies for eligibility, depending on their academic record and graduation status.
How do ACT or SAT scores impact eligibility?
ACT and SAT scores may be used as part of eligibility determination. This includes the ACT, SAT score, and specific components such as math combined and critical reading. A qualifying graduating class ACT score can help offset other academic factors. Test scores are evaluated alongside GPA and class rank using NAIA criteria.
Does class rank matter for NAIA eligibility?
Yes. Class rank can be used as part of the eligibility evaluation. Students who graduate in the top half of their high school class may qualify under certain eligibility pathways. Class rank is reviewed in combination with GPA and test scores, not in isolation.
How does eligibility work for international student athletes?
International student athletes and international students follow the same eligibility principles but may have additional documentation requirements. This often includes transcript evaluation, proof of graduation, and enrollment verification.International students attending a U.S. college or university should plan ahead, as eligibility review can take longer depending on documentation and translation needs.

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