This page highlights pertinent NCAA rules for prospective student-athletes at Biola University. It is not a comprehensive list — it covers the basic and most important information. If you have any questions about NCAA rules and regulations, please contact the Compliance Office. Here is the direct link to the NCAA's resource page for prospective student-athletes. It's also helpful to follow the NCAA Eligibility Center on YouTube.
Definition of a Prospect
A prospective student-athlete is any student who: has started classes for the 9th grade. In addition, a student who has not started classes for the ninth grade becomes a prospective student-athlete, if the institution provides such an individual (or the individual’s relatives or friends) any financial assistance or other benefits that the institution does not provide to prospective students generally.
You become a "recruited" prospective student-athlete at Biola University if any coach or booster does any of the following:
- Provides you with an official visit to Biola University
- Calls you or your family member on more than one occasion
- Meets with you or a family member anywhere off-campus
- Issues you an Athletics Scholarship Agreement
NCAA Recruiting Rules
The NCAA strictly regulates when and how coaches and athletic department staff can contact prospective student-athletes. Depending on the circumstances, they may not always be able to speak with you. When contacting a coach or administrator, always leave a detailed message that includes your age, grade level, and school — this helps them determine whether they are allowed to have contact with you.
Recently, rules changed to permit communication (email, phone call, social media) — but not in-person off-campus contact — for prospects who have not yet reached June 15 before their junior year. See the FAQ section below for answers to the most frequently asked recruiting questions.
Division II Recruiting Timeline ↗
NCAA Initial Eligibility Standards
Incoming freshmen must meet the NCAA's initial eligibility requirements for Division II in order to practice and compete. These academic requirements consist of a combination of a core course pattern, GPA, and can include SAT/ACT scores.
NCAA eligibility standards are separate from Biola University's admissions standards. Divisions I and II have different eligibility standards — check in early to make sure you are on track.
Transfer Student Eligibility âš Read Carefully
Prospective student-athletes who wish to transfer to Biola are subject to Division II transfer eligibility rules. The rules differ depending on whether you are transferring from a two-year junior college or a four-year institution.
If you are currently at another four-year NCAA school, or have been enrolled at another four-year institution in the last year, Biola coaches and administrators are not allowed to have any contact with you unless you have completed the Notification of Transfer process from your current institution.
It is especially important that prospective two-year college transfers familiarize themselves with the NCAA's two-year transfer academic requirements. Failure to meet these requirements prior to beginning classes at Biola will result in ineligibility. Perhaps the most important thing to keep in mind is to load your schedule as full as you can with academic coursework while at your two-year school. The NCAA limits how many credits of PE/activity courses can be used to meet requirements. See which courses from your school are already approved to transfer to Biola using this transfer tool.Â
NCAA Eligibility Center
All incoming student-athletes are required to register with the NCAA Eligibility Center and submit certain information. The Eligibility Center evaluates both the academic and amateur status of all incoming student-athletes. Register and complete your assigned tasks as early as possible to avoid delays once you arrive at Biola.
- All incoming freshmen must select an academic and athletics certification account from the Eligibility Center.
- Most transfer students can register for an athletics-only account. Watch this video to help make your decision, or consult the Biola Compliance Office. Transfers with fewer than two full-time terms of college attendance MUST have an academics and athletics certification account.
- It is recommended that prospective student-athletes register prior to the end of their junior year and gt their school to send new transcripts to update their record after each semester and again immediately following graduation.
- For registration materials, prospective student-athletes should also visit with their high school guidance counselor.Â
NCAA Eligibility Center — Contact
Certification Processing  | PO Box 7136, Indianapolis, IN 46207-1736
Phone: 877.262.1492
Delayed Collegiate Enrollment âš Eligibility Risk
Under NCAA Division II rules, there are potential eligibility issues for an individual who delays initial full-time collegiate enrollment beyond one year from their high school graduation date. For example, if you graduate in June 2024, there are potential eligibility issues if you do not enroll as a full-time college student by Fall 2025.
If you have delayed — or are planning to delay — your collegiate enrollment beyond the one-year grace period, you may be charged with using one of your four seasons of eligibility if you participate in any manner of organized competition. This includes seemingly harmless activities such as a recreational league.
NCAA Division II Bylaw 14.4.3.4.2
Participation in Organized Competition Before Initial Collegiate Enrollment — An individual who does not cease participation by October 1 or March 1 (whichever occurs earlier) immediately after one calendar year has elapsed following their high school graduation date, shall use one season of intercollegiate competition for each consecutive 12-month period after October 1 or March 1 and before initial full-time collegiate enrollment in which the individual participates in organized competition.
Bylaw 14.4.3.4.2.1.2 — What Counts as "Organized Competition"
Scheduled in advance Official score kept Standings or statistics maintained Official timer or game officials used Admission charged Rosters predetermined Team uniforms used Privately or commercially sponsored Sponsored, promoted, or administered by any organization
Graduation Rates
At Biola University, our student-athletes traditionally graduate at an even higher rate than our general student body!
View Graduation Rates ↗
Year-Round Drug Testing
The NCAA randomly selects institutions and student-athletes for drug testing throughout the academic year, including the summer. All student-athletes are subject to drug testing before, during, or after their competitive seasons. Student-athletes who test positive are subject to a minimum 365-day suspension and loss of eligibility.
Many nutritional/dietary supplements contain NCAA banned substances. The FDA does not strictly regulate the supplement industry; therefore purity and safety cannot be guaranteed. The Biola Athletics Department does not promote the use of nutritional/dietary supplements — use is at the student-athlete's own risk.
The Center for Drug Free Sport sponsors a confidential Drug Free Sport AXIS with questions about supplements. Contact toll-free: (816) 474-8655, Ext. 129. Internet password: ncaa2.
