Enrolled Student-Athlete Information
This sub-site is intended to highlight some pertinent NCAA rules for you as an enrolled student-athlete at Biola University. It is impossible to cover every NCAA rule that impacts you as a Division II student-athlete, but we will cover some of the most frequently asked questions. If you ever have any questions about NCAA rules and regulations, please contact the Compliance Office staff.
Definition of a Student-Athlete:
An enrolled student-athlete is a student who has begun his or her first day of initial full-time collegiate enrollment or who has reported for intercollegiate practice at Biola University.
Essential Information for Enrolled Student-Athletes:
Academic Eligibility
You must meet certain academic requirements to be eligible to practice and compete as a Division II student-athlete at Biola University. Click here for a complete breakdown of Division II academic eligibility rules as they apply at Biola.
Athletic Scholarships
The NCAA has strict limits on the amount of full scholarships allowed for each sport. Included in the NCAA limit are any athletics aid received by a student-athlete, known as a grant-in-aid, and all other aid that is considered "countable" by the NCAA. Athletic scholarships can only be offered on a one academic year basis. At the end of the academic year, the scholarship can be renewed or non-renewed at the coach's discretion. All non-renewals are appealable through the Financial Aid Office and must be submitted in writing within two weeks of the non-renewal notice.
Outside Scholarships
All outside scholarships (e.g., booster club awards, local scholarships, etc) received by Biola University student-athletes must be submitted to the Financial Aid Office for review. Outside scholarships can impact your individual/team scholarship limits AND your eligibility, so it is important to report these awards in an accurate and timely manner to both the Financial Aid Office and the Athletics Department. Even if you get a check directly from the awarding agency, you still must report this aid. At the beginning of every academic year you will be required to notify us of all outside scholarships you have received on your beginning of the year compliance forms. If you receive something during the academic year that is not included on your form, please notify Robert Saldana and the Financial Aid Office immediately.
Private Lessons
Division II student-athletes are allowed to conduct private lessons, however there are strict rules they must follow. As a Biola student-athlete, you are not allowed to provide lessons anywhere on campus and there are restrictions on how you can advertise your lessons. Prior to any advertisement or offer of lessons, contact the Compliance Office.
Sports Wagering
NCAA rules prohibit student-athletes from participating in any gambling activity that involves any sport sponsored by the NCAA at any level. Any activity that involves putting something at risk for the chance to win something in return is considered sports wagering and an NCAA violation. Risk + Reward = Violation. This includes fantasy leagues and tournament brackets that meet the above guidelines.
Strategic Plan
Biola University Athletics has a Strategic Plan. This plan can be made available upon request. For more information please contact the Compliance Office.
NIL Activity
Student-athletes should disclose all NIL activity to the Office of Compliance. Each student-athlete is provided the institution's NIL policy at the beginning of the academic year. International student-athletes should consult the visa office with questions related to NIL/Employment status. Please contact the office of compliance with any specific questions.
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. All student-athletes need to be aware of the NCAA Banned Drugs list and should check with the Athletic Trainers for any questions. Student-athletes who test positive are subject to at least a 365-day suspension and loss of eligibility.
Many nutritional/dietary supplements contain NCAA banned substances. In addition, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not strictly regulate the supplement industry; therefore the purity and safety of nutritional/dietary supplements cannot be guaranteed. Impure supplements may lead to a positive drug test. The Biola University Athletics Department does not promote the use of nutritional/dietary supplements and the use of such supplements is at the student-athlete's own risk. Student-athletes should contact the Director of Sports Medicine, John Wiese (john.wiese@biola.edu) or drug testing coordinator Linda Ruggles (linda.ruggles@biola.edu) for further information.
Additional information may also be found through the Center for Drug Free Sport, which sponsors a confidential Drug Free Sport AXIS for student-athletes and athletics staff with questions about nutritional supplements The AXIS may be contacted toll free at (816) 474-8655, Ext. 129 or by clicking the link above. When accessing AXIS via the Internet, the required password is ncaa2.
Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC)
The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee is a group of student-athletes that meet with the Biola University Compliance Office on a regular basis to represent the interests of the student-athlete population at BU. The SAAC is comprised of an executive council and a group of representatives from each varsity athletic program offered at Biola University. The SAAC meetings are run by the elected SAAC President and overseen by the assigned advisors from Biola's athletic administration.
2024-25 Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Executive Board
President: Luke Franklin (M Water Polo)
Vice President: Kyle Osterhage (Baseball)
Secretary: Mark Shalhoub (M Swim & Dive)
Director of Spiritual Engagement: Alexandria Mann (W Tennis) and Casey Cazanjian (M Water Polo)
Director of Marketing/Social Media: Jacob Haaksma (M Swim & Dive) and Sofia Chavez-Varela (W Swim & Dive)
Additional Resources
Student-Athlete Handbook
ARMS Login
Teamworks Hub Login
Fan Code of Conduct
NCAA Eligibility Center
Biola University Office of Financial Aid
Sickle Cell Information
Biola University Athletic Training
Contacting the Compliance Office
Remember this is not a complete list of NCAA rules. Please contact a compliance staff member if you have any questions or before taking action that may be contrary to NCAA rules.
