National Collegiate Athletic Association

Hot topic: Differences between eligibility and enforcement

The NCAA makes a purposeful distinction between determining student-athlete responsibility through an eligibility decision and university culpability through the infractions process. Institutions are accountable for rules violations through the infractions process. Student-athletes are responsible for rules violations through the eligibility process.

Reinstatement decisions are independent of the NCAA enforcement structure and typically are made once the facts of the student-athlete’s involvement are determined. Read more