USBC Collegiate Bowling Eligibility:

ELIGIBILITY RULES

Only certified competition involving more than one school shall be considered intercollegiate competition. In order for an intercollegiate team to be considered for the Sectional Qualifiers or USBC Intercollegiate Team Championships competition, all participating team members must meet or exceed USBC Collegiate rules.

Credit Hours – Rule 200-Collegiate
All student-athletes (graduate and undergraduate) shall, at the time of competition, be registered as full-time students and currently attending classes which:
1. Shall not be less than 12 semester or quarter undergraduate hours for participating undergraduate student-athletes.
2. Shall not be less than six actual semester or quarter hours for participating graduate students.

Grade Point Average – Rule 201-Collegiate
Student-athletes must maintain a minimum cumulative overall grade point average as determined by the college they are representing in intercollegiate competition which cannot be less than:
1. A 2.0 GPA is required at institutions on a 4.0 scale. 4 • USBC Collegiate Rulebook MEMBERSHIP & RULES
2. A 3.0 GPA is required at institutions on a 5.0 scale.
3. Any organization with GPA requirements less than USBC Collegiate requirements may use those requirements in a certified USBC Collegiate event as long as the participating teams or members are only from that organization.
4. Any USBC Collegiate certified event that includes members outside that organization must use the USBC Collegiate GPA requirements.

Satisfactory Progressive Rule – Rule 202 – Collegiate
Student-athletes who have participated in any certified intercollegiate competition prior to the current season must complete the following minimum academic progress requirements for continuing education:
1. Semester system requirements: Prior to second season of participation — 24 hours minimum. Prior to third season of participation — 48 hours minimum. Prior to fourth season of participation — 72 hours minimum.
2. Quarter system requirements: Prior to second season of participation — 36 hours minimum. Prior to third season of participation — 72 hours minimum. Prior to fourth season of participation — 108 hours minimum. In order for graduate student-athletes to remain eligible, the student-athletes are required to successfully complete a minimum of 12 graduate credit hours (semester system) or 18 graduate credit hours (quarter system) since the previous season of participation.

Transfers – Rule 203-Collegiate
Student-athletes transferring from an institution with a certified intercollegiate program in which they participated are not eligible for intercollegiate competition for one year. This rule does not apply to transfers from a two-year institution to a four-year institution.

Length of Eligibility – Rule 204-Collegiate
Student-athletes (undergraduate or graduate) have a total of four years of eligibility.
1. Student-athletes attending two-year institutions are eligible for their first two years of collegiate eligibility or until they receive a degree, whichever comes first.
2. Student-athletes attending four-year institutions have four years of eligibility.
3. Graduating student-athletes will be eligible to participate in the Sectional Qualifiers or USBC Intercollegiate Team Championships with less than full-time academic status providing they are taking the required credit hours needed for graduation in their final term.

Use of Eligibility – Rule 205-Collegiate
Student-athletes rolling a ball in any certified intercollegiate competition use a year of eligibility. Student-athletes participating while academically ineligible in any certified intercollegiate competition use a year of eligibility. Hardship cases involving medical/injury reasons can be submitted to the USBC Collegiate office in writing if the student-athlete has competed in two events or less prior to Jan. 1.
1. Eligibility status for participation between term will be determined using the most recent term offered by the school. A student-athlete may be granted eligibility for participation between terms, based on the USBC Collegiate national office being notified of the change of eligibility status by submission of an additional eligibility form. Student-athletes will be eligible for competition the day following the last scheduled examination offered by the institution’s official calendar for the term that is ending.
2. Participation as an individual (not on an intercollegiate team) does not constitute a year of eligibility.
3. The participation of pacers in intercollegiate competition is specifically prohibited in USBC Collegiate certified events.

Professional Membership – Rule 206-Collegiate
Amateur Eligibility – Certified intercollegiate activities are considered amateur events. Individuals who are considered “professionals” pursuant to PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP policy are not eligible to bowl in intercollegiate events.
1. An individual who is classified as a touring and/or resident professional by a professional bowling organization is not eligible for USBC Collegiate membership. If a bowling organization’s title uses the word professional, individuals applying for membership or holding membership, or competing in an bowl.com Membership & Rules • 5 MEMBERSHIP & RULES event as a professional in that organization shall not be eligible for intercollegiate competition.
2. An individual who has ever held membership or competed as a professional in any professional bowling organization may appeal to USBC Collegiate for a waiver a minimum of one year after the expiration of his or her professional membership.
3. USBC Collegiate will consider reinstatement of amateur status only if the individual has competed as a professional in five or fewer professional events.