Athletics Eligibility
The NAIA Eligibility Center Eligibility Guide gives student-athletes and parents an overview of eligibility rules and processes. Please contact Dr. Pari Ford, Faculty Athletics Representative, if you have further questions regarding athletic eligibility.
If the student-athlete has never competed for a NAIA school, they must be deemed eligible through the NAIA Eligibility Center before they can compete. Registering in the center and providing them the necessary information is the responsibility of the student-athlete. Bethany College CANNOT provide this information or paperwork on behalf of the student, nor can Bethany contact former schools or high schools to request this information. For more information, please visit the NAIA Eligibility Center.
All new transfers must complete the NAIA Transfer Form. Transfers from a 4-year institution must be in residence at Bethany College for 16 calendar weeks before they can be eligible, unless the student-athlete’s former institution provides a written release or completes the required tracer waiving the residency requirement.
** (November 18, 2020) The NAIA has approved an extended COVID exception regarding first time freshmen eligibility. The extension will allow entering freshmen in 2021-22 to be eligible only by achieving a high school GPA of 2.0. In addition, student-athletes using this exception to compete as a freshman will be required to earn a 2.0 collegiate GPA prior to competition in their third semester of attendance. For more information regarding the exception, please visit here.
** (November 4, 2020) Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the NAIA has approved an exception regarding seasons of competition. Fall and winter student-athletes will not be charged a season of competition for the 2020-21 academic year. For more information regarding the exception, please visit here.
** (March 16, 2020) Due to COVID-19, the NAIA approved an exception that no spring sport student-athlete will be charged a season of competition in Spring 2020. For more information, please visit here.