University of South Florida—Athletics Compliance Office (ACO) TIPSHEET: INTERNATIONAL STUDENT‐ATHLETE RECRUITMENT Freshman or Transfer PSA? This is a key first step. A PSA is an entering freshman if he/she has graduated from secondary school (high school) and has not entered a University or post‐secondary school as a full‐time student. By contrast, a PSA will be considered a four‐year college transfer if he/she is or was enrolled as a regular full‐time student in any foreign University or other post‐secondary school. The Office of Admissions will make the determination between enrollment in secondary vs. post‐
secondary schooling and between full‐time and part‐time enrollment. Freshmen – NCAA Eligibility Center All incoming freshmen PSA’s must be certified by the NCAA. Foreign PSA’s must have their secondary school submit transcripts (with official translations) and standardized test scores (directly from the testing agency) to the NCAA (via mail, not fax) for certification. Foreign PSA’s must meet applicable secondary school core‐curriculum and grade point average requirements as set forth in the “NCAA Guide to International Academic Standards” and must also present a corresponding standardized test score. Foreign PSA’s must register with the NCAA and pay the registration fee. The NCAA has a special registration and information form for foreign PSA’s – this form can be obtained at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net. Please note that both academic and amateurism certification often takes substantially longer for international prospects than for domestic prospects. For more information about the NCAA initial‐eligibility process for international prospective student‐athletes, please see the attached information.
Transfers – NCAA and American Athletic Conference Transfer Rules Two‐Year Transfers A student who transfers to a member institution from a two‐year college or from a branch school that conducts an intercollegiate athletics program must complete an academic year of residence unless the student meets the following eligibility requirements: Qualifiers Under NCAA and American Athletic Conference rules, a qualifier that transfers from a two‐year institution and wants to be eligible for competition in the first academic year in residence must:  Spend at least one full‐time semester or one full‐time quarter in residence at the two‐year college (excluding summer sessions);  Present a minimum grade‐point average of 2.000 (or a grade‐point average of 2.500 if enrolled on or after August 1, 2012); and  Has satisfactorily completed an average of at least 12‐semester or quarter hours of transferable‐degree credit acceptable toward any baccalaureate degree program at the certifying institution for each full‐time academic term of attendance at the two‐year college. Baseball and Basketball Midyear Enrollees In baseball and basketball, a qualifier who satisfies the above provisions, but initially enrolls at the certifying institution as a full‐time student after the conclusion of the institution’s first term of the academic year, shall not be eligible for competition until the ensuing academic year. Non‐Qualifiers Prior to August 1, 2012—Under NCAA and American Athletic Conference rules, a nonqualifier that transfers from a two‐year institution and wants to be eligible for institutional financial aid, practice and competition must meet the following at the time of transfer:  Has graduated from the two‐year college;  Has satisfactorily completed a minimum of 48‐semester or 72‐quarter hours of transferable‐
degree credit acceptable toward any baccalaureate degree program at the certifying institution, which must include six‐semester or eight‐quarter hours of transferable English credit and three‐semester or four‐quarter hours of transferable math credit;  Has attended a two‐year college as a full‐time student for at least three semesters or four quarters (excluding summer terms); and  Has achieved a cumulative grade‐point average of 2.00. On or After August 1, 2012—Under NCAA and American Athletic Conference rules, a nonqualifier that transfers from a two‐year institution and wants to be eligible for institutional financial aid, practice and competition must meet the following at the time of transfer:  Has graduated from the two‐year college;  Has satisfactorily completed a minimum of 48‐semester or 72‐quarter hours of transferable‐
degree credit acceptable toward any baccalaureate degree program at the certifying institution, including six‐semester or eight‐quarter hours of transferable English credit, three semester or four quarter hours of transferable math credit and three semester or four quarter hours of transferable natural/physical science credit;  Has attended a two‐year college as a full‐time student for at least three semesters or four quarters (excluding summer terms); and  Has achieved a cumulative grade‐point average of 2.50. If a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or higher is achieved, the nonqualifier student‐athlete will be eligible only for financial aid and practice for the first academic year in residence. Four‐Year Transfers General Rule: A transfer student from a four‐year institution shall not be eligible for intercollegiate competition at a member institution until the student has fulfilled a residence requirement of one full academic year (two full semesters or three full quarters) at the certifying institution unless an exception applies. See Bylaw 14.5.5.2.10 for the most common exception: the One‐Time Transfer Exception. A student‐athlete may transfer from one school within the American Athletic Conference to another American institution and participate in any sport provided that:  Prior to competing for or receiving athletically related financial aid from the second Conference institution, the student‐athlete has fulfilled a one‐year residency requirement at the second 
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Conference institution. During that year of residency, the student‐athlete is permitted to practice. Note that if a transfer student‐athlete is admitted after the 12th class day, he or she may not utilize that semester for the purpose of establishing residency; The student‐athlete will lose one season of eligibility in all sports; and There are no exceptions or waivers to this policy. In order for a non‐qualifier out of high school to be eligible to transfer to an school within the American Athletic Conference from a non‐American institution, he or she must have completed a year of residency at the non‐American institution(s) and meet all NCAA and member institution’s minimal eligibility regulations. If these standards are met, the student‐athletes shall then be eligible for financial aid, practice and athletic competition at an American member institution. Transfers – USF and NCAA Degree Progress Requirements All transfers must meet both University of South Florida (USF) admissions requirements (needs at least a 2.60 GPA) and percentage of degree requirements based on their total semesters of full‐time enrollment (i.e., 25/50/75 or 40/60/80). It is imperative that coaches request a review of the PSA’s transcript by the Office of Admissions to ensure that the student has satisfied both admissions requirements and NCAA degree progress requirements. Admissions All prospective student‐athletes must be admitted to USF in accordance with the University’s regular admissions procedures. Foreign prospects must complete the International Student Application and pay the application fee as well as any applicable late fees. School transcripts in the original language and English translations must be sent to the USF Office of Admissions. More information regarding the application process is available on the Office of Admissions web site. TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) In order to be unconditionally admitted to USF, all international PSA’s must achieve a 550 on the written TOEFL examination or a 79 on the internet‐based test. Incoming PSA’s that are unable to achieve the necessary TOEFL score may be eligible for conditional admittance. More information regarding the TOEFL is available at the TOEFL web site. Proof of Financial Responsibility A foreign PSA must submit proof of financial responsibility in order to complete the admissions process and receive an I‐20 form. Students must demonstrate that they have the necessary funds (varies from approximately $3000 to more than $20,000 depending on whether the student will be receiving athletics aid) to attend USF. The prospect must have a sponsor (i.e., legal guardian) submit an affidavit of support along with the proof of monetary funds.
Issuance of I‐20 Form The final step in the admissions process for an international PSA is the issuance of an I‐20 form by the Office of Admissions. Please note that the NCAA Initial‐Eligibility process and all admissions requirements must be met prior to the issuance of an I‐20. Once the I‐20 is issued, the PSA will be able to take the I‐20 to his/her embassy and apply for a student visa. Final eligibility determinations for all foreign student‐athletes will be made by the ACO. Recruiting Checklist ‐ Freshmen  Review PSA’s historical background with the ACO  Register with NCAA, pay registration fee, and complete NCAA application for international students  Complete USF admissions application for international students and pay application fee  Submit all original secondary school transcripts (with English translation) directly from PSA’s educational institution to Clearinghouse and Admissions Office  Submit ACT/SAT scores directly from testing agency to NCAA and Admissions Office  Submit TOEFL scores directly from testing agency to Admissions Office  Complete Proof of Financial Responsibility  Obtain I‐20 from Admissions Office  Take I‐20 to home country’s embassy to obtain student visa (schedule appointment in advance)  Complete the International Transfer Student Prospective Student‐Athlete Form from the Athletic Compliance Office Recruiting Checklist ‐ Transfers 
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Review PSA’s historical background with ACO Have Admissions Office review unofficial copy of PSA’s college transcripts in order to ensure that PSA meets Conference and NCAA transfer rules If attempting to meet Conference transfer exception based on one year of college attendance, register with NCAA, submit secondary school transcript(s), and request certification without test score Have Admissions Office contact PSA’s collegiate institution(s) in order to verify the PSA’s semesters of full‐time enrollment and to ensure eligibility for the Nonsponsored Sport Exception Complete USF admissions application for international students and pay application fee Submit all original transcripts (with English translation) directly from PSA’s educational institution to Admissions Office Submit TOEFL scores directly from testing agency to Admissions Office Complete Proof of Financial Responsibility Obtain I‐20 from Admissions Office Take I‐20 to home country’s embassy to obtain student visa (schedule appointment in advance) Complete the International Transfer Student Prospective Student‐Athlete Form from the Athletic Compliance Office Please consult the ACO frequently throughout recruitment to ensure the process goes as smoothly as possible.