I'm an athlete in a Division I sport, what happens when I take a Leave of Absence?

    If you request a leave of absence from Syracuse University, please be advised of the following information: At the conclusion of this semester, you must successfully complete a minimum of 6 degree applicable credit hours toward your degree program.
    At the conclusion of the current academic year, you must successfully complete 18-semester degree applicable hours. The 18 degree applicable hours can only be earned during the fall and spring semester of the current academic year; hours earned during the summer term cannot be included. Should you decide to enroll full-time at another collegiate institution in an effort to satisfy this requirement, you may not be eligible to participate in intercollegiate competition should you decide to return to Syracuse University. In addition, please be advised of the graduation benchmark requirements you must also satisfy. With respect to the graduation bench marks, hours earned during the summer term may be included.

	Before the start of your second year:	24 completed credit hours and 1.8 GPA.
	Before the start of your third year:	40% of your degree completed and 1.9 GPA.
	Before the start of your fourth year:	60% of your degree completed and 2.0 GPA.
	Before the start of your fifth year:	80% of your degree completed and 2.0 GPA.

    In the event you decide to utilize a non-traditional classroom setting (i.e. internet, correspondence, independent study) to complete any of the academic year or graduation benchmark course work, you must obtain PRIOR approval from the Office of Athletic Compliance because non-traditional course work may not be accepted to satisfy academic year or graduation benchmark requirements.
    In order to participate in Division I athletics you must remain an amateur. Therefore, you will lose your eligibility to participate in Division I Athletics if you:

   (1) Taken pay, or the promise of pay, for competing in your sport.

   (2) Agreed (orally or in writing) to compete in professional athletics in your sport.

   (3) Played on any professional athletics team as defined by the NCAA in your sport.

   (4) Used your athletics skill for pay in any form in your sport.

   Exception (individual sports only: track and field, tennis, cross country):
(a) After collegiate enrollment, you accepted prize money based on place finish or performance outside your sport's playing and practice season and during the summer vacation period in an open athletics event from the sponsor of the event and the amount of prize money did not exceed your actual and necessary expenses to participate in the event.

You are not eligible in a sport if you ever have accepted money, transportation or other benefits from an agent or agreed to have an agent market your athletics ability or reputation in your sport.

You are not eligible in any sport if, after you become a student-athlete, you accept any pay for promoting a commercial product or service or allow your name or picture to be used for promoting a commercial product or service.

You are not eligible in any sport if, because of your athletics ability, you were paid for work you did not perform, were paid at a rate higher than the going rate or were paid for the value an employer placed on your reputation, fame or personal following.

You are not eligible in your sport for the remainder of the year and the next academic year if, during the academic year, you competed as a member of any other than a team which is part of the Syracuse University's Division I Intercollegiate Athletic Department. There are limited exceptions to this rule, please contact the Office of Athletic Compliance at 315 - 443 - 1265 should you have any questions regarding the rule and/or its applicable exceptions.

Should you have any questions or concerns regarding the above information, please contact the Office of Athletic Compliance at 315 - 443 - 1265.

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