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Philosophy Underlying IHSA Eligibility Rules, continued
j. they serve as a deterrent to students running away from minor discipline problems or similar conflicts;
k. they protect school programs from losing students who have an identity as athletes and, as such, are contributors to the
overall school program and image.
Violations of the by-laws can cause students and/or schools to incur penalties of ineligibility or other action up to and including expulsion from membership in the Association.
2. Eligibility Rulings from IHSA
By-laws 3.030 and 3.040 and their sub-sections pertain to the eligibility of students in regard to residence and transfer. Forms are provided by the IHSA Office to facilitate determination of student eligibility.
The IHSA Residence Eligibility Form and Affidavit of Residence Form. These forms are to be completed to facilitate making a determination of the eligibility of a student in regard to residence. The information included on these forms will substantiate whether the student is in full compliance with the residence eligibility by-laws and whether a determination of eligibility is required. If such determination is required, the completed forms must be sent to the Executive Director for a ruling.
The Principals’ Concurrence Regarding Transfer Form. It is to be completed to secure the concurrence of both the principal of the school from which the student transfers (sending school) and the principal of the school into which the student transfers (receiving school). It isimportanttonotethatconcurrenceofatransferbybothprincipalsdoesnotguaranteeorassureeligibility. ArulingbytheExecutiveDirector may still be required. In such cases, the fully completed Principals’ Concurrence Form must be sent to the IHSA Office along with the fully completed Transfer Eligibility Form. Principals are responsible for including correct and accurate information on the forms and for the accurate completion of the forms. Errors in their completion will not be considered clerical, and the school will be subject to penalties under the by-laws if a student participates and it is later determined that the student was ineligible on the basis of the information on the form(s).
The IHSA Transfer Eligibility Form. This form is to be completed by the school into which a student transfers (receiving school) to facilitate determination of a student’s compliance with IHSA eligibility by-laws for interscholastic athletics. This form is to be sent to the IHSA Office, along with the fully completed Principals’ Concurrence Regarding Transfer form in the event a ruling by the Executive Director on a student’s eligibility in regard to transfer is required or desired.
Transfer Component from Receiving School Coach. Complete this form to facilitate determination of the eligibility of a student in regard to recruiting. The information on this form will provide clarification on a connection between one or more of the receiving school high school coaches and the transferring student.
3. Eligibility of Emancipated Students
For purposes of residence and transfer eligibility, the Board of Directors has defined an emancipated student as a student who:
1. has been a resident of the State of Illinois for at least one full calendar year immediately preceding the date in question, and
2. is totally self-supporting. To help determine if a student is self-supporting, the Executive Director may require submission of documentation, which may include but not be limited to:
a. verification from the parents or guardians that they provide none of the student’s support;
b. verification of employment and earnings or other means of financial support from the employer or supporting agency; c. copies of rent receipts, lease, bank records, payroll records, tax records or other financial data demonstrating that the
student incurs and pays his or her living expenses;
d. copies of evidence relied on by the school in determining that the student was an emancipated resident of the district for
attendance purposes; and
e. documentation of the circumstances which precipitated the student’s leaving parents/guardians and living independently.
Under Residence By-law 3.031 and/or under By-law 3.040, a ruling request must be submitted along with the proper ruling request forms identified in Item 2 above.
4. Foreign Exchange And International Student Eligibility
IHSA By-law 3.034.3 provides foreign exchange students eligibility under the Residence By-law for a period of one calendar year at IHSA member schools provided the following criteria has been met:
1. The exchange program sponsoring the student must have been approved by the IHSA Board of Directors. A list of approved programs for the current school term can be found on the IHSA web site (www.ihsa.org).
2. The exchange student must not have completed eight (8) semesters of high school attendance or its equivalent.
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