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Foreign Exchange and International Student Eligibility, continued
3. The exchange student must not have completed and/or be a graduate from the culminating grade of high school (secondary) education in his/her home country.
4. The exchange student shall be eligible through age nineteen (19) unless the student becomes twenty (20) during the sports season in which event eligibility shall terminate on the first day of such season.
5. The exchange student must have passed twenty five (25) credit hours of high school work (5 courses) for the previous term of school attendance in his/her home country. (Principals may request an English translation of the student’s transcript from the exchange organization for documentation.)
6. Exchange students who are direct placements by a foreign exchange program, will be granted eligibility to participate during the regular season provided there is no evidence of recruiting. However, they will not be eligible to participate in any IHSA state series. In accordance with procedures adopted prior to the 2004-05 school term, CSIET shall notify the IHSA Office of any direct placements occurring in previously-approved programs.
7. The exchange student shall not have violated IHSA By-law 3.080 (Amateurism) either prior to or after coming to the United States. Violation of the provisions of IHSA By-laws 3.081, 3.082 or 3.083 shall cause ineligibility in the sport in which the violation occurred. An official ruling must be secured from the Executive Director before any student who violates this rule may be reinstated to eligibility.
Approval of International Student Programs
By-Law 3.034.3 creates an eligibility exception for students attending high school in Illinois who are not U.S. citizens or residents. To qualify for eligibility under the by-law, such students not residing with their parents or guardian must be attending their Illinois high school under the auspices of an organization approved by CSIET. The student may also gain eligibility if attending high school in Illinois under the auspices of a program approved by the IHSA Board of Directors. The IHSA Board has established the following program approval criteria for exchange programs for international students not participating in a CSIET approved program.
To be considered for IHSA Board approval, programs must meet the following criteria, as demonstrated by documentation or other objective evidence:
a. All international students must successfully meet the minimum requirements of a full academic course load and demonstrate the social skills to participate in co-curricular activities.
b. Financial aid for enrolled international students must be need-based and must be available to all students in an equitable manner.
c. Any and all financial aid provided to students in the program shall be disclosed.
d. Supervision of residential life (residential facility or host family) staff should include a formal staff application, interview,
background check and ongoing training during the year.
e. The selection of a school for a student shall not be for athletic purposes.
Programs seeking approval must also submit the following documentation:
a. Documentation establishing that the International student program has been in existence for greater than 2 years and is clearly tied to the school mission.
b. An outline of the placement process for students, from initial contact to final placement.
c. A description of the process which local or area representatives must follow in the placement of students.
d. A description of the process used by the program to identify and secure local or area representatives.
e. Documentation establishing that the school and program will provide comprehensive academic and residential life support
and supervision through stated admission criteria, orientation, and ongoing support for both the host family and student. f. Documentation of admission criteria, which shall include, but not be limited to, academic and English proficiency, and an
assessment of readiness to adjust to American culture as demonstrated by application and interview.
g. Copies of any and all training materials provided to local or area representatives and documentation that all required training
has been completed.
h. A description of the process used by the program and local or area representatives to identify and secure host families, if
applicable.
Following submission of the foregoing, the Executive Director may investigate and may request such additional information as he/she or the Board deem necessary for full consideration of the program. The Executive Director shall notify the program whether it has been approved, in writing, following the Board’s consideration.
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