Academic Eligibility
Montana State shall not permit a student-athlete to participate in intercollegiate athletics competition unless the student-athlete meets all applicable eligibility requirements according to NCAA Bylaw 14, and Montana State has certified the student-athlete's eligibility.
To be eligible to practice, receive financial aid, and represent Montana State in intercollegiate athletics competition, a student-athlete shall be enrolled in at least a minimum full-time program of studies, be in good academic standing and maintain progress toward a baccalaureate or equivalent degree (see below). A waiver of the minimum full-time enrollment requirement may be granted for a student enrolled in the final term of the baccalaureate program. Also, a student may represent Montana State while enrolled and seeking a second baccalaureate degree or graduate degree at Montana State.
In addition to remaining in good academic standing, the Progress Toward Degree requirement consists of three parts. Please see the chart below for additional information.
1) Credit Hour Requirement
To meet the credit hour requirement, also commonly referred to as the 6-18-24 rule, all student-athletes must (1) PASS 6 semester hours during each regular academic term, (2) PASS 18 semester hours during each academic year, or the two most recent academic terms, and (3) PASS 24 semester hours of academic credit prior to the second year of collegiate enrollment. Once a student-athlete has declared a major, the 6-hour rule must be degree-applicable hours.
2) GPA Requirement
To meet the minimum GPA requirement, also commonly referred to as the 90-95-100 rule, all student-athletes must (1) present a minimum cumulative GPA that equals 90% of the institution's overall cumulative GPA required for graduation, a 2.0 for most majors at MSU, by the beginning of their second year of collegiate enrollment, (2) present a minimum cumulative GPA that equals 95% of the institution's overall cumulative GPA required for graduation by the beginning of their third year of collegiate enrollment, and (3) present a minimum cumulative GPA that equals 100% of the institution's overall cumulative GPA required for graduation by the beginning of their fourth year (and fifth year, if applicable) of full-time collegiate enrollment.
3) Percentage of Degree
To meet the percentage of degree requirement, also commonly referred to as the 40-60-80 rule, all student-athletes must (1) successfully complete at least 40% of the course requirements in the student's specific degree program by the beginning of the student-athlete's third year (5th semester) of collegiate enrollment, (2) successfully complete at least 60% of the course requirements in the student's specific degree program by the beginning of the student-athlete's fourth year (7th semester) of collegiate enrollment, and (3) successfully complete at least 80% of the course requirements in the student's specific degree program by the beginning of the student-athlete's fifth year (9th semester) of collegiate enrollment.
To be eligible to practice, receive financial aid, and represent Montana State in intercollegiate athletics competition, a student-athlete shall be enrolled in at least a minimum full-time program of studies, be in good academic standing and maintain progress toward a baccalaureate or equivalent degree (see below). A waiver of the minimum full-time enrollment requirement may be granted for a student enrolled in the final term of the baccalaureate program. Also, a student may represent Montana State while enrolled and seeking a second baccalaureate degree or graduate degree at Montana State.
In addition to remaining in good academic standing, the Progress Toward Degree requirement consists of three parts. Please see the chart below for additional information.
1) Credit Hour Requirement
To meet the credit hour requirement, also commonly referred to as the 6-18-24 rule, all student-athletes must (1) PASS 6 semester hours during each regular academic term, (2) PASS 18 semester hours during each academic year, or the two most recent academic terms, and (3) PASS 24 semester hours of academic credit prior to the second year of collegiate enrollment. Once a student-athlete has declared a major, the 6-hour rule must be degree-applicable hours.
2) GPA Requirement
To meet the minimum GPA requirement, also commonly referred to as the 90-95-100 rule, all student-athletes must (1) present a minimum cumulative GPA that equals 90% of the institution's overall cumulative GPA required for graduation, a 2.0 for most majors at MSU, by the beginning of their second year of collegiate enrollment, (2) present a minimum cumulative GPA that equals 95% of the institution's overall cumulative GPA required for graduation by the beginning of their third year of collegiate enrollment, and (3) present a minimum cumulative GPA that equals 100% of the institution's overall cumulative GPA required for graduation by the beginning of their fourth year (and fifth year, if applicable) of full-time collegiate enrollment.
3) Percentage of Degree
To meet the percentage of degree requirement, also commonly referred to as the 40-60-80 rule, all student-athletes must (1) successfully complete at least 40% of the course requirements in the student's specific degree program by the beginning of the student-athlete's third year (5th semester) of collegiate enrollment, (2) successfully complete at least 60% of the course requirements in the student's specific degree program by the beginning of the student-athlete's fourth year (7th semester) of collegiate enrollment, and (3) successfully complete at least 80% of the course requirements in the student's specific degree program by the beginning of the student-athlete's fifth year (9th semester) of collegiate enrollment.
| Term | Year | GPA Requirement (based on a 2.0 required for graduation) | % Degree Completed |
| 1st | First | N/A | |
| 2nd | N/A | ||
| 3rd | Second | 1.8 (90%) | |
| 4th | 1.8 | ||
| 5th | Third | 1.9 (95%) | 40% |
| 6th | 1.9 | ||
| 7th | Fourth | 2.0 (100%) | 60% |
| 8th | 2.0 | ||
| 9th | Fifth | 2.0 | 80% |
| 10th | 2.0 |
