UIL: Policy and Administration: Eligibility Standards

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The sole purpose of eligibility rules and contest regulations is to keep competition equitable and to maintain activities in proper perspective. It is the responsibility of each school to see that students do not compete unless they comply with all eligibility rules. It is also the responsibility of the student to observe and obey these standards. According to UIL standards, students are eligible to represent their school in interscholastic activities if they:

have not graduated from high school,

are full-time, day students in the school, and have been in regular attendance at the school since the 6th class day of the present school year, or have been in regular attendance for 15 or more calendar days before the contest or competition,

are in compliance with state law and rules of the Commissioner of Education, (see TEA-UIL Side By Side)
are enrolled in a four year, normal program of high school courses, and initially enrolled in the 9th grade not more than 4 years ago nor in the 10th grade not more than 3 years ago,
were not recruited,
are not in violation of the awards rule, and
meet the specific eligibility requirements for academic, music and/or athletic competition.

Eligibility for Academic Contests

meet all the requirements above, and
have not changed schools for the purpose of participating in a UIL academic contest.

Eligibility for Music Contests

meet all the requirements above, and
have not changed schools for the purpose of participating in a UIL music contest.

Eligibility for Athletic Contests

meet all the requirements above,
are less than 19 years old on September 1 preceding the contest or have been granted eligibility based on a disability that delayed their education by at least one year,
live with their parents inside the school district attendance zone their first year of attendance (see your school administrator for exceptions),
have not moved or changed schools for athletic purposes,
have not violated the athletic amateur rule, and
were eligible according to the fifteen day rule and the residence rule prior to district certification.

Schools may adopt stricter standards for eligibility to participate in extracurricular activities.

For more information:
- UIL Academic Eligibility Standards
- Protecting Your Eligibility
- Six-Week Eligibility Schedule
- Academic Eligibility Information - Holiday Examples

Eligibility for Foreign Exchange Students

A foreign exchange student must receive written approval from the UIL Foreign Exchange Waiver Officer for varsity athletics. Eligibility of a foreign exchange student may be granted under the following conditions:

A. A copy of the student's J-1 visa and certification papers from the approved CSIET (Council on Standards for International Educational Travel) United States Foreign Exchange Program accompanies a waiver form;

B. The exchange student has not completed four years of high school attendance;

C. The exchange student has not received advanced training (defined as training which is above and beyond that which is normally provided in Texas public schools) in the germane activity prior to arriving in Texas, such as pre-Olympic training, being nationally ranked or having similar status in a sport, or participation on a national team; and

D. The exchange student meets all other UIL eligibility rules.

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