Eligibility Standards
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:
For more information:
- 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.