For more information regarding AFA contact the university head coach or athletic department. Contact information for OUA universities can be located using the
6.0 Athletic Financial Awards Policy (also referred to as Athletic Scholarship Policy)
6.1 Principles
The following principles are observed in the formulation of Ontario University Athletics Athletic Financial Awards (AFA) rules:
6.1.1 OUA supports the provisions of athletic financial awards (may also be referred to as athletic scholarships) to OUA athletes according to acceptable ethical practices and within the guidelines and policies established by OUA and the awarding university.
6.1.2 OUA will work in conjunction with member institutions to ensure the provision of any athletic financial award to an OUA athlete conforms with the policy of the University and/or guidelines and policies established by OUA and the awarding university.
6.1.3 OUA supports equal opportunity for all OUA athletes within the context of the established rules of OUA.
6.1.4 All OUA athletes must demonstrate progress towards furthering their education and maintaining academic success.
6.1.5 OUA promotes gender equity in the implementation of the awards policy.
6.1.6 Matters of complaints, investigation and discipline for violations of guidelines and policies on athletic financial awards will be conducted enforced by the OUA Management Committee.
6.1.7 That the envelope of total dollar amounts provided by an institution should be equal for
male and female student-athletes.
6.2 Definitions
6.2.1 Academic Year – as per CIS Policy 40.10.3.1.1 (Academic Year),an Academic Year is defined as being 365 consecutive days calculated from the first day of fall classes as set out in a member institution’s official calendar; within an Academic Year, and for the purpose of AFA Policy, “fall semester” will reference that time period from approximately September through December, “winter semester” will reference that time period from approximately January through April, and “spring and/or summer semesters” will reference that time period from approximately May through August.
6.2.2 Entering Student – A student is considered an "Entering Student", for the entirety of the academic year when he / she registers for the first time at any member school in either the fall or winter semesters.
6.2.3 Non-Entering Student – A student is considered a “Non-Entering Student” in the academic years subsequent to the first academic year that he / she registers for the first time at any member school in either the fall or winter semesters.
Note: a non-entering student includes a transfer student that is transferring from another post secondary institution (excluding CEGEP).
6.2.4 Athletic Financial Award– An AFA is any award that is conditional to being listed on the Official CIS Eligibility Certificate and administered by the university’s awards office consistent with the awarding university’s calendar. These awards include, but are not limited to, scholarships, bursaries, prizes, leadership awards, merit awards, housing, and all other related non-employment financial benefit received by an athlete from their institution.
6.3 Other Financial Award – an award, excluding those identified in 6.2.4.
6.4 Maximum Team Compliment
Maximum team Compliment for calculating eligible awards will be:
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Badminton
|
10
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Nordic Skiing
|
6
|
|
Baseball
|
25
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Rowing
|
34
|
|
Basketball
|
12
|
Rugby
|
*25
|
|
Cross Country
|
7
|
Soccer
|
18
|
|
Curling
|
6
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Squash
|
8
|
|
Fencing
|
12
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Swimming
|
18
|
|
Field Hockey
|
16
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Tennis
|
8
|
|
Football
|
45
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Figure Skating
|
16
|
|
Golf (M/W)
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M-5 / W-4
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Track & Field
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29
|
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Hockey
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20
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Volleyball
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14
|
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Lacrosse
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20
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Water Polo
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13
|
|
|
|
Wrestling
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*M-10 / W-8
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*Amended to follow CIS Team Compliment 50.10.2.6.1
6.5 Restrictions
6.5.1 Restrictions on Receipt of Athletic Financial Awards
6.5.2 OUA is opposed the provisions of financial awards or assistance to an athlete unless the benefit or assistance conforms with the OUA rules and policy of the member institution.
6.5.3 Entering Student Restrictions
6.5.3.1 In order to qualify for an AFA, an Entering Student must:
i) have a minimum entering grade average of 80%, or the equivalent G.P.A., on those courses used to determine his/her university admission, and,
ii) be listed on the Eligibility Certificate and eligible to participate in at least one OUA conference competition on behalf of their school (or non-conference competition if there is no formal conference schedule for that sport at that school);
6.5.4 Non-Entering Student Restrictions (for individuals who have previously qualified for an AFA at the school they are attending)
6.5.4.1 In order to qualify for an AFA, an Non-Entering Student must:
i) have satisfied OUA Academic Standing Requirements to remain eligible for OUA competitions during the last academic year he/she was listed on an Eligibility Certificate of the awarding school, and
ii) have attained a minimum 70%, or the equivalent G.P.A., on all registered course work within the last academic year he/she was listed on an Eligibility Certificate of the awarding school, and
iii) be listed on the Eligibility Certificate and be (have been) eligible to participate in at least one OUA conference competition (or non-conference competition if there is no formal conference schedule for that sport at that school) on behalf of their school in the academic year he/she is receiving the AFA.
6.5.4.2 In the event a Non-Entering Student, who has previously qualified for an AFA at the school they are attending, becomes unqualified for an AFA as a result of either not having satisfied OUA Academic Standing Requirements (6.5.4.1.i) and/or as a result of not having attained a minimum 70% (6.5.4.1.ii), he/she may re-qualify for an AFA if he/she:
i) has satisfied the equivalent of OUA Academic Standing Requirements to become eligible for OUA competition in a subsequent academic year, and,
ii) have attained a minimum 70%, or the equivalent G.P.A., on all registered course work within the subsequent academic year, and,
iii) be listed on the Eligibility Certificate and be (have been) eligible to participate in at least one OUA conference competition (or non-conference competition if there is no formal conference schedule for that sport at that school) on behalf of their school in the academic year he / she is receiving the AFA.
6.5.5 Non-Entering Student Restrictions (for individuals who have NOT previously qualified for an AFA at the school they are attending, or who are being listed on an Eligibility Certificate for the first time)
6.5.5.1 A Non-Entering Student, who has not previously qualified for an AFA, or who is being listed on an Eligibility Certificate for the first time, may qualify for an AFA if he/she:
i) has satisfied OUA Academic Standing Requirements in either the preceding or current academic year that he/she is receiving the AFA, and,
ii) attained a minimum 70%, or the equivalent G.P.A., on all registered course work at the conclusion of either the winter or spring or summer semesters in the preceding or current academic year he/she is receiving the AFA, and,
iii) is listed on the Eligibility Certificate and is (was) eligible to participate in at least one OUA conference competition on behalf of their school (or non-conference competition if there is no formal conference schedule for that sport at that school) in the academic year he/she is receiving the AFA.
6.5.6 Total Value of AFA Restrictions
There is no restriction on the number of athletic financial awards that a student-athlete may receive in one academic year, except that they may not aggregate to more than $3,500.
6.5.7 Non-University Administered (3rd Party) Award Restrictions
A student-athlete cannot be in receipt of an award or benefit that is provided independent of the university and which is conditional upon being listed on a member institution’s Official Eligibility Certificate and designated exclusively for the member institution in question.
6.5.8 Gender Equity Management – In order to achieve Principle 6.1.7. a management tool has been created.
Of the total dollar amount of Athletic Financial Awards provided by an institution annually it must provide no less than 45% per gender of the total dollar amount. Example: Based on a total dollar amount of $100,000 that distribution would be compliant in any of the examples below:
Male - $55,000 Female - $45,000
Male - $50,000 Female - $50,000
Male - $45,000 Female - $55,000
6.5.9 Athletic Financial Awards Ceiling
6.5.9.1 The ceiling of the number of award units available at each institution will be as listed below. The awards units are established by the CIS Athletic Financial Awards Committee using a bench mark of 70% of the maximum team compliment for each sport.
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Badminton
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7
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Nordic Skiing
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4.2
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Baseball
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17.5
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Rowing
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23.8
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Basketball
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8.4
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Rugby
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17.5
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Cross Country
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4.9
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Soccer
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12.6
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Curling
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4.2
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Squash
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5.6
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Fencing
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8.4
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Swimming
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*12.6
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Field Hockey
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11.2
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Tennis
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5.6
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Football
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*31.5
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Figure Skating
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11.2
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Golf (M/W)
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M-3.5 / W-2.8
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Track & Field
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20.3
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Hockey
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14
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Volleyball
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*9.8
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Lacrosse
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14
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Water Polo
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9.1
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|
|
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Wrestling
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*M-7 / W-5.6
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Each team can receive 70% of the total eligible awards. In this volleyball scenario, the team complement is 14 players. The calculation to determine the number of eligible award units is as follows:
Team complement of 14 x 70% ceiling = ceiling of 9.8 award units (tuition and fees)
9.8 award units are based on tuition and fees. 9.8 X $4,400 (avg. tuition and fees) = $43,120. $43,120 divided by $3,500 (maximum award in OUA) = 12.32 maximum awards in OUA.
A member institution may request an interpretation of AFA Policy via its Director of Athletics or designate responsible for Athletic Financial Awards.
A member institution requiring an interpretation of a OUA AFA Policy shall direct an e-mail request for same to the OUA Management Committee or designate representative responsible for awards, detailing the policy in question and the information required to enable an interpretation to be issued.
As soon as possible, but within 5 working days of the receipt of such an e-mail request, the OUA Management Committee or designate representative shall issue via e-mail an interpretation of the CIS/OUA AFA policy to the requesting individual at the member institution, and provide a copy of same to the chair of the AFA Committee. The AFA Committee shall review a copy of all summaries semi-annually.
A member institution who is affected by the decision of the OUA Management Committee Representative may request a final and binding review of that decision to the Appeals Committee.