SUBMITTING A FOREIGN EXCHANGE STUDENT FOR ELIGIBILITY APPROVAL

According to Article VI, Section 8 of the PIAA By-Laws, a foreign exchange student is one who is in this country on a J-1 visa and is a participant in an approved foreign exchange program. The Board of Control must approve eligibility for such students. When submitting such a student for eligibility, the principal must submit * the following pieces of information to the League Office:
  1. Proof of the student's age (Article I) - a copy of the passport is best.
  2. A physician signed copy of the PIAA "PHYSICIANS CERTIFICATE".
  3. A copy of the student's J-1 visa. **
  4. A "Foreign Exchange Eligibility Agreement" signed by the student.

* - A PIAA "Request for Decision on Athletic Eligibility" - may be submitted - it is not required.
** - Please note that a passport is not a J-1 visa. The form must be submitted.

The form is titled:
UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY
"EXCHANGE VISITOR PROGRAM SERVICES GC/V
CERTIFICATE OF ELIGIBILITY FOR EXCHANGE VISITOR (J-1) STATUS".

You can reference PIAA By-Laws, Article VI, Section 8 if you need further information.

Students with a visa other than a J-1 visa (e.g., F-1) are foreign students and not foreign exchange students. Foreign students are to be treated as regular transfer students in terms of the of the PIAA By-Laws. Eligibility of such students generally require a principal to principal sign off and, by immigration law, proof that the schools tuition has been paid.

FOREIGN EXCHANGE STUDENTS MAY PRACTICE PRIOR TO THE BOARD'S APPROVAL - BUT THEY MAY NOT PARTICIPATE IN SCRIMMAGES OR INTER-SCHOLASTIC CONTESTS UNTIL APPROVAL IS COMPLETED.

*PLEASE DO NOT FAX THIS INFORMATION TO THE OFFICE.