The rule is that a student gets 8 consecutive semesters of eligibility, beginning with the first day he/she begins 9th grade, regardless of whether they play a sport or not. Time spent out of the country is still considered part of those semesters of eligibility.
I know nothing about the facts of the case, but IF her graduation was delayed beyond the 4-year mark, she would be ineligible for any semesters past the original mark.
Never said it was fair.
