Cincinnati, OH -- (Sports Network) - University of Cincinnati quarterback Ben Mauk had his request for reconsideration on his original waiver for a sixth year of eligibility denied for the final time by the NCAA on Wednesday.

The NCAA reinstatement committee upheld the NCAA staff decision.

"Our review of the facts as presented and possible mitigating factors for this eligibility request was extensive and thorough, exhausting all avenues in the administrative procedures and ensuring a fair process for this student- athlete," said Carol Iwaoka, NCAA Division I Student-Athlete reinstatement committee chair and associate commissioner of the Big Ten Conference. "Even after reviewing the latest information, the committee was unable to identify compelling factors that might be viewed as beyond the control of the student- athlete and the University of Cincinnati."

NCAA rules indicate that a Division I student-athlete can complete his or her four seasons within five years from initial full-time enrollment.

An original request for reconsideration was based on new information submitted regarding a foot injury Mauk suffered during his high school career. Prior to enrolling at Wake Forest University, Mauk required an additional operation on the foot in the spring of 2003.

The student-athlete reinstatement committee is a panel of athletics directors, faculty representatives, and conference commissioners who has the authority to determine all matters pertaining to the policies and procedures for the reinstatement of eligibility for a student-athlete.

In January of 2008, Mauk first attempted to regain the year he lost in 2003 when he sat out the season at Wake Forest.

Mauk spent four years with the Demon Deacons before graduating and transferring to Cincinnati for the 2007-08 academic year. He sat out the 2003 season as a redshirt and played in 18 games for Wake Forest from 2004-06. He broke his right arm and dislocated his shoulder in the first game of the 2006 season at Wake Forest, and missed the entire season.

Mauk played in 12 of 13 games with Cincinnati during the 2007 season, and set a program record with 31 passing touchdowns. He helped lead UC to 10-3 record including a victory in the Papajohns.com Bowl.

The graduate-transfer ended the year completing 235-of-386 passes for 3,121 yards.