NCAA Regulations

NATIONAL COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

The NCAA has established a central clearinghouse to certify athletic eligibility to Division I and II institutions.  Students, who intend to participate with or without a scholarship as a freshman in college, must register with and be certified as eligible by the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse.  Please note that initial-eligibility certification pertains only to NCAA requirements for participation in Division I or II athletics and has no bearing on admission to a particular Division I or II institution.  Please note the following:< xml="true" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" prefix="o" namespace="">

·   It is best to register after the junior year grades have appeared on the transcript.

·   Registration materials may be obtained from the high school counselor.  Counselors may order forms by calling the Clearinghouse toll free at 1-877-262-1492.

·    Division III – Contact your < xml="true" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" prefix="st1" namespace="">Division III College regarding its policies on financial aid, practice and competition.

DIVISION I REQUIREMENTS

For students entering any Division I college or university on or after August 1, 2008, and want to participate in athletics or receive an athletics scholarship, you must meet the following academic standards: (1) graduate from high school; (2) complete the 16 core courses listed below; (3) present a minimum required grade-point average in your core courses; and (4) achieve a combined SAT or ACT sum score that matches your core-course grade-point average in the Core GPA/Test Score Sliding Scale Index listed below.

16 Core Courses:  4 years of English, 3 years of mathematics (Algebra I or higher level), 2 years of natural/physical science (including 1 year of lab science), 1 year of additional English, mathematics or natural/physical science, 2 years of social science, 4 years of additional courses (from any area above or foreign language, nondoctrinal religion or philosophy).   

Note:  Even though the SAT has added a writing component, the NCAA has determined that the writing component should not be required at the present time.  Because the critical reading and math sections will still be scored on a 200 – 800 point scale, the clearinghouse will still combine those two sections for the combined score.  The writing section will not be used.

Division I Core Course Requirements (Entering college or university prior to August 1, 2008)  - For students entering any Division I college or university prior to August 1, 2008, and want to participate in athletics or receive an athletics scholarship, you must meet the following academic standards: (1) graduate from high school; (2) complete the 14 core courses in the following areas:  4 years of English, 2 years of mathematics (Algebra I or higher level), 2 years of natural/physical science (including 1 year of lab science), 1 year of additional English, mathematics or natural/physical science, 2 years of social science, 3 years of additional courses (from any area above or foreign language, nondoctrinal religion or philosophy),  (3) present a minimum required grade-point average in your core courses; and (4) achieve a combined SAT or ACT sum score that matches your core-course grade-point average in the Core GPA/Test Score Sliding Scale Index listed above.   

DIVISION II REQUIREMENTS

To be a qualifier at a Division II institution, student-athletes must: (1) graduate from high school, (2) present a minimum grade-point average of 2.000 in at least 14 core courses in the following areas: 3 years English, 2 years mathematics (algebra I or higher level), 2 years natural or physical science (including at least one laboratory class), 2 additional courses in English, mathematics, or natural or physical science, 2 years social science, 3 years additional academic courses - (which may be taken from the above mentioned categories or foreign language, nondoctrinal religion or  philosophy), and (3) present a minimum 820 combined score on the SAT verbal and math sections or a sum score of 68 on the ACT.

If you have questions about NCAA eligibility, please contact the NCAA initial-eligibility clearinghouse toll free at 877-262-1492, or website at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net. This website contains a “Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete,” that can be copied or ordered.  You may also contact the NCAA at 317-917-6222 or website at www.ncaa.org

NCAA APPROVED COURSES

The NCAA has approved the following courses for use in establishing the initial eligibility certification status of student-athletes.  NCAA legislation requires that each core-course’s content be distinct in order for a student to receive NCAA credit for the course.  Therefore, all courses must contain material, which is at least 75% unique from all other courses that a student wishes to use in certifying eligibility.  The courses marked with a "=" are special programs courses.  Only students who have received proper NCAA approval for their diagnosed learning disability may receive credit for these approved courses. 

For the most current NCAA Approved Core Course list, go to:   www.ncaaclearinghouse.net