NCAA Guidelines

If you are planning to enroll in college as a first-year student and you want to participate in Division I or Division II athletics or receive an athletics scholarship, you must be certified by the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse.

Division I

If you enroll in a Division I college between 2008 and later and want to participate in athletics or receive an athletics scholarship, you must meet the following academic standards:

1.  Graduate from High School

You should apply for a certificate after completing your junior year in high school if you want to participate in athletics or receive an athletics scholarship as a first-year student at the college to which you will be admitted.  The Clearinghouse will issue a preliminary certification report when you have had all your materials submitted.  After you graduate, the Clearinghouse will review your final transcript to make a final certification decision according to NCAA standards.  An application should be submitted for each high school attended.

2.  Complete the 16 Core Courses.

• Four years of English;
• Three years of Mathematics (Algebra I or higher level);
• Two years of Natural or Physical Science (including one year of Lab Science, if offered by your High School);
• One extra year of English, Mathematics or Natural/Physical Science;
• Two years of Social Science; and
• Four years of Extra Core Courses (from any category above, or foreign language, comparative religion or philosophy.)

NOTE:  Computer Science courses can be used only if your high school grants graduation credit in Mathematics or Natural/Physical Science and the courses appear on your high-school's core-course list as a math or science course.

3.  Present a minimum required grade-point average in your core courses.

Earn a minimum grade-point average of at least 2.00 on a 4.00 scale.  Only courses that satisfy the NCAA definition of a core course can be used to calculate your NCAA GPA. No special values are allowed for "+" or "-" grades. (Click on the "Core GPA and Test Score Index" file below.)

4.  Achieve a combined SAT or ACT sum score that matches your core-course grade-point average in the grade point average and test score index.

Students should have their SAT or ACT test scores forwarded directly to the Clearinghouse whenever they take the exam, use code #9999. (Click on the "Core GPA and Test Score Index" file below.)

5.  How to apply to the NCAA Clearinghouse.

You must register for the Clearinghouse online at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net.  You must have access to a credit card (Visa, Mastercard) to apply online. ($50 Fee Required) Print off a transcript release form and bring it to your High School Counselor to have your transcript sent to NCAA after you register online.  After graduation and before the school closes for the summer, your school also must send the Clearinghouse a copy of your final transcript that confirms graduation from High School.

Division II 2005 and Later

If you enroll in a Division II college in 2005 or later and want to participate in athletics or receive an athletics scholarship, you must meet the following academic standards:

• Graduate from High School;
• Complete the 14 core courses listed below;
• Earn a 2.000 grade-point average in your core courses; and
• Achieve a combined SAT score of 820 or a sum score of 68 on the ACT.

14 Required Core Courses

• Three years of English;
• Two years of Mathematics (Algebra I or higher level);
• Two years of Natural or Physical Science (including one year of Lab Science if offered by your High School);
• Two extra years of English, Mathematics or Natural/Physical Science;
• Two years of Social Science; and
• Three years of additional courses (from any category above, or foreign language, nondoctrinal religion or philosophy).

NOTE:  Computer Science courses can be used only if your high school grants graduation credit in Mathematics or Natural/Physical Science and the courses appear on your high-school's core-course list as a math or science course.

Division III

Contact your Division III College regarding its policies on financial aid, practice and competition.