NCAA/HEAR Requirements

Higher Education Academic Requirements

Colorado has established Higher Education Admissions Requirements (HEAR) for students who plan to attend any of Colorado’s public four-year colleges or universities. The following HEAR requirements affect all of our students. Private colleges/universities set their own admissions standards; students should contact those institutions directly for information regarding their enrollment policies. Additionally, public two-year colleges have open enrollment policies, meaning that students applying to these schools do not need to meet the following admissions requirements.

Students will need to inquire to the colleges to which they are applying what GPA and SAT/ACT scores those specific institutions require; and, if there are other courses outside of the Higher Education Admissions Requirements that must also be completed for admission.

A more detailed description of Colorado’s Higher Education Admission Requirements and a list of frequently asked questions are available from the Colorado Commission on Higher Education at https://highered.colorado.gov/higher-education-admission-recommendations

Students planning to attend a public four-year college or university in Colorado will need to complete all coursework listed in the Higher Education Admissions Requirements column.

Comparison of SCHS Graduation Requirements vs. Colorado Higher Education Admissions Requirements

Note: One unit is equal to one full year of credit in a specific subject.

*Sand Creek High School graduation requirements include specific courses in each subject area; refer to Sand Creek High School graduation requirements for specifics.

Acceptable Academic Electives include additional courses in English, mathematics, sciences, social sciences, foreign languages, art, music, drama, journalism, computer science, approved career and technical education courses, honors, Advanced Placement, and International Baccalaureate courses.

NCAA Academic Eligibility Requirements

Division I or II Requirements

Core Courses

NCAA Division I requires 16 core courses. NCAA Division II currently requires 16 core courses.
NCAA Division I will require 10 core courses to be completed prior to the seventh semester (seven of the 10 must be a combination of English, math or natural or physical science that meet the distribution requirements below). These 10 courses become "locked in" at the seventh semester and cannot be retaken for grade improvement.
Beginning August 1, 2016, it will be possible for a Division I college-bound student-athlete to still receive athletics aid and the ability to practice with the team if he or she fails to meet the 10 course requirement, but would not be able to compete.

Test Scores

Division I uses a sliding scale to match test scores and core grade-point averages (GPA). The sliding scale for those requirements can be found at www.eligibilitycenter.org
Division II requires a minimum SAT score of 820 or an ACT sum score of 68.
The SAT score used for NCAA purposes includes only the critical reading and math sections. The writing section of the SAT is not used.
The ACT score used for NCAA purposes is a sum of the following four sections: English, mathematics, reading and science.
When you register for the SAT or ACT, use the NCAA Eligibility Center code of 9999 to ensure all SAT and ACT scores are reported directly to the NCAA Eligibility Center from the testing agency.
Test scores that appear on transcripts will not be used.

Grade-Point Average

Be sure to look at your high school’s list of NCAA Courses on the NCAA Eligibility Centers’ website (www.eligibilitycenter.org). Only courses that appear on your school's list of NCAA Courses will be used in the calculation of the core GPA. Use the list as a guide.
Division I students enrolling full time before August 1, 2016, should use Sliding Scale A at www.eligibilitycenter.org to determine eligibility to receive athletics aid, practice and competition during the first year.
Division I GPA required to receive athletics aid and practice on or after August 1, 2016, is 2.000.
Division I GPA required to be eligible for competition on or after August 1, 2016, is 2.300.
The Division II core GPA requirement is a minimum of 2.000.
Remember, the NCAA GPA is calculated using NCAA core courses only.

Please email Mrs. Taylor at myranda.taylor@d49.org to help navigate NCAA eligibility and college athletics!

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