NCAA Eligibility

Students intending to participate in NCAA athletics as a college freshman must register and be certified by the NCAA Eligibility Center at eligibilitycenter.org  Plan to register before your freshman year of high school.

For Division I and II schools, you must meet the following academic standard in order practice, compete and receive an athletic scholarship.

Division I

1. Earn 16 NCAA-approved core-course credits in the following areas:

   • English - 4 Credits

   • Math (Algebra I or higher) - 3 Credits

   • Science (including 1 year of lab) - 3 Credits

   • Social Science - 2 credits

   • Extra English Math or Science - 1 Credit

   • Additional English, Math, Science, Social Science, World Language, Comparative Religion or Philosophy - 4 Credits

2. Complete the 16 NCAA-approved core course credits in 8 semesters from the start of 9th grade. 

3. Complete 10 of the 16 NCAA-approved core course credits, including 7 in English, Math or Science before the start of your 7th semester (Senior Year).

4. Earn a minimum 2.3 core-course GPA.

5. Ask your School Counselor to upload your final official transcript after graduation to your Eligibility Center Account.

Division II

1. Earn 16 NCAA-approved core-course credits in the following areas:

• English - 3 Credits

• Math (Algebra I or higher) - 2 Credits

• Science (including 1 year of lab) - 2 Credits

• Social Science - 2 credits

• Extra English Math or Science - 3 Credits

• Additional English, Math, Science, Social Science, World Language, Comparative Religion or Philosophy - 4 Credits

2. Earn a minimum 2.3 core-course GPA.

3. Ask your School Counselor to upload your final official transcript after graduation to your Eligibility Center Account.

Division III

Division III schools set their own academic standards and admission requirements. Contact the school you wish to attend for information about their requirements. 

ACT & SAT 

Standardized test scores are no longer required for NCAA eligibility but may be required for admission to the college. Students should check with the college to verify admission requirements. 

For further information on registration, visit on.ncaa.com/RegChecklist.

Registration Timeline

9th Grade

• • If you have not yet, register for a free Profile Page account at eligibilitycenter.org.

  • Use the NCAA interactive map to locate and research NCAA schools your are interested in.

  • Find your high school’s list of NCAA-approved core courses at eligibilitycenter.org/courselist (Use CEEB Code 362880 to search for Lancaster High School).

10th Grade

• • If you have a free Profile Page account and are now being actively recruited, transition to the Academic & Amateurism Certification Account (There is a $100 fee associated with this account).

  • Monitor your Eligibility Center task list and check your email regularly.

  • Ask your counselor to upload your transcript to NCAA Eligibility Center at the end of the year. You must have an official transcript uploaded from each highschool you have attended.

11th Grade

• • Ensure your sports participation is up to date in your Eligibility Center account.

  • Make sure you are on track to earn the required number of NCAA-approved core course credits.

  • Share your NCAA ID with the schools recruiting you so they can place you on their institutional request list

  • Ask your counselor to upload your transcript to NCAA Eligibility Center at the end of the year. You must have an official transcript uploaded from each highschool you have attended.

12th Grade

• • Request your final amateurism certification beginning April 1st (fall enrollees) or October 1st (winter/ spring enrollees) in the NCAA Eligibility Center

  • Apply and be accepted to the NCAA school you wish to attend.

  • Complete your final NCAA-approved core courses.

  • After you graduate, ask your counselor to upload your transcript to NCAA Eligibility Center at the end of the year. You must have an official transcript uploaded from each highschool you have attended.

Tracking Your Courses

• Students are responsible for keeping track of their NCAA courses and GPA.

• To keep track of your NCAA-approved core course credits and GPA, use this Worksheet.

  • The worksheet will calculate your GPA and total core-course credits for you.

  • Do not use pluses or minuses when filling in your grades.

  • To save the worksheet, you will need to click, Print, then Save as PDF.