College Athletics

NCAA Clearinghouse Eligibility Requirements

The NCAA Clearinghouse has specific eligibility requirements for athletes seeking to compete in Division I or Division II athletics. These requirements are designed to ensure that athletes are academically prepared for college coursework.

Core Course Requirements

• 16 NCAA-approved core-course credits: These credits must be completed in eight academic semesters or four consecutive academic years from the start of ninth grade.

• 10 of 16 core-course credits: Must be completed before the start of your seventh semester, including seven in English, math, or science.  

• Minimum 2.3 core-course GPA: This must be calculated using only NCAA-approved core courses.

Additional Requirements

• Early Academic Qualifier (Division I only): If you meet specific criteria after six semesters of high school, you may be deemed an early academic qualifier and may practice, compete, and receive an athletics scholarship during your first year of full-time enrollment.

• Amateurism Standards: You must maintain amateur status according to NCAA rules, which generally means avoiding professional or paid competition.

Important Notes

• Division III: While Division III schools do not offer athletic scholarships, they may still have academic eligibility requirements.

• Individual Schools: Some schools may have additional eligibility requirements beyond those set by the NCAA.

NAIA Eligibility Requirements

The NAIA Eligibility Center is responsible for determining the initial eligibility of all students wishing to participate in NAIA athletics. The eligibility process varies slightly for freshmen, transfer, and international students.

General Eligibility Requirements

• Academic Standards: Students must meet certain academic requirements, which may include:

  • Minimum GPA: A minimum cumulative high school grade point average.

  • Standardized Test Scores: Minimum scores on standardized tests like the ACT or SAT.

  • Class Rank: Graduation in the top half of the high school class.

• Graduation: Students must graduate from high school or its equivalent.

• Amateur Status: Students must maintain amateur status and avoid professional involvement in sports.

• Age Eligibility: Students must meet age eligibility requirements.

Specific Requirements for Different Groups

Freshmen:

• Meet the general eligibility requirements.

• Provide official high school transcripts and standardized test scores.

NJCAA Eligibility Requirements

The eligibility requirements for the NJCAA Clearinghouse are as follows:

Academic Requirements:

• High School Graduation: Must be a graduate of a high school with an academic diploma, general education diploma, or a state department of education-approved high school equivalency test.  

• Amateur Status: Must be an amateur athlete.

Additional Requirements:

• Enrollment: Must be enrolled full-time (12 or more credits) at the college where they are participating in athletics.

• GPA: Must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.00.

• Credit Hours: Must have passed a minimum accumulation of credit hours:

  • Fall Sports: 36 semester hours

  • Spring Sports: 48 semester hours

• Previous Term Requirement: Must have passed a minimum of 24 semester hours with a 2.00 GPA or higher prior to a second season of participation in an NJCAA-certified sport.

Note: These are general requirements, and specific eligibility rules may vary depending on the individual college or sport. It is recommended to contact the NJCAA directly or the specific college you are interested in attending for more detailed information.