Student Athlete Eligibility

GUIDE FOR THE COLLEGE-BOUND STUDENT-ATHLETE 2024-25

Creating an account @ eligibilitycenter.org is the first step towards becoming an NCAA student-athlete

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hWLg0MAY6RqG9wEGf4_5eGZI1xf60Hg7/view  

Division 1 and Division 2 worksheet: 

This worksheet is provided to assist you in monitoring your progress in meeting NCAA initial-eligibility standards.

http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/eligibility_center/DI_and_DII_Worksheet.pdf  

Hilltop High School Code 050581-NCAA Approved courses

https://web3.ncaa.org/hsportal/exec/hsAction 

College Athletics

College-bound student athletes who wish to pursue college athletics must consult with the organization designated for their level of play. Each association has academic eligibility criteria designed to uphold academic standards for all its athletes. Students must meet admissions criteria for the institution in addition to athletic eligibility requirements. Colleges not only seek great athletes, but prospective students who can graduate from their institutions.

NCAA – National Collegiate Athletic Association

• Division I – This is the largest and most competitive athletic association. Division I colleges can offer full and partial scholarships to athletes.

• Division II – Less competitive athletically than Division I; member colleges are typically smaller than Division I schools. Athletic aid is available in lesser amounts.

• Division III – This division consists of 400+ colleges/universities that choose not to offer athletic scholarships to student athletes. It offers an “intense and competitive athletics environment for student-athletes who play for the love of the game, without the obligation of an athletics scholarship.”

Register: eligibilitycenter.org

You will only need to file with the NCAA Clearinghouse if you will be participating in a Division I or Division II NCAA Sanctioned Sport.

Additional NCAA Resources:

• ROLE OF THE STUDENT

• NCAA Initial Eligibility Brochure & High School Timeline

• Guide for the College Bound Student Athlete

• NCAA Certification Account vs Profile Page

• Map Search for a School

• Probability of Competing Beyond High School

• 2.3 Or Take a Knee website

• NCAA Transfer Guide

NAIA –National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics

Small-college Athletics

There are 350+ colleges associated with the NAIA. Most are small colleges. Similar to the NCAA, students must meet eligibility requirements to participate and make good progress toward college graduation.

Register:  http://www.playnaia.org

NJCAA—National Junior College Athletic Association

Junior and Community Colleges

Students must have graduated from high school or received a high school diploma equivalent. Students should discuss their academic eligibility with the athletic staff at the NJCAA college they will be attending.  Students who are not academically eligible to play at an NCAA college can start at an NJCAA school and then transfer.

Website:  http://www.njcaa.org/

Plan Early Start Now!

***Students are responsible for understanding and maintaining their eligibility status with the NCAA Eligibility Center and communicating with the respective coaches and recruiters. Students can register with the NCAA Eligibility Center in their sophomore year in high school. At the end of the student’s junior year, a transcript, including six semesters of grades, should be sent to the NCAA Eligibility Center from the high school. Additionally, students should have their SAT or ACT scores forwarded directly to the NCAA Eligibility Center (code “9999”).

Check out the Eligibility Center website for helpful resources!

NCAA Frequently Asked Question

NCAA Customer Service (Student & Families): 877-262-1492 Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST

Need help getting started? Contact Ms. Nancy Yamada in the Counseling Center.