Initial-eligibililty is determined by the following according to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (www.ncaa.org) 

Academic Standards.

The NCAA Eligibility Center verifies the academic and amateur status of all student-athletes who wish to compete in Division I or II athletics.

College-bound student-athletes who want to practice, compete and receive athletically related financial aid during their first year at a Division I or II school need to meet the following requirements:

• Graduate from high school.

• Complete a minimum of 16 core courses for Division I or II.

• Earn a minimum required grade-point average in core courses.

• Earn a qualifying test score on either the ACT or SAT.

• Request final amateurism certification from the NCAA Eligibility Center.

For Division I student-athletes, the following must be completed in addition to the above standards:

• Earn at least a 2.3 grade-point average in core courses.

• Meet an increased sliding-scale standard (for example, an SAT score of 820 requires a 2.5 high school core course GPA)

Successfully complete 10 of the 16 total required core courses before the start of their seventh semester in high school. Seven of the 10 courses must be successfully completed in English, math and science.

Students who earn at least a 2.0 GPA and meet the current sliding-scale standard will be eligible for practice in the first term and athletically related financial aid the entire year, but not competition. Freshmen who are academically successful in the first term will earn the ability to continue to practice for the remainder of the year.

Division III colleges and universities set their own admission standards. The NCAA does not set initial-eligibility requirements in Division III.

Core Courses  

• NCAA Division I requires 16 core courses as of August 1, 2008. This rule applies to any student first entering any Division I college or university on or after August 1, 2008. See the chart below for the breakdown of this 16 core-course requirement.

• NCAA Division II requires 14 core courses. See the breakdown of core-course requirements below. Please note, that Division II will require 16 core courses beginning August 1, 2013.  

Test Scores  

• Division I has a sliding scale for test scores and grade-point averages. The sliding scale for those requirements is shown below.

• Division II has a minimum SAT score requirement of 820 or an ACT sum score of 68.

• The SAT score used for NCAA purposes includes only the critical reading and math sections. NOTE: The writing section of the SAT is not used.

• The ACT score used for NCAA purposes is a sum of the four sections on the ACT: English, mathematics, reading and science.  

All SAT and ACT scores must be reported directly to the NCAA Eligibility Center by the testing agency. Test scores that appear on transcripts will not be used. When registering for the SAT or ACT, use the Eligibility Center code of 9999 to make sure the score is reported to the Eligibility Center.  

Grade-Point Average  

• Only core courses are used in the calculation of the grade-point average.  

• Be sure to look at your high school’s list of NCAA-approved core courses on the Eligibility Center's Web site to make certain that the courses being taken have been approved as core courses. The Web site is www.ncaaclearinghouse.net. 

• Division I grade-point-average requirements are listed below.  

• The Division II grade-point-average requirement is a minimum of 2.000.  

NOTE: Beginning August 1, 2013, students planning to attend an NCAA Division II institution will be required to complete 16 core courses.  

DIVISION I: 16 Core-Course Rule  

16 Core Courses:  

• 4 years of English.  

• 3 years of mathematics (Algebra I or higher).  

• 2 years of natural/physical science (1 year of lab if offered by high school).  

• 1 year of additional English, mathematics or natural/physical science.  

• 2 years of social science.  

• 4 years of additional courses (from any area above, foreign language or non-doctrinal
    religion/philosophy). 

DIVISION II: 14 Core-Course Rule  

14 Core Courses: (Prior to 2013).  After 2013, Division II will require 16 core courses. 

• 3 years of English.  

• 2 years of mathematics (Algebra I or higher).  

• 2 years of natural/physical science (1 year of lab if offered by high school).  

• 2 years of additional English, mathematics or natural/physical science.  

• 2 years of social science.  

• 3 years of additional courses (from any area above, foreign language or non-doctrinal 
  religion/philosophy).  

Division II has no sliding scale. The minimum core grade-point average is 2.000.  

The minimum SAT score is 820 (verbal and math sections only) and the minimum ACT sum score is 68.  

14 core courses are currently required for Division II. However, beginning 2013, students will be required to complete 16 core courses that are 16 core courses are required for Division I.  

The SAT combined score is based on the verbal and math sections only. The writing section will not be used.  

SAT and ACT scores must be reported directly to the Eligibility Center from the testing agency. Scores on transcripts will not be used.  

Students enrolling at an NCAA Division I or II institution for the first time need to also complete the amateurism questionnaire through the Eligibility Center Web site. Students need to request final amateurism certification prior to enrollment.  

For more information regarding the rules, please go to www.ncaa.org. Click on “Academics and Athletes” then “Eligibility and Recruiting.” Or visit the Eligibility Center Web site at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net.  

Please call the NCAA Eligibility Center if you have questions:  

Toll-free number: 877/262-1492.