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NCAA Eligibility

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) serves as the athletics governing body for more than 1,100 colleges and universities. The NCAA created three divisions to create a fair playing field for teams from similar schools. Among the three divisions, Division I schools generally have the largest student bodies, manage the largest athletic budgets and offer the highest number of athletic scholarships. Division II schools provide growth opportunities through academic achievement, learning in high-level athletics competition and with a focus on service to the community. Division III schools offer participation in a competitive athletics environment that pushes athletes to excel on the field and build upon their potential by tackling new challenges on campus.

Initial eligibility standards help ensure students are prepared to succeed in college. Students who want to practice, compete and receive an athletic scholarship during the first year at a Division I or II school, must be certified eligible by the NCAA Eligibility Center.

Division I

To be eligible to practice, compete and receive athletic scholarships in the first year at a Division I school, student-athletes must graduate from high school and meet all of the following requirements:

  1. Complete a total of 16 core courses in the following areas:
  • Four years of English
  • Three years of Mathematics (Algebra 1 or higher)
  • Two years of Natural/Physical Science (one year of lab science if offered)
  • One year of additional English, Mathematics or Natural/Physical Science
  • Two years of Social Science
  • Four years of additional courses (from any area above, foreign language or comparative religion/philosophy)
  1. Complete 10 out of 16 core courses, including seven in English, math or natural/physical science, before the start of the seventh semester.
     
  2. Complete the 16 NCAA-approved core courses in eight academic semesters or four consecutive academic years from the start of ninth grade. Student-athletes graduating from high school early must still meet core-course requirements.
     
  3. Earn an SAT combined score or ACT sum score that matches core course GPA (minimum 2.300) on the Division I sliding scale. 27

Division II

 To be eligible to practice, compete and receive athletic scholarships in the first year at a Division II school, student-athletes must graduate from high school and meet all of the following requirements:

  1. Complete a total of 16 core courses in the following areas:
  • Three years of English
  • Two years of Mathematics (Algebra 1 or higher)
  • Two years of Natural/Physical Science (one year of lab science if offered)
  • Two years of Social Science
  • Three years of additional English, Mathematics, or Natural/Physical Science
  • Four years of additional courses (from any area above, foreign language or comparative religion/philosophy)
  1. Earn an SAT combined score or ACT sum score that matches core course GPA (minimum 2.200) on the Division II competition scale.

Division III

Division III schools provide an integrated environment focusing on academic success while offering a competitive athletic environment. Division III rules minimize potential conflicts between athletics and academics and focus on regional in-season and conference play. Division III schools do not offer athletic scholarships. Seventy-five percent of Division III student-athletes receive some form of merit or need-based financial aid.

Questions regarding eligibility should be directed to the Athletic Director or for more information visit ncaa.org or call the NCAA Eligibility Center at 877-262-1492.