National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA): What the high school student needs to know

What is the NCAA? The athletic governing body for more than 1,280 colleges and universities across the country. NCAA membership includes: 331 Division I members 291 Division II members 429 Division III members

How involved will the NCAA be in my participation in athletics in college? Depends on which division school in which you participate: Division I, II, or III Division I Must sponsor at least 7 sports for men and 7 for women Must sponsor at least 7 sports for men and 7 for women Must follow scheduling criteria (Ex: for basketball, must play all but 2 games against D I schools) Must follow scheduling criteria (Ex: for basketball, must play all but 2 games against D I schools) Must meet minimum and maximum financial aid awards Must meet minimum and maximum financial aid awards Division II Must sponsor at least 5 sports for men and 5 for woman Must sponsor at least 5 sports for men and 5 for woman Some scheduling criteria for football and basketball, but not for other sports Some scheduling criteria for football and basketball, but not for other sports Maximum financial aid awards for each sport Maximum financial aid awards for each sport Many D II student-athletes pay for school through a combination of scholarships, grants, student loans, and employment earnings Many D II student-athletes pay for school through a combination of scholarships, grants, student loans, and employment earnings Division III Must sponsor at least 5 sports for men and 5 for women Must sponsor at least 5 sports for men and 5 for women Minimum scheduling criteria (Ex.: Each season must be represented by each gender). Minimum scheduling criteria (Ex.: Each season must be represented by each gender). Student-athletes receive no financial aid related to their athletic ability. Student-athletes receive no financial aid related to their athletic ability.

Eligibility Requirements Each division has different eligibility rules. Each division has different eligibility rules. Therefore, your status may be different for each division. Therefore, your status may be different for each division. Academic Eligibility Must meet minimum standards for GPA and SAT scores. GPA is recalculated by the NCAA clearinghouse based on core courses alone. Amateurism Status Must complete on-line form stating that you have maintained your amateurism status throughout high school (EX: no contracts with a professional team, no prize money, no benefits from a potential agent, etc).

Course Requirements Division I →Graduate from high school →Complete these 16 core courses: -4 years of English -3 years of math (algebra I or higher) *Note: Algebra II Part A counts only as a half credit for NCAA. Students must take Algebra II Part A and Algebra II Part B to earn the full credit for NCAA math -2 years of science -2 years of social studies -1 extra year of math, English, or science -4 years of extra core courses (from any category above or foreign language) →Sliding scale for test score (SAT or ACT) and GPA (minimum GPA= 2.0) →NEW! Can complete 1 course for eligibility after completing 8 semesters of high school (i.e. Can take a summer school course after graduation) Division II →Graduate from high school →Complete these 14 core courses: -3 years of English -2 years of math (algebra I and higher) *Note: Algebra II Part A counts only as a half credit for NCAA. Students must take Algebra II Part A and Algebra II Part B to earn the full credit for NCAA math -2 years of science -2 years of social studies -2 extra years of English, science, or math -3 extra years of core classes and/or foreign language →Minimum GPA=2.0; minimum SAT combined score=820 (math and critical reading)

Division III If you were accepted into the college, you are eligible to play sports (at least initially). Division III athletes do not need to register with the NCAA clearinghouse. All paperwork is completed in-house at the college.

How does the NCAA calculate GPA? The NCAA uses only the core courses to calculate GPA. A = 4 points B = 3 points C = 2 points D = 1 point Pluses and minus’s do not factor in. Levels (honors, level 1, level 2) do not factor in either, although only college-prep courses are considered CORE courses by the NCAA.

SAT Scores Only math and verbal sections are used by the NCAA. Writing scores are not considered. If you take the SAT more than once, your best sub score from each test will be used to meet the minimum eligibility requirements. SAT scores must be reported directly to the NCAA (Code 9999)

Students with Disabilities Must meet the same eligibility requirements, but are provided some accommodations to help meet these requirements *Main accommodation is that 504 and special education students may be able to use one or more core courses after 8 semesters in order to meet requirements. Thus, summer work can be done after graduation to help meet the requirements. If you have a diagnosed disability, let the NCAA know only if you plan on using core courses after graduation AND plan on going to a Division I school. -A copy of diagnosis and IEP or 504 Plan must be sent to the NCAA -If you are denied eligibility, your college can file a waiver request on your behalf.

What do I need to do? Grades 9 and 10  Verify with your high school counselor and the online core-course listing to make sure you are on track. The website to check your core courses is

Grade 11 During the first semester of junior year, register with the eligibility center at When you register, you will be asked to complete an amateurism questionnaire. The cost of registration is $60. During the first semester of junior year, register with the eligibility center at When you register, you will be asked to complete an amateurism questionnaire. The cost of registration is $60. Make sure you are still on track to meet core-course requirements (verify you have the correct number of core courses using the “List of Approved Core Courses” guide on the website, above). Make sure you are still on track to meet core-course requirements (verify you have the correct number of core courses using the “List of Approved Core Courses” guide on the website, above). After your junior year, ask your high school counselor to send a copy of your transcript to the NCAA. If you have attended any other high schools, make sure a transcript is sent to the eligibility center directly from each high school. After your junior year, ask your high school counselor to send a copy of your transcript to the NCAA. If you have attended any other high schools, make sure a transcript is sent to the eligibility center directly from each high school. When taking the ACT or SAT, request test scores to be sent to the eligibility center (the code is "9999"). When taking the ACT or SAT, request test scores to be sent to the eligibility center (the code is "9999").

Grade 12  When taking the ACT or SAT, request test scores to be sent to the eligibility center (the code is "9999").  Complete amateurism questionnaire and sign the final authorization signature online on or after April 1 if you are expecting to enroll in college in the fall semester.  Ask your high school counselor to send a final transcript with proof of graduation to the eligibility center.

What should my child do this weekend? Register with the NCAA clearinghouse. 1. Go to Click on “Perspective Student- Athletes” Click on “US Students Register Here” Follow the prompts 2. Print a copy of your completed registration form 3. Print both Copy 1 and Copy 2 of the transcript release form. Sign both forms and give them to your school counselor. Complete the Division I and II worksheets to make certain that all CORE course requirements will be met If he/she is a senior, go to the College Board website and have his/her SAT scores sent to the NCAA