1. NCAA Athletic Eligibility Rules
Mathieu Chapman
School Counselor
Highland School of Technology

2. Agenda NCAA Divisions NCAA Eligibility Center
Steps to Achieving Your Eligibility
Initial Eligibility Requirements
Core Course GPA and Test Scores
Amateurism (Sports Participation)
Other Options
CoreCourseGPA.com
Resources
Questions?

3. NCAA Divisions
NCAA colleges and universities are divided into three divisions; Division I, Division II and Division III.
Diversity within the Divisions (big schools, small schools, different sports). DI-351, DII-318, DIII-451
Difference between Divisions
Mission/Philosophy - (ie. DIII - academics are primary focus)
Rules – Initial Eligibility Requirements (ie. DI vs. DII vs. DIII)
National championships (ie. DI Football – FBS vs. FCS subdivisions)
Athletic scholarships – (ie. # of scholarships and amount)

4. NCAA Eligibility Center
If you want to participate in NCAA Division I or II athletics, you need to be certified by the NCAA Eligibility Center. You need to qualify academically and you will also need to be cleared as an amateur student – athlete.
Create a Certification Account to make official visits or to sign National Letter of Intent.
NCAA Eligibility Center Website – (Formerly known as NCAA Clearinghouse)
You do not have to register with the NCAA Eligibility Center if you plan to play Division III athletics.
Create a Profile Page – You will get a NCAA ID and they send important reminders as you complete High School.

5. Steps to Achieving Your Eligibility
Freshmen and Sophomores
Start planning now!
Visit -
Download – Guide for the College-Bound Student Athlete
Work hard to get the best grades possible.
Take classes that match your high school’s List of NCAA Courses. The NCAA Eligibility Center will only use approved courses to certify your initial eligibility.
Access and print your high school’s List of NCAA Courses at by clicking: Help > Resources > Find your core courses
At the beginning of your sophomore year, complete online registration at $80.00
Fee Waivers available for students with Free/Reduced Lunch

6. Steps to Achieving Your Eligibility NCAA Eligibility Registration

7. Steps to Achieving Your Eligibility NCAA Eligibility Registration

8. Steps to Achieving Your Eligibility NCAA Eligibility Registration
Basic Personal Information
Basic Education History
High School(s) attended
Sports Participation History
Payment - $80.00
Fee Waivers for Free/Reduced Lunch
Transcript
Ask School Counselor to submit online at NCAA.
View required information about eligibility and banned drugs.

9. Steps to Achieving Your Eligibility
Juniors
Register to take the ACT, SAT or both and use the NCAA Eligibility Center code “9999” as a score recipient.
Double check to make sure that you are taking courses that match your high school’s List of NCAA Courses.
Request that your high school counselor send an official transcript to the NCAA Eligibility Center after completing your junior year. (The NCAA Eligibility Center does NOT accept faxed transcripts.)
Prior to registration for your senior year, check with your counselor and the NCAA Eligibility Center to determine the number of core courses that need to be completed your senior year.

10. Steps to Achieving Your Eligibility
Seniors
Continue to take college-preparatory courses.
Continue to work hard to get the best grades possible.
Take the ACT or SAT as many times as necessary.
Check your List of NCAA Courses.
Request your final amateurism certification after April 1
Graduate on time (eight semesters). Use summer courses if necessary.
After graduation, ask your high school counselor to send your final transcript to the NCAA Eligibility Center with proof of graduation.

11. Initial Eligibility Requirements
Academic Requirements
Graduate from High School.
Complete 16 NCAA-approved courses.
Earn a minimum required core-course grade-point average (GPA).
Earn a required SAT or ACT sum score.

12. Initial Eligibility Requirements
Core Courses
A course that qualifies for high school graduation in one or more of the following: English, mathematics, natural or physical science, social science, foreign language or comparative religion or philosophy;
Is considered four-year college preparatory;
Is taught at or above the high school’s regular academic level;
For mathematics courses, is at the level of Algebra I/(Math I) or higher; and
Is taught by a qualified instructor as defined by the appropriate academic authority.

13. Initial Eligibility Requirements
Core Courses
NCAA Division I and II require 16 core courses.
From the time you enter the ninth grade, you have four (4) years or eight (8) semesters to complete your core- course requirement.
NCAA Division I will require 10 core courses to be completed prior to the seventh semester (before senior year).
Seven of the 10 core courses must be a combination of English, math, or science.
These 10 courses become “locked in” at the start of the seventh semester (start of senior year) and cannot be retaken for grade improvement.

14. Initial Eligibility Requirements
Division I (16 Core Courses)
Division II (16 Core Courses)
4 years English.
3 years math (Algebra I or higher).
2 years natural/physical science (1 year of lab if offered by high school)
1 year additional English, math or natural/physical science.
2 years social science.
4 years additional courses (from any area above, foreign language or comparative religion/philosophy).
3 years English.
2 years math (Algebra I or higher).
2 years natural/physical science (1 year of lab if offered by high school)
3 year additional English, math or natural/physical science.
2 years social science.
4 years additional courses (from any area above, foreign language or comparative religion/philosophy).

15. Initial Eligibility Requirements
Non-Traditional Courses
Nontraditional courses are those taught through the Internet (Online or Virtual), distance learning, independent study, individualized instruction, correspondence, computer software programs or other similar means.
Must include ongoing access between the instructor and student.
Must have a defined time period for completion (i.e., six weeks).
Should be clearly identified as nontraditional courses on the high school transcript.
Must be four-year college preparatory and need to be comparable in length, content and rigor to courses taught in a traditional classroom setting.

16. Initial Eligibility Requirements
Division III
Unlike Divisions I and II, there is no uniform set of eligibility requirements for Division III schools.
Eligibility for admission, financial aid, practice and competition is determined by the college or university.
No Athletic Scholarship Money for DIII.
75% of DIII student-athletes receive some form of merit or need based financial aid.

17. Core Course GPA and Test Scores
Division I – Requirements
Earn a combined SAT or ACT sum score that matches your core-course GPA and test-score (sliding scale)
Minimum GPA = (16 core courses)
Weighted honors or advanced courses may be used.
There are now three possible academic outcomes
Full Qualifier
Academic Redshirt
Nonqualifer

18. Core Course GPA and Test Scores
Division I – Requirements
Full Qualifier = competition, athletics aid (scholarship), and practice the first year.
2.3 GPA and minimum SAT/ACT score that matches GPA.
Academic Redshirt = athletics aid the first year, practice in first regular academic term (semester or quarter).
GPA and minimum SAT/ACT score that matches GPA
After the first term is complete, the student-athlete must be academically successful (completing nine semester hours or eight quarter hours in each applicable term) at his/her college to continue to practice for the remainder of the year
Nonqualifer = no athletics aid, practice or competition the first year.
Fails to meet the standard for Qualifier or Academic Redshirt

19. Core Course GPA and Test Scores
Abbreviated Version of DI Sliding Scale
Core GPA
SAT Score
Sum ACT Score
Status
3.550 & above
400 37
Full Qualifier
3.250
520 46
3.000
620 52
2.750
720 59
2.500
820 68
2.300
900 75
2.299
910 76
Academic Redshirt
2.250
920 77
2.150
960 81
2.100
980 83
2.000
1020 86
Link to full version of sliding scale

20. Core Course GPA and Test Scores
Current Seniors – Class of 2017 (Before Fall 2018)
Division II - No Sliding Scale
Qualifier = competition, athletics aid (scholarship), and practice the first year.
Earn a GPA or better in your 16 core courses AND
Earn a combined SAT score of 820 or an ACT score of 68.
Partial Qualifier = athletics aid the first year and practice at home facility during first year.
Earn a GPA or better in your 16 core courses OR
Non Qualifier = no athletics aid, practice or competition the first year.
Fails to meet the standard for Qualifier or Partial Qualifier

21. Core Course GPA and Test Scores
Current Fresh., Soph., Jr. – (Fall 2018 and beyond)
Division II – Sliding Scale (New Requirement)
Qualifier = competition, athletics aid (scholarship), and practice the first year.
Earn a GPA or better in your 16 core courses AND
minimum SAT/ACT score that matches GPA (sliding scale)
Partial Qualifier = athletics aid the first year and practice at home facility during first year.
Earn a GPA or better in your 16 core courses AND
Non Qualifier = no athletics aid, practice or competition the first year.
Fails to meet the standard for Qualifier or Partial Qualifier

22. Core Course GPA and Test Scores
Current Fresh. & Soph. – (Fall 2018 and beyond)
(NEW) Abbreviated Version of DII Sliding Scale
Core GPA
SAT Score
Sum ACT Score
Status
3.300 & above
400 37
Full Qualifier
3.250
420 39
3.100
480 43
3.050
500 44
3.050 & above
Partial Qualifier
2.500
720 59
620 52
2.200
840 & above
70 & above
740 61
2.100
780 64
2.000
820 & above
68 & above
Link to full version of sliding scale

23. Core Course GPA and Test Scores
Taking the SAT and/or ACT
Be sure to enter the “9999” code when registering for the SAT or ACT. This requests for your official test scores to be sent directly to the NCAA Eligibility Center. This is FREE for students. Sending scores later cost money. ($12)
Test scores on high school transcripts will not be used.
Your Best Scores Will Be Used
ACT
Test #1
Test #2
Scores Used
English 18 20
Math 17 16
Reading 15 19
Science
Total 68 71 74
SAT
Test #1
Test #2
Scores
Used
Critical Reading
470
440
Math
350
420
Total
820
860
890

24. Amateurism (Sports Participation)
If you want to participate in NCAA Division I or II athletics, you must also be certified as an amateur student-athlete.
When you register with the NCAA Eligibility Center, you will be asked questions about your athletics participation. The information you will provide will be reviewed and a determination will be made as to whether your amateurism status should be certified or if a penalty should be assessed before certification. Additional information may be requested.
Update your sports participation information often especially if you participate in events outside of the normal high school season.

25. Amateurism (Sports Participation)
The following pre-NCAA enrollment activities may be reviewed.
Contracts with a professional team.
Salary for participating in athletics.
Prize money.
Play with professionals.
Tryouts, practice or competition with a professional team.
Benefits from an agent or prospective agent.
Agreement to be represented by an agent.
Delayed initial full-time collegiate enrollment to participate in organized sports competition.
Any financial assistance based on athletics skills or participation.

26. Other Options
Playing sports for an NCAA school is not your only option.
NAIA – National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
Usually Smaller Colleges and Universities
NJCAA – National Junior College Athletic Association
Usually Community Colleges

27. CoreCourseGPA.com
Gaston County Schools has teamed up with CoreCourseGPA.com to provide custom online software to all student-athletes to assist in tracking their progress towards meeting NCAA initial eligibility requirements.
CoreCourseGPA.com calculates core course GPA for both Division I and II, provides corresponding minimum SAT/ACT scores, and a detailed report of core course credits earned and needed.
All student-athletes are encouraged to activate their FREE membership to begin tracking their core course GPA and learn more about important recruiting topics.

28. CoreCourseGPA.com 1. Go to www.CoreCourseGPA.com
2. Click on “New Free Member Account” in the upper left corner and enter the School ID and School Code:
Each High School has their own School ID and School Code. See your Athletic Director or School Counselor for the ID and Code.
3. Click “Continue.”
4. Fill in the appropriate fields in the Create New Student Account form.
Remember to write down the new Member Name and Password you have created.
5. Click “Submit.”
Congratulations! You have successfully created your CoreCourseGPA.com member account.

29. Click here to create your account
CoreCourseGPA.com
Click here to create your account

30. CoreCourseGPA.com 5 Step Process No Typing
Select Course, Credit, Grade, and Year
English
Math
Natural/Physical Science
Social Science
Additional Core Courses
Click “Show Report”

31. Initial Eligibility Status Report
CoreCourseGPA.com
Initial Eligibility Status Report
Summary Report
4 Detailed Reports
DI Actual Core GPA
DII Actual Core GPA
DI Projected Core GPA
DII Projected Core GPA
Save/Send Reports as a PDF

32. CoreCourseGPA.com
CoreCourseGPA.com also provides you access to free recruiting webinars through FreeRecruitingWebinar.org, a nonprofit program.
Webinar previews as well as full length recruiting webinars may be accessed on the FreeRecruitingWebinar.org website. Viewing a full length webinar is highly recommended to learn about the facts and rules of recruiting.
Webinars include information on - NCAA/NAIA Academic Eligibility, Protecting your Amateurism, Scholarship Myths and Facts, Recruiting Services, Social Networking, Saving for College, Plus Much More!
IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT YOUR USE OF CORECOURSEGPA.COM IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR REGISTERING WITH THE NCAA ELIGIBILITY CENTER

33. Resources
NCAA.org/playcollegesports (Main information page)
Eligibilitycenter.org (Complete registration and check status with the NCAA Eligibility Center)
ACTstudent.org (Register for ACT)
Collegeboard.org (Register for SAT)
National-letter.org (National Letter of Intent)
CoreCourseGPA.org ( Calculates your Core GPA)
FreeRecruitingWebinar.org (Free recruiting webinars)
NCAA Guide for the College Bound Student Athlete
NCAA Eligibility Center Quick Reference Guide
NextStepU.com (Become A Student Athlete - Articles about recruiting and playing collegiate sports)

34. NCAA Eligibility Center customer service – (877)262-1492
Questions?
NCAA Eligibility Center customer service – (877)
Information used in this presentation was taken from the NCAA website and from CoreCourseGPA.com

35. Recruiting Tips
Talk to your coach or other coaches about your ability and on what level you can compete. DI,DII,DIII
Don’t wait on colleges to recruit you…YOU recruit the Colleges.
Fill out recruiting questionnaires on the colleges website. Reply promptly to questionnaires or s sent by colleges.
Create a sports resume or activity sheet. - to coaches.
Create a highlight video of your best plays and/or skills.
Use free recruiting sites to explore colleges and increase exposure.
Colleges are restricted to the times of the year they can contact you. Know the recruiting rules and timelines for your sport.
Look at the schools current roster. How many scholarships or athletes will they be adding to their team?
When a college becomes interested in you explore other colleges within that conference and division.
Is the college a good fit for you? Would you still go if playing sports were not an option?
Watch what you post on Social Media!

36. Summary of Minimum NCAA DI & DII Initial-Eligibility Standards for Classes 2017-2020
Division I
Minimum Core Course GPA*
2.30
Total Core Course Credits Required 16
Credits Required Prior to Sr. Year* 10
Eng, Math, Sci Prior to Sr. Year* 7
Minimum SAT
2016+
DI Sliding Scale
Minimum ACT
Division II
2017
Minimum Core Course GPA^
2.00
2.20
Total Credits 16
Minimum SAT
820
2018+ DII Sliding Scale
Minimum ACT (sum) 68
*The 2.3 minimum gpa and 10/7 credit requirements are required for Qualifier status. The 10 core credits are “locked in” for the core gpa calculations & may not be retaken once the senior year begins. Students who complete 16 credits, earn a min. 2.0 gpa & the required sliding scale test score may achieve Academic Redshirt status.
^ For the class of 2018 and beyond, the 2.20 min. gpa is required for Qualifier status. Students who complete 16 credits, earn a min gpa and the required sliding scale test score may achieve Partial Qualifier status.