NCAA Initial Eligibility
What you need to know to be
eligible to play college sports.
It all starts at the:
NCAA Eligibility Center
Formerly known as…
NCAA Initial Eligibility
Clearinghouse
What is the NCAA Eligibility Center?
 The role of the eligibility center is to
certify the academic and amateur
credentials of all college-bound
student athletes who wish to compete
in NCAA Division I or II athletics.
When to begin process.
Students may register with the NCAA
Eligibility Center at the beginning of
their Junior year in High School.
1) Go to www.eligibilitycenter.org
Cost is $65 for domestic students, one time
registration fee
2) Complete the Amateurism Questionnaire
During the Junior Year…
Register to take the ACT and/or SAT.
Have test scores sent to NCAA using the 9999,
score recipient code.
Request transcripts to be sent to NCAA by the guidance
office. Use Transcript release form from NCAA.
Double check course selections for senior year to insure
completion of core course requirements.
During the Senior year…
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Take the SAT or ACT again. The Eligibility Center
will use your best scores from each section to
determine your best cumulative score.
Continue with College Prep level classes
Review your amateurism status and request a Final
Amateurism Certification on or after April 1 for
enrollment.
Graduate on time with the best grades possible
After graduation, have guidance office send official
transcript with proof of graduation to NCAA
What are initial eligibility
requirements?
 1) Graduate from High School.
 2) Complete NCAA approved courses
 3) Earn a minimum required CoreCourse grade point average
 4) Earn a required SAT or ACT sum
score.
Components to Academic
Certification
1) High School Core Curriculum and grade point
average.
Division I = 16 core courses Division II = 16 core courses
Minimum GPA based only on these courses
2) College Entrance Exams (ACT / SAT)
Have all scores sent directly to NCAA from the testing
center
Scores reported on transcripts will not be accepted
3) Graduate from High School
Division I Core-Course Requirements
(16 core)
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4 years of English
3 years of Math (Algebra I or higher)
2 years Natural Science (one lab)
1 year additional English/math/science
2 years Social Science
4 years of additional core courses (any
areas of above or foreign language,
nondoctrinal religion/philosophy)
Division II core-course requirements (16
core)
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3 years of English
2 years of math (Algebra I or higher)
2 years of natural science (one lab)
3 years additional English/math/science
2 years of social science
4 years of additional core courses(any of the
areas above or foreign language,
nondoctrinal religion/philosophy)
 Computer science cannot be used as corecourse.
NCAA LIST OF APPROVED
COURSES
 Core Courses Must be on Springboro’s
List of Approved Courses by the NCAA
Meeting College Prep Standards
 Formerly 48-H Form
Core Course GPA and Testing
 Division I
Earn a combined SAT or ACT sum score
that matches your core course GPA
and test score sliding scale.
Example: a 2.4 GPA needs an 860
combined SAT or ACT sum score of
71
Core Course GPA and Testing
 Division II
Example:
a 2.00 GPA needs an 820 combined
SAT or ACT sum score of 68
Division III Core Course
requirements
 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.
NAIA Eligibility Center
 New for 2011-12
 Students must register with NAIA
center
NAIA
National Assoc. Intercollegiate Athletics
 Nearly 300 institutions
 Primary academic focus as well as
athletic competition
 $4.5 Million in Financial Assistance
(2010)
 Aid, Grants, Scholarships
 Fewer Recruiting Restrictions
 Flexible transfer rules
Students must meet 2 of 3 standards
following graduation.
1) Achieve minimum ACT =18 or SAT =
860
2) Minimum High School GPA = 2.0
on 4.0 scale
3) Graduate in top half of high school
class
If as an entering freshman you do not meet at least 2 of
these standards, you cannot participate in athletics for
1 full year
2016 and Beyond
 3 Levels of acceptance:
 Full eligibility 16 core, 10 must be
completed before 7th semester (junior
year) 2.3 GPA
 Academic Red Shirt
 Non-Qualifier