Ramapo HS & Indian Hills HS
Presented by
John K. Heck, Jr.
Assistant Director of Compliance
Rutgers University
AGENDA
 Introduction – Why Are We Here?
 Different NCAA Divisions
 General Eligibility Rules
 NCAA Initial Eligibility Center (formerly the NCAA
Clearinghouse)
http://www.ncaaclearinghouse.net
 Win-Win is the Goal
 NCAA Recruiting Rules
 Financial Aid
NCAA SCHOOLS
 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).
 Difference between Divisions
 Mission/Philosophy
 Rules
 Emphasis on competition (i.e., national, regional)
 National championships
 Athletic scholarships
General Athletic Eligibility
 Admissions
 Amateurism
 NCAA 5-year rule (Division I), 10 semester rule (Divisions II and III)
 Transfer Rules
 Mike Flynt (Sul Ross State University) DIII
 NCAA Initial Eligibility Requirements
Admissions
All NCAA Divisions
 Student-Athletes must be admitted as a
regularly enrolled, degree-seeking student
 Student-Athletes may be admitted under
special exception
Why does the Eligibility Center Exist?
 To certify a student-athlete’s initial eligibility to practice, compete and
to receive institutional aid during his/her first year of enrollment at a
NCAA Division I or II school.
 The NCAA Initial Eligibility Center now certifies prospective student-
athlete amateur status
 Students should only register with the NCAA Initial Eligibility Center if
they are planning to participate at a NCAA Division I or II school.
Amateurism
 Who needs to be certified?
 Any individual enrolling at an NCAA Division I or
Division II institution for the first time. This includes:
 Domestic prospects
 International prospects
 Transfer student-athletes
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Two-year institution
Four-year institution
NAIA institution
Foreign institution
NCAA Division III institution
Scope of Amateurism Questionnaire
 QUESTION 1 – Agent issues.
 QUESTION 2 – Pre-enrollment issues.
 QUESTION 3 – Post-enrollment issues.
 QUESTION 4 – Organized-competition
issues.
NCAA Initial Eligibility Requirements
 Does not apply to Division III schools
 DIII student-athletes need only meet admission
requirements and full-time enrollment to be
eligible to practice and compete during first year
 Applies to NCAA Division I & II schools
NCAA Initial Eligibility Requirements continued
 During first year at a NCAA Division I or II
school, student-athlete must meet these
requirements in order to be:
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Eligible to receive institutional aid
Eligible to practice on a varsity team
Eligible to compete on a varsity team
Eligible for 4 seasons on competition
NCAA INITIAL ELIGIBILITY TERMS
 Qualifier:
 High school graduate
 Presents specific academic qualifications (i.e., minimum core GPA and
corresponding test score)
 Can practice and compete during first year at Division I or II school
 Has four (4) seasons of competition at a NCAA Division I or II school
 Is eligible to receive institutional financial aid during his or her first year at
Division I or II school
 Nonqualifier:
 Not a high school graduate and/or
 Does not present specific academic qualifications (i.e., minimum core GPA
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and corresponding test score)
Can not practice or compete first year at Division I or II school
Has three (3) seasons of competition at a NCAA Division I or II school only
after satisfying an academic year in residence at a four-year
college/university
Is not eligible to receive institutional financial aid during his or her first
year at Division I or II school. Eligible for need-based financial aid only.
Non-qualifier awarded a 4th season upon completing 80% of degree prior to
his or her 5th year
NCAA INITIAL ELIGIBILITY TERMS
 NCAA Core-Course:
 Recognized academic course which qualifies for high-school
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graduation credit in one or a combination of the following areas:
English, Mathematics, Natural/Physical Science, Social Science,
Foreign Language or Non-Doctrinal Religion/Philosophy
Must be considered college preparatory
Math courses must be at the level of Algebra I or higher
Taught by a qualified instructor
Course must be taught at or above high school’s regular academic
level
48H – List of approved core courses for a specific high school
Example 48H List (Ramapo HS)
ENGLISH
 English 1
 English 1/H
 English 2
 English 2/H
 English 3
 English 3/H
 English 3
American Studies
 English 4
 English 4/AP
 Humanities
 College Reading
 Drama/Theatre
Art
NAT/PHYS SCIENCE
 Biology
 Biology 2 CP
 Biology/AP
 Biology/H
 Chemcom
 Chemistry
 Chemisty/AP
 Chemistry/H
 AP Physics B Course
 AP Physics C Course
 Astronomy
 Earth Science
 Physical Science
 Physics
MATHEMATICS
 Algebra 1
 Algebra 2
 Geometry
 Calculus
 Calculus AB
 Calculus BC
 Multivariable
Calculus H
 Precalc. Math
 Statistics & College
Algebra
Example 48H List (Indian Hills HS)
ENGLISH
 Comm
Msg/Media
 Drama/Theatre
Art
 English 1
 English 2
 English 3
 English 4
 English 4 FDU
 Humanities
 Journalism
 Writers Workshop
NAT/PHYS SCIENCE
 Astronomy
 Biology
 Biology 2
 Biology/AP
 Chemistry
 Chemistry/AP
 Crime Scene Invest.
 Geo-Physical Systems
 U.P. Human Anatomy
 Physics
 Physics B/AP
 Physics C/AP
MATHEMATICS
 Algebra 1
 Algebra 2
 Calculus
 Calculus AB
 Calculus BC
 Geometry
 Int Math 1/Fund of
Alg 1 Pt 1
 Int Math 2/Fund of
Alg 1 Pt 2
 Int Math 3/Fund of
Geometry
 Int Math 4/Fund of
Alg 2
Four Parts of Initial Eligibility
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High School Graduation
Minimum core grade-point average
Minimum Sum ACT or SAT test score
Completion of 16 core course distribution
Minimum Core Grade-Point Average
 Pluses and minuses
 Weighted honors or advanced courses may be used
 Core grade-point average based on 16 best grades
 Pass-Fail grades
 Repeated courses
 Attendance at multiple high schools
Minimum Sum ACT or SAT test score
 SAT (only verbal and math scores used to determine
initial eligibility)
 Test-Score Limitation
 Combined Test Scores
 Nonstandard Test Administration
Completion of 16 core course distribution
 Core-Curriculum Time Limitation (grades 9
through 12)
 Courses taken after 12th grade (e.g., summer
school)
 Courses taken in a repeated term
 Students with Learning Disabilities
 Nontraditional Courses
 College Courses
 Courses for Student with Disabilities
Courses for Students With Disabilities
 High-school courses - even if such courses appear to be taught at a
level below the high school's regular academic instructional level
(e.g., special education courses)
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If the high-school principal submits a written statement to the NCAA
indicating that the courses are substantially comparable, quantitatively
and qualitatively, to similar core course offerings in that academic
discipline
The courses appear on the high-school's list of approved core courses.
 Students with disabilities still must complete the required core
courses and achieve the minimum required grade-point average in
this core curriculum.
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The fact that the title of a course includes a designation such as "remedial,"
"special education," "special needs," or other similar titles used for courses
designed for students with learning disabilities does not, in and of itself,
disqualify a course from satisfying core-curriculum requirements.
Accommodations for Students with
Learning Disabilities
 Common Questions
 1. What initial eligibility requirements must a student
diagnosed with a learning disability meet?
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Same as all other students, but they are permitted to use
approved accommodations.
 2. Who is eligible to use the approved accommodations?
 Those who have obtained the ability to use non-standardized test
scores from a testing agency (ACT or SAT).
 Those with a diagnosed disability who are receiving
accommodations from their high school.
What Accommodations May be Used?
1. SAT or ACT scores
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Nonstandardized scores (untimed, test reading, etc.)
Approval must be obtained through testing agency
2. Core Curriculum
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Credits for course work specifically designed for students with
disabilities
Specific to each high school
Course MUST appear on approved course listing
3. Time limitation for completion of core courses
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Division I only
Can complete all courses prior to initial full-time collegiate
enrollment (e.g. including time after completion of 12th grade)
Division II already has this provision included in bylaws
Division I - 16 Core Course Breakdown
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4 years of English
3 years of mathematics (Algebra I or higher)
2 years of natural / physical science (1 lab course)
1 additional year of English, math, or nat./phys. Science
2 years of social science
4 additional courses
 English
 Mathematics
 Natural / physical science
 Social science
 Foreign language
 Non-doctrinal religion or philosophy
Division I GPA / Test Score Scale
ABBREVIATED VERSION OF SLIDING SCALE
Core GPA
SAT Score
Sum ACT Score
3.550 & above
400
37
3.250
520
46
3.000
620
52
2.750
720
59
2.500
820
68
2.250
930
78
2.000
1010
86
Division II - 14 Core Course Breakdown
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3 years of English
2 years of mathematics (Algebra I or higher)
2 years of natural / physical science (1 lab course)
2 additional years of English, math, or nat./phys. Science
2 years of social science
3 additional courses
 English
 Mathematics
 Natural / physical science
 Social science
 Foreign language
 Non-doctrinal religion or philosophy
Division II GPA / Test Score Scale
DOES NOT EXIST
 2.000 GPA in 14 core courses
 Minimum combined SAT score of 820 or SUM ACT score of
68
If student meets one of the above but not both, he/she may
practice with the team at home facilities and receive athletics
aid, but MAY NOT compete or travel during initial year of
enrollment. ONLY FOR DIVISION II.
Preparing to be certified by the NCAA Initial
Eligibility Center
 Freshman year through senior year
 Students should register for high school courses in
accordance with:
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Your high school’s graduation requirements.
Appropriate college-prep courses.
NCAA core-course requirements.
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NCAA core-course time limitation (only courses completed 9th grade
12 grade).
 Sophomore and Junior years
 Students should take the PSAT, SAT or ACT.
 Test scores must be sent directly from the testing agency
to the NCAA Initial Eligibility Center by selecting code
9999.
 This is FREE for students. Sending scores later costs
$$$$.
Continuing Preparation
 After Junior year
 Register with NCAA Eligibility Center
 Preliminary certification completed upon receipt of six-semester
transcript sent directly from the high school.
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The Eligibility Center will not accept a transcript that is sent by the
prospect or the prospect’s parents.
The Eligibility Center will not accept a faxed copy of a prospect’s
transcript.
 If a high-school student attended more than one high school, the
Eligibility Center will need a copy of each high school’s transcript.
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Exception: the Eligibility Center will accept a high school transcript with
credits and grades from multiple high schools if the schools are in the
same school district and the Eligibility Center has documentation that
this is the school district’s policy.
 The Eligibility Center registration fee is $60 for U.S. students and
$85 for foreign students.
Final Preparations
 Early Senior year
 Students should audit/reconcile high school transcripts and
respective preliminary Eligibility Center certification to determine
deficiencies in satisfying the NCAA core-course requirement, corecourse grade point average and test score.
 Test-score time limitation.
 Post Graduation
 Review final high school transcripts very carefully before sending to
the NCAA Initial Eligibility Center (i.e., date of high school
graduation included, ensure course titles on transcript are
consistent with course titles on high school’s 48H that is on file at
the Eligibility Center.
Transcript Accuracy is Vital!!!
 Once the NCAA Eligibility Center receives a final
transcript, a revised transcript may not be used.
 All transcript changes after graduation must be
handled through the initial-eligibility waiver
process.
 The NCAA Eligibility Center MUST receive a
transcript from each high school the student
attended (even for summer classes).
Changes to the NCAA Initial Eligibility
Requirements
Division I
Division II
2008 and after
2005 and after
16 Core Courses
14 Core Courses
Changes to the NCAA Initial Eligibility
Requirements
 Core-Curriculum Time Limitation
 Must graduate with high school class (8 semesters from start of 9th
grade).
 Can use one additional core course completed within one year
following graduation.
 If student does not graduate with class, he/she can not use
additional core course.
 Core Courses increase from 14 to 16
 As of graduating class of 2008
Changes to the NCAA Initial Eligibility
Requirements (cont.)
 Early Academic Certification for Initial Eligibility
Center
 Must have achieved 3.0 core GPA through 13 completed core
courses;
 3 - English, 2 - Math, 2 - Natural/Physical Science, 6 – Additional;
 1000 SAT or;
 85 ACT
JUCO Transfers
 Qualifier
 A JUCO transfer who was certified as
a qualifier may participate as long as
he/she has passed an average of 12
credits with a minimum of a 2.0 GPA
during each full time semester of
enrollment.
 May be eligible immediately at
second institution.
 5 year clock starts upon first term of
full-time enrollment @ JUCO
 Non Qualifier
 A JUCO transfer who was not
certified as a qualifier must graduate
from the JUCO
 The student must pass a minimum
of 48 transferrable credits with a
minimum GPA of 2.0
 Must transfer in 2 English courses
and 1 Math course
 May be eligible immediately at
second institution
 5 year clock starts upon first term of
full-time enrollment @ JUCO
NCAA Recruiting Rules
 Principles Governing Recruiting
 Telephone Calls
 Off-Campus Contacts
 Evaluations
 Recruiting Materials
 Official Visits
Recruiting Principles
 Eligibility Effects of Recruiting Violation
 Usually results in the prospective student-athlete becoming
ineligible
 Entertainment
 Entertainment can not be excessive and must be comparable to that
of normal student life
 Permits entertainment of prospect and parents or spouse (i.e.,
during Official Visits)
 Prohibits entertainment of other relatives or friends
 Off-Campus Recruiting
 Only college coaches can recruit off campus
 Recruiting by Representative of Athletics Interests
 Booster ban
Telephone Calls
 When can college coaches contact me by telephone?
 Football – One call in between April 15th and May 31st of prospect’s
junior year, then only one call per week after September 1st of senior
year (except football coaches can make unlimited calls during their
contact periods).
 Men’s Basketball – One call per month starting on or after June 15th of
sophomore year through July 31st of the prospect’s junior year in high
school. Starting August 1st before start of senior year, two calls per
week.
 Women’s Basketball – One call during each of the months of April
and May of junior year. One call can be made on or after June 1st thru
June 20th and one call can be made on or after June 21st thru June 30th
after the prospect’s junior year. In addition only three calls in July,
with not more than one call per week. After July one phone call per
week
 All other sports – Can start July 1st after junior year and generally only
one phone call per week.
All sports - A prospect or his or her parent may call a college
coach at his or her own expense as often as they wish.
Off-Campus Contacts
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Earliest date a college coach can contact (i.e., faceto-face encounter) me off-campus contact?
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July 1st following the PSA’s Jr. year in HS for most
sports.
How many times may a coach contact me offcampus?
– Three (3) in my senior year
Evaluations
 An evaluation is any off-campus activity designed to
access academic qualification or athletic ability of a
prospect, including any visit to a high school.
 A coach can evaluate high school freshman,
sophomores, juniors, seniors within their sport’s
respective recruiting calendar.
Recruiting Material
 Coaches are permitted to send printed materials to prospects, coaches
of prospects or any other individuals responsible for teaching or
directing an activity in which a prospect is involved.
 Earliest date to send recruiting materials to prospects:
 Men’s Basketball – On or after June 15 of prospect’s sophomore year
 All other sports – September 1 of prospect’s junior year
 Recruiting material that may be sent to prospects before September 1 of
the prospect’s junior year:
 Camp brochures
 NCAA produced Educational Information (e.g., Guide to College Bound
Student-Athletes).
 Questionnaires
Official Visits
 An official visit is an expense paid visit to a college campus
 A prospect is allowed one official visit to a particular college
 A prospect may only take 5 official visits to a Division I or II
college during his/her senior year
 The earliest a prospect may take an official visit is the first
day of classes of his or her senior year
 A prospect can not take an official visit prior to a high
school contest on the same day of the high school contest
 Academic Requirements for Official Visit
 A PSAT, SAT, or ACT Test Score
 Academic Transcript
 Registration for the NCAA Eligibility Center
Am I being Recruited?
 Are college coaches in the stands? Are they asking
your high school coach for film?
 Are you receiving letters or other recruiting
materials? If Yes, how frequent?
 Receiving regular phone calls (you or your high
school coach)?
 Has a college coach made a face-to-face contact
with you off-campus (at your high school or your
home)?
 Been invited for an official paid visit?
National Letter of Intent and Athletics
Scholarships
 National Letter of Intent (NLI) is a voluntary agreement
that a prospect signs to signify his or her commitment to
attend a college or university. Prospect must also be
awarded an athletics grant-in-aid at the time he or she
signs the NLI agreement.
 Agreement – College awards the prospect a scholarship for
an academic year. The prospect agrees to attend that
college for one academic year.
 There are penalties if the prospect does not fulfill his or her
part of the agreement
 Benefits of signing a NLI
 Secure athletics scholarship for one year
 No more recruiting stress
 Negatives of signing a NLI
 Penalties (loss of eligibility)
2008-09 NLI Signing Dates
Sport(s)
Initial Signing Date
Final Signing Date
November 12, 2008
November 19, 2008
April 15, 2009
May 20, 2009
Football (Regular Period)
February 4, 2009
April 1, 2009
Field Hockey, Soccer, Track,
Water Polo (Regular Period)
February 4, 2009
August 1, 2009
November 12, 2008
November 19, 2008
April 8, 2009
August 1, 2009
Basketball (Early Period)
Basketball (Regular Period)
All Other Sports (Early
Period)
All Other Sports (Regular
Period)
Changes to Recruiting Rules
 Registration with NCAA Initial Eligibility Center a
requirement for Official Visits & Athletics Aid
 Elimination of text messages and instant messenger
 Use of Myspace and Facebook is limited but
permissible
Financial Aid

What does a full athletics scholarship cover?
Tuition and fees, room and board, and required text books.
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What is the range of athletics scholarships awarded?
Athletics scholarships could be for as little as required text books or as much as a full
grant-in-aid. However, academic scholarships may be available at the school as well.

Can athletics scholarship be awarded for less than two semesters (i.e., academic
year)?
No, athletics scholarship should be awarded for an academic year.

Are athletics scholarship guaranteed for 4 years?
No, athletics scholarship must be renewed after each year.
Financial Aid
 Am I eligible for additional financial aid? Are there any restrictions?
Sometimes a student-athlete cannot accept a certain type of scholarship
because of NCAA limitations. If you will be receiving other scholarships, let the
coach and financial aid officer know so they can determine if you may accept
additional dollars.
 Who is financially responsible if I am injured while competing?
Ask schools about its insurance policy.
 Under what circumstances would my scholarship be reduced or
canceled?
Coaches should be able to give you some idea of how players are evaluated from
year to year and how these decisions are made. The institution may have a
policy governing renewal of athletics aid. Ask if such a policy exists and read it.
Financial Aid
 Are there academic criteria tied to maintaining the scholarship?
Some institutions add academic requirements to scholarships (e.g.,
minimum grade-point average).
 What scholarship money is available if I suffer an athletics
career-ending injury?
Not every institution continues to provide an athletics scholarship to a
student-athlete who can no longer compete because of a career-ending
injury.
 Will my scholarship be maintained if there is a change in
coaches?
A coach may not be able to answer this, but the athletics director may.
Win - Win
 Student-Athlete should view recruiting process as a
win - win.
 Getting as much information as possible
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Division I school’s graduation rate?
Division I school’s APR?
School’s policies (summer school, 5th year, policies for
athletics aid, grievance procedure for athletes, etc)
 Find a link to college/university in addition to the sport
and the coach of the team
Where will I go to college?
Do your Research
 Visit all types of different schools during sophomore
and junior year in HS
 Meet with or speak with an admissions counselor
 Speak with current students
 Know all paperwork and fee deadlines
What questions should I ask?
Education
 Majors, minors, general eduation requirements
 Honors program, internships, etc.
 Length of are class periods
Size of School
 Student-Teacher ratio
 Transportation
Housing/Social Life
 Dining
 Dorms
 Student Activities/Organizations
Any questions?
To contact the Rutgers Athletics Office of Compliance,
please call (732) 445-7845