NCAA ELIGIBILITY GUIDE

The NCAA is an organization that regulates student-athletes at over 1,100 colleges and universities across the United States. It helps ensure fair play, maintains academic standards, and determines eligibility across three divisions: Division I, II, and III.

The NCAA Eligibility Center evaluates every prospective Division I and Division II athlete to ensure they meet minimum academic standards before they can compete or receive athletic scholarships. Division III operates differently and does not require NCAA certification, though you still must meet each college's admission standards.

Many families don't realize that eligibility isn't just about grades or test scores. It's about taking the right courses in the right sequence, registering with the NCAA Eligibility Center at the right time, and understanding how amateurism rules apply to high school athletes.

This process can feel overwhelming, but breaking it into manageable steps—and starting early��makes it straightforward. Whether you're a freshman just beginning high school or a junior preparing for recruitment, this guide will help you understand what's required and when.

Not every class on your transcript will count toward NCAA eligibility. To qualify as a core course, a class must:

• Be on your high school's NCAA-approved course list
• Be taught by a qualified instructor
• Provide college-preparatory rigor
• Be completed with a passing grade

Courses that typically do NOT count:

• Remedial or basic-level courses
• Physical education or driver's education
• Career or vocational courses without academic rigor
• Electives that don't fall within the five core subject areas

Current Policy (2025): As of the 2024-25 academic year, standardized testing scores (SAT/ACT) are not required for initial NCAA eligibility in Division I and Division II. This means you can be certified as eligible based solely on your core-course GPA.

However, if you choose to submit test scores, the NCAA still uses a sliding scale to evaluate eligibility. A higher GPA allows for a lower test score, and vice versa.

Division I Sliding Scale Examples (when test scores are submitted):

• 3.55+ GPA = 400 SAT (math + reading) or 37 ACT (sum of subscores)
• 3.00 GPA = 620 SAT or 52 ACT
• 2.50 GPA = 820 SAT or 68 ACT
• 2.30 GPA (minimum) = 900 SAT or 75 ACT

(Source: NCAA Eligibility Center, 2025)

Important: If you submit test scores, the NCAA will "superscore" by using your best subscores from multiple test dates across both the SAT and ACT.

To compete in NCAA sports, you must maintain your amateur status. The NCAA has strict rules about what student-athletes can and cannot do before enrolling in college.

Activities That Violate Amateurism (You CANNOT do these):

• Accepting payment for athletic performance - Including prize money, salary, or appearance fees for competing
• Signing with an agent - Any agreement with a professional sports agent or marketing representative
• Competing on professional teams - Playing on professional teams in your sport, even if unpaid
• Using your athletic skill for pay - Teaching lessons, coaching, or officiating in your sport for money (some exceptions exist)
• Receiving benefits from potential agents - Including gifts, transportation, or entertainment
• Promotional activities - Receiving payment or free products for endorsing commercial products or services

Important 2025 Clarifications:

Social Media and Online Content:

• YouTube/TikTok/Social Media - Monetizing content that features your athletic ability or achievements may violate amateurism rules
• Crowdfunding - Campaigns to raise money for athletic expenses (travel, equipment, training) generally violate amateurism
• Sponsorships - Free equipment or gear from companies in exchange for promotion typically violates rules

What IS Allowed:

• Accepting athletic scholarships from your college
• Receiving awards for athletic achievement (with value limits)
• Competing for prize money in your sport BEFORE high school graduation (with restrictions)
• Employment income unrelated to your athletic ability

Bottom Line: When in doubt, check with the NCAA Eligibility Center BEFORE accepting anything or signing agreements. Amateurism violations can be costly and may result in permanent loss of eligibility.

Most students register during junior year. However, you can register as early as freshman year. Registering early ensures you have time to resolve any issues with transcripts, test scores, or course approvals before recruitment heats up.

It depends. Online and dual enrollment courses must be NCAA-approved and appear on your high school's list of approved courses. Check with your counselor before enrolling to ensure the course will count.

Current Policy (2025): Standardized test scores are not required for NCAA eligibility certification. As long as you meet the core course and GPA requirements (2.3 for Division I, 2.2 for Division II), you can be certified without submitting SAT or ACT scores.

If you choose to submit test scores and they fall below the sliding scale for your GPA, the NCAA will evaluate your case. However, with test scores now optional, most students focus on maintaining strong grades in their 16 core courses.

Note: Individual colleges may still require test scores for admission or scholarships, so check with each school's admissions office.

Yes! The NCAA allows course retakes and uses the best grade earned when calculating your core-course GPA.

Key Rules:

• Grade replacement: If you retake an NCAA-approved core course, only the higher grade is used in your GPA calculation
• Same or comparable course: The retaken course must be the same course or a comparable NCAA-approved core course at your high school
• Both courses must be NCAA-approved: Both the original and retake course must appear on your school's list of approved core courses
• Timing matters: Retakes must be completed before you graduate high school to count toward your initial eligibility

Strategic Retake Tip: If you earned a C or D in a core course during freshmen or sophomores year, retaking it for a higher grade can significantly boost your core-course GPA. Always verify with your counselor that the retake course is NCAA-approved before enrolling.

Important: The NCAA does not average the two grades—only the best grade counts. However, both courses may still appear on your transcript.

No. Division III schools do not require NCAA Eligibility Center certification. However, you must still meet the college's admission standards, so work closely with your school counselor and college admissions offices.

You may need to take courses at another accredited high school, enroll in NCAA-approved online courses, or take dual enrollment classes at a local college. Always verify with the NCAA Eligibility Center before enrolling.

Amateurism violations include accepting payment for athletic participation, signing with agents, competing on professional teams, or allowing your name/image to be used for commercial purposes. Violations can result in loss of eligibility.

Once all documents are submitted, the NCAA Eligibility Center typically reviews cases within 7-10 business days. However, missing documents or questions can delay certification, so submit everything early.