NCAA
NCAA Eligibility Requirements
Student-athletes interested in pursuing either Division I or Division II collegiate athletic programs, need to register with the NCAA Eligibility Center at www.eligibilitycenter.org.
Plan to register before your freshman year of high school. For more information on registration, visit https://on.ncaa.com/RegChecklist.
NCAA approved courses are designated throughout the Program of Studies by the NCAA Symbol
Test Score Requirements
In January 2023, NCAA adopted legislation to remove standardized test scores from initial-eligibility requirements for all student-athletes who initially enroll full time on or after August 1, 2023. Check with the NCAA school you plan to attend regarding whether standardized test scores are necessary for admission or scholarship requirements. Please contact NCAA Customer Service at 877-262-1492 with questions.
Academic Requirements
Division I and II schools require you to meet academic standards. To be eligible to practice, compete and receive an athletics scholarship in your first year of full-time enrollment, you must meet the following requirements:
Division I
- Earn 16 NCAA-approved core-course credits in the following areas:
- ENGLISH: 4 years
- MATH: 4 years (Algebra I or higher)
- SCIENCE: 2 years (including one year of lab, if offered)
- EXTRA: 1 year (English, math, or science)
- SOCIAL SCIENCE: 2 years
- OTHER: 4 years - Any area previously listed or courses in additional discipline (world language, comparative religion, or philosophy)
- Complete your 16 NCAA-approved core-course credits in eight academic semesters or four consecutive academic years from the start of ninth grade. If you graduate from high school early, you still must meet core-course requirements.
- Complete 10 of your 16 NCAA-approved core-course credits, including seven in English, math or science, before the start of your seventh semester. Once you begin your seventh semester, any course needed to meet the 10/7 requirement cannot be replaced or repeated.
- Earn a minimum 2.3 core-course GPA.
- Ask your high school counselor to upload your final official transcript with proof of graduation to your Eligibility Center account.
Division II
- Earn 16 NCAA-approved core-course credits in the following areas:
- ENGLISH: 3 years
- MATH: 2 years (Algebra I or higher)
- SCIENCE: 2 years (including one year of lab, if offered)
- EXTRA: 3 years (English, math, or science)
- SOCIAL SCIENCE: 2 years
- OTHER: 4 years - Any area previously listed or courses in additional discipline (world language, comparative religion, or philosophy)
- Earn a minimum of 2.3 core-course GPA.
- Ask your high school counselor to upload your final official transcript with proof of graduation to your Eligibility Center account.
Division III
While Division III schools set their own admissions and academic requirements, international student-athletes (first-year enrollees and transfers) who are enrolling at a Division III school after Aug 1, 2023, must be certified as an amateur by the Eligibility Center. Contact the Division III school you plan to attend for more information about its academic requirements.