Ncaa.

NCAA Freshman Eligibility Standards


KNOW THE RULES

Core Courses

NCAA Division I requires 16 core courses as of August 1, 2008. This rule applies to any student first entering any Division I college or university on or after August 1, 2008. See the chart below for the breakdown of this 16 core-course requirement.

NCAA Division II requires 14 core courses. See the breakdown of core-course requirements below.

Please note, Division II will require 16 core courses beginning August 1, 2013.

Test Scores

Division I has a sliding scale of test score and grade-point average. The sliding scale for those requirements is shown on the reverse side of this sheet.

Division II has a minimum SAT score requirement of 820 or an ACT sum score of 68.

The SAT score used for NCAA purposes includes only the critical reading and math sections. The writing section of the SAT is not used.

The ACT score used for NCAA purposes is a sum of the four sections on the ACT: English, mathematics, reading and science.

All SAT and ACT scores must be reported directly to the NCAA Eligibility Center by the testing agency. Test scores that appear on transcripts will not be used. When registering for the SAT or ACT, use the Eligibility Center code of 9999 to make sure the score is reported to the Eligibility Center.


Grade-Point Average

  • Only core courses are used in the calculation of the grade-point average.
  • Be sure you look at your high school’s list of NCAA-approved core courses on the Eligibility Center’s Web site to make certain that courses being taken have been approved as core courses.
  • The Web site is www.eligibilitycenter.org.
  • Division I grade-point-average requirements are listed below.
  • The Division II grade-point-average requirement is a minimum 2.000.

DIVISION I -- 16 CORE-COURSE RULE
16 Core Courses:
  • English--4 years
  • Mathematics (Algebra I or higher)--3 years
  • Natural/physical science--2 years
    (1 year of lab if offered by high school)
  • Additional English, mathematics or natural/physical science--1 year
  • Social science--2 years
  • Additional courses (from any area above, foreign language or nondoctrinal religion/philosophy)--4 years
 		DIVISION II -- 14 CORE COURSE RULE
14 Core Courses:
  • English--3 years
  • Mathematics (Algebra I or higher)--2 years
  • Natural/physical science--2 years
    (1 year of lab if offered by high school.
  • Additional English, mathematics or natural/physical science--2 years
  • Social science--2 years
  • Additional courses (from any area above, foreign language or nondoctrinal religion/philosophy)--3 years

PLEASE NOTE: Beginning August 1, 2012, students planning to attend an NCAA Division II institution will be required to complete 16 core courses.

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Division II has no sliding scale. The minimum core grade-point average is 2.000. The minimum SAT score is 820 (verbal and math sections only) and the minimum ACT sum score is 68.

14 core courses are currently required for Division II. However, beginning 2012, students will be required to complete 16 core courses.

16 core course are required for Division I. The SAT combined score is based on the verbal and math sections only. The new writing section will not be used.

SAT and ACT scores must be reported directly to the Eligibility Center from the testing agency. Scores on transcripts will not be used.

Students enrolling at an NCAA Division I or II institution for the fi rst time need to also complete the amateurism questionnaire through the Eligibility Center Web site. Students need to request fi nal amateurism certification prior ro enrollment.

For more information regarding the rules, please go to www.NCAA.org. Click on “Academics and Athletes” then “Eligibility and Recruiting.” Or visit the Eligibility Center Web site at www.eligibilitycenter.org.

Please call the NCAA Eligibility Center if you have questions:
Toll-free number 877/262-1492.