Division I Eligibility Requirements
Here are the NCAA D I Requirements for Athletes Graduating in The class of 2015:
1.) You must complete 16 core courses and receive a minimum GPA of 2.0 in those courses. The core course requirements are as follows 4 years of English, 3 years of Math (Algebra 1 or higher), 2 years of Natural or Physical Science, 2 years of Social Science, 1 extra year of English, Math or Science and 4 years of Religion, Philosophy, Foreign Language or additional years of any of the categories above.=
2.) You must take the SAT or ACT and score a minimum of 400 on the SAT (Math and Reading only) or 37 on the ACT (your sum score). GPA Calculator.
3.) Your core course GPA combined with your SAT/ACT score must meet the minimum requirements as laid out by the NCAA Sliding Scale.
What are the New NCAA D I Requirements for Athletes Graduating in 2016 or Later?
The academic requirements for student-athletes graduating in 2016 or later are going to be much higher than the current academic markers. If current high school athletes were required to meet the new academic standards, over 15% of incoming freshman would not be eligible (40% of basketball players and 35% of football players). This means if you are following the same courses as the athletes ahead of you, there is a chance you will not be eligible.
Here is a summary of all of the new requirements.
1.) The new minimum GPA goes up from 2.0 to 2. The GPA requirements on the sliding scale have gone up roughly .5 c. You must complete 10 of your 16 core course before your senior year of high school. You will not be allowed to retake any of your 10 core courses before your senior year for a higher score.
Division II Eligibility Requirements
The requirements to play NCAA D2 sports and receive a scholarship are lower than the DI level. All eligible DI athletes are eligible at the D II level. If you don’t meet the DI requirements but meet the requirements below, you can compete at the NCAA D II level.
1.) You must complete 16 core courses and receive a minimum GPA of 2.0. The core course requirements are as follows 3 years of English, 3 years of Math (Algebra 1 or higher), 2 years of Natural or Physical Science, 2 years of Social Science, 2 extra years of English, Math or Science and 4 years of Religion, Philosophy, Foreign Language or additional years of any of the categories above.
2.) You must take the SAT or ACT. You need to score a minimum of 820 on the SAT (Math and Reading only) or an ACT sum score of 68.
Division III Eligibility Requirements
If you are going to compete at the NCAA D III level you do not need to register with the NCAA. The NCAA has no academic requirements for D III athletes. Each university sets their own academic standards for student-athletes and financial aid. It is best to contact the coaches at the D III universities you are interested and get the standards from them.
NAIA Eligibility Requirements
The academic standards for the NAIA are the lowest of all division levels except Junior Colleges. In order to be eligible athletes must graduate from high school and meet 2 of the following 3 requirements:
1.) Finish in the top half of your graduating class.
2.) Achieve a minimum GPA of 2.0.
3.) Score 860 on the SAT or 16 on the ACT.
Register with NCAA Eligibility Center
To register with the NCAA Eligibility Center, go online to www.eligibilitycenter.org and click the link to enter as an NCAA College-Bound Student-Athlete. To create an account, either click on the “New Account” button at the top right of the screen or the cell phone on the left side of the screen.
Account Creation
You will need to provide a valid email address to create an account and begin the registration process. Be sure you provide an email address that will be active even after you complete high school.
My Sport
In this section, you will select the sport(s) you plan to participate in at an NCAA Division I or II college or university. The NCAA Eligibility Center will also ask about the non-scholastic and/or club teams you have been a part of and events you have participated in during your high school career.
Payment
Your account will be eligible for processing once the registration fee has been paid (or submission of a fee waiver if you have been granted a waiver). You must pay online by debit, credit card or e-check. The registration fee is $70.00.
You are eligible for a waiver of the registration fee only if you have already received a waiver of the SAT or ACT fee. (This is not the same as a U.S. state voucher.) You must have an authorized high school official submit your fee waiver documentation online after you have completed your registration.