NCAA Clearinghouse For Student Athletes

by Sherri Foerschler

If your plans are to participate in sports other than intramural, there are requirements you must meet if playing at an NCAA Division I or II school. Read the information below to find out what you need to be eligible.

NCAA Clearinghouse

For Student Athletes

Division I and II initial-eligibility standards

KNOW THE RULES:
Core Courses
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Starting August 1, 2008, 16 core courses will be required for NCAA Division I only. 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.
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14 core courses are required in NCAA Division II. See the breakdown of core-course requirements below.
Test Scores
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Division I has a sliding scale for test score and grade-point average. The sliding scale for those requirements is shown on page two of this sheet.
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Division II has a minimum SAT score requirement of 820 or an ACT sum score of 68.
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The SAT score used for NCAA purposes includes only the critical reading and math sections. The writing section of the SAT is not used.
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The ACT score used for NCAA purposes is a sum of the four sections on the ACT: English, math, reading and science.
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All SAT and ACT scores must be reported directly to the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse by the testing agency. Test scores that appear on transcripts will no longer be used. When registering for the SAT or ACT, use the clearinghouse code of 9999 to make sure the score is reported to the clearinghouse.
Grade-Point Average
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Only core courses are used in the calculation of the grade-point average.
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Be sure to look at your high school’s list of NCAA-approved core courses on the clearinghouse Web site to make certain that the courses being taken have been approved as core courses. The Web site is www.ncaaclearinghouse.net.
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Division I grade-point-average requirements are listed on page two of this sheet.
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The Division II grade-point-average requirement is a minimum 2.000.
NCAA FRESHMAN-ELIGIBILITY
STANDARDS QUICK REFERENCE SHEET
DIVISION II
14 Core-Course Rule
14 Core Courses:
3 years of English.
2 years of mathematics (Algebra I or higher).
2 years of natural/physical science (1 year of lab if offered by high school).
2 years of additional English, mathematics or natural/physical science.
2 years of social science.
3 years of additional courses (from any area above, foreign language or nondoctrinal religion/philosophy).
DIVISION I
16 Core-Course Rule
16 Core Courses:
4 years of English.
3 years of mathematics (Algebra I or higher).
2 years of natural/physical science (1 year of lab if offered by high school).
1 year of additional English, mathematics or natural/physical science.
2 years of social science.
4 years of additional courses (from any area above, foreign language or nondoctrinal religion/philosophy).
PLEASE NOTE: For students first entering any NCAA college or university on or after August 1, 2005, computer science courses may only be used for initial-eligibility purposes if the course receives graduation credit in mathematics or natural/physical science and is listed as such on the high school’s list of NCAA-approved core courses.

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
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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.
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14 Core courses are required for Division II.
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16 Core courses are required for Division I.
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The SAT combined score is based on the verbal and math sections only. The writing section will not be used.
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SAT and ACT scores must be reported directly to the clearinghouse from the testing agency. Scores on transcripts will not be used.
For more information regarding the rules, please go to www.ncaa.org. Click on “Academics and Athletes” then “Eligibility and Recruiting.” Or visit the clearinghouse Web site at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net.
Please call the NCAA Eligibility Center if you have questions:
Toll-free number: 877/622-2321
NCAA Eligibility Center