D25 NCAA Eligibility Center and the Student-Athlete

National Collegiate Athletics Association

NCAA Eligibility Center and Initial Eligibility Requirements

General OverviewNCAA Eligibility CenterDivision III academic eligibility requirementsDivision II academic eligibility requirementsDivision I academic eligibility requirementsRecruitment Strategies

NCAA Eligibility CenterFormerly known as the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse.Responsible for all initial-eligibility certifications for prospective student-athletes entering Division I and II institutions.Initial-eligibility certification includes an academic AND amateur certification.Determines whether the prospect is eligible for practice, competition and athletics aid his/her first year of college.

NCAA Eligibility CenterRegistration processAny student who wants to participate in

Division I or II athletics must register with the Eligibility Center.

Students are encouraged to register after their junior year in high school.

There is no deadline to register; however, a student must be registered before:○ He/she can make an official visit to a DI or DII

institution.○ He/she can receive an offer of athletics aid at

a DI or DII institution.

NCAA Eligibility CenterStep #1: Students must complete the online Student Release Form (SRF).Website: www.ncaaeligibilitycenter.orgOne-time registration fee

○ $50 for domestic students○ $75 for international students

Fee waiver: Available to students who received a waiver of the ACT or SAT fee.

NCAA Eligibility Center

NCAA Eligibility CenterStep #2: High school must send an official transcript directly to the Eligibility Center.Transcript should be mailed in a sealed

envelope marked with the school’s information.

Transcripts cannot be faxed or submitted online.

A student who attends multiple high schools must submit an official transcript to the Eligibility Center from each high school. Transcripts can come directly from each school or from the high school from which the student is graduating.

NCAA Eligibility Center

Step #3: Test scores (ACT, SAT) must be sent directly to the Eligibility Center from the testing agency.Test scores on official high school transcript

will not be accepted.Eligibility Center code is 9999.

NCAA Eligibility CenterStep #4: Complete the online amateurism questionnaire.Students must request final

certification during senior year (Apr. 1 for fall enrollees).

Effective Aug. 1, 2010: Student must complete the amateurism certification questionnaire before he/she may receive a written offer of athletically related financial aid.

NCAA Eligibility CenterStep #5: Upon graduation, students must have a final official high school transcript sent to the Eligibility Center.Transcript must show graduation date.Again, your High School must submit your

transcript directly to the Eligibility Center.

NCAA Eligibility CenterContact Information

NCAA Eligibility CenterPO Box 7136Indianapolis, IN 46207-7136

Website: www.ncaaeligibilitycenter.org

Customer Service Hours: 8:30 a.m.- 6 p.m. Monday-FridayU.S. Callers (Toll-Free): 877.262.1492International Callers (Toll-Free): 317.223.0700Fax Number: 317.968.5100

Division III Academic Eligibility Requirements

Divisions III Academic Eligibility Requirements

Division III certification statusDivision III does not use the NCAA Eligibility

Center. Students should contact the Division III College or University regarding its policies on admission, financial aid, practice and competition.

Division II Academic Eligibility Requirements


Division II academic eligibility requirementsGraduate from high schoolComplete 14 core coursesEarn a minimum 2.00 GPA in core coursesEarn a minimum 820 SAT or 68 ACT

Division II certification statusQualifier vs. Partial Qualifier vs. NonqualifierEarly academic certification


3 years of English

2 years of Math (Algebra I or higher)

2 years of Natural or Physical Science (including 1 year of

lab if offered by H.S.)

2 extra years of English, Math, Natural/Physical

Science

2 years of Social Science

3 years of additional coursework from any

category above or Foreign Language, non-doctrinal Religion or Philosophy

#1: Graduate from high school.#2: Complete 14 core courses. All core courses must be completed before full-time enrollment may be used by the Eligibility Center.#3: Earn a 2.00 GPA in core courses.#4: Earn a combined SAT score of 820 or ACT sum score of 68. There is no sliding scale in DII.


3 years of English


2 years of Natural or Physical Science (including 1 year of lab if

offered by h.s.)

3 extra years of English, Math, Natural/Physical Science


4 years of additional coursework from any category

above or foreign language, non-doctrinal religion or

philosophy

Beginning August 1, 2013 the core course requirement will increase from 14 to 16.


Division II certification statusQUALIFIER

○ Meets the academic requirements (high school graduation, 14 core courses, GPA, test score).

○ Can practice, compete and receive athletics aid during first year of college.

○ Has four seasons of eligibility, provided student maintains eligibility from year to year.


Division II certification statusPARTIAL QUALIFIER

○ Does not meet all the academic requirements, but has graduated from high school AND meets one of the following:Combined SAT score of 820 or ACT sum score of 68;

ORCompletion of 14 core courses with a core course

2.00 GPA.○ Can practice and receive athletics aid during first

year of enrollment. Cannot compete during first year.

○ Has four seasons of eligibility remaining, provided student maintains eligibility from year to year.


Division II certification statusNON-QUALIFIER

○ Does not graduate from high school, or, if the student graduated and is missing both the core courses GPA or minimum number of core courses and the required ACT or SAT scores.

○ Cannot practice, compete or receive athletics aid during the first year of enrollment. Student can receive need-based financial aid.

○ Has four seasons of eligibility remaining, provided student maintains eligibility from year to year.


Division II certification statusEarly Academic Certification

○ A student will be certified as a qualifier, provided he/she has achieved the following academic criteria:Earned a minimum combined score on the SAT of

1000 or a minimum sum score on the ACT of 85; and

Earned a core-course 3.00 GPA or higher in a minimum of 12 core courses upon completion of 6 semesters. The 12 core courses must include the following: 3 English, 2 math, 2 natural/physical science and 5 additional courses.

Division I Academic Eligibility Requirements


Division I academic eligibility requirementsGraduate from high schoolComplete 16 core coursesEarn a minimum GPA in the 16 core

courses○ Calculating core course GPA

Earn a minimum SAT and/or ACT scoreDivision I certification statusQualifier vs. Non-qualifierEarly academic certification


#1: Graduate from high schoolA student must graduate from high school no

later than the high school graduation date of his/her ninth grade class.

If the student graduates in eight semesters, he/she may use up to one core course completed in the year after graduation (summer or academic year) to meet eligibility requirements.○ The student may complete the course at a

location other than the high school from which he/she graduated.


#2: Complete 16 core coursesOnly courses

completed in grades 9-12 will count.

High school’s list of approved core courses (48H) is available on the Eligibility Center’s website.

4 years of English


2 years of Natural or Physical Science (including 1 year of lab science if offered by the H.S.)

1 extra year of English, Math or Natural/Physical Science


4 years of additional coursework from any category above or

Foreign Language, non-doctrinal Religion or Philosophy


Division I Academic Eligibility RequirementsHigh school’s list of approved core courses (48H)


#3: Earn a minimum GPA in the 16 core coursesCalculating core course GPAOnly the best grades will be used.Credit is based on high school’s grading

system:○ 1 quarter = 0.25 units○ 1 trimester = 0.33 units○ 1 semester = 0.50 units○ 1 year = 1.0 unit


Calculating core course GPAThe following values (quality points) are assigned

to each letter grade:○ A = 4 points○ B = 3 points○ C = 2 points○ D = 1 point

Plus and minus grades are not used when calculating GPA. [“B” and “B+” are each worth 3 quality points.]

Numeric grades will be changed to a letter grade.If a high school normally weights honors or

advanced courses, the high school must notify the Eligibility Center of such weighting.


Calculating core course GPATo obtain a student’s core course GPA:

○ List the courses, grades and credits on eligibility worksheet. Only include courses on the high school’s list of approved core courses.

○ Determine the quality points for each course.○ Multiply the quality points for the grade by the

amount of credit earned.○ Divide the total number of quality points for ALL

core courses by the total number of the core course units completed.

Course Title Grade

Points x

Units

Quality Pts

English (4.0))

Eng. 9 A 4 1.0 4

Eng. 10 B 3 1.0 3

Eng. 11 A 4 1.0 4

Eng. 12 A 4 1.0 4

Total 4.0 15.0

Math (3.0)

Algebra B 3 1.0 3

Geometry C 2 1.0 2

Algebra 2 B 3 1.0 3

Total 3.0 8.0

Natural/Physical Science (2.0)

Biology A 4 1.0 4

Chemistry B 3 1.0 3

Total 2.0 7.0

English/Math/Natural/Physical Science (1.0)

Speech C 2 1.0 2

Total 1.0 2.0

Social Science (2.0)

US History B 3 1.0 3

Government A 4 0.5 2

Economics C 2 0.5 1

Total 2 6.0

Course Title Grade

Points x

Units

Quality Pts

Additional Courses (4.0)

World History

C 2 1.0 2

Spanish 1 A 4 1.0 4

Spanish 2 B 3 1.0 3

Physics B 3 1.0 3

Total 4.0 12.0

Subtotal

16.0 50

To calculate the core-course GPA, divide the total number of quality points by the total number of units completed.

Example:Core courses: 16Quality points: 50

GPA = 50 QP/16 core courses = 3.125 GPA


#4: Earn a combined SAT or ACT sum score that matches the core course GPA and test score sliding scaleStudents must achieve the required test

score (based on a sliding scale) Before full-time collegiate enrollment.

The required SAT or ACT score must be achieved under national testing conditions on a national testing date. A state administered ACT may be used to meet the test score requirement.


Test scores are calculated by adding up each sub score.ACT: Math, Science, English, ReadingSAT: Math, Verbal/Critical ReadingThe writing component of the ACT and SAT

will not be used to determine a student’s initial eligibility certification.○ Note: Collegiate institutions may or may not

require the writing component. Students are encouraged to take the writing portion of the ACT/SAT.


Tests may be taken more than one time.If a student takes either test more than once, the Eligibility Center will use the best sub score from each test to meet the minimum test score requirement.

Math Critical Reading

Total Score

SAT (10/6/07) 350 470 820

SAT (12/1/07) 420 440 860

Scores Used 420 470 890


ACT and SAT score requirementsALL SAT and ACT scores must be reported to

the Eligibility Center directly from the testing agency.

Test scores will not be accepted if reported to the Eligibility Center on a high school transcript.

Eligibility Center Code: 9999


National Testing Dates

SAT ACT

October 9, 2010 September 11, 2010

November 11, 2010 October 23, 2010

December 4, 2010 December 11, 2010

January 22, 2011 February 12, 2011

March 12, 2011 April 9, 2011

May 7, 2011 June 11, 2011

June 4, 2011sat.collegeboard.com www.actstudent.org


Division I Core GPA and Test Score Sliding Scale

Core GPA SAT ACT

3.550 & above 400 37

3.525 410 38

3.500 420 39

3.475 430 40

--- --- ---

2.025 1000 85

2.000 1010 86


Division I certification statusQUALIFIER

○ Meets the academic requirements (high school graduation, 16 core courses, GPA/test score requirement).

○ May practice, compete and receive athletics aid first year of college.

○ Has four seasons of eligibility, provided student maintains eligibility year to year.

○ Example: Student completed 16 core courses with a core GPA of 2.900 and a SAT score of 675. [2.900 GPA = SAT 660 or ACT 54]


Division I certification status NON-QUALIFIER

○ Does not meet one or more of the academic requirements (high school graduation, 16 core courses, GPA/test score requirement).

○ May not practice, compete or receive athletics aid first year of college (student may receive need-based financial aid).

○ Has three seasons of eligibility remaining. May earn a fourth season provided student meets NCAA progress toward degree requirements.

○ Example: Student completed 16 core courses with a 2.725 GPA and ACT score of 56. [2.725 GPA = SAT 730 or ACT 59]


Division I certification statusNON-QUALIFIER

○ A non-qualifier has two options regarding Division I eligibility:#1: Serve a year in residency at the DI

institution (no athletics aid, practice or competition). Eligible for athletics aid, practice and competition second year of enrollment, provided student meets institutional, conference and NCAA academic requirements.


Division I certification statusNON-QUALIFIER

#2: Enroll in a two-year college. To be immediately eligible for athletics aid, practice and competition upon transfer to a DI institution, student must earn AA degree, complete 48/72 hours of transferable degree credit with a 2.00 GPA and complete a minimum of 3 semester/4 quarters (summers excluded) at the two-year college.- Effective August 1, 2009: 2-4 transfers must

complete 6 sem/8 qtr hours of transferable English credit and 3 sem/4 qtr hours of transferable Math credit.


Division I certification statusEarly Academic Certification

○ A student will be certified as a qualifier, provided he/she has achieved the following academic criteria: Earned a minimum combined score on the SAT

of 1000 or a minimum sum score on the ACT of 85; and

Earned a core-course 3.00 GPA or higher in a minimum of 13 core courses upon completion of 6 semesters. The 13 core courses must include the following: 3 English, 2 Math, 2 Natural or Physical Science and 6 additional courses.


Students with education impacting disabilitiesA student with a disability must meet the same

academic requirements (e.g., high school graduation, core course, test score) as all other students.

A student must graduate from high school no later than the high school graduation date of his/her ninth grade class.

If the student graduates in eight semesters, he/she may use up to three core course completed in the year after graduation (summer or academic year) to meet eligibility requirements.○ The student may complete the course at a location

other than the high school from which he/she graduated.


Students with education impacting disabilities A student with a disability may receive the following

accommodations:○ Use courses for students with disabilities that are

designated on the high school’s list of approved core courses.

○ Use approved core courses taken before the student enrolls in college (including courses taken the summer after high school graduation).

○ Take a nonstandard ACT/SAT on a date other than a national testing date.

Summary – EligibilityAll students planning to participate in Division I or II athletics as a freshman must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center.Students must receive both an academic AND amateurism certification.Division I: High school graduation, 16 core courses, core GPA/test score sliding scale.Division II: High school graduation, 14 core courses, 2.00 core GPA, 820 SAT or 68 ACTDivision III: Students are not certified by Eligibility Center.

NCAA Recruiting – Division III

Division III Recruiting

No limitations on the number of telephone calls beginning with PSA’s freshman year

No limitations on printed recruiting materials

Off-campus contact can occur after conclusion of the PSA’s junior year

Official visits can be made after the PSA’s first day of classes in senior year

NCAA Recruiting – Division II

Division II Recruiting

Rules are the same for all sportsRecruiting materials may be sent via regular or electronic mail beginning September 1 of PSA’s junior yearOff-campus contact can be made starting June 15 after PSA’s junior year (no more than 3 off-campus contacts per PSA)Telephone calls can be made once per week starting June 15 prior to PSA’s senior yearOfficial visits can be made after the PSA’s first day of classes in senior year

NCAA Recruiting – Division I

Division I RecruitingWhen, how often, and through what methods prospective student-athletes can be contacted depends on the sport

Prospective student-athletes (PSA) cannot be called, texted, or e-mailed until after their sophomore year in high schoolFor sports other than men’s basketball and

men’s and women’s ice hockey, phone calls cannot be placed until after the PSA’s junior year

Division I Recruiting

Campus VisitsUnofficial VisitsPSA receives no expenses (meals, travel,

lodging) from the universityNo limit on the number of unofficial visits

Official VisitsUniversity pays some or all of PSA’s expenses

relating to the visitPSA limited to one official visit per institution and

a total of 5 official visits to Division I schools

Talk to your counselor about classes

Establish good study habits

Attend sport camps

Start to think about classes and subjects you like

Work with your coach on continuous improvements

Student Athlete’sHigh School Four-Year PlanFreshman Year

Keep your grades up

Talk with your coach about ability and ambitions

Make preliminary inquiries about colleges that interest you

Take the PLAN Test

Start to visit schools while you are at tournaments

Student Athlete’sHigh School Four-Year PlanSophomore Year

Keep up your grades.

Talk with your coach about a realistic assessment of which college level you can play.

Take the PSAT and ACT.

Log on to the NCAA Eligibility Center.

Start looking at colleges. Think about what you want in a college.

Think about what you want to study.

Attend a “College Night”

Student Athlete’sHigh School Four-Year PlanJunior Year

Attend schools “College Night”.

Narrow your college choices down.

Visit Schools.

First semester – apply to colleges through the their Office of Admissions.

Take the ACT/SAT again if needed.

Make your list of extra-curricular activities.

Pay attention to deadlines.

January- File your FAFSA (Preferred deadline – March 1st).

Student Athlete’sHigh School Four-Year PlanSenior Year

Helpful Information

Eligibility Center website: www.ncaaeligibilitycenter.orgNCAA website: www.ncaa.orgGuide for the College-Bound

Student-Athlete (Spanish version is also available)

Transfer Guide for Divisions I/II/III

Contact Information

Ryan P. Downey – Assistant Director of AdmissionsPhone: (618) 650-2679E-mail: [email protected]

Katie Zingg – Lead Compliance SpecialistPhone: (618) 650-5475E-mail: [email protected]

Questions

D25 NCAA Eligibility Center and the Student-Athlete

Education

ncaa eligibility center

eligibility center code

academic certification

act division

certification status

years of english school

high school complete

years of natural