NCAA Initial Eligibility and

NCAAInitial Eligibility

andClearinghouse Issues

Presented by Etienne ThomasSan Jose State University

Director of ComplianceCompiled and Produced by the NCAA Membership Services Staff

OVERVIEWFour parts of initial eligibility.Changes in initial-eligibility rules.How to assist students with the initial-eligibility process.Accommodations for students with disabilities.Recruiting.

Four Parts of Initial Eligibility

1. Graduation from high school.

2. Minimum core grade-point average.

3. Minimum ACT or SAT test score.

4. Completion of 13 core courses.

Core-Course Definition

An NCAA core course must meet the following:

1. Recognized academic course which qualifies for high-school graduation credit in one or a combination of: English, math, science, social studies, foreign language, computer science, nondoctrinal religion, philosophy;

Core-Course Definition

2. Course must be considered college preparatory for entrance into a four-year college;

3. Mathematics must be at the level of Algebra I or higher;

4. Course must be taught by a qualified instructor;

5. Course must be at or above regular academic level.

Use of Non-Traditional Courses

1. Course must meet definition of NCAA core course;

2. Instructor and student must have access to one another for teaching, evaluating,assisting;

3. Evaluation of work is conducted by appropriate academic authorities;

4. Course is acceptable for all students, and is placed on the high-school transcript.

Division I Core-Course Requirements--Current Rule

4 years of English2 years of math (at Algebra I or higher)2 years of science (one must be a lab)1 year of additional English, math or science2 years of social studies2 years of additional core-course units

Division I Initial-Eligibility Index Current Rule

This is an abbreviated version of the index. For the full index, see the NCAA Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete.

Core Grade-Point Average

SAT ACT(Sum of Scores)

2.500 820 68

2.300 900 75

2.100 970 82

2.000 1010 86

Important Changes in the Division IInitial-Eligibility Rule

Increase in core courses from 13 to 14.Change in the core grade-point average/test score index.

Division I Core-Course Requirements--New Rule

Division I has INCREASED minimum number of core courses.Increase from 13 to 14.Additional course may be in any area:– English, mathematics, natural/physical science,

social science, nondoctrinal religion, philosophy, computer science, or foreign language.

New Division I Initial-Eligibility Index This is an abbreviated version of the full scale. This shows the high

end, the low end and points in between.

Core Grade-Point Average

SAT ACT(Sum of Scores)

3.550 400 373.000 620 522.750 720 592.500 820 682.250 920 772.000 1010 86

Effective Dates of theNew Division I Rule

Students first entering a collegiate institution on or after August 1, 2003 may meet either the current rule or the new rule.Students first entering a collegiate institution on or after August 1, 2005 must meet the new rule only.

To View the New Rule…

Go to www.ncaa.orgGo to the Custom Home Pages pull-down menu.Select Prospect/Parent page.Follow prompts.

Division II Core-Course Requirements

3 years of English2 years of math (at Algebra I or higher)2 years of science (one must be a lab)2 years of additional English, math or

science2 years of social studies2 years of additional core-course units

Division II Core-Course Requirements--Proposed Rule

Division II has proposed an INCREASE in the minimum number of core courses.Increase from 13 to 14.Additional course may be in any area:– English, mathematics, natural/physical science, social

science, nondoctrinal religion, philosophy, computer science.If adopted, the increase takes effect for students first entering a collegiate institution on or after August 1, 2005.

Division II

Minimum820 SAT or 68 sum ACT

and2.00 core grade-point average

IMPORTANT!Computer Science is Being Eliminated!

Computer science courses cannot be used for initial-eligibility purposes.Eliminated for both Division I and Division II.Effective August 1, 2005, for those first entering college on or after August 1, 2005.

How to Assist Your Students

Grades 9-12Guide students in their course selection to: Meet high-school graduation requirements. Fully prepare students for a four-year college. Meet NCAA core-course requirements.

How to Assist Your Students

Junior year Take ACT or SAT test. Report test scores to the

clearinghouse. Use code 9999 when registering. That will automatically send scores to the

clearinghouse.

How to Assist Your Students

Junior year ACT or SAT test. Report scores to the NCAA Initial-Eligibility

Clearinghouse.

After junior year Register on line with the clearinghouse. Counselor sends six-semester transcript to the

clearinghouse.

Who Needs to Register with the Clearinghouse?

A student who plans to attend an NCAA Division I or II institution

andwho wishes to participate in

intercollegiate athletics.

Your Role in the Clearinghouse Process

Assist students with the on-line registration procedure at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net

Send the student’s preliminary transcript (with at least six semesters

represented) to the clearinghouse.

When Should Students Register?

Register on line at the conclusion of the junior year.

The clearinghouse will not process a transcript with fewer

than six semesters represented.

When Does a Student Receive a Preliminary Report?

The clearinghouse prioritizes incoming information by the following categories:

Students who are being actively recruited by an institution and are on an institutional request list;

Students with disabilities who have taken a nonstandard test or who have registered with NCAA disability services;

Students who request a report.

How to Assist Your Students

During the senior year Continue to monitor course selection.

After the senior year Counselor sends final transcript (with

proof of graduation) to the clearinghouse.

Transcript Accuracy is Vital!!

Once the clearinghouse receives a final transcript, a revised transcript will not be used.All transcript changes after graduation must be handled through the initial-eligibility waiver process.

Four Parts of Initial Eligibility

1. Graduation from high school.

2. Minimum core grade-point average.

3. Minimum ACT or SAT test score.

4. Completion of 13 core courses.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

Use of a nonstandard ACT and/or SAT test.Use of courses taken after high-school

graduation.Use of courses specifically designed

for students with disabilities.

Registering with NCAA Disability Services

No need to register unless:– In Division I only, student needs to use

courses taken after the eighth semester of high school and before initial full-time collegiate enrollment.

• Includes summer school courses after senior year.

To Register:

Send to the NCAA the following documents:– Professional diagnosis of disability;– Diagnostic test results used in diagnosing the

disability (usually included in the report of the professional diagnosis); and

– Copy of the student’s Individual Education Plan (IEP), Individual Transition Plan (ITP), 504 Plan or other statement of accommodations.

– Sent to: NCAA Membership Services, P.O. Box 6222, Indianapolis, Indiana 46206-6222.

RecruitingPrinted materials.– Generally, on/after September 1 beginning of junior year.

May vary by sport.Phone calls.– Division I

• Football: Once in May after junior year, then once weekly September 1 and after.

• Men’s Basketball: One call in March of junior year. One on/after June 21 after junior year. Three calls in July after junior year. Once weekly thereafter.

• Women’s Basketball: One call on/after June 21 after junior year. Three calls in July after junior year. Once weekly thereafter.

• Other sports: On/after July 1 after junior year.– Division II

• On/after June 15 after junior year.

Recruiting Visits

Unofficial Visit– Prospect pays all expenses.– Institution may provide 3 complimentary admissions

to an on-campus athletics event.– Prospect may take an unofficial visit at any time.– Prospect may take as many unofficial visits as

he/she wishes.

Recruiting Visits

Official visits– Institution finances all or part of the visit.– Maximum of 5 visits per prospect.– One visit per school.– Maximum 48 hours in length.– Academic requirements for visit:

• Division I: Test score and transcript.• Division II: Test score.

Recruiting

National Letter of Intent (NLI)– Binding one-year agreement.– Prospect must attend that institution for one year.– Institution must provide prospect with athletics

financial aid in conjunction with the NLI.– Athletic aid is for one year only, renewed on a year-

to year basis.

Review

Four parts to initial eligibility.Changes in initial-eligibility rules.How to assist your students through the process.Students with disabilities.Recruiting.Telephone numbers.

Important Telephone Numbers

Clearinghouse Customer Service– 877/262-1492

Clearinghouse 24-Hour Automated Line– 877/861-3003

Clearinghouse Fax– 319/337-1556

NCAA National Office– 317/917-6222

NCAA Fax– 317/917-6622

NCAA Hotline– 800/638-3731

Questions?

NAIA

For additional information please reference the NAIA website at www.naia.org.