NCAA Initial-Eligibility Requirements

NCAA Initial-Eligibility NCAA Initial-Eligibility RequirementsRequirements

Kevin FiteKevin Fite

Associate Athletics Director for ComplianceAssociate Athletics Director for Compliance

Oklahoma State UniversityOklahoma State University

Purpose of this sessionPurpose of this session

Review existing NCAA Initial-Eligibility Review existing NCAA Initial-Eligibility Requirements at the Division I and II levelRequirements at the Division I and II level

Introduce new requirements that will be Introduce new requirements that will be implemented in 2013 and 2015implemented in 2013 and 2015

Discuss registration process with the NCAA Discuss registration process with the NCAA Eligibility CenterEligibility Center

Review Stillwater High School Core CoursesReview Stillwater High School Core Courses

Briefly review basic NCAA recruiting legislationBriefly review basic NCAA recruiting legislation

NCAA Initial-Eligibility RequirementsNCAA Initial-Eligibility RequirementsGeneral OverviewGeneral Overview

NCAA Initial-Eligibility rules impact a student-athlete’s NCAA Initial-Eligibility rules impact a student-athlete’s ability to practice, compete and receive an athletics ability to practice, compete and receive an athletics scholarship during the freshman year of collegiate scholarship during the freshman year of collegiate enrollment at DI and DII schools.enrollment at DI and DII schools.

Determination of initial-eligibility is based upon high Determination of initial-eligibility is based upon high school performance in the classroom and performance school performance in the classroom and performance on standardized test scores (i.e., ACT or SAT).on standardized test scores (i.e., ACT or SAT).

NCAA Division I requires 16 core courses in high school. NCAA Division I requires 16 core courses in high school.

NCAA Division II currently requires 14 core courses in NCAA Division II currently requires 14 core courses in high schoolhigh school. .

Student must graduate from high school.Student must graduate from high school.

NCAA Initial-Eligibility RequirementsNCAA Initial-Eligibility RequirementsGeneral OverviewGeneral Overview

Division I uses a sliding scale to match test scores and core grade-Division I uses a sliding scale to match test scores and core grade-point averages (GPA) from high school to determine eligibility point averages (GPA) from high school to determine eligibility status. status.

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

Division II requires a minimum core grade-point average Division II requires a minimum core grade-point average requirement of a 2.00.requirement of a 2.00.

The SAT score used for NCAA purposes includes onlyThe SAT score used for NCAA purposes includes only the critical the critical

reading and math sections. The writing section of the SAT is not reading and math sections. The writing section of the SAT is not utilized to determine initial-eligibility.utilized to determine initial-eligibility.

The ACT score used for NCAA purposes is a sumThe ACT score used for NCAA purposes is a sum of the following of the following

four sections: English, Mathematics, Reading and Science. four sections: English, Mathematics, Reading and Science.

NCAA Division I NCAA Division I Core Course RequirementsCore Course Requirements

Requires a total of 16 core coursesRequires a total of 16 core courses

4 years of English4 years of English 3 years of mathematics (Algebra I or higher) 3 years of mathematics (Algebra I or higher) 2 years of natural/physical science (1 year of lab if offered by 2 years of natural/physical science (1 year of lab if offered by

high school). high school). 1 year of additional English, mathematics or natural/physical 1 year of additional English, mathematics or natural/physical

science. science. 2 years of social science. 2 years of social science. 4 years of additional courses (from any area above, foreign 4 years of additional courses (from any area above, foreign

language or comparative religion/philosophy). language or comparative religion/philosophy).

NCAA Division II NCAA Division II Core Course RequirementsCore Course Requirements

Requires a total of 14 core coursesRequires a total of 14 core courses

3 years of English3 years of English 2 years of mathematics (Algebra I or higher) 2 years of mathematics (Algebra I or higher) 2 years of natural/physical science (1 year of lab if offered by 2 years of natural/physical science (1 year of lab if offered by

high school). high school). 2 year of additional English, mathematics or natural/physical 2 year of additional English, mathematics or natural/physical

science. science. 2 years of social science. 2 years of social science. 3 years of additional courses (from any area above, foreign 3 years of additional courses (from any area above, foreign

language or comparative religion/philosophy). language or comparative religion/philosophy).

Please note D II will increase to 16 core course in Please note D II will increase to 16 core course in 20132013

NCAA Initial-Eligibility RequirementsNCAA Initial-Eligibility RequirementsAdditional InformationAdditional Information

Core Course requirements must be completed no later than the high Core Course requirements must be completed no later than the high school graduation date for the student’s class.school graduation date for the student’s class.

Exception #1: One core course can completed within a year of high Exception #1: One core course can completed within a year of high school graduation but prior to full-time collegiate enrollment (provided school graduation but prior to full-time collegiate enrollment (provided the student graduated with his/her class).the student graduated with his/her class).

Exception #2: Students with education-impacting disabilities may use Exception #2: Students with education-impacting disabilities may use up to three core courses after graduation (provided the student up to three core courses after graduation (provided the student graduated with his/her class) to meet the core-course requirements.graduated with his/her class) to meet the core-course requirements.

College courses may be used to satisfy core-course requirements if College courses may be used to satisfy core-course requirements if accepted by the high school, provided the courses are accepted for any accepted by the high school, provided the courses are accepted for any other student, meet all other requirements for core courses and are other student, meet all other requirements for core courses and are placed on the student’s high school transcript.placed on the student’s high school transcript.

Coursework taken prior to ninth grade may be used as a core course if Coursework taken prior to ninth grade may be used as a core course if the course appears on the high school transcript; is listed with course the course appears on the high school transcript; is listed with course title, grade and credit; is high school level coursework and is on the high title, grade and credit; is high school level coursework and is on the high school’s list of NCAA core courses.school’s list of NCAA core courses.

NCAA Initial-Eligibility RequirementsNCAA Initial-Eligibility RequirementsNon-traditional and Repeat CoursesNon-traditional and Repeat Courses Non-traditional courses (i.e., internet, distance learning, Non-traditional courses (i.e., internet, distance learning,

independent study, individualized instruction) may be used as a independent study, individualized instruction) may be used as a core course as long as they meet a criteria established by the core course as long as they meet a criteria established by the NCAA that includes meeting core requirements, interaction and NCAA that includes meeting core requirements, interaction and instruction between the student and the teacher a defined time instruction between the student and the teacher a defined time period for completion and other requirements.period for completion and other requirements.

A repeated core course may be used to satisfy the requirements A repeated core course may be used to satisfy the requirements with the best grade in the course being utilized to calculate the with the best grade in the course being utilized to calculate the core GPA.core GPA.

Any repeat of a core course will require repeating the entire Any repeat of a core course will require repeating the entire course/semester in order for the course to be used to meet course/semester in order for the course to be used to meet NCAA requirements.NCAA requirements.

Any repeated course, especially those in non-traditional courses, Any repeated course, especially those in non-traditional courses, will likely be reviewed by the NCAA Eligibility Center for course will likely be reviewed by the NCAA Eligibility Center for course content and evaluation of the student’s completed work.content and evaluation of the student’s completed work.

NCAA Initial-Eligibility RequirementsNCAA Initial-Eligibility RequirementsACT/SAT ScoresACT/SAT Scores

The minimum required SAT or ACT score must be achieved on The minimum required SAT or ACT score must be achieved on a national testing date under national testing conditions, a national testing date under national testing conditions, except that a state-administered ACT may be used.except that a state-administered ACT may be used.

The minimum required test score must be achieved prior to The minimum required test score must be achieved prior to initial full-time enrollment during a regular term at any initial full-time enrollment during a regular term at any collegiate institution.collegiate institution.

The highest subsets of scores from either test taken on The highest subsets of scores from either test taken on different testing dates may be combined to meet the different testing dates may be combined to meet the minimum test requirement for that particular test. Subsets of minimum test requirement for that particular test. Subsets of ACT and SAT results cannot be combined however.ACT and SAT results cannot be combined however.

Students with education-impacting disabilities may use test Students with education-impacting disabilities may use test scores achieved during a nonstandard administration of the scores achieved during a nonstandard administration of the SAT or ACT. A student who takes a nonstandard SAT or ACT SAT or ACT. A student who takes a nonstandard SAT or ACT still must achieve the minimum required score but the test is still must achieve the minimum required score but the test is not required to be administered on a national testing date.not required to be administered on a national testing date.

NCAA Initial-Eligibility RequirementsNCAA Initial-Eligibility RequirementsNew Rules for DINew Rules for DI

Division I initial-eligibility rules will change for students that Division I initial-eligibility rules will change for students that first enroll as a full-time college student after August 1, first enroll as a full-time college student after August 1, 2015 (which will impact this year’s freshman class).2015 (which will impact this year’s freshman class).

Division I will require 10 core classes to be completed Division I will require 10 core classes to be completed priorprior to the seventh semester (first semester of senior year of to the seventh semester (first semester of senior year of high school). These courses may not be repeated during high school). These courses may not be repeated during senior year and must be used to certify final status.senior year and must be used to certify final status.

Of these 10 core courses completed prior to seventh Of these 10 core courses completed prior to seventh

semester, seven must be from a combination of English, semester, seven must be from a combination of English, Math or Natural or Physical Science. Math or Natural or Physical Science.

Students that fail to meet this requirement (10 & 7) may be Students that fail to meet this requirement (10 & 7) may be able to receive athletics aid and practice during first year of able to receive athletics aid and practice during first year of collegiate enrollment but would not be eligible to compete. collegiate enrollment but would not be eligible to compete.

NCAA Initial-Eligibility RequirementsNCAA Initial-Eligibility RequirementsNew Rules for DINew Rules for DI

After 8/1/15, the minimum core GPA requirement to After 8/1/15, the minimum core GPA requirement to receive receive athletics aid and practice athletics aid and practice during the first year will be 2.00 with during the first year will be 2.00 with a corresponding test based upon GPA (for example: a corresponding test based upon GPA (for example: 2.00=1020 SAT or 86 ACT; 2.275=910 SAT or 76 ACT).2.00=1020 SAT or 86 ACT; 2.275=910 SAT or 76 ACT).

After 8/1/15, the minimum core GPA requirement to After 8/1/15, the minimum core GPA requirement to competecompete during the first year will be 2.30 with a corresponding test during the first year will be 2.30 with a corresponding test based upon GPA (for example: 2.30=1080 SAT or 93 ACT; based upon GPA (for example: 2.30=1080 SAT or 93 ACT; 2.50=1000 SAT or 85 ACT; 3.00=800 SAT or 66 ACT).2.50=1000 SAT or 85 ACT; 3.00=800 SAT or 66 ACT).

The NCAA core GPA is calculated using the best 16 grades for The NCAA core GPA is calculated using the best 16 grades for NCAA core courses that meet the course distribution NCAA core courses that meet the course distribution requirements. The core GPA may be calculated using requirements. The core GPA may be calculated using additional courses that meet the distribution requirements but additional courses that meet the distribution requirements but are not utilized in meeting the 16 core units requirement.are not utilized in meeting the 16 core units requirement.

NCAA Division II NCAA Division II New Core Course requirementsNew Core Course requirements

Effective August 1, 2013 DII will require a total of 16 core coursesEffective August 1, 2013 DII will require a total of 16 core courses

3 years of English3 years of English 2 years of mathematics (Algebra I or higher) 2 years of mathematics (Algebra I or higher) 2 years of natural/physical science (1 year of lab if offered by high 2 years of natural/physical science (1 year of lab if offered by high

school). school). 33 year of additional English, mathematics or natural/physical year of additional English, mathematics or natural/physical

science. science. 2 years of social science. 2 years of social science. 44 years of additional courses (from any area above, foreign years of additional courses (from any area above, foreign

language or comparative religion/philosophy). language or comparative religion/philosophy).

Please note this change will impact student-athletes with Please note this change will impact student-athletes with initial full-time collegiate enrollment after 8/1/2013initial full-time collegiate enrollment after 8/1/2013

NCAA Eligibility Center NCAA Eligibility Center Registration ProcessRegistration Process

NCAA Eligibility Center certifies the Initial-Eligibility (academic) NCAA Eligibility Center certifies the Initial-Eligibility (academic) status for all freshman student-athletes at the Division I & II level.status for all freshman student-athletes at the Division I & II level.

A two-year college transfer that wants to compete at the DI or DII A two-year college transfer that wants to compete at the DI or DII level without graduating from the JC will also have to be certified level without graduating from the JC will also have to be certified as a qualifier by the NCAA Eligibility Center.as a qualifier by the NCAA Eligibility Center.

The amateur standing of every student-athlete at the DI & DII is The amateur standing of every student-athlete at the DI & DII is also certified by the NCAA Eligibility Center.also certified by the NCAA Eligibility Center.

Prospective student-athletes can begin the registration process Prospective student-athletes can begin the registration process through the Eligibility Center web-site at through the Eligibility Center web-site at www.eligibilitycenter.org..

Registration includes a $65 fee (Waiver of this fee is possible).Registration includes a $65 fee (Waiver of this fee is possible).

NCAA Eligibility Center registration must be completed before a NCAA Eligibility Center registration must be completed before a prospect can take an official paid visit to a Division I campus.prospect can take an official paid visit to a Division I campus.

NCAA Eligibility Center NCAA Eligibility Center Registration ProcessRegistration Process

Official high school transcripts must be submitted to the Official high school transcripts must be submitted to the Eligibility Center directly from the high school.Eligibility Center directly from the high school.

Recommend to send an official transcript at the end of junior Recommend to send an official transcript at the end of junior year and upon graduation from high school (final transcript year and upon graduation from high school (final transcript documenting graduation).documenting graduation).

SAT and ACT test scores must be sent directly from testing SAT and ACT test scores must be sent directly from testing agency to the Eligibility Center. Test scores that appear on high agency to the Eligibility Center. Test scores that appear on high school transcript cannot be used by Eligibility Center to school transcript cannot be used by Eligibility Center to determine Initial-Eligibility status.determine Initial-Eligibility status.

NCAA Eligibility Center’s code with testing agencies is “9999”.NCAA Eligibility Center’s code with testing agencies is “9999”.

Upon registering the student will receive NCAA Eligibility Center Upon registering the student will receive NCAA Eligibility Center log-in information and an NCAA ID Number. It is important to log-in information and an NCAA ID Number. It is important to retain this information even after you have enrolled at any retain this information even after you have enrolled at any collegiate institution.collegiate institution.

NCAA Eligibility Center NCAA Eligibility Center Registration ProcessRegistration Process

NCAA Eligibility Center registration must be completed before a NCAA Eligibility Center registration must be completed before a prospect can take an official paid visit to a Division I campus.prospect can take an official paid visit to a Division I campus.

Completion of the preliminary amateurism questionnaire is Completion of the preliminary amateurism questionnaire is required by the prospect prior to a Division I institution providing required by the prospect prior to a Division I institution providing a National Letter of Intent or a Statement of Financial Aid.a National Letter of Intent or a Statement of Financial Aid.

After April 1 of the prospect’s senior year of high school the After April 1 of the prospect’s senior year of high school the student will need to request Final Amateurism Certification in student will need to request Final Amateurism Certification in order to be certified as an amateur in their chosen sport. order to be certified as an amateur in their chosen sport.

Students participating in multiple sports must be certified as an Students participating in multiple sports must be certified as an amateur in each of the sports (Note: track and cross country are amateur in each of the sports (Note: track and cross country are separate sports).separate sports).

As NCAA recruiting legislation is changed it may become more As NCAA recruiting legislation is changed it may become more important to register earlier with the NCAA Eligibility Center.important to register earlier with the NCAA Eligibility Center.

Stillwater High School Stillwater High School Core CoursesCore Courses

SHS offers approximately 130 core courses. Approximately 14 SHS offers approximately 130 core courses. Approximately 14 of these courses are Advanced Placement courses.of these courses are Advanced Placement courses.

Core courses are offered in the following categories:Core courses are offered in the following categories:

English- 38 core coursesEnglish- 38 core courses

Math- 16 core coursesMath- 16 core courses

Natural/Physical Sciences- 26 core coursesNatural/Physical Sciences- 26 core courses

Social Sciences- 30 core coursesSocial Sciences- 30 core courses

Additional (foreign language)- 21 core coursesAdditional (foreign language)- 21 core courses

Basic NCAA Recruiting RulesBasic NCAA Recruiting RulesDefinitionsDefinitions

EvaluationEvaluation- An off-campus activity designed to assess the academic - An off-campus activity designed to assess the academic qualifications or athletics ability of a prospect.qualifications or athletics ability of a prospect.

ContactContact- An off-campus face-to-face encounter with a prospect, his/her - An off-campus face-to-face encounter with a prospect, his/her parents, relatives, or legal guardian(s) with an athletics parents, relatives, or legal guardian(s) with an athletics representative in which dialogue occurs in excess of an exchange of representative in which dialogue occurs in excess of an exchange of a greeting.a greeting.

Prospective student-athleteProspective student-athlete- A student who has started classes for the - A student who has started classes for the ninth grade (seventh grade for men’s basketball) or a student that ninth grade (seventh grade for men’s basketball) or a student that is younger but has been provided a benefit that triggers is younger but has been provided a benefit that triggers recruitment.recruitment.

Printed recruiting materialsPrinted recruiting materials- Correspondence designed to solicit the - Correspondence designed to solicit the prospect’s participation in intercollegiate athletics at the institution.prospect’s participation in intercollegiate athletics at the institution.

Official VisitOfficial Visit- A visit to the institution’s campus by the prospect in - A visit to the institution’s campus by the prospect in which any portion of the visit expense is paid by the institution.which any portion of the visit expense is paid by the institution.

Unofficial VisitUnofficial Visit- A visit to the institution’s campus by the prospect in - A visit to the institution’s campus by the prospect in which all of the expenses are paid by the prospect and his/her which all of the expenses are paid by the prospect and his/her family.family.

Basic NCAA Recruiting RulesBasic NCAA Recruiting RulesTimeline: First Permissible Dates-DITimeline: First Permissible Dates-DI

Sending recruiting materials and correspondence: Sending recruiting materials and correspondence: September 1 September 1 of the prospect’s junior year in high school, except in men’s of the prospect’s junior year in high school, except in men’s basketball and ice hockey (June 15 after sophomore year in high basketball and ice hockey (June 15 after sophomore year in high school).school).

Placing a telephone call to prospect or prospect’s family:Placing a telephone call to prospect or prospect’s family: July 1 July 1 following the prospect’s junior year in high school, except in following the prospect’s junior year in high school, except in men’s basketball (June 15 after sophomore year in high school –men’s basketball (June 15 after sophomore year in high school –effective 6/15/12) and football (one call between April 15 and effective 6/15/12) and football (one call between April 15 and May 31 of junior year and no further calls until September 1 of May 31 of junior year and no further calls until September 1 of senior year in high school). Usually limited to one call per week.senior year in high school). Usually limited to one call per week.

Having contact with a prospect & his/her family:Having contact with a prospect & his/her family: July 1 after July 1 after junior year in high school, except men’s basketball (start of junior year in high school, except men’s basketball (start of junior year in high school-must take place at school-effective junior year in high school-must take place at school-effective 8/1/12) and football (approximately December 1 of senior year of 8/1/12) and football (approximately December 1 of senior year of high school).high school).

Providing official visit to a prospect:Providing official visit to a prospect: First day of classes of First day of classes of prospect’s senior year of high school, except in men’s basketball prospect’s senior year of high school, except in men’s basketball (January 1 of junior year in high school-effective 8/1/12).(January 1 of junior year in high school-effective 8/1/12).

Basic NCAA Recruiting RulesBasic NCAA Recruiting RulesOther limitations-DIOther limitations-DI

Unofficial visits:Unofficial visits: There is no limit on the number of unofficial visits There is no limit on the number of unofficial visits taken by a prospect (institutional or total) and a prospect may begin taken by a prospect (institutional or total) and a prospect may begin taking them at any point. However, recruiting dead periods may taking them at any point. However, recruiting dead periods may prevent them at certain times of the year.prevent them at certain times of the year.

Official visit limits:Official visit limits: A prospect may receive only five official visits A prospect may receive only five official visits and only one official visit per institution.and only one official visit per institution.

Permissible Official Visit Expenses:Permissible Official Visit Expenses: An institution may provide An institution may provide transportation to and from campus, lodging, meals and limited transportation to and from campus, lodging, meals and limited entertainment to the prospect on an official visit. Parents or legal entertainment to the prospect on an official visit. Parents or legal guardians may receive meals, lodging and complimentary guardians may receive meals, lodging and complimentary admissions to home athletic contests during a prospect’s official admissions to home athletic contests during a prospect’s official visit.visit.

Complimentary admissions to home contests:Complimentary admissions to home contests: A prospect may A prospect may receive a maximum of three complimentary admissions to a home receive a maximum of three complimentary admissions to a home contest at any point during an official of unofficial visit. contest at any point during an official of unofficial visit.

Financial Aid with an Athletic Component:Financial Aid with an Athletic Component: Certain types of outside Certain types of outside and institutional scholarships may contact against athletic team and institutional scholarships may contact against athletic team limits.limits.

Basic NCAA Recruiting RulesBasic NCAA Recruiting RulesTimeline: First Permissible Dates-Division IITimeline: First Permissible Dates-Division II

Sending recruiting materials and correspondence: Sending recruiting materials and correspondence: June 15 June 15 following the prospect’s sophomore year in high school.following the prospect’s sophomore year in high school.

Placing a telephone call to prospect or prospect’s family:Placing a telephone call to prospect or prospect’s family: June 15 June 15 following the prospect’s junior year in high school (effective following the prospect’s junior year in high school (effective 6/15/12).6/15/12).

Having off-campus contact with a prospect & his/her family:Having off-campus contact with a prospect & his/her family: June June 15 after prospect’s junior year in high school (effective 6/15/12).15 after prospect’s junior year in high school (effective 6/15/12).

Providing official visit to a prospect:Providing official visit to a prospect: First day of classes of First day of classes of prospect’s senior year of high school.prospect’s senior year of high school.

Thank YouThank You

Go Pioneers!Go Pioneers!