NCAA Guidelines for Prospective Student-Athletes

Division I, Division II

• Academic Eligibility: Students must meet specific core course, GPA, and standardized test score requirements set by the NCAA Eligibility Center.
• NCAA Eligibility Center Registration: All prospective Division I and II student-athletes must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center to be certified for competition.
• Core Courses:
  • Division I requires 16 approved core courses (including English, math, science, and social studies).
  • Division II also requires 16 core courses, though course distribution rules differ slightly.
• GPA and Test Scores:
  • Division I uses a sliding scale (higher GPA can balance a lower SAT/ACT score and vice versa).
  • Division II has minimum GPA and test score thresholds.
• Amateurism: Students must maintain amateur status, meaning they cannot accept pay for athletic performance or sign with professional teams before college enrollment.
• Transcript and Proof Submission: Students must submit official transcripts, proof of graduation, and test scores to the Eligibility Center.
• Timelines Matter: Students should begin the process early in high school to ensure all coursework and requirements are met on time.