Contents
The NCAA and NCAA Eligibility Center 2 Contact Information 2 Welcome from the Eligibility Center 3 Your Eligibility and You 4 Division I 4 Division II 5 Division III 5 Core Courses, GPA, Tests, Special Conditions 6 Your Amateurism and You 9 Division I Worksheet 12 Division II Worksheet 13 Steps to Achieving Your Eligibility 14 Eligibility Center Registration 15 Fee-Waiver Eligibility 16 Athletically Related Financial Aid 17 Recruiting Regulations 18 List of NCAA-Sponsored Sports 21
NCAA, NCAA logo and NATIONAL COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION are registered marks of the Association and use in any manner is prohibited unless prior approval is obtained from the Association.
The NCAA does not discriminate against any person regardless of race, color, national origin, education-impacting disability, gender, religion, creed, sexual orientation or age with respect to its governance policies, educational programs, activities and employment policies.
NOTICE The information contained in this publication is provided as a service to prospective student-athletes and does not constitute binding advice on compliance with NCAA rules and bylaws. We try to provide quality information, but because this document is provided in an updated electronic form online that is subject to change as needed, we make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in this publication. For more information, see eligibilitycenter.org.
How to Use this Guide... The •
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High athletics Parents High Guide school school and addresses at an legal students counselors NCAA guardians; issues college who and for hope athletics or and
three university;
to important participate administrators.
groups in college
of readers:
What is the NCAA? The NCAA, or National Collegiate Athletic Association, was established for more than in 1,300 1906 and colleges, serves universities, as the athletics conferences governing and
body
organizations. The national office is in Indianapolis, but the member colleges and universities develop the rules and guidelines for three athletics NCAA eligibility divisions. and The athletics NCAA is committed competition to for the each student- of the
athlete and to governing competition in a fair, safe, inclusive and sportsmanlike manner. The •
•
•
NCAA membership includes: 335 active Division I members; 288 432 active active Division Division II III members; members.
and
One and universities of the differences in Divisions among I and the II three may offer divisions athletics is that scholarships,
colleges
while Division III colleges and universities may not.
What is the NCAA Eligibility Center? The NCAA Eligibility Center will certify the academic and amateur credentials of all college-bound student-athletes who wish to compete in NCAA Division I or II athletics.
To assist with this process, the Eligibility Center staff is eager to foster a cooperative environment of education and partnership with student-athletes. high schools, Ultimately, high school the coaches individual and student-athlete college-bound
is responsible for achieving and protecting his or her eligibility status.
How to find answers to your questions The answers to most questions can be found in this guide or by:
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Accessing the Eligibility Center's resource page on its Web site at www.eligibilitycenter.org, clicking on “Resources” and then selecting the type of student you are. You can then navigate
•
through Contacting the the resources Eligibility to Center find helpful at the information.
phone number on this page.
In addition, if you are sending transcripts or additional information to contact the Eligibility information.
Center or have questions, please use the following
Eligibility Center Contact Information
NCAA Certification P.O. Indianapolis, Box Eligibility 7136
Processing
IN 46207-7136
Center:
Package Certification 1802 Indianapolis, Alonzo or overnight Processing Watford IN 46202
Sr. delivery: Drive
Web www.eligibilitycenter.org
address:
Eligibility Center customer service: U.S. callers (toll free): 877/262-1492 International callers: 317/223-0700 Fax: 317/968-5100
When to call the NCAA Please •
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•
•
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contact the NCAA when you have questions such as these: What are the rules and regulations related to initial eligibility? What are the rules and regulations related to amateurism? What another?
are the regulations about transferring from one college to
What are the rules about athletics scholarships and how can they be reduced or canceled? I requirements have an education-impacting for me?
disability. Are there any other
NCAA P.O. Box 6222 Indianapolis, IN 46206-6222 317/917-6222 (customer service hours: Monday – Friday, noon – 4 p.m. Eastern time)
4 COLLEGE-BOUND STUDENT-ATHLETE
The NCAA and NCAA Eligibility Center
Dear College-Bound Student-Athlete:
This Guide has been designed to help you, your family and your high school administrators understand the NCAA initial-eligibility process and to prepare you for transitioning from high school to becoming an NCAA Division I or II student-athlete.
With more than 1,000 colleges and universities across three divisions, NCAA schools offer a variety of academic and athletics programs to meet your needs. From the smallest college towns to the largest metropolitan cities, NCAA member schools provide the opportunity for education and growth in dynamic learning environments. With so many choices available, it is never too early to start doing your homework. Work closely with your high school counselors, talk to college admissions officers, listen to your parents and mentors, and then choose wisely. You will be glad you did.
Your participation as a student-athlete will complement your academic education while teaching you life skills not available in the classroom. Growing as a person, both on and off the field, and getting your degree should be your top priority. This new phase of your life can be a wonderful experience if you work hard and prepare for it.
As the “front porch” of the NCAA and the first stop on your way to becoming an NCAA student- athlete, the NCAA Eligibility Center continually strives to make your registration and certification experience positive and beneficial. We are here to help you. So, do not hesitate to contact us if you need anything.
The NCAA Eligibility Center
COLLEGE-BOUND STUDENT-ATHLETE 5
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 3.450 440 41 3.425 450 41 3.400 460 42 3.375 470 42 3.350 480 43 3.325 490 44 3.300 500 44 3.275 510 45 3.250 520 46 3.225 530 46 3.200 540 47 3.175 550 47 3.150 560 48 3.125 570 49 3.100 580 49 3.075 590 50 3.050 600 50 3.025 610 51 3.000 620 52 2.975 630 52 2.950 640 53 2.925 650 53 2.900 660 54 2.875 670 55 2.850 680 56 2.825 690 56 2.800 700 57 2.775 710 58 2.750 720 59 2.725 730 59 2.700 730 60 2.675 740-750 61 2.650 760 62 2.625 770 63 2.600 780 64 2.575 790 65 2.550 800 66 2.525 810 67 2.500 820 68 2.475 830 69 2.450 840-850 70 2.425 860 70 2.400 860 71 2.375 870 72 2.350 880 73 2.325 890 74 2.300 900 75 2.275 910 76 2.250 920 77 2.225 930 78 2.200 940 79 2.175 950 80 2.150 960 80 2.125 960 81 2.100 970 82 2.075 980 83 2.050 990 84 2.025 1000 85 2.000 1010 86
6 COLLEGE-BOUND STUDENT-ATHLETE
Your Eligibility and You
Division I
Remember Meeting the NCAA academic requirements does not guarantee for college your admission.
admission into a college. You must apply
Academic-Eligibility Requirements
If scholarship •
•
you want to during participate your first in athletics year, you or must:
receive an athletics
Graduate from high school; Complete these 16 core courses: - - 4 3 years years of of English
math (Algebra 1 or higher) - 2 years of natural or physical science (including one year of lab
science if offered by your high school) - - 1 2 extra years year of social of English, science
math, or natural or physical science
- 4 years of extra core courses (from any category above, or
•
•
Earn courses; Earn core-course foreign a a language, nondoctrinal religion or philosophy);
minimum and
required grade-point average in your core
combined SAT or ACT sum score that matches your
grade-point average and test score sliding scale (for example, SAT).
a 2.400 core-course grade-point average needs an 860
Requirement You must complete to graduate the 16 core-course with your high requirement school class
in eight semesters, which begins when you initially started high school with your ninth-grade class. If you graduate from high school in eight completed semesters within with one your year class, after you graduation may use (summer one core-course or academic unit
year) to meet NCAA Division I initial-eligibility requirements.
You high may school complete from which the core you course graduated at a location and may other initially than enroll the
full time at a collegiate institution at any time after completion of the core course.
Division I Qualifier Being •
•
•
a qualifier enables you to: Practice or compete for your college first year of college; Receive and an athletics scholarship during Play four seasons in your sport if you from year to year.
or university during your
your first year of college;
maintain your eligibility
Division I Nonqualifier As •
•
Practice first Receive although a nonqualifier, year an or of you compete athletics college; may you receive or
will scholarship for your not need-based be college able during to:
or financial university your first aid.
year during of college,
your
You may be able to play only three seasons in your sport if you maintain your eligibility from year to year. To earn a fourth season you must complete at least 80 percent of your degree requirements before beginning your fifth year of college.
Division II
2010 - July 31, 2013 If you enroll in a Division II college and want to participate in athletics or receive an athletics scholarship during your first year, you •
•
Graduate Complete - 3 must:
years of from these English
high 14 core school;
courses:
- 2 years of math (Algebra 1 or higher) - 2 years of natural or physical science (including one year of lab
science if offered by your high school) - 2 additional years of English, math, or natural or physical science - 2 years of social science - 3 years of extra core courses (from any category above, or
•
•
Earn and Earn foreign a a language, nondoctrinal religion or philosophy);
2.000 grade-point average or better in your core courses;
combined SAT score of 820 or an ACT sum score of 68. For individuals enrolling at a college or university in Puerto Rico, earn a combined Prueba de Aptitud Academica score of 730.
August 1, 2013, and After If you enroll in a Division II college on or after August 1, 2013, and want to participate in athletics or receive an athletics scholarship during •
•
Graduate Complete - 3 years your of from first these English
year, high 16 core you school;
must:
courses:
- 2 years of math (Algebra 1 or higher) - 2 years of natural or physical science (including one year of lab
science if offered by your high school) - 3 additional years of English, math, or natural or physical
science - 2 years of social science
Division III - 4 years of additional core courses (from any category above, or
•
•
Earn and Earn foreign a a language, nondoctrinal religion or philosophy);
2.000 grade-point average or better in your core courses;
combined SAT score of 820 or an ACT sum score of 68. For individuals enrolling at a college or university in Puerto Rico, earn a combined Prueba de Aptitud Academica score of 730.
Division II Qualifier Being •
•
•
a qualifier enables you to: Practice or compete for your college first year of college; Receive an athletics scholarship during and Play four seasons in your sport if you from year to year.
or university during your
your first year of college;
maintain your eligibility
Division II Partial Qualifier You will be considered a partial qualifier if you do not meet all of the academic requirements listed above, but you have graduated from •
•
The Completion grade-point high combined school of average.
the SAT and 14 score meet core of one courses 820 of or the ACT with following:
sum a 2.000 score core-course
of 68; or
As •
•
•
•
a partial qualifier, you: Can practice with your team at its home facility during your year of college; Can receive an athletics scholarship during your first year of college; Cannot compete during your first year of college; and Can play four seasons in your sport if you maintain your eligibility from year to year.
first
Division II Nonqualifier You will be considered a nonqualifier if you did not graduate from high school, or, if you graduated and are missing both the core-course grade-point average or minimum number of core courses and the required ACT or SAT scores. As •
•
•
a nonqualifier, you: Cannot practice or compete for your your first year of college; Cannot receive an athletics scholarship college, although you may receive need-based Can play four seasons in your sport if from year to year.
college or university during
during your first year of
financial aid; and you maintain your eligibility
Division III colleges and universities develop student-athlete potential through a holistic educational approach that includes rigorous academics, competitive athletics and opportunity to pursue many interests and passions. Student-athletes are responsible for their own paths and are provided with many opportunities to develop within a comprehensive educational experience. Division III minimizes the conflicts between athletics and academics through shorter playing and practicing seasons, a lower number of contests, no redshirting or out-of-season organized activities, and a focus on regional in-season and conference play.
Division III college-bound student-athletes are not certified by the Eligibility Center because Division III colleges and universities each set their own admissions standards and there are no initial- eligibility requirements in the division. College-bound student- athletes should contact their Division III college or university regarding policies on admission, financial aid and athletics eligibility.
COLLEGE-BOUND STUDENT-ATHLETE 7
Core Courses, Grade-Point Average, Tests and Special Conditions
What Is A Core Course?
A •
Be core an course academic must:
course in one or a combination of these areas: English, mathematics, natural/physical science, social science,
•
•
foreign Be Be four-year at or language, above college your nondoctrinal high preparatory;
school’s religion regular or academic philosophy;
level (no
•
remedial, Be completed special not education later than or the compensatory high school graduation courses); and
date of your class [as determined by the first year of enrollment in high school (ninth grade) or the international equivalent].
Not all classes you take to meet high school graduation requirements may be used as core courses. Courses completed through credit-by-exam will not be used.
Check your high school’s list of NCAA courses located on the Resources page of the Eligibility Center Web site at www.eligibilitycenter.org or ask your high school counselor.
Keep Track Of Your Courses, Units and Credits By logging onto www.eligibilitycenter.org and clicking the “Resources” tab, then “U.S. Students” and “Are You on Track?” you will find the Divisions I and II worksheets, which will help you keep track of your completed core courses, units, grades and credits you received for them, plus your ongoing core-course grade-point average. Generally, you will receive the same credit from the Eligibility Center as you received from your high school. Examples are provided in the English and math sections of both worksheets:
1 trimester unit = 0.34 units 1 semester unit = 0.50 units 1 year = 1.0 unit
Nontraditional Courses
What are Nontraditional Courses? Nontraditional courses are those taught through the Internet (online or virtual), distance learning, independent study, individualized instruction, correspondence, computer software programs or other similar means.
There are many types of nontraditional educational programs available to high school students. When considering an online, distance learning, correspondence or even a credit recovery program, there are several things to consider. However, the following themes should be kept in mind:
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There is no substitute for working hard and staying on course academically.
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NCAA rules require that all core courses are academic, four- year college preparatory courses. Also, courses that are taught through distance learning, online, credit recovery, etc. need to be comparable in length, content and rigor to courses taught in a
•
traditional All courses classroom must include setting.
ongoing access between the instructor and student, as well as regular interaction for purposes of teaching, evaluating and providing assistance. This may include, for example, exchanging of e-mails between the student and teacher, feedback on assignments, and the opportunity for the
•
teacher Any course to engage taken must the student have a defined in individual time instruction.
period for completion. For example, it should be clear whether the course is meant to be taken for an entire semester or during a more
•
condensed Nontraditional time courses frame, should such as be six clearly weeks, identified etc.
as such on the high school transcript.
A Note on Credit Recovery Courses Many high schools offer credit recovery or credit retrieval programs for students to receive credit or new grades for courses that they took previously or to take courses for the first time to get ahead or catch up. If your high school offers credit recovery, students need to •
The make school sure the must following follow its conditions credit recovery are met:
policies, whether the student is an athlete or not. The Eligibility Center may request
•
the The policy credit if recovery necessary.
course must be comparable to the regular course. There are many examples in which the course the student failed was a rigorous, college-preparatory course, and the credit recovery course is taught at a lower level and lacks
•
adequate The credit rigor.
recovery course must meet the NCAA legislated definition of a core course (including the new nontraditional
•
definition). The credit recovery course should be clearly identified as such on the high school transcript. 8 COLLEGE-BOUND STUDENT-ATHLETE
Core-Course Grade-Point Average
How Your Core-Course Grade-Point Average is Calculated The Eligibility Center will calculate the grade-point average of your core courses on a 4.000 scale. The best grades from classes taken on your school’s list of NCAA courses will be used. Grades from additional core courses you took will be used only if they improve your grade-point average.
To determine your points earned for each course, multiply the points for the grade by the amount of credit earned. Use the following scale unless your high school has a different scale on file with the Eligibility Center:
A – 4 points C – 2 points B – 3 points D – 1 point
Remember: The Eligibility Center does not use plus or minus grades when figuring your core-course grade-point average. For example, grades of B+, B and B- will each be worth 3 quality points.
Special High School Grades and Grade-Point Average If your high school uses numeric grades (such as 92 or 93), those grades will be changed to your high school's letter grades (such as A or B). See your high school's grading scale by pulling up your school's list of NCAA courses at www.eligibilitycenter.org.
If your high school normally “weights” honors or advanced courses, these weighted courses may improve your core-course grade- point average. Your high school must notify the Eligibility Center of such weighting. To see if your high school has a weighted scale that is being used for calculating your core-course grade-point average, visit www.eligibilitycenter.org for an explanation of how these grade weights are handled.
Examples of total quality point calculation:
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An A grade (4 points) for a trimester course (0.34 units): 4 points x 0.34 units = 1.36 total quality points
•
An A grade (4 points) for a semester course (0.50 units): 4 points x 0.50 units = 2.00 total quality points
•
An A grade (4 points) for a full-year course (1.00 units): 4 points x 1.00 units = 4.00 quality points
Calculate Your Core-Course Grade-Point Average To calculate your estimated core-course grade-point average, divide the total number of points for all of your core courses by the total number of core-course units you have completed. Note: Your calculation helps you keep track of your core-course grade-point average. Should you have any questions, contact your high school counselor.
Test-Score Requirements
ACT and SAT Requirements You must achieve the required score on the SAT or ACT before your full-time collegiate enrollment. You must do this whether you are a citizen of the United States or of a foreign country. Also, state-administered ACT exams will be accepted by the Eligibility Center. You may take the national test given on one or more of the dates shown below.
IMPORTANT CHANGE: All SAT and ACT scores must be reported to the Eligibility Center directly from the testing agency. Test scores will not be accepted if reported on a high school transcript.
When code of registering 9999 to make for the sure SAT the or ACT, score input is reported the Eligibility directly Center to the Eligibility Center.
Prueba de Aptitud Academica (Division II) If you enroll in a Division II college or university located in Puerto Rico, you may use a minimum combined score on the Prueba de Aptitud Academica verbal and math reasoning sections of 730 to satisfy the test-score requirement.
National Testing Dates SAT October 9, 2010 November 6, 2010 December 4, 2010 January 22, 2011 March 12, 2011 May 7, 2011 June 4, 2011
ACT September 11, 2010 October 23, 2010 December 11, 2010 February 12, 2011 April 9, 2011 June 11, 2011
Taking Tests More than Once You may take the SAT or the ACT more than one time. If you take either test more than once, you may use your best subscore from different tests to meet the minimum test-score requirements. Here is an example:
Math Verbal/Critical Reading Total Score SAT (10/09) 350 470 820 SAT (12/09) 420 440 860 Scores used 420 470 890
Your test score will continue to be calculated using the math and verbal/critical reading subsections of the SAT and the math, science, English and reading subsections of the ACT. The writing component of the ACT or SAT will not be used to determine your qualifier status.
COLLEGE-BOUND STUDENT-ATHLETE 9
Students with Education-Impacting Disabilities: Special Conditions
A student with an education-impacting disability must meet the same requirements as all other students, but may be provided certain accommodations to help meet those requirements. If you are a student with a diagnosed education–impacting disability, you will need to let the Eligibility Center know about your education-impacting disability only if you plan on using core courses after your eighth semester of high school and you plan on attending an NCAA Division I college or university. It is important to note that the accommodations provided to students with education-impacting disabilities for NCAA Division I schools are different than for Division II schools.
For Division I only, a student must graduate “on time” in order to use the following accommodations:
•
Use up to three (3) additional approved core courses taken before full-time enrollment in college.
For Division II only, students may use the following accommodations:
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Use any approved core courses taken before full-time enrollment in college.
For Divisions I and II, students may use the following accommodations:
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Use courses for students with education-impacting disabilities that are designated on the high school’s list of NCAA courses.
•
May take a nonstandard test to satisfy test-score requirements.
10 COLLEGE-BOUND STUDENT-ATHLETE
To document your education-impacting disability, send the following documentation by mail to:
NCAA Eligibility Center EID Services P.O. Box 7110 Indianapolis, IN 46207-7110
Or fax to 317/968-5100.
•
Copy of your professional diagnosis; and
•
Copy of your EIP, ITP, 504 plan or statement of accommodations. (One of the above documents should be dated within the last three years.)
Note: Students should complete their Eligibility Center registration prior to submitting this documentation to the Eligibility Center. Please include your NCAA ID number, home address, telephone number, and high school graduation year.
Once approved, you will be notified in writing and will be provided with additional information regarding what accommodations are available.
Please note that NCAA academic requirements are the same for all students, including students with an education-impacting disability. Additionally, the information outlined above is for students who intend to enroll in an NCAA Division I or II college or university within the next few years. Because NCAA regulations are subject to change, the NCAA encourages you to consider how delaying your enrollment may impact your eligibility. For additional information, including a cover sheet and the “Buckley Statement”, which you may wish to complete to allow the Eligibility Center to speak to others about your education-impacting disability status, please access the “Frequently Asked Questions for Students with Education-Impacting Disabilities” page on www.NCAA.org.
Nonstandard Tests If you have an education-impacting disability, you may also take a nonstandard test to satisfy test-score requirements. Follow these guidelines:
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Register for accommodations as described by ACT or SAT, submitting a properly documented and confirmed diagnosis.
•
Follow procedures governed by ACT or SAT. (The test may not be administered by a member of your high school athletics department or any NCAA school’s athletics department.)
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If you take a nonstandard ACT or SAT, you may take the test on a date other than a national testing date, but you still must achieve the required test score.
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Your high school counselor can help you register to take a nonstandard test.