Eligibility is determined by the division membership of the college. The NCAA Clearinghouse determines and certifies eligibility of student athletes to participate in NCAA sports. In general, for all divisions test scores on either the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or the American College Test (ACT), grade point average and successful completion of specific classes are used to determine eligibility. The kinds and number of courses, test score minimums and level of grade point average separate the divisions. Determining eligibility is a complex and often controversial. The only way to know for sure about your eligibility is to register with the NCAA. You will be advised about your eligibility. You should register after your junior year so that you will have the certification for the recruiting purposes. Information about core courses (what counts and what doesn't) can be obtained from your school counselor and the NCAA web site. Also, eligibility may change from year to year. Check the NCAA for current requirements.

The chart below provides a quick first level view of the eligibility criteria. These criteria apply only to Division I and II. In Division III, eligibility for financial aid, practice and competition is governed by Division III institutions, conferences and other NCAA regulations. To learn more about eligibility for a Division III college, contact the college coach at the college.

There are three classes of eligibility: "qualifier", "partial qualifier" and "nonqualifier." See the NCAA web site for information about the kinds of eligibility.

Snapshot of Division I & II Academic Eligibility Requirements

Criteria	Division I	Division II
High School	Graduation	Graduation
Core Curriculum* *For Core Definitions See NCAA Web site	For 2005 through 2007* 14 core courses as follows: English- 4 years Math-2 years (at a level of Algebra I or higher level) Natural or Physical Science-2 years (Including at least one lab, if offered by the high school.) Additional of either English, Math, Science-1 year Social Science-2years Others-3 years of extra core courses from above or foreign language, nondoctrinal religion or philosophy. Note: Computer science courses can be used only if your high school grants graduation credit in mathematics or natural/physical science and the courses appear on your high-school's core-course list as a math or science course. *For 2008 and beyond 16 core courses will be required--one additional course in math and one additional extra course as indicated above.	For 2005 Through 2007* 14 core courses as follows: English-3 years Math-2years (at a level of Algebra I or higher level) Natural or Physical Science-2 years (Including at least one lab, if offered by the high school.) Additional year of either English, Math or Science- 1 year Social Science 2 years Others 3 years in any above courses or foreign language, nondoctrinal religion or philosophy. Note: Computer science courses can be used only if your high school grants graduation credit in mathematics or natural/physical science and the courses appear on your high-school's core-course list as a math or science course.
Test Scores and GPA See NCAA web site for explanation	Combined GPA and ACT or SAT scores. See Index below. Note: No campus or state tests, like those given in Colorado and Illinois, may substitute for the national SAT or ACT.	GPA of 2.000 in core courses and combined score on SAT 820 or 68 ACT. Note: No campus or state tests, like those given in Colorado and Illinois, may substitute for the national SAT or ACT.
GPA	See above	See above.

Division I Core GPA and Test Scores Index

Core GPA	ACT	SAT
3.550 & Above	37	400
3.525	38	410
3.500	39	420
3.475	40	430
3.450	41	440
3.425	41	450
3.400	42	460
3.375	42	470
3.350	43	480
3.325	44	490
3.300	44	500
3.275	45	510
3.250	46	520
3.225	46	530
3.200	47	540
3.175	47	550
3.150	48	560
3.125	49	570
3.100	49	580
3.075	50	590
3.050	50	600
3.025	51	610
3.000	52	620
2.975	52	630
2.950	53	640
2.925	53	650
2.900	54	660
2.875	55	670
2.850	56	680
2.825	56	690
2.800	57	700
2.775	58	710
2.750	59	720
2.725	59	730
2.700	60	730
2.675	61	740-750
2.650	62	760
2.625	63	770
2.600	64	780
2.575	65	790
2.550	66	800
2.525	67	810
2.500	68	820
2.475	69	830
2.450	70	840-850
2.425	70	860
2.400	71	860
2.375	72	870
2.350	73	880
2.325	74	890
2.300	75	900
2.275	76	910
2.250	77	920
2.225	78	930
2.200	79	940
2.175	80	950
2.150	80	960
2.125	81	960
2.100	82	970
2.075	83	980
2.050	84	990
2.025	85	1000
2.000	86	1010

NCAA Clearinghouse

The NCAA Clearinghouse certifies eligibility for participation in college sports at NCAA member colleges in Division I and II using the eligibility criteria discussed in NCAA Eligibility above. Certification is done using the NCAA Student Release Form. The form is completed and signed by the student athlete and parents/guardian. It is generally submitted at the end of the Junior year in high school. The certification is not complete until the final high school transcript is received by the high school and accepted by the NCAA Clearinghouse. The form may be obtained from the high school counselor or from the NCAA Clearinghouse by phone or downloaded from the web site NCAA Clearinghouse. There is a fee charged for the certification. For 2005/2006 the fee is $50. Fee waiver information may be obtained from the high school counselor.

To register, you need to fill out a student release form online or in hard copy. On line registration requires payment of the fee using a credit card. When registering on line, the registration forms will print two copies of the completed forms. Give the two copies to a high school counselor. The counselor will send one copy with an official copy of the high school transcript to the Clearinghouse and keep one copy for the school files. If you register by hardcopy, you need to mail or fax the white copy to the clearinghouse along with the $50 fee. Give the yellow and pink copies of the form to your high school counselor . The counselor will send the yellow copy along with an official copy of your high school transcript, to the clearinghouse. The high school keeps the pink copy for their files until after you graduate. The fee can be waived; see your counselor. After graduation and before your school closes for the summer, the high school must send the Clearinghouse a copy of your registration and a copy of your final transcript that confirms graduation and contains final grades and credits

NAIA Eligibility

This section contains major topics, highlights and summaries of NAIA eligibility. It is not intended to replace consulting with the NAIA. Therefore, the information in this section should not be taken as the final word. Consult your parents, high school coach, high school counselor and the college coach and/or the NAIA itself. The NAIA has an excellent web site that contains a lot of information and details on specific topics. It also includes telephone numbers and email addresses.

In summary, eligibility for participation in althletics is based on graduation from high school in the top half of class, test results on either of the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or the American College Test (ACT), grade point average.

Snapshot of NAIA Eligibility

Criteria	Entering Freshmen must meet two of three entry level requirements
High School	Graduation in the top half of high school graduating class.
GPA	Average of 2.000 on a 4.000 scale
Testing	Minimum of 18 on the ACT or 860 on the SAT (See NAIA web site for date specific implications.)
Other	There are a series of other requirements but these deal with after college entry. See NAIA web site for details.

Scholarships, Grants-In Aid and Student Loans

At NAIA colleges athletic coaches do not award athletic scholarships. All scholarships, grants-in-aid and student loans is controlled by the faculty through the regularly constituted committee on student loans and scholarships.

NAIA colleges can award no more institutionally controlled financial aid to a student-athlete than the actual cost of: 1) tuition; 2) mandatory fees, books and supplies required for courses in which the student-athlete is enrolled; 3) board and room for the student-athlete only, based on the official board and room allowance listed in the institution's catalog. No other financial assistance is permitted.

Scholar-Athlete Guide by Donna Dye

Eligibility Rules

Requirements start in high school with academics and testing

NCAA Eligibility

Snapshot of Division I & II Academic Eligibility Requirements

Criteria

Division I

Division II