Point Loma High SchoolStudent Athlete EveningWhat you need to know to help your student-athlete meet eligibility requirements to play NCAA sports.

Overview

NCAA 101Initial-Eligibility RequirementsYear-by-Year AdviceCommon QuestionsImportant Contact InformationPLHS Coach: Alex Van Heuven Sunset Cliffs College Coach: Laurie HurlSportsforce: Andrew Beinbrink

NCAA 101

Three Divisions DI, DII, DIIIDivision I & Division II institutions may offer athletics scholarships; Division III institiutions may notDivision I 331 institutionsDivision II 291 institutionsDivision III 429 institutions

NCAA 101Why initial eligibility?The NCAA member institutions decided it was important to set minimum standards for participationCommitment to student-athlete academic successNCAA Eligibility Center (formerly the Clearinghouse) is the entity that certifies eligibility for Division I and Division II.Consistent decisions; fair and impartialAt DIII institutions, initial eligibility depends on the policies of each institution.

NCAA 101NCAA initial eligibility vs. college admissionNCAA initial eligibility is separate from college admissionEach institution makes its own admission decisions, based on established admissions criteriaA prospective student-athlete may gain admission to an institution but not meet NCAA initial-eligibility standards ORA prospective student-athlete may meet NCAA initial-eligibility standards but not gain admission

Tracking eligibility is a team responsibility!!!!!

The StudentThe ParentsThe CounselorAnd the Coach, should all be vigilant

Four elements to initial eligibility1. Graduation from high school;

2. Completion of a minimum number of core courses (16); Minimum core grade-point average must be 2.000 with 16 core classes

3. Minimum core grade-point average; and

4. ACT or SAT test score dont need to take writing portion of exam. Minimum SAT score of 820 and ACT sum score of 68.

Division I core-course requirements4 years of English3 years of math (Algebra I or higher)2 years of natural/physical science (one lab)1 year of additional English/math/science2 years of social science4 years of additional core courses (any of the areas above or foreign language, nondoctrinal religion/philosophy)

Division II core-course requirements3 years of English2 years of math (Algebra I or higher)2 years of natural/physical science (one lab)3 years of additional English/math/science2 years of social science4 years of additional core courses (any of the areas above or foreign language, nondoctrinal religion/philosophy)

*Beginning in 2013, must complete 16 core courses.

Division I: corresponds to the 16 core-course rule Initial-Eligibility Index (sliding scale)

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

Core Grade-Point AverageSATACT(Sum of Scores)3.550400373.000620522.750720592.500820682.250920772.000101086

Division II grade-point average and test-score requirements

Minimum core grade-point average must be 2.000 with 16 core classes

Minimum SAT score of 820 and ACT sum score of 68.

No sliding scale

GPA tidbitsGPA is calculated using core courses only4.000 scaleA 4 pointsB 3 pointsC 2 pointsD 1 pointIf courses taken are weighted honors or advanced courses, those courses may improve core-course GPA. Calculated as part of students overall grade point average.

Test-score tidbits

SAT/ACT must be taken on a national testing date under standard testing conditionsStudents with a documented disability may take a nonstandard test if permitted by the testing agencyNo need to document disability with NCAA for nonstandard test purposes

Test-score tidbitsSAT/ACT sum score is used, not the composite scoreSAT: Add two subscores: Math & verbal/critical reading

If the Eligibility Center has more than one SAT score for a student , the highest subscore from each SAT will be used.

The writing component of the SAT/ACT is not used at the Eligibility Center (but take for college admissions)

Test must be taken prior to initial full-time college enrollment

How to assist your student-athlete throughout their HS careers

How to assist your student-athleteNinth and Tenth grades:Help students with course selection to:Meet high-school graduation requirements;Adequately prepare them for the rigors of college work; andMeet NCAA initial-eligibility requirements

How to assist your student-athleteEleventh grade:Help students register to take ACT and/or SAT testWhen registering, students should select the Eligibility Center as a recipient of their test scoreCode 9999This will ensure scores are sent automatically to the E.C. E.C. will not accept test scores from a high school transcript

How to assist your student-athleteEleventh grade, continued:Help students register with the NCAA Eligibility CenterOnline: www.eligibilitycenter.org $70 registration fee for domestic students (fee waivers available if qualify)Continue to monitor course selection

How to assist your student-athleteEleventh grade, continued:After junior year, mail official transcript to the Eligibility Center (submit electronically)E.C. must have a transcript with at least six semesters represented to do a preliminary certificationTranscripts cannot be faxedLook at the transcript carefully before its sent.Are the course titles correct?Are the grades correct?Are the units of credit correct?

How to assist your student-athleteTwelfth grade:Continue to monitor course selectionAfter high-school graduation, School will mail final official transcript to the Eligibility CenterMust show proof of graduationTranscripts cannot be faxedRequest transcript on NavianceNO SENIORITIS!

Eighth Grade Courses

May eighth grade courses be used to meet core requirements? Yes:Must appear on official high school transcriptFor example Algebra or Geometry Must receive creditCourse must be on 48-H (approved core-course list) at the NCAA

New Rules for 9th Grade StudentsFull Qualifier must: 1. Complete 16 core courses (same distribution as in the past); Ten of the 16 core courses must be completed before the seventh semester (senior year) of high school.

o Seven of the 10 core courses must be English, math or science. 2. Have a minimum core-course GPA of 2.300;

Grades earned in the 10 required courses required before the senior year are locked in for purposes of GPA calculation.

o A repeat of one of the locked in courses will not be used to improve the GPA if taken after the seventh semester begins.

Meet the competition sliding scale requirement of GPA and ACT/SAT score (this is a new scale with increased GPA/test score requirements); and Graduate from high school.

RumorsTrue or false: A student must be registered with the Eligibility Center before college coaches can call or come watch the student practice and/or play.

FALSE! The student needs to register after the junior year. Coaches may call or come see the student play even if the student is not registered.However, a DI or DII school may not provide an official visit or issue a National Letter of Intent/scholarship offer to a student who has not registered.

RumorsTrue or false: An athletics scholarship is good for four years.

FALSE! Athletics scholarships are for a period of one year. After the year is over, the scholarship may be kept the same, reduced or even cancelled.

RumorsTrue or false: If a student signs a National Letter of Intent (NLI) in November for one school and later changes his or her mind, the student may sign another letter in the spring with another school.

FALSE! The NLI is a legal, binding contract. Once a student signs, the student must attend that school for one full year. Make sure you encourage the student to read the letter before signing!

Helpful Resources

www.ncaa.orgwww.ncaaclearinghouse.netwww.njcaa.orgwww.naia.orgwww.national-letter.orgwww.collegedirectories.com

NCAA Guide for the College-Bound Student-AthleteNCAA Graduation Rates ReportLocal college athletic departmentYour High School Athletic and Counseling Department

Andrew Beinbrinkwww.SportsForceOnline.com

***FOCUS:Many counselors dont understand why there is such a process.They wonder: Why cant the universities figure this out themselves?

Point out that DIII doesnt have to go through CH.*FOCUS:Many counselors dont understand why there is such a process.They wonder: Why cant the universities figure this out themselves?

Point out that DIII doesnt have to go through CH.*FOCUS:This point is also important, because many people confuse these two.

I sometimes use the Ivy League as an example. A student who has a 2.000 and a 1010 for NCAA purposes probably wont get into Harvard.**FOCUS:

This is the current 8th grade class (next years 9th graders).BIG change in the math component.*FOCUS:Again, elimination of computer science.*FOCUS:

This is for the current juniors and younger. With this scale, MUST have 14 courses.*FOCUS:

Division II does not have a sliding scale. They have these flat cut-offs.

Since we are a federated organization, each division makes its own decisions.*FOCUS:

If youre in Colorado or Illinois, you will get some questions about this.*FOCUS:

If youre in Colorado or Illinois, you will get some questions about this.*FOCUS:

Many counselors still think the 17 is the minimum ACT score. Stress that its a 68 sum score, and has been for many years.*FOCUS:

If students take a CP curriculum to prepare for college, meeting the NCAA standard is a much easier task.*FOCUS:

If students take a CP curriculum to prepare for college, meeting the NCAA standard is a much easier task.*FOCUS:

Importance of selecting code 9999.

*FOCUS:

Online registration is preferable; however, the paper version of the form is also available online and in their materials.*FOCUS:

Transcript accuracy is vital.Explain that revised final transcripts cant be used.*FOCUS:

Emphasize transcript accuracy again.***The renewal/nonrenewal is left to the discretion of the institution.

Be prepared to talk about cancellation of aid during period of award.

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