UNDERSTANDING THE NCAA CLEARINGHOUSE

PROCESSMarcus K. LawrenceJanuary 11, 2014

What is the NCAA Eligibility Center? Why is it Important? The NCAA Eligibility Center took over operations for the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse in November 2007. The Eligibility Center certifies the academic and amateur credentials of all students who want to play sports at an NCAA Division I or II institution as freshmen. In order to practice, play and receive an athletics scholarship, students need to meet certain academic benchmarks. An additional certification process exists to make sure the student is still an amateur, which is necessary in order for the student to compete. Academic Credentials + Amateurism Status = College Eligible

What are the Academic Initial-Eligibility Requirements? The following requirements must be met in order for a student to be able to practice, play and receive a scholarship at an NCAA Division I or II college or university. Division I: 1. Graduate from high school; 2. Complete a minimum of 16 core courses; 3. Present the required grade-point average (GPA) (see the sliding scale in

the Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete for Division I); 4. Present a qualifying test score on either the ACT or SAT (see the sliding

scale in the Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete); and 5. Complete the amateurism questionnaire and request final amateurism

certification.

Division I Core-Course Breakdown

(Courses Must Appear on your List of Approved Core Courses)

• 4 years of English • 3 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) • 1 extra year of English, math, or natural or physical science • 2 years of social science • 4 years of extra core courses from any category above, or

foreign language, nondoctrinal/comparative religion/philosophy

Division II

1. Graduate from high school;2. Complete a minimum of 14 core courses (Note: increase

to 16 core courses for class of 2013 and beyond); 3. Present a minimum 2.000 core-course grade-point

average (GPA); 4. Present a minimum 820 SAT score (critical reading and

math only) or 68 sum ACT score qualifying test score on either the ACT or SAT; and

5. Complete the amateurism questionnaire and request final amateurism certification.

Division II Core-Course Breakdown

(Courses Must Appear on your List of Approved Core Courses) • 3 years of English • 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 (3 years required in 2013 and beyond) • 2 years of social science • 3 years of extra core courses from any category above, or

foreign language, nondoctrinal/comparative religion/philosophy (4 years required in 2013 and beyond)

Understanding Core Courses

What is a Core Course?

NCAA legislation guides the NCAA Eligibility Center staff in its review of core courses. This legislation requires that a course meet the following standards: 1. A core course must be an academic course that receives

high school graduation credit in the following: – One or a combination of these areas: English, mathematics,

natural/physical science; social science, foreign language, comparative religion or philosophy.

2. Four-year college preparatory; 3. At or above your high school’s regular academic level; 4. Algebra I or higher in the mathematics area; and 5. Taught by a qualified instructor.

What is NOT a Core Course ?

1. Courses in non-core areas or vocational courses: Driver’s Ed, Keyboarding, Art, Music, Physical Education, Welding.

2. Courses that prepare students for the world of work or life, or for a two-year college or technical school. Examples include Personal Finance, Consumer Education, Tech Prep.

3. Courses that are taught below grade level, at a slower pace, with less rigor or depth. Examples include Basic, Essential, Fundamental or Foundations courses.

4. Courses that are not academic in nature. Examples include Film Study, Video Editing, Greenhouse Management.

Additional Core Course QuestionsWhat courses can be submitted in the “additional” core area? • Courses in foreign/world languages, philosophy, comparative religion, or American sign language. What courses should NOT be submitted as “additional” core courses? • Miscellaneous non-academic courses such as physical education, leadership/community service, driver’s

education, weight lifting, study skills, marching band, software applications, etc.

What about fine arts courses? • Courses in art, music, dance, or acting/theater cannot be approved as NCAA core courses in any core area.

What about computer science courses? • If the course (a) receives math or science graduation credit and (b) is an academic programming course or

an AP course, it should be submitted in the appropriate core area (math or science), and not as an additional core course.

• If your school awards computer science courses technology credit only, the courses cannot be approved in any NCAA core area.

• Courses in software applications, spreadsheets, website construction, keyboarding, computer repair, or other tech-prep computer courses cannot be used as NCAA core courses

How Should the Eligibility Process Work?

Grades 9 and 10

• Student takes academic college-preparatory courses, preferably one in each of the following areas: English, math, science, social studies and foreign language. The student should compare course selection against the list of NCAA-approved core courses.

Grade 11

• Student continues to take college preparatory courses in the areas listed above.

• Student registers for the SAT and/or ACT, making sure to use code 9999 at the time of registration. Using code 9999 will ensure the score is reported directly to the Eligibility Center.

• Student registers with the NCAA Eligibility Center and completes both the academic information and the amateurism questionnaire.

• At the end of the student’s sixth semester, the guidance counselor sends the student’s transcript (or transcripts, if more than one high school) to the Eligibility Center.

Grade 12

• Student continues to take college preparatory courses in English, math, science, social studies and foreign language.

• Student registers for additional ACT/SAT tests if necessary, making sure to use code 9999 at the time of registration.

• On or after April 1 of the senior year, the student goes back into their Eligibility Center account to update their academic and amateurism information and request final amateurism certification.

• After graduation, the guidance counselor sends the student’s final transcript (which needs to include evidence and the date that the student graduated) to the Eligibility Center.

When Should Students Register?

Students may register at any time, but we recommend that they register during their sophomore year. The registration website is www.eligibilitycenter.org. The NCAA Eligibility Center will evaluate a student’s academic credentials once the following information has been received, and the student has had his/her status requested by an NCAA member institution: • Completed online registration; • Fee payment; • SAT and/or ACT test score on file from the respective testing

agency; and • Transcript(s) from all schools or programs attended.

2016 NCAA Division I Initial-Eligibility Academic Requirements

NCAA Division I Initial-Eligibility Academic Requirements

There are new requirements for college-bound student-athletes enrolling full time at an NCAA Division I college or university on or after August 1, 2016.

Summary of Changes

• Minimum core-course GPA of 2.300 required for competition;

• Ten core courses required before beginning of senior year for competition; and

• Slight changes in GPA/test score index (sliding scale).

The following slides explain these changes in further detail.

NCAA Division I Initial-Eligibility Academic Requirements (New)For college-bound student-athletes enrolling full time at an NCAA Division I college or university on or after August 1, 2016, there are three possible academic outcomes: 1. Full qualifier = competition, athletics aid (scholarship), and

practice the first year. 2. Academic redshirt = athletics aid the first year, practice in

first regular academic term (semester or quarter). 3. Nonqualifier = no athletics aid, practice or competition the

first year.

NCAA Division I Full Qualifier:Requirements for Athletics Aid, Practice and CompetitionStudents will need to meet the following requirements to receive athletics aid, practice and compete their first year: • 16 core courses in the following areas:

– 4 years English; – 3 years math at Algebra I level or higher; – 2 years natural or physical science (one lab if offered at any high school attended); – 1 year additional English, math or natural/physical science; – 2 years social science; and – 4 years additional from areas above or foreign language, philosophy or comparative religion.

• Minimum required GPA:

– Minimum GPA of 2.300 required for competition in those 16 core courses.

• Graduate from high school.

NCAA Division I Full Qualifier:

Requirements for Athletics Aid, Practice and Competition• Core-course progression.– Must complete 10 core courses before seventh semester

of high school (e.g., senior year). – Of the 10 core courses completed, seven must be in the

area of English, math, or science. – These 10 core courses become “locked in” for the purpose

of core-course GPA calculation. • A repeat of one of the “locked in” courses will not be used if

taken after the seventh semester begins

Academic Redshirt: Requirements for Scholarship and PracticeRequirements for Scholarship and Practice.• 16 core courses in the following areas:

– 4 years English, – 3 years math at Algebra I level or higher, – 2 years natural or physical science (one lab if offered by any school attended); – 1 year additional English, math or natural/physical science; – 2 years social science; and – 4 years additional from areas above or foreign language, philosophy or comparative religion.

• Minimum required GPA. – Minimum GPA of 2.000-2.299 in 16 core courses.

• Sliding scale.

– Minimum ACT sum or SAT score (critical reading/math only) that matches the 16 core-course GPA.

Academic Redshirt: Requirements for Scholarship and PracticeStudent-athletes who fail to meet the required 10 core courses prior to the start of the seventh semester (seven of which must be in English, math, or natural or physical science), will be allowed to retake core courses in the seventh or eighth semester, which will be used in their academic certification for the purpose of meeting the academic redshirt requirements.

Academic Redshirt: Requirements for Scholarship and PracticeIf a college-bound student-athlete meets these requirements, he/she can receive an athletics scholarship during his/her first year at an NCAA Division I college or university. After the first term is complete, the student-athlete must be academically successful (successfully completing nine semester hours or eight quarter hours in each applicable term) at his/her college or university to continue to practice for the remainder of the year.

What If A Student Does Not Meet Either Set of Requirements? If a college-bound student-athlete does not meet either set of requirements, he/she is a nonqualifier. A nonqualifier: • Cannot receive athletics aid during the first year at

an NCAA Division I college or university.

• Cannot practice or compete during the first year at a Division I college or university.

Next Steps

Visit the Eligibility Center Websitewww.eligiblitycenter.org

Follow the Steps for the College Bound Athlete and Register

Summary

In order to participate in Division I or II collegiate athletics you must:• Meet the requirements under amateurism and

academic credentials.• Have the appropriate core grade point average

and corresponding score on the sliding SAT/ACT scale.

• Officially register through the NCAA Eligibility Center with all of the supporting documents

QUESTIONS?

Resources

• www.eligiblitycenter.org• www.nfhslearn.com• www.2point3.org

Contact Information

Marcus K. Lawrence, M.Ed.College & Career CounselorHead Coach, Boys Varsity BasketballStonewall Jackson High SchoolEmail: lawrenmx@pwcs.eduPhone: 703.365.2992