Skip To Main Content

NCAA Eligibility Requirements

 

If you want to compete in NCAA sports, you need to register with the NCAA Eligibility Center at eligibilitycenter.org. Plan to register before your freshman year of high school. For more information on registration, visit on.ncaa.com/RegChecklist.

Academic Requirements

Division I and II schools require you to meet academic standards. To be eligible to practice, compete and receive an athletics scholarship in your first year of full-time enrollment, you must meet the following requirements:

 

Division I

  1. Earn 16 NCAA-approved core-course credits in the following areas:

    • English 4 years
    • Math 3 years (Algebra 1 or higher)
    • Science 2 years (Including 1 year of lab)
    • Extra 1 year English, Math or Science
    • Social Science 2 years
    • Any area listed to the left or courses listed in additional discipline 4 years
      (world language, comparative religion or philosophy)

  2. Complete your 16 NCAA-approved core-course credits in eight academic semesters or four consecutive academic years from the start of ninth grade. If you graduate from high school early, you still must meet core-course requirements.

  3. Complete 10 of your 16 NCAA-approved core-course credits, including seven in English, math or science, before the start of your seventh semester. Once you begin your seventh semester, any course needed to meet the 10/7 requirement cannot be replaced or repeated.

  4. Earn a minimum 2.3 core-course GPA.

  5. Ask your high school counselor to upload your final official transcript with proof of graduation to your Eligibility Center account.

 

Division II

  1. Earn 16 NCAA-approved core-course credits in the following areas:

    • English 3 years
    • Math 2 years (Algebra 1 or higher)
    • Science 2 years (Including 1 year of lab)
    • Extra 3 year English, Math or Science
    • Social Science 2 years
    • Any area listed to the left or courses listed in additional discipline 4 years
      (world language, comparative religion or philosophy)

  2. Earn a minimum 2.2 core-course GPA.

  3. Ask your high school counselor to upload your final official transcript with proof of graduation to your Eligibility Center account.

 

Division III

While Division III schools set their own admissions and academic requirements, international student-athletes (first-year enrollees and transfers) who are enrolling at a Division III school after Aug. 1, 2023, must be certified as an amateur by the Eligibility Center. Contact the Division III school you plan to attend for more information about its academic requirements.

 

Still have questions? Make in appointment with your counselor to learn more. 

 

NCAAInitialEligibiltyBrochure (PDF)