NCAA Eligibility

There are three requirements to participate in college athletics.

Graduate from High School

Graduating from high school does not automatically make a student NCAA eligible.

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Achieve NCAA Initial Eligibility (Division I and II only)

Students must:

• Create an account with the NCAA Eligibility Center
• Complete the 10/7 rule
  • 10 of 16 NCAA-approved core courses before senior year
  • 7 of those courses must be English, Math, and/or Science

• Meet NCAA core course GPA requirements

• Graduate on time with their class (eight semesters)

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Be Admitted to the College

• NCAA eligibility does not equal college admission.
  • Students must apply, be accepted, and understand cost of attendance and financial aid.
• Families are encouraged to use each college’s Net Price Calculator.

NCAA Core Courses

Core courses are NCAA-approved academic classes in:

• English

• Math

• Science

• Social Science

• World Language

• Academic electives

Only NCAA-approved courses are used to calculate the NCAA core-course GPA.

Students should:

• Meet with their school counselor early

• Review their high school’s NCAA-approved course list

• Plan coursework beginning in ninth grade

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Core Course Time Limitations

• Students entering ninth grade have four years (eight semesters) to complete core-course requirements

• Courses must be completed on time and in sequence

• Late completion or missing courses may impact eligibility

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Core Course GPA and Pass/Fail Grades

• Only approved core courses are calculated in the NCAA GPA

• A CR/Pass grade is interpreted by the NCAA as a D-

• Students and families are responsible for protecting eligibility through course selection

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Division I and Division II Qualifier Standards

To be a qualifier, student-athletes must be eligible to receive athletics aid, practice, and compete.

• Completion of 16 NCAA-approved core courses

• Completion of required core-course progression before the seventh semester

• Minimum core-course GPA:
  • Division I: 2.3
  • Division II: 2.2

• On-time graduation and proof of graduation required

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Standardized Test Score Policy

• Standardized test scores are not required for NCAA initial eligibility

• Colleges or scholarship programs may still require test scores for admission

• Admission requirements vary by institution

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Institutional Request List (IRL)

The Institutional Request List (IRL) is a list of student-athletes an NCAA Division I or II school is actively recruiting.

• Students must be on a school’s IRL to receive Eligibility Center certification

• Placement on the IRL begins academic and amateurism certification

• Student-athletes may ask recruiting coaches for an admissions pre-read

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NCAA Eligibility Center Accounts

The NCAA recommends registering no later than the beginning of freshman year.

Account options include:

• Free Profile Page
  • Students unsure of division
  • Students younger than ninth grade
  • Students planning to compete in Division III

• Certification Accounts (Division I and II)
  • Academic and Amateurism Certification: $110
  • Amateurism-Only Certification: $70

• Fee waivers may be available for eligible students

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NCAA High School Timeline

• 9th Grade: Register with the Eligibility Center, begin core courses, plan coursework

• 10th Grade: Continue core courses, begin researching colleges and programs

• 11th Grade: Increased recruiting contact, unofficial visits, possible IRL placement

• 12th Grade: Finalize certification, complete graduation requirements

NCAA Division I

• Year-round training, up to 20 hours per week

• Significant travel

• Largest scholarship and NIL opportunities

• Academic flexibility may be limited due to athletic demands

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NCAA Division II

• Competitive programs with a more balanced experience

• Regional travel

• Partial scholarships are common

• Similar training expectations to Division I

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NCAA Division III

• No athletic scholarships

• Academic and need-based aid may be available

• Shorter playing seasons

• Each school sets its own academic eligibility standards

• 87% of Division III athletes graduate, the highest rate among NCAA divisions

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NAIA Pathway

• Minimum ACT score of 18 or SAT score of 860 (reading and math)

• Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0

• Graduate in the top half of the high school class

• Registration with the NAIA Eligibility Center required

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NJCAA (Community College) Pathway

• Each school sets its own eligibility rules

• Typically requires a high school diploma or GED

• Eligibility standards vary by institution

Blue Chip vs White Chip Recruits

• Blue Chip recruits represent approximately 1–2% of high school athletes
  • Heavily recruited early
  • Expected to make immediate impact
     
• White Chip recruits represent the vast majority
  • Must actively market themselves
  • Must manage communication and outreach

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Recruiting Probability and Sport-Specific Example

Recruiting outcomes vary widely by sport and division.

• NCAA Division I Women’s Soccer example:

  • Thousands of athletes enter the Transfer Portal annually

  • A significant percentage do not sign with a new program

  • Recruiting pipelines favor select leagues and development pathways

Steps to Start Recruiting

1. Talk with high school and club coaches about athletic and academic fit

2. Research schools that sponsor the student’s sport

3. Create a list of 12–15 schools (Reach, Target, Likely)

4. Complete recruiting questionnaires

5. Email coaches and follow up

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Contacting College Coaches

Include:

• Name, position or event, graduation year

• High school and club information

• Highlight video link

• Athletic resume or profile

• Unofficial transcript and test scores (if applicable)

• Social media account usernames

• Copy high school or club coaches

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Providing Updates and Gauging Progress

Indicators of recruiting progress may include:

• Consistent communication from coaches

• Requests for transcripts or test scores

• Admissions pre-read discussions

• Invitations to ID camps, junior days, or campus visits

• NCAA recruiting rules apply to college coaches, not athletes

• Major contact date: June 15 before junior year

Unofficial Visits

• Unlimited

• Family-funded

Official Visits

• Lodging, meals, and transportation may be provided

• Timing varies by division

• Visits are at the coach’s discretion

Transfer Portal Overview

• Before Entering the Portal

  • Complete compliance paperwork

  • Create or update highlight video

  • Research potential programs

  • Communicate with coaches and mentors

• During the Portal

  • Await compliance approval

  • Respond to program interest

  • Schedule visits (often at personal expense)

  • Maintain academic and athletic readiness

• After Placement

  • Apply to the new institution

  • Transfer transcripts and credits

  • Secure housing and enrollment

  • Transition academically and socially

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Scholarships, NIL, and Roster Changes

• Roster limits have replaced traditional scholarship caps

• Competition for roster spots has increased

• Some Division I schools may pay athletes directly through revenue sharing

• NIL compensation remains separate from scholarships