NCAA Eligibility Overview
High school course selection plays a critical role in NCAA eligibility as well as college admissions outcomes for undergraduate applicants. Since the courses a student takes directly impacts their academic standing and eligibility for collegiate athletics, it is pertinent for student athletes and their families to completely understand all aspects of eligibility requirements and admissions standards for their schools of interest. The NCAA mandates student athletes to meet specific academic requirements, including completing a set number of core courses in subjects like English, math, science, and social studies. These courses must meet NCAA-approved standards, and the overall rigor of a student's academic schedule can influence their ability to meet eligibility requirements. Selecting appropriate courses ensures that students are not only academically prepared for college but also eligible to compete in NCAA-sanctioned sports, as failure to meet course requirements can result in ineligibility.
This makes it essential for students to not only choose the right courses but also perform well in them. Challenging coursework, such as honors or Advanced Placement (AP) classes, can help demonstrate academic commitment and help boost a student’s GPA. Furthermore, NCAA eligibility can affect college recruitment and scholarship opportunities, with many schools prioritizing athletes who meet or exceed the necessary academic criteria. Making informed course selections early in high school can significantly impact both athletic and academic opportunities.
To confirm you’re taking courses on your high school’s list of NCAA-approved core courses, please visit the High School Portal.
For prospective student athletes seeking eligibility for NCAA Division I athletics, high school student athletes must complete 16 core courses. The core courses include four years of English, three years of math (Algebra 1 or higher), two years of natural or physical science (with one year of lab, if offered), two years of social science, one additional year of English, math, or science, and four additional years in subjects like foreign language or philosophy. Athletes must also complete at least 10 core courses by the start of their senior year, with seven of them in English, math, or science (the 10/7 rule), maintain a minimum 2.3 GPA in these courses, graduate high school, and receive amateurism certification from the NCAA Eligibility Center. At the beginning of their senior year, athletes' core course grades are locked (via their initial transcript), so it’s important to track progress and possibly take additional courses during the summer before senior year to meet requirements.
To be eligible for NCAA Division II athletics, high school athletes must complete 16 core courses, including three years of English, two years of math (Algebra 1 or higher), two years of natural or physical science (with one year of lab, if offered), two years of social science, three additional years of English, math, or science, and four more years in subjects like foreign language or philosophy. Athletes must maintain a minimum core course GPA of 2.2, graduate from high school, and receive final amateurism certification from the NCAA Eligibility Center to be eligible.
For prospective student athletes seeking athletic eligibility at the NCAA Division III level, you must meet the admissions requirements set by the institution of interest. With that being said, it is vital for student athletes and their families to be equipped with all of the necessary information and tools to accomplish their goals. With admissions standards varying from school to school at the Division III level, it ultimately comes down to a case-by-case basis. Student-athletes should be overly prepared and guided by a college counseling professional to ensure that all requirements are met and expectations are exceeded. While test scores are not mandatory for eligibility at the Division I and II levels, scores are necessary at the Division III level if the college or university of interest requires them as part of their admissions standards.
POLARIS can help you prepare for the ACT/SAT with Revolution Prep. In addition to test prep, Revolution Prep also provides academic tutoring in over 100 subjects. Since there are no athletic scholarships at the Division III level, it is pertinent for student athletes and their families to position themselves as best as possible to receive financial aid based on their academic merit and/or financial need. The partial scholarship model at the NCAA Division II level also leaves room for student athletes to earn merit-based scholarships based upon their academic credentials.
Drop us a note if you would like to have your student athlete’s course selection reviewed in addition to our free 30-minute consultation!