Division I Academic Standards
Division I 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:
1. Earn 16 NCAA-approved core-course credits in the following areas:
- ENGLISH: 4 years
- MATH: (Algebra I or higher) 3 years
- SCIENCE: (Including one year of lab, if offered) 2 years
- EXTRA: (English, math or science) 1 year
- SOCIAL SCIENCE: 2 years
- OTHER: Any area listed to the left or courses listed in additional discipline (world language, comparative religion or philosophy) 4 years
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.
EARLY ACADEMIC QUALIFIER
If you meet specific criteria after six semesters of high school, you may be deemed an early academic qualifier for Division I and may practice, compete and receive an athletics scholarship during your first year of full-time enrollment.
QUALIFIER
You may practice, compete and receive an athletics scholarship during your first year of full-time enrollment.
ACADEMIC REDSHIRT
You may practice during your first regular academic term and receive an athletics scholarship during your first year of full-time enrollment but may NOT compete during your first year of full-time enrollment. You must pass either eight quarter or nine semester hours to practice in the next term.
NONQUALIFIER
You will not be able to practice, compete or receive an athletics scholarship during your first year
of full-time enrollment. If you haven’t yet, register for a free Profile Page account at eligibilitycenter.org for information on NCAA initial-eligibility requirements.
9TH GRADE -REGISTER
Use NCAA Research’s interactive map to help locate NCAA schools you’re interested in attending.
Find your high school’s list of NCAA-approved core courses at eligibilitycenter.org/
course list to ensure you’re taking the right courses, and earn the best grades possible!
10TH GRADE
If you’re being actively recruited by an NCAA school and have a Profile Page account,
transition it to the required certification account. Monitor the task list in your NCAA Eligibility Center account for next steps. At the end of the school year, ask your high school counselor from each school you attend to upload an official transcript to your Eligibility Center account. If you fall behind academically, ask your high school counselor for help finding approved courses you can take.
11TH GRADE
Ensure your sports participation information is correct in your Eligibility Center account.
Check with your high school counselor to make sure you’re on track to complete the required number of NCAA-approved core courses and graduate on time with your class.
Share your NCAA ID with NCAA schools recruiting you so each school can place you on its institutional request list. At the end of the school year, ask your high school counselor from each school you attend to upload an official transcript to your Eligibility Center account.
12TH GRADE
Request your final amateurism certification beginning April 1 (fall enrollees) or Oct. 1 (winter/spring enrollees) in your Eligibility Center account at eligibilitycenter.org.
Apply and be accepted to the NCAA school you plan to attend.
Complete your final NCAA-approved core courses as you prepare for graduation.
After you graduate, ask your high school counselor to upload your final official transcript with proof of graduation to your Eligibility Center account.
