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NCSAA Eligibility

NCAA Eligibility & Academic Requirements

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In the USA, NCAA academic eligibility is determined by two key factors:

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  • Core Course Completion: Student-athletes must complete 16 NCAA-approved core courses during high school. Requirements vary slightly between Division I and Division II institutions.

  • Core Course GPA: Eligibility is based on GPA earned in core courses only—not the full high school transcript. Students should work closely with their school counsellor to ensure compliance.

 

While approximately 75% of college student-athletes meet NCAA academic minimums, strong grades alone do not guarantee eligibility. Each year, students with high GPAs are ruled ineligible due to missing specific NCAA requirements.

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Although the NCAA no longer mandates SAT or ACT scores, some colleges and scholarship programs may still require them. Prospective student-athletes should confirm testing expectations for each institution.

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Here is a comprehensive guide to NCSAA Eligibility by Division

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NCAA Division I

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For high-school athletes enrolling in college full-time in 2023-24 and beyond: 

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  • Complete 16 core courses using pass/fail grades:

    • English: 4 years

    • Math (Algebra 1 or higher): 3 years

    • Natural/Physical Science (Including 1 year of lab, if offered): 2 years

    • Social Science: 2 years

    • Additional Courses

      • English, Math or Science: 1 year

      • English, Math, Sciences, Foreign Language, Comparative Religion or Philosophy: 4 years

  • Core Course Progression: You must complete 10 core courses by the beginning of senior year, or seventh semester. Among these 10, seven must be in the subjects of English, math or natural/physical science. This is known as the 10/7 rule.

  • Earn a core course GPA of 2.3 or higher 

  • Graduate high school

  • Receive final certification on your amateurism status via the NCAA Eligibility Center

NCAA Division II

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For high-school athletes enrolling in college full-time in 2023-2024 and beyond:

 

  • Complete 16 core courses using pass/fail grades:

    • English: 3 years

    • Math (Algebra 1 or higher): 2 years

    • Natural/Physical Science (Including 1 year of lab, if offered): 2 years

    • Social Science: 2 years

    • Additional Courses

      • English, Math or Science: 3 year

      • English, Math, Sciences, Foreign Language, Comparative Religion or Philosophy: 4 years

  • Earn a core course GPA of 2.2 or higher 

  • Graduate high school

  • Receive final certification on your amateurism status via the NCAA Eligibility Center

NCAA Division III & Junior College (JUCO)

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NCAA Division III institutions set their own academic eligibility standards. Student-athletes considering Division III (or those still determining which collegiate level to pursue) may begin with a free NCAA Profile and upgrade to a Certification Account if they later decide to pursue Division I or II opportunities.

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Junior colleges require student-athletes to have earned a standard high school diploma or an approved equivalency, such as a GED, in accordance with NJCAA guidelines. Junior college programs often serve as a pathway for athletes seeking to gain eligibility for NCAA or NAIA institutions or for those who wish to explore academic options before transferring to a four-year school.

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