NCAA Information
The NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) is the governing organization for collegiate athletics, setting rules on eligibility, recruiting, and financial aid.
Student-athletes must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center to be eligible to play NCAA Division I or II sports in college. Athletes playing in Division III do not have to register.
What is the NCAA Eligibility Center?
The NCAA Eligibility Center certifies whether prospective college athletes are eligible to play sports at NCAA Division I or II institutions. It reviews the student-athlete's academic record and amateur status to ensure conformity with NCAA rules.
When should students register?
The NCAA recommends that student-athletes register at the beginning of their junior year in high school, but many students register after their junior year. There is no registration deadline, but students must be cleared by the Eligibility Center before they receive athletic scholarships or compete at a Division I or II institution.
How do students register?
Students must register online at the NCAA Eligibility Center. They will have to enter personal information, answer questions about their coursework and sports participation outside of high school. There is a registration fee.
What are the Academic Requirements?
Requirements include completion of core courses as approved by the NCAA, with a required core-course grade point average.
Division I and II participation requires successful completion of 16 core courses in specific curricular areas. A minimum 2.30 NCAA core-course GPA is required for Division I, and a 2.20 NCAA core-course GPA is required for Division II participation. Your core-course GPA, established by the NCAA Eligibility Center, will differ from your cumulative unweighted GPA.
The linked worksheets and Eligibility Standards are provided to assist you in monitoring your progress in meeting NCAA initial eligibility standards. The NCAA Eligibility Center will determine your academic status after you graduate.
- Division I Eligibility Standards
- Division II Eligibility Standards
- Division III Eligibility Standards
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
NCAA has compiled answers to the most frequently asked questions by topic.