The NCAA initial-eligibility rules have changed.
If you plan to enroll in any Division I or Division II college or university in fall 2005 or after, please read this information carefully.

For students entering any college or university on or after August 1, 2005, your NCAA initial eligibility will be evaluated under the new rules as described on this sheet.

For students entering any Division I college or university on or after August 1, 2008, your NCAA initial eligibility will be evaluated under the 16 core-course rule as described on this sheet.

THE NEW RULE:

  • Increases the number of core courses from 13 to 14. This additional core course may be in any area: English, mathematics, natural/physical science, social science, foreign language or nondoctrinal religion/philosophy. The breakdown of core-course requirements is listed below.
  • Changes the Division I inigial-eligibility index, or sliding scale. See below for the Core GPA/test score sliding-scale index.
  • The 16 core-course rule increases the number of core courses from 14 to 16 for Division I only. Students must complete three years of mathematics (Algebra I or higher), and four years of additional core courses. The additional core course may be taken in any area: English, mathematics, natural/physical science, social science, foreign language or nondoctrinal religion/philosophy. The breakdown of the requirements is listed below.

DIVISION I
2005-2007

14 Core Courses:

4 Years of English.

2 years of mathematics (Algebra I or higher)

2 years of natural/physical science (1 year of lab if offered by high school).

1 year of additional English, mathematics or natural/physical science.

2 years of social science.

3 years of additional courses (from any area above, foreign language or nondoctrinal religion/philosophy).

DIVISION I
16 CORE-COURSE RULE
2008 and after

16 Core Courses:

4 Years of English.

3 years of mathematics (Algebra I or higher)

2 years of natural/physical science (1 year of lab if offered by high school).

1 year of additional English, mathematics or natural/physical science.

2 years of social science.

4 years of additional courses (from any area above, foreign language or nondoctrinal religion/philosophy).

DIVISION I
2005 and after

14 Core Courses:

3 Years of English.

2 years of mathematics (Algebra I or higher)

2 years of natural/physical science (1 year of lab if offered by high school).

2 year of additional English, mathematics or natural/physical science.

2 years of social science.

3 years of additional courses (from any area above, foreign language or nondoctrinal religion/philosophy).

PLEASE NOTE: Computer science is being eliminated as an acceptable core-course area for students first entering any college or university on or after August 1, 2005. Students entering college on or after August 1, 2005, may not use any computer science courses in meeting the core-course requirements, unless the course receives graduation credit in mathematics or natural/physical science, and is listed as such on the high school's list of NCAA-approved core courses.

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION

  • In Division II, there is no sliding scale. The minimum core grade-point average is 2.000. The minimum SAT score is 820 and the minimum ACT sum score is 68.
  • Students first entering a Division I or Division II collegiate institution on or after August 1, 2005, must meet the new 14 core-course rule.
  • State tests, such as those given in Colorado and Illinois, are not acceptable.

For more information regarding the new rule, please go to www.ncaa.org. Click on "Student-athletes and Parents" in the "Custom Home Pages" section. You may also visit the clearinghouse Web site at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net.

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT NCAA ELIGIBILITY, PLEASE CALL THE NCAA INITIAL-ELIGIBILIGY CLEARINGHOUSE TOLL-FREE AT 877/262-1492. YOU MAY ALSO CALL THE NCAA AT 317/917-6222.