NCAA Requirements

NCAA Eligibility Requirements for High School Student Athletes

ACTUAL REQUIREMENTS

1. ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

• CORE COURSES:
• Students must complete 16 core courses.
• For Division I, this includes 4 years of English, 3 years of math (Algebra I or higher), 2 years of natural or physical science (including one lab course), 1 additional year of English, math, or science, 2 years of social science, and 4 additional years of any of the above or foreign language, philosophy, or comparative religion.
• GPA:
• A minimum GPA is required in these core courses.
• For Division I, the GPA is combined with the SAT or ACT score to determine eligibility. The higher the GPA, the lower the test score can be, and vice versa.
• Division II has a minimum GPA requirement of 2.2.
• Standardized Tests:
• Students must achieve a minimum score on the SAT or ACT.
• Division I, the score required depends on the GPA
• Division II, a minimum SAT score of 820 or an ACT sum score of 68 is needed.
• Some schools do NOT REQUIRE SAT or ACT, please make sure to ask your coach.

2. Athletic Requirements:

• Amateurism:
• Students must maintain amateur status. This means they cannot accept payment for playing their sport, compete with professionals, or sign a contract with a professional team.
• Competition:
• Participation in recruiting events, showcases, and camps are important to get noticed by college coaches. Performance during the high school season and any club teams also plays a significant role.

3. Financial Requirements:

• Scholarships:
• Understanding the types of scholarships available (full, partial, or walk-on opportunities) is crucial.
• Scholarships can cover tuition, room and board, books, and other fees.

Where to Get More Information

1. NCAA Eligibility Center:

• Website:
• NCAA Eligibility Center - This is the official site to register and get detailed information about the eligibility process, including academic and amateurism certification.

2. High School Guidance Counselors:

• Counselors can provide personalized advice and ensure students are taking the correct courses and meeting GPA requirements.

3. College Athletic Departments:

• Contacting the compliance office of colleges of interest can provide specific requirements and any updates to NCAA regulations.

4. College Recruiting Directors at your Club:

• Contacting the person in charge of college recruiting at your club, if they do not have one, approach your H.S. coach to ask for insights.  Or, email one of our APEX coaches for a 50 minute coaching session.

5. Financial Aid Offices:

• FAFSA:
• Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is crucial for understanding the financial aid available beyond athletic scholarships.
• College Scholarships Services (CSS) Profile:
• Some colleges require this profile for non-federal financial aid.

6. Apex Profiles:

• www.apexprofiles.video
• Our team offers resources and tools for managing the recruiting process and understanding eligibility requirements.

For detailed guidance on NCAA eligibility and more resources, visit the NCAA Eligibility Center and consult with your high school guidance counselor.