NCAA / NAIA

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NCAA Eligibility

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is a non- profit association that regulates student athletes who play competitively in college sports. There are three divisions:

Division I: Division I schools, on average, enroll the most students, manage the largest athletics budgets, offer a wide array of academic programs and provide the most athletics scholarships.
Division II: Division II provides growth opportunities through academic achievement, high-level athletics competition and community engagement. Schools in Division II emphasize a life balance in which academically and athletically gifted students can compete at a high level, while maintaining a traditional collegiate experience.
Division III: Academics are the primary focus for Division III student-athletes who experience shorter sports seasons, reducing their time away from academic studies and other campus activities.

FAQs

Do schools in all three divisions offer athletics scholarships?

Schools in Divisions I and II provide more than $2.7 billion in athletics scholarships annually to more than 150,000 student-athletes. Division III schools do not offer athletically related financial aid, but student-athletes may receive academic or need-based financial aid.

Are initial-eligibility standards similar in all three divisions?

If you want to compete at a Division I or II school, you must meet academic and amateurism standards set by the NCAA membership. At Division III schools, you must meet the admission standards set by the school for all incoming students and amateurism standards set by the NCAA membership.

Initial Eligibility

If you want to practice, compete and receive an athletics scholarship during your first year at a Division I or II school, the NCAA Eligibility Center must certify you as eligible.

Grade 9

Start planning now: take the right courses and earn the best grades possible. Check your high school’s list of NCAA approved Courselist
Spring: Check with your guidance specialist to make sure you are on track to complete the required number of NCAA-approved courses.

Grade 10

Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center
If you fall behind, ask your guidance specialist for help with finding approved courses you can take.
Spring: Check with your guidance specialist to make sure you are on track to complete the required number of NCAA-approved courses.

Grade 11

Take the ACT or SAT and submit your scores to the NCAA Eligibility Center using code 9999.
Send official transcript to NCAA Eligibility Center through Parchment. If you took classes at more than one high school or program, submit an official transcript for each school.
Spring: Check with your guidance specialist to make sure you are on track to complete the required number of NCAA-approved courses. Review next year's course selection with your guidance specialist. Make sure you are on track to graduate on time with your classes.

Grade 12

Complete your final NCAA core courses as you prepare for graduation.
Take the ACT or SAT again, if necessary, and submit your scores to the NCAA Eligibility Center using code 9999.
Request your final amateurism certification beginning April 1 (fall enrollees) or Oct. 1 (spring enrollees) in your NCAA Eligibility Center account.
After you graduate, send your final official transcript with proof of graduation to the NCAA Eligibility Center via Parchment. Only students on an NCAA Division I or II school’s certification request list will receive a certification.

Websites

NCAA Eligibility Center: Information on initial eligibility process

NCAA Course list: Look up which EHS courses are NCAA approved. EHS CEEB Code: 051218

NCAA Student Athlete Guide: Comprehensive guide on NCAA and eligibility process

Learn about the 3 Divisions

Create NCAA Eligibility Account

NCAA Student-Athlete Resources

NAIA Eligibility