What are the NCAA Eligibility Center requirements?
When determining eligibility, the NCAA looks at two major aspects of a student-athlete’s profile: academic and athletic eligibility. To determine academic eligibility the NCAA examines your core classes, as well as your GPA compared to your standardized test score, either SAT or ACT. This is known as the sliding scale.
To be academically eligible to play at the NCAA DI or D2 level you must take certain required core classes and maintain at least a 2.0 GPA)
For student-athletes enrolling in 2015, the minimum GPA requirement to compete as a freshman will be a 2.3. Athletes with a 2.0-2.2 can still receive an athletic scholarship, but will not be able to compete their freshman year.
Remember, just because you are cleared by the Eligibility Center does not mean your grades are good enough for enrollment at a college. Each individual school sets the academic standards for its student body.
The NCAA will also review your amateurism. A vast majority of athletes are approved, but the NCAA will review professional contracts, salaries paid, and prize money that exceeds the cost of playing in the tournament. Any competition, practices, or tryouts with professionals, benefits from agents or potential agents, and financial assistance based on athletic ability may also come under scrutiny.
Age is the last aspect of NCAA eligibility requirements. The NCAA gives you 5 years to compete in 4. The 5th year is a redshirt year. The NCAA gives you a one year grace period after graduating high school. Your eligibility clock begins to countdown one year after you graduate high school.
After you register you will need to submit your transcripts, standardized test scores (either SAT or ACT), answer the questions regarding your amateurism, and submit payment. The NCAA Eligibility Center costs $65 for US athletes and $95 for foreign athletes.
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