ncaa initial eligibility elizabeth donohue assistant athletic director/ senior woman administrator...

NCAA Initial EligibilityNCAA Initial Eligibility

Elizabeth DonohueElizabeth DonohueAssistant Athletic Director/Assistant Athletic Director/

Senior Woman AdministratorSenior Woman AdministratorMarist College Marist College

What is the NCAA What is the NCAA Eligibility Center?Eligibility Center?

The NCAA Eligibility Center will The NCAA Eligibility Center will certify the academic and amateur certify the academic and amateur credentials of all college-bound credentials of all college-bound student-athletes who wish to student-athletes who wish to compete in NCAA Division I or II compete in NCAA Division I or II athletics.athletics.

Four Parts of Initial EligibilityFour Parts of Initial Eligibility

1. Graduation from high school.1. Graduation from high school.

2. Earn a minimum core grade-2. Earn a minimum core grade-point average.point average.

3. Earn a minimum ACT or SAT test 3. Earn a minimum ACT or SAT test score.score.

4. Completion of 16 core courses.4. Completion of 16 core courses.

Graduation Requirement for Graduation Requirement for Division IDivision I

You must complete the 16 core You must complete the 16 core course requirement in eight course requirement in eight semesters.semesters.

If you graduate in eight semesters, If you graduate in eight semesters, you may use one core course you may use one core course completed in the year after completed in the year after graduation.graduation.

You may complete the course at a You may complete the course at a location other than your high school.location other than your high school.

Core Course DefinedCore Course Defined1.1. Recognized academic course which Recognized academic course which

qualifies for high school graduation:qualifies for high school graduation:- EnglishEnglish- Mathematics (MUST be at level of Mathematics (MUST be at level of

Algebra I or above)Algebra I or above)– Natural or Physical ScienceNatural or Physical Science– Social ScienceSocial Science– Foreign LanguageForeign Language– Nondoctrinal Religion or PhilosophyNondoctrinal Religion or Philosophy

Core-Course Defined Core-Course Defined ContinuedContinued

2. Must be considered college 2. Must be considered college preparatory for entrance into a preparatory for entrance into a

four-year college;four-year college;

3. Math must be at the level of 3. Math must be at the level of Algebra I or higher;Algebra I or higher;

4. Taught by a qualified instructor;4. Taught by a qualified instructor;

5. At or above regular academic 5. At or above regular academic level.level.

Grade-Average CalculationGrade-Average CalculationGPA of core courses is on a 4.000 scale.GPA of core courses is on a 4.000 scale.

Grades from additional core courses you took will Grades from additional core courses you took will be used only if they improve your grade-point be used only if they improve your grade-point average.average.

Following values are for each letter grade:Following values are for each letter grade:A – 4 pointsA – 4 points C – 2 pointsC – 2 points

B – 3 pointsB – 3 points D – 1 pointD – 1 point

If your high school uses plus and minus grades If your high school uses plus and minus grades (A+ or B-) the plus and minus WILL NOT be used.(A+ or B-) the plus and minus WILL NOT be used.

If your high school uses numeric grades, those If your high school uses numeric grades, those grades will be changed to letter grades.grades will be changed to letter grades.

Use of Non-Traditional CoursesUse of Non-Traditional Courses

1. Must meet definition of NCAA core 1. Must meet definition of NCAA core course;course;

2. Instructor and student have access to 2. Instructor and student have access to one another for teaching, one another for teaching,

evaluating, evaluating, assisting;assisting;

3. Evaluation of work is conducted 3. Evaluation of work is conducted by by appropriate academic appropriate academic authorities;authorities;

4. Acceptable for all students, and 4. Acceptable for all students, and is is placed on the high-school placed on the high-school

transcript.transcript.

Division I Core-Course Division I Core-Course RequirementsRequirements

4 years of English4 years of English3 years of mathematics (level of Algebra I 3 years of mathematics (level of Algebra I or higher) or higher)2 years of natural/physical science (1 year 2 years of natural/physical science (1 year lab)lab)1 additional year of English, mathematics 1 additional year of English, mathematics or natural/physical scienceor natural/physical science2 years social science2 years social science4 years additional course (courses above, 4 years additional course (courses above, foreign language, nondoctrinal foreign language, nondoctrinal religion/philosophyreligion/philosophy

Division I Division I Initial-Eligibility IndexInitial-Eligibility Index

This is an abbreviated version of the full scale This is an abbreviated version of the full scale showing the high end, the low end and points in showing the high end, the low end and points in between.between.

Core GPACore GPA SATSAT ACTACT

(Sum Score)(Sum Score)

3.5503.550 400400 3737

3.0003.000 620620 5252

2.7502.750 720720 5959

2.5002.500 820820 6868

2.2502.250 920920 7777

2.0002.000 10101010 8686

Division II Core-Course Division II Core-Course Requirements until 2013Requirements until 2013

3 years of English3 years of English2 years of mathematics (level of Algebra I 2 years of mathematics (level of Algebra I or higher) or higher)2 years of natural/physical science (1 year 2 years of natural/physical science (1 year lab)lab)2 additional years of English, mathematics 2 additional years of English, mathematics or natural/physical scienceor natural/physical science2 years social science2 years social science3 years additional course (courses above, 3 years additional course (courses above, foreign language, nondoctrinal foreign language, nondoctrinal religion/philosophyreligion/philosophy

Division IIDivision IIInitial-Eligibility IndexInitial-Eligibility Index

Present a 2.000 grade-point average Present a 2.000 grade-point average in 14 core coursesin 14 core courses

Achieve a combination SAT score of Achieve a combination SAT score of 820 or a sum score of 68 on the ACT820 or a sum score of 68 on the ACT

If you enroll in a Division II college on If you enroll in a Division II college on or after August 1, 2013 you must or after August 1, 2013 you must earn 16 core courses:earn 16 core courses:33 additional years of English, math or additional years of English, math or natural/physical sciencenatural/physical science

4 4 years of additional core courses (from any years of additional core courses (from any category)category)

IMPORTANT!IMPORTANT!Computer Science Eliminated!Computer Science Eliminated!

Computer science courses cannot be Computer science courses cannot be used for initial-eligibility used for initial-eligibility

purposes.purposes.

Eliminated for both Division I and Eliminated for both Division I and Division II. Effective Aug. 1, 2005Division II. Effective Aug. 1, 2005

Can only be used if high school Can only be used if high school grants graduation credit in math grants graduation credit in math

or natural or physical science. or natural or physical science.

One Core Course after One Core Course after GraduationGraduation

Since 2007: If you graduate from Since 2007: If you graduate from high school within 8 semesters (4 high school within 8 semesters (4 years) you may use ONE core course years) you may use ONE core course completed in the year after completed in the year after graduation (summer or academic yr)graduation (summer or academic yr)

Ex: Summer school course or course Ex: Summer school course or course during a prep school year.during a prep school year.

Your GOAL at Division I or II is Your GOAL at Division I or II is to become a QUALIFIER:to become a QUALIFIER:

Can practice or compete for your Can practice or compete for your college during your first year of college during your first year of college;college;

Can receive an athletics scholarship Can receive an athletics scholarship during your first year of college; andduring your first year of college; and

Can play four seasons in your sport if Can play four seasons in your sport if you maintain your eligibility from you maintain your eligibility from year to year.year to year.

NonqualifierNonqualifierCannot practice or compete for your college Cannot practice or compete for your college during your first year of college;during your first year of college;

Cannot receive an athletics scholarship Cannot receive an athletics scholarship during your first year of college, although you during your first year of college, although you may receive need-based financial aid; andmay receive need-based financial aid; and

In Division I: Can play only three seasons in In Division I: Can play only three seasons in your sport if you maintain your eligibility from your sport if you maintain your eligibility from year to year (to earn a fourth season you year to year (to earn a fourth season you must complete at least 80 percent of your must complete at least 80 percent of your degree requirements before beginning your degree requirements before beginning your fifth year of college.fifth year of college.

How to Prepare for Qualifier How to Prepare for Qualifier StatusStatus

Freshmen/Sophomores:Freshmen/Sophomores:Start planning now!Start planning now! Take classes that match your Take classes that match your

school’s approved course listschool’s approved course list Fully prepare for a four-year college.Fully prepare for a four-year college. Meet NCAA core-course Meet NCAA core-course

requirements.requirements.


Junior yearJunior year

Take ACT or SAT test.Take ACT or SAT test. Report test scores to the Report test scores to the

Eligibility Center.Eligibility Center. Use code 9999 when registering.Use code 9999 when registering. That will automatically send scores That will automatically send scores

to the Eligibility Center.to the Eligibility Center. Test scores on your transcript will Test scores on your transcript will

not be accepted.not be accepted.


Junior YearJunior Year Register online at Register online at

www.ncaaclearinghouse.orgwww.ncaaclearinghouse.org You must register if you wish to You must register if you wish to

participate in athletics at any participate in athletics at any Division I or II institution.Division I or II institution.

Have counselor sends six-Have counselor sends six-semester transcript to the semester transcript to the Eligibility Eligibility Center at the end of the Center at the end of the year.year.

When Does a Student Receive When Does a Student Receive a Preliminary Report?a Preliminary Report?

The Eligibility Center prioritizes incoming The Eligibility Center prioritizes incoming information by the following categories:information by the following categories:

Students who are being actively Students who are being actively recruited by an institution and are on an recruited by an institution and are on an institutional request list;institutional request list;

Students with disabilities who have Students with disabilities who have taken a taken a nonstandard test or who have nonstandard test or who have registered an education-impacting registered an education-impacting disability;disability;

Students who request a report.Students who request a report.


During the senior yearDuring the senior year Continue to monitor course selection.Continue to monitor course selection. Confirm accuracy of preliminary report Confirm accuracy of preliminary report

and review it with the high school and review it with the high school counselor.counselor.

Continue to take SAT, ACT if necessaryContinue to take SAT, ACT if necessary

After the senior yearAfter the senior year Request that the counselor send final Request that the counselor send final

transcript (with proof of graduation) to transcript (with proof of graduation) to the Eligibility Center.the Eligibility Center.

Transcript Accuracy is Vital!!Transcript Accuracy is Vital!!Once the Eligibility Center receives a final Once the Eligibility Center receives a final transcript, a revised transcript will not be transcript, a revised transcript will not be used.used.All transcript changes after graduation All transcript changes after graduation must be handled through the initial-must be handled through the initial-eligibility waiver process.eligibility waiver process.The Eligibility Center MUST also receive a The Eligibility Center MUST also receive a transcript from EACH high school you transcript from EACH high school you attended.attended.

Accommodations for Accommodations for Students with DisabilitiesStudents with Disabilities

Two frequently asked questions:Two frequently asked questions:

1.1. What initial eligibility standards must a What initial eligibility standards must a student diagnosed with disabilities meet?student diagnosed with disabilities meet?Same as all other students, however they are Same as all other students, however they are permitted to use the accommodations.permitted to use the accommodations.

2. Who is eligible to use the accommodations?2. Who is eligible to use the accommodations?Those with a diagnosed disability and who are Those with a diagnosed disability and who are receiving accommodations from their high receiving accommodations from their high school.school.

AccommodationsAccommodations1. SAT or ACT scores 1. SAT or ACT scores • Nonstandardized scores (e.g., untimed, test Nonstandardized scores (e.g., untimed, test

reading)reading)• Approval must be obtained through the testing Approval must be obtained through the testing

agencyagency

2. Core Curriculum2. Core Curriculum• Credit for course work specifically designed for Credit for course work specifically designed for

students with disabilities students with disabilities • Specific to each high schoolSpecific to each high school• Course MUST appear on approved course listingCourse MUST appear on approved course listing

AccommodationsAccommodations

Time extension for the completion of Time extension for the completion of the 16 core courses (Division I only).the 16 core courses (Division I only).

- - Can complete all courses prior to initial full Can complete all courses prior to initial full time enrollment in a collegiate institution time enrollment in a collegiate institution (e.g., summer after 12(e.g., summer after 12thth grade). grade).

- Division II already has this provision.- Division II already has this provision.

Documenting your Education-Documenting your Education-Impacting DisabilityImpacting Disability

No need to register if you meet No need to register if you meet qualifier standards.qualifier standards.

Must register if:Must register if:– In Division I only, student needs to use In Division I only, student needs to use

courses taken after the eighth semester courses taken after the eighth semester of high school and before initial full-time of high school and before initial full-time collegiate enrollment.collegiate enrollment.

Includes summer school courses after Includes summer school courses after senior year.senior year.

To RegisterTo Register

Send to the following documents to the Send to the following documents to the NCAA:NCAA:– Professional diagnosis of disability;Professional diagnosis of disability;– Diagnostic test results used in diagnosing Diagnostic test results used in diagnosing

the disability (usually included in the the disability (usually included in the report of the professional diagnosis); andreport of the professional diagnosis); and

– Copy of the Individual Education Plan Copy of the Individual Education Plan (IEP), Individual Transition Plan (ITP), 504 (IEP), Individual Transition Plan (ITP), 504 Plan or other statement of Plan or other statement of accommodations.accommodations.

– Sent to: NCAA Eligibility Center P.O. Box Sent to: NCAA Eligibility Center P.O. Box 7110 Indianapolis, IN 46207-71107110 Indianapolis, IN 46207-7110

AmateurismAmateurism

Division I and II athletes must be Division I and II athletes must be certified as an amateur student-certified as an amateur student-athlete by Eligibility Center.athlete by Eligibility Center.

Students will complete an Students will complete an amateurism questionnaire when amateurism questionnaire when registering with Eligibility Center. registering with Eligibility Center.

Some Points to Remember . . .Some Points to Remember . . .1.1. The requirements for eligibility to participate at Division I differ from The requirements for eligibility to participate at Division I differ from

those required at Division II.those required at Division II.2.2. Initial-eligibility waivers MUST be filed by an NCAA institution on Initial-eligibility waivers MUST be filed by an NCAA institution on

behalf of the student (Note: students with NCAA approved behalf of the student (Note: students with NCAA approved diagnosed disabilities may file a waiver on their own behalf.)diagnosed disabilities may file a waiver on their own behalf.)

3.3. Correspondence and independent study courses may be used to Correspondence and independent study courses may be used to meet the 14/16 core-course requirements provided they meet meet the 14/16 core-course requirements provided they meet certain requirements.certain requirements.

4.4. Courses taken in the eighth grade MAY NOT be used to satisfy the Courses taken in the eighth grade MAY NOT be used to satisfy the core-curriculum requirements.core-curriculum requirements.

5.5. Students enrolling in a Division I institution generally MAY NOT use Students enrolling in a Division I institution generally MAY NOT use courses taken after high-school graduation to meet core-curriculum courses taken after high-school graduation to meet core-curriculum requirements. (Note 1: exception), (Note 2: Students with NCAA-requirements. (Note 1: exception), (Note 2: Students with NCAA-approved diagnosed disabilities may use courses taken after approved diagnosed disabilities may use courses taken after graduation but before full-time college enrollment.)graduation but before full-time college enrollment.)

6.6. Only core-course grade-point averages are used to calculate the Only core-course grade-point averages are used to calculate the core-course GPA. Additional courses taken beyond the 14/16 may core-course GPA. Additional courses taken beyond the 14/16 may be used to assist the overall average if needed. be used to assist the overall average if needed.

7.7. Students who attend multiple high schools MUST submit transcripts Students who attend multiple high schools MUST submit transcripts from all high schools.from all high schools.

Important Numbers/WebsitesImportant Numbers/WebsitesEligibility Center Customer ServiceEligibility Center Customer Service– 877/262-1492877/262-1492

Eligibility Center FaxEligibility Center Fax– 319/337-1556319/337-1556

NCAA National OfficeNCAA National Office– 317/917-6222317/917-6222

NCAA FaxNCAA Fax– 317/917-6622317/917-6622

NCAA PublicationsNCAA Publications– 800/638-3731800/638-3731

Eligibility Center websiteEligibility Center websitewww.ncaaclearinghouse.org www.ncaaclearinghouse.org

NCAA websiteNCAA websitewww.ncaa.org

ncaa initial eligibility elizabeth donohue assistant athletic director/ senior woman administrator...

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