NCAA Initial Eligibility Rules for College Participation

NCAAInitial EligibilityRules for College Participation Presenter Betty Remigino-Knapp Athletic Director

What is the NCAA • National Collegiate Athletic Association • Governs athletics for all colleges and universities • Made up of 1006 schools and classified in three divisions • Division I 325 schools • Division II 270 schools • Division III 470

Divisional Differences • Division I and II offer athletic scholarships • Division III and Ivy League colleges do not offer athletic scholarships

NCAA Clearinghouse/Eligibility Center • The NCAA Clearinghouse certifies if student athletes high school records meet the eligibility requirements for Division I and II schools

NCAA Amateurism Certification • All prospective student-athletes entering an NCAA Division I or II institution must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center and have his or her amateur status certified • Prospective student-athletes enrolling in spring 2008 must request final certification of their amateur status beginning October 15th • Fall enrollees are encouraged to complete questionnaire asap

OVERVIEW • Four parts of initial eligibility. • Changes in initial-eligibility rules. • How to assist students with the initial-eligibility process. • Accommodations for students with disabilities. • Recruiting.

Four Parts of Initial Eligibility 1. Graduation from high school. 2. Minimum core grade-point average. 3. Minimum ACT or SAT test score. • Completion of 14 core courses in Division II and 16 core courses in Division I.

Core-Course Definition An NCAA core course must meet the following: 1. Recognized academic course which qualifies for high-school graduation credit in one or a combination of: English, math, science, social studies, foreign language, computer science, nondoctrinal religion, philosophy;

Core-Course Definition 2. Course must be considered college preparatory for entrance into a four-year college; 3. Mathematics must be at the level of Algebra I or higher; 4. Course must be taught by a qualified instructor; 5. Course must be at or above regular academic level.

Use of Non-Traditional Courses 1. Course must meet definition of NCAA core course; 2. Instructor and student must have access to one another for teaching, evaluating,assisting; 3. Evaluation of work is conducted by appropriate academic authorities; 4. Course is acceptable for all students, and is placed on the high-school transcript.

Division I Core-Course Requirements--Current Rule • 16 Core Courses • 4 years of English • 3 years of math (at Algebra I or higher) • 2 years of science (one must be a lab) • 1 year of additional English, math or science • 2 years of social studies • 4 years of additional core-course units(from any area above, foreign language or nondoctrinal religion/philosophy)

Steps You Must Take to Participate in NCAA Division I or II Athletics • Freshmen and Sophomores: • •Start planning now! • •Take classes that match your school’s NCAA List of Approved Core Courses. The NCAA Eligibility Center will only use approved core courses to certify your initial eligibility. • •You can access and print your high school’s NCAA List of Approved Core Courses at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net.

Division I Initial-Eligibility Index Current RuleThis is an abbreviated version of the index. For the full index, see the NCAA Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete.

New Division I Initial-Eligibility Index • This is an abbreviated version of the full scale. This shows the high end, the low end and points in between.

You will be a nonqualifier in Division I • If you do not meet the academic requirements for core courses. As a nonqualifier, you: • May not participate in athletics competition or practice during your first year in college; • May receive financial aid based only on need (not athletic based aid) in your first year; and • May play only three seasons (to earn a fourth season you must graduate before your fifth year )

Division II Core-Course Requirements • 14 Required Core Courses • 3 years of English • 2 years of math (at Algebra I or higher) • 2 years of science (one must be a lab) • 2 years of additional English, math or science • 2 years of social studies • 3 years of additional core-course units • *On or after August 2013 -16 Core Courses for Div. II • 3 years of additional English, math or science • 4 years of additional core-course units

Division III College NCAA Initial Eligibility Requirements • There are NO NCAA initial eligibility requirements used in Division III • Student should contact the specific college regarding financial aid, practice and competition rules.

Division II Minimum 820 SAT or 68 sum ACT And 2.00 core grade-point average Division II has no sliding scale.

Partial Qualifier Division II You will be a partial qualifier if you meet one of the following: The specified minimum SAT or ACT score; or Completion of the required 14 core courses with a 2.0 grade point average in your core courses.

As a partial qualifier, you: • May practice with your team at its home facility; • May receive an athletics scholarship during your first year; • May not compete during your freshman year; • May compete in the four seasons remaining.

Nonqualifier Division II • If you have not graduated from high school or have not presented the core-course grade point average, SAT or ACT scores. As a nonqualifier, you: • May not participate in athletics competition or practice during your first year in college; • May receive financial aid based only on need in your first year. • May play in four seasons.

IMPORTANT!Computer Science is Being Eliminated! • Computer science courses cannot be used for initial-eligibility purposes. • Eliminated for both Division I and Division II. • Effective August 1, 2005, for those first entering college on or after August 1, 2005.

How to Assist Your Students Grades 9-12 Guide students in their course selection to: • Meet high-school graduation requirements. • Fully prepare students for a four-year college. • Meet NCAA core-course requirements.

How to Assist Your Students Junior year • Take ACT or SAT test. • Report test scores to the clearinghouse. • Use code 9999 when registering. • That will automatically send scores to the clearinghouse.

How to Assist Your Students Junior year • ACT or SAT test. • Report scores to the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse. After junior year • Register on line with the clearinghouse. • Counselor sends six-semester transcript to the clearinghouse.

Who Needs to Register with the Clearinghouse? A student who plans to attend an NCAA Division I or II institution and who wishes to participate in intercollegiate athletics.

Your Role in the Clearinghouse Process • Assist students with the on-line registration procedure at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net • Send the student’s preliminary transcript (with at least six semesters represented) to the clearinghouse.

When Should Students Register? • Register on line at the conclusion of the junior year. • The clearinghouse will not process a transcript with fewer than six semesters represented.

When Does a Student Receive a Preliminary Report? The clearinghouse prioritizes incoming information by the following categories: • Students who are being actively recruited by an institution and are on an institutional request list; • Students with disabilities who have taken a nonstandard test or who have registered with NCAA disability services; • Students who request a report.

How to Assist Your Students During the senior year • Continue to monitor course selection. After the senior year • Counselor sends final transcript (with proof of graduation) to the clearinghouse.

Transcript Accuracy is Vital!! • Once the clearinghouse receives a final transcript, a revised transcript will not be used. • All transcript changes after graduation must be handled through the initial-eligibility waiver process.

Four Parts of Initial Eligibility 1. Graduation from high school. 2. Minimum core grade-point average. 3. Minimum ACT or SAT test score. • Completion of 14 core courses for Division II • Completion of 16 core courses for Division I

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities • Use of a nonstandard ACT and/or SAT test. • Use of courses taken after high-school graduation. • Use of courses specifically designed for students with disabilities.

Registering with NCAA Disability Services • No need to register unless: • In Division I only, student needs to use courses taken after the eighth semester of high school and before initial full-time collegiate enrollment. • Includes summer school courses after senior year.

To Register: • Send to the NCAA the following documents: • Professional diagnosis of disability; • Diagnostic test results used in diagnosing the disability (usually included in the report of the professional diagnosis); and • Copy of the student’s Individual Education Plan (IEP), Individual Transition Plan (ITP), 504 Plan or other statement of accommodations. • Sent to: NCAA Membership Services, P.O. Box 6222, Indianapolis, Indiana 46206-6222.

The Recruiting Process • Develop a list of prospective schools with help of guidance counselors, coaches, and your athletic director. • Consideration should be given to academic achievement and athletic ability • Make certain you are taking the required core courses • Research schools you are interested in

Student Athlete Tasks • Review the NCAA Guide for College Bound Student Athlete. Available online • Familiarize yourself with the rules and regulations governing recruiting, eligibility and financial aid • Update your athletic resume • Ask your coach to evaluate your athletic ability and recommend an appropriate level of competition. Be realistic • Send letter, email or call schools you are interested in • Schedule visits to schools interested in

Recruiting • Printed materials. • Generally, on/after September 1 beginning of junior year. May vary by sport. • Phone calls. • Division I • Football: Once in May after junior year, then once weekly September 1 and after. • Men’s Basketball: One call in March of junior year. One on/after June 21 after junior year. Three calls in July after junior year. Once weekly thereafter. • Women’s Basketball: One call on/after June 21 after junior year. Three calls in July after junior year. Once weekly thereafter. • Other sports: On/after July 1 after junior year. • Division II • On/after June 15 after junior year.

Recruiting Visits • Unofficial Visit • Prospect pays all expenses. • Institution may provide 3 complimentary admissions to an on-campus athletics event. • Prospect may take an unofficial visit at any time. • Prospect may take as many unofficial visits as he/she wishes.

Recruiting Visits • Official visits • Institution finances all or part of the visit. • Maximum of 5 visits per prospect. • One visit per school. • Maximum 48 hours in length. • Academic requirements for visit: • Division I: Test score and transcript. • Division II: Test score.

Recruiting • National Letter of Intent (NLI) • Binding one-year agreement. • Prospect must attend that institution for one year. • Institution must provide prospect with athletics financial aid in conjunction with the NLI. • Athletic aid is for one year only, renewed on a year-to year basis.

Campus Recruiting Visits • Confirm arrangements • Financial arrangement (official vs unofficial) • What to bring: Athletic resume, Unofficial transcript, Other requested material • Express desire to meet with faculty members or chairperson of appropriate departments • Ask questions about the admission procedure • Try to see the campus on a typical school day • Talk with players • Have important questions prepared

Review • Four parts to initial eligibility. • Changes in initial-eligibility rules. • How to assist your students through the process. • Students with disabilities. • Recruiting. • Telephone numbers.

Important Telephone Numbers • Clearinghouse Customer Service • 877/262-1492 • Clearinghouse 24-Hour Automated Line • 877/861-3003 • Clearinghouse Fax • 319/337-1556 • NCAA National Office • 317/917-6222 • NCAA Fax • 317/917-6622 • NCAA Hotline • 800/638-3731

Questions?

NCAA Initial Eligibility Rules for College Participation