If you want to compete in Division I NCAA sports, you need to register with the NCAA Eligibility Center at eligibilitycenter.org to make sure you stay on track to meet initial-eligibility standards.
If you have questions about your eligibility or the registration process, call us toll free at 877-262-1492, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time. International students (including Quebec) use our International Contact Form, found at ncaa.org/contactinternational.
Get Ready. Get Set. Go!
Grade 9
- Start planning now! Register for a free Profile Page account at eligibilitycenter.org for information on NCAA initial-eligibility requirements.
- Find your high school’s list of NCAA-approved core courses at eligibilitycenter.org/courselist to ensure you are taking the right courses, and earn the best grades possible.
Grade 10
- If you are being actively recruited by an NCAA school and have a Profile Page account, transition it to the right Certification account.
- Monitor the task list in your NCAA Eligibility Center account for next steps.
- At the end of the school year, ask your high school counselor from each school you have attended to upload an official transcript to your Eligibility Center account.
- If you fall behind academically, ask your high school counselor for help finding approved courses you can take.
Grade 11
- Ensure your sports participation information is correct in your Eligibility Center account.
- Check with your high school counselor to make sure you are on track to complete the required number of NCAA-approved core courses and graduate on time with your class.
- At the end of the school year, ask your high school counselor from each school you have attended to upload an official transcript to your Eligibility Center account.
Grade 12
Division I Academic Eligibility
To be eligible to compete in NCAA sports during your first year at a Division I school, you must meet ALL the following requirements:
- Earn 16 NCAA-approved core-course credits:
- Four years of English.
- Three years of math (Algebra 1 or higher).
- Two years of science (including one year of lab, if offered).
- One additional year of English, math or science.
- Two years of social science.
- Four additional years of English, math, science, social science, world language or nondoctrinal religion/philosophy.
- Complete 10 of your 16 NCAA-approved core-course credits, including seven in English, math or science, before the start of the seventh semester.
- Complete your 16 NCAA-approved core-course credits in eight academic semesters or four consecutive academic years from the start of ninth grade.
- Earn a minimum 2.3 core-course GPA.
- Submit your final transcript with proof of graduation to the Eligibility Center.
More information regarding the impact of COVID-19 can be found at on.ncaa.com/COVID19_Spring2023.
What if I don’t meet the requirements?
If you have not met all of the Division I academic standards, you may not compete in your first year at a Division I school. However, if you qualify as an academic redshirt, you may practice during your first term in college and receive an athletics scholarship for the entire year.
To qualify as an academic redshirt, you must:
- Earn 16 NCAA-approved core-course credits.
- Four years of English.
- Three years of math (Algebra 1 or higher).
- Two years of science (including one year of lab, if offered).
- One additional year of English, math or science.
- Two years of social science.
- Four additional years of English, math, science, social science, world language or nondoctrinal religion/philosophy.
- Earn a minimum 2.0 core-course GPA.
- Submit your final transcript with proof of graduation to the Eligibility Center.
If you are concerned you may not meet the Division I academic requirements, consider taking the following actions:
- Ask for advice and accountability from your high school counselor. Check in with the admissions or compliance office at the college you hope to attend.
- Get tutoring or other study help.
- Graduate on time. Division I schools allow college-bound student-athletes who graduate on-time to take one core course during the year after they graduate high school.
- Avoid quick fixes through credit recovery programs. These courses may not be accepted by the NCAA.
- Keep your coursework. If the Eligibility Center needs to review your record due to irregularities, you may be asked to provide your coursework.
- Follow your high school's policies. The best thing to do is work within the rules.
Amateurism
The NCAA promotes amateurism to create a level playing field for all student-athletes. The student-athletes who compete in college sports are students first, athletes second. If you want to compete in NCAA sports at a Division I school, you must have a completed amateurism certification in your Eligibility Center account.
More information regarding the impact of COVID-19 can be found at on.ncaa.com/COVID19_Spring2023.
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Learn more about amateurism.
