NCAA & NAIA
Eligibility
Informational Meeting
Information and Resources
for College-Bound Student-
Athletes and Parents
VAST number of websites found on
Guidance Website, “N” page
http://www.etown.k12.ky.us/Sch_EHS_G
uidance/EHS%20Guidance/counselor/N
Guide/index.htm
What is the NCAA?
The NCAA, or National Collegiate
Athletic Association, was
established in 1906 and serves as
the athletics governing body for
many colleges, universities,
conferences and organizations.
–Web Site: www.ncaa.org
What is the NCAA?
1,027 total schools as of 2005
326 schools in Division I
Division I is divided into
Division I-A and I-AA for
football only
282 schools in Division II
419 schools in Division III
What is the NAIA?
National Association of
Intercollegiate Athletics
(founded in 1940):
–360 Colleges and Universities
divided into two Divisions:
Division I
Division II
–Web Site: www.naia.org
Differences between NCAA &
NAIA
Many student athletes automatically
think that the NCAA is the only way
to go…..
– Perception is based on larger size of
NCAA schools, as a general rule, and
the prevalence of large, State
universities in the NCAA Division I
grouping
Differences between NCAA &
NAIA (con’t)
Generally smaller schools – but the
list contains many fine, highly
considered, academic institutions
– Not unusual to find schools in the NAIA
in the size range between several
hundred to several thousand students
– Generally smaller than NCAA Division I
and II schools
Can grant athletic scholarships!!!
Differences between NCAA &
NAIA (con’t)
Generally speaking, NAIA institutions:
Are primarily private and/or religious based
Emphasize a liberal arts curriculum
Have enrollments under 2,000 students
Provide for a greater sense of
community/belonging
Offer fewer graduate programs
Have higher graduation rates for athletes
than NCAA D1 or D2
NAIA Eligibility
Kentucky NAIA schools
Alice Lloyd College, Pippa Passes, Ky.
Asbury College, Wilmore, Ky.
Berea College, Berea, Ky.
Brescia University, Owensboro, Ky.
Campbellsville University, Campbellsville, Ky.
University of the Cumberlands, Williamsburg, Ky.
Georgetown College, Georgetown, Ky.
Lindsey Wilson College, Columbia, Ky.
Mid-Continent University, Mayfield, Ky.
Midway College, Midway, Ky.
Pikeville College, Pikeville, Ky.
Union College, Barbourville, Ky.
**NEW - Must now register with
NAIA Eligibility Center
Every student who plays in the
NAIA for the first time must have
their eligibility determined
through the NAIA Eligibility
Center.
http://www.playnaia.org/
Early Determination process
For students who have:
– completed their junior year of high school
and
– have at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale and
– the minimum test scores required (18 ACT or
860 SAT) .
Need to request that school send official
transcripts and contact ACT or SAT to
have their test scores sent .
NAIA Eligibility
Minimum eligibility rules for NAIA are
slightly different than those of the NCAA. A
high school recruit must satisfy two of the
following three conditions to play at the
NAIA level:
1. Achieve either an 18 (Composite) on the
ACT or a 860 on the SAT (CR & Math)
2. A minimum 2.0 grade point average
3. Graduate in the upper half of his/her
graduating class
http://naia.cstv.com/member-
services/legislative/currentissues/FreshmenEligibi
lityRequirements.htm
NCAA Eligibility
What is the NCAA Eligibility
Center?
The NCAA Eligibility Center is an
organization that works with the NCAA
to determine a student’s eligibility for
athletics participation in his or her first
year of college enrollment.
The center is not the NCAA, but an
organization that performs academic
evaluations for the NCAA.
Students who want to participate in college
sports during their first year of enrollment in
college must register with the center.
www.eligibilitycenter.org
Divisions I and II may offer athletic
scholarships, while Division III colleges and
universities may not.
Eligibility Center Registration
Students
will click
here to
create or
log into
their
account.
Eligibility Center
Responsibilities
The NCAA Eligibility Center is responsible for
determining the eligibility of every college-
bound student-athlete in NCAA Divisions I and
II using the following two areas:
Academic Certification.
– Does the college-bound student-athlete meet the
legislated minimum academic requirements?
Amateurism Certification.
– Has the college-bound student-athlete jeopardized his
or her amateur status?
When To Call The Center
Please contact the center when you have
questions like these:
• How do I register?
• I have forgotten my PIN. Can I get a new
one?
• Where do I send my transcripts?
• My report shows I am missing some
material. What is missing?
• What do the codes on my report mean?
Contact Information:
NCAA Eligibility Center
P.O. Box 7110
Indianapolis, IN 46207-7110
www.eligibilitycenter.org (Fall 2010 & after)
Phone: (317) 223-0700
Toll Free: (877) 622-2321 (customer service M – F, 8
a.m. – 5 p.m. Central time)
Fax: (317) 968-5100
Initial-
Eligibility
Overview
Initial-Eligibility Overview:
Academics
Academic initial-eligibility requirements
are different for each of the three
divisions.
It is possible for a college-bound student-
athlete to be eligible in one division and
not another.
Initial-Eligibility Overview:
New Legislation:
Early academic certification waiver
for Divisions I and II.
– Final certification to academically qualified
students following six semesters of
coursework.
Must, however, send a final transcript
after graduation.
New Legislation: Early
Certification Waiver
Students who meet the following criteria after
six semesters will be certified as qualifiers:
– Minimum SAT (math and critical reading) of 1000 or
minimum sum score of 85 on the ACT;
– For Division I: Core-course GPA of 3.0 or
higher in a minimum of 13 core courses:
3 English;
2 math;
2 science; and
6 additional core courses.
New Legislation: Early
Certification Waiver
– For Division II: Core-course GPA of 3.0 or
higher in a minimum of 12 core courses:
3 English;
2 math;
2 science; and
5 additional core courses.
Initial-Eligibility Overview:
New Legislation:
Core-course time limitation for
Division I.
– Students must complete required coursework
in eight semesters from the beginning of grade
nine.
New Legislation: Core-Course
Time Limitation
for Division I Only
If students do not complete the 16 core-course
requirement "on time" in eight semesters, any core
courses taken after the eighth semester will not be
counted toward NCAA academic-eligibility
requirements.
– “On time” means that students have four years (eight
semesters), based on when students start grade nine
(freshman year), to earn 16 core-course credits and
required GPA needed to qualify.
New Legislation: Core-Course
Time Limitation
for Division I Only
From the time you enter the ninth grade, you have four (4)
years or eight (8) semesters to complete the 16 core-course
requirement. If you fail to complete high school "on time" in
eight semesters, core courses taken after the eighth semester
will not be counted toward your NCAA academic-eligibility
requirements.
“On time" also means that if your high school graduation
takes place June 1, you must graduate June 1. If you do not
graduate June 1 with the rest of your high school class, you
have not completed your requirements "on time."
Amateurism
Eligibility
Requirements
Amateurism
Eligibility Requirements
If you plan to participate in
intercollegiate athletics at an NCAA
Division I or II institution, you must
have both your academic and
amateurism status certified by the
Eligibility Center before representing
the institution in competition.
Amateurism
Eligibility Requirements
The Eligibility Center encourages you to update your
athletics participation information often, especially if you
participate in events outside your normal high school
season.
•Make sure that you are protecting your amateurism
•Stay college eligible –always ask before you act!
•NCAA amateurism certification Web site:
http://www.ncaa.org/wps/portal/ncaahome?WCM_GLOB
AL_CONTEXT=/ncaa/NCAA/Legislation+and+Governance
/Eligibility+and+Recruiting/Eligibility/Amateurism+Certifi
cation+Clearinghouse/index .
Amateurism
Eligibility Requirements
ALWAYS ASK BEFORE YOU ACT!
Amateurism Red Flags
Ask questions before:
•Signing a contract with a professional team.
•Receiving money for participating in athletics. Receiving
prize money above actual and necessary expenses.
•Playing with professional athletes.
•Trying out, practicing or competing with a professional
team.
•Receiving benefits from an agent or prospective agent.
•Agreeing to be represented by an agent.
•Participating in organized competition after your first
opportunity to enroll in college.
Steps You Must Take
to Participate in NCAA
Division I or II
Athletics
Steps You Must Take:
Freshmen and Sophomores Must:
– Start planning now!
– Work hard to get the best grades possible.
– Take classes that match your high 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.eligibilitycenter.org and clicking
“Resources” at the top of the screen.
Steps You Must Take:
Juniors Must:
At the beginning of your junior year, log on
to the Eligibility Center Web site at
www.eligibilitycenter.org and register.
Register to take the ACT, SAT or both and
use the Eligibility Center code “9999” as a
score recipient.
Double check to make sure that you are
taking courses that match your high school’s
NCAA List of Approved Core Courses.
Steps You Must Take:
Request that your high school guidance
counselor send an official transcript to the
Eligibility Center after completing your
junior year. (The Eligibility Center does NOT
accept faxed transcripts.)
Prior to registration for your senior year,
check with your guidance counselor and the
Eligibility Center to determine the number of
core courses that need to be completed your
senior year.
Steps You Must Take:
Seniors Must:
You may take the SAT and/or ACT as often as you
feel necessary. The Eligibility Center will use the
best scores from each section of the SAT or ACT to
determine your best cumulative score.
Check to make sure that you are taking courses that
match your high school’s NCAA List of Approved
Core Courses.
Review your amateurism questionnaire responses
and request final amateurism certification
beginning April 1 (for fall enrollees) or October 1
(for spring enrollees).
Steps You Must Take:
Continue to earn the best grades possible.
Graduate on time (in eight academic
semesters).
After graduation, ask your high school
guidance counselor to send your final
transcript to the Eligibility Center with proof
of graduation.
Core Courses,
GPA, Test Scores
Core Courses
• Not all classes you take to meet high school
graduation requirements may be used as core
courses. Be aware of this when registering.
•Out of state transfer students – Must have
original transcripts from all schools.
• Check the high school’s list of approved core
courses (attached to “Quick Reference Sheet”).
Grade-Point Average
• Not all classes you take to meet high school
graduation requirements will be used in calculating
your “Core GPA”.
• ALL grades are used for NAIA (no “core”).
• The best grades from your NCAA core courses will
be used.
• Grades from additional core courses you took will
be used only if they improve your grade-point
average.
Grade-Point Average
The eligibility center will assign the following
values to each letter grade:
A – 4 points
B – 3 points
C – 2 points
D – 1 point
Therefore, your NCAA Core GPA will be lower
than your EHS GPA.
ACT and SAT Tests
You must achieve the required score on an
SAT or ACT test before your full-time college
enrollment. (last test dates are in June).
The Eligibility Center only accepts scores from
the SAT or ACT testing agency. Test scores
submitted from high schools will not be used.
Save yourself time and money when
registering, use Code 9999 so that your scores
will be sent directly to NCAA Eligibility Center.
ACT and SAT Tests
• If you’ve already taken a test and
didn’t send scores, contact Eligibility
Center or go online www.actstudent.org
to send additional score report.
• The writing component of the ACT or
SAT will not be used to determine
qualifier status.
DIVISION I
Requirements
KY Division I Schools
University of Kentucky
University of Louisville
Eastern Kentucky University
Morehead State University
Murray State University
Western Kentucky University
Complete listing of D 1 schools:
http://web1.ncaa.org/onlineDir/exec/divisionListing
Academic
Eligibility Requirements
Division I
In order to practice, compete and receive institutional
financial aid as a freshman, a student-athlete must:
•Graduate from high school;
•Earn a minimum required grade-point average (GPA)
(at least a 2.0) in 16 approved core courses; and
•Earn a combined SAT or ACT sum score that matches
the core-course GPA (refer to the “sliding scale” in the
NCAA Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete).
16 Core Courses:
- 4 years of English
- 3 years of math (algebra 1 or higher)
- 2 years of natural or physical science
(including one year of lab science if
offered by your high school)
- 1 extra year of English, math or natural
or physical science
- 2 years of social science
- 4 years of extra core courses (from any
category above or foreign language);
GPA & Test Score
Sliding Scale
EHS Graduation Requirements provide:
4 years of English
3 years of Math
3 years of Science
3 years of Social Science
13 total credits of the 16 required by NCAA
Therefore, students must choose THREE
additional courses as electives to fulfill
NCAA requirements.
Must choose THREE of the following:
• Foreign Language (Spanish or French – each year
counts as one credit)
• Drama
•Journalism
• American Government/KY Studies
• Psychology (not always offered)
•Criminal Justice
• College Algebra
• Pre-Calculus
• AP Calculus
• Anatomy & Physiology
• Physics
• AP Chemistry
**KVHS AP Courses – are not automatically approved.
They are considered on a “case by case” basis.
GPA & Test Score
Sliding Scale
If a student takes the ACT or SAT
more than once, he/she may use
the best subscore from different
tests to meet the minimum test-
score requirements for NCAA.
NAIA – 18 composite must be from
one test sitting
SAT Test
Example:
Math Verbal/ Total Score
Critical
Reading
SAT 350 470 820
(10/03)
SAT (12/03) 420 440 860
Scores used 420 470 890
GPA & Test Score
Sliding Scale
Example: A student takes the ACT and
earns the following sub-scores:
English = 16
Math = 20
Reading = 17
Science Reasoning = 15
His sum score is 16 + 20 + 17 + 15 = 68
Based on the sliding scale, his core GPA
must be at least a 2.500.
Sliding Scale
Qualifier vs. Non-Qualifier
You will be a qualifier if you meet the academic
requirements listed previously. As a qualifier, you:
• Can practice or compete for your college or
university during your first year of college;
• Can receive an athletics scholarship during your
first year of college; and
• Can play four seasons in your sport as long as you
maintain your eligibility from year to year.
Qualifier vs. Non-Qualifier
You will be a nonqualifier if you do not meet the
academic requirements listed above. As a nonqualifier,
you:
• Cannot practice or compete for your college or
university or receive an athletics scholarship during
your first year of college;
• Can play only three seasons in your sport as long as
you maintain your eligibility from year to year (to earn
a fourth season you must complete at least 80 percent
of your degree before beginning your fifth year of
college).
DIVISION II
Requirements
KY Division II Schools
Bellarmine
Kentucky State
Kentucky Wesleyan
Northern Kentucky
Complete listing of D2 schools:
http://web1.ncaa.org/onlineDir/exec/divisionListing
Academic
Eligibility Requirements
Division II
In order to practice, compete and receive
institutional financial aid as a freshman, a student-
athlete must:
•Graduate from high school;
•Earn at least a 2.0 GPA in 14 approved core courses;
and
•Earn a combined SAT score of at least 820 (critical
reading and math) or an ACT sum score of at least
68.
14 Core Courses:
•3 years English
•2 years math (Algebra I or higher)
•2 years natural/physical science ( 1 year of lab if
offered by high school)
•2 years additional English, math or natural/physical
science
•3 years 2013 and after
•2 years social science
•3 years additional courses (from any area above,
foreign language or non-doctrinal
religion/philosophy)
•4 years 2013 and after
Academic
Eligibility Requirements
Division II
•No sliding scale for Division II.
* Beginning August 1, 2013, students
planning to attend an NCAA Division II
institution will be required to complete
16 core courses.
Qualifier, Partial, &
Non-Qualifier
Qualifier status is the same as that for Division I.
You will be a partial qualifier if you do not meet all of
the academic requirements listed for Division II but
you have graduated from high school and meet one of
the following:
• The combined SAT score of 820 or ACT sum score of
68; OR
• Completion of the 14 core courses with a 2.000 core-
course grade-point average.
As a partial qualifier, you:
• Can practice with your team at its home facility
during your first year of college;
• Can receive an athletics scholarship during your
first year of college;
• Cannot compete during your first year of college;
and
• Can play four seasons in your sport as long as you
maintain your eligibility from year to year.
You will be a nonqualifier if you did not graduate
from high school, or, if you graduated and are
missing both the core-course GPA and the required
ACT or SAT scores.
As a nonqualifier, you:
• Cannot practice or compete for your college or
university during your first year of college;
• Cannot receive an athletics scholarship during your
first year of college, although you may receive need-
based financial aid; and
• Can play four seasons in your sport as long as you
maintain your eligibility from year to year.
DIVISION
III
KY Division III Schools
Centre College
Spalding University
Transylvania University
Thomas More College
Complete listing of D 3 schools:
http://web1.ncaa.org/onlineDir/exec/divisionListing
Academic
Eligibility Requirements
Division III
Unlike Divisions I and II, there is no
uniform set of eligibility requirements for
Division III schools. Therefore, registration
with the Eligibility Center is not required.
•Eligibility for admission, financial aid,
practice and competition is determined by
the institution.
Registration
Eligibility Center Registration
Students who plan to play Division I or II
athletics in college need to register with the
Eligibility Center after they complete their junior
year in high school.
You must be registered and pay the fee before you
can take an Official Visit.
Any student entering college must register online
at www.eligibilitycenter.org .
Eligibility Center Registration
•Select the “New Account” button at the
top right of the screen or the cell phone
on the left side of the screen.
•Complete the registration.
Eligibility Center Registration
Students
will click
here to
create or
log into
their
account.
Filling out the Worksheet
• The worksheet (found on Website. ) is provided to assist in
monitoring the progress in meeting NCAA initial-
eligibility standards. The Eligibility Center will
determine the official status after graduation.
• Remember to check the high school’s list of
approved courses for the classes taken.
• Use the following scale:
A = 4 quality points; B = 3 quality points; C = 2
quality points; D = 1 quality points
Use NCAA
Worksheet
Examples.
Students With Disabilities
A student with a disability must meet the same
requirements as all other students but is provided
certain accommodations to help meet these
requirements.
Students with a diagnosed disability only need to let
the NCAA know about their disability if they plan on
using core courses after their eighth semester of high
school and they plan on attending a Division I
college.
See website for more information.
• You are eligible for a waiver of the
registration fee only if you have already
received a fee waiver for the ACT or SAT fee.
• Your fee waiver section must then be
completed online by your high school
counselor.
•If you have not yet been granted a fee waiver
by ACT or SAT, you are not yet eligible for a
waiver of the NCAA Eligibility Center
registration fee.
Registration – Transcripts
A preliminary transcript is sent when you register.
You must ask the Guidance Office to send this
transcript once you have registered.
A final transcript is sent after graduation. You
must also ask the Guidance Office to send this
transcript.
Final transcripts can not be changed, therefore, you
should come in and double check for errors.
We will mail Final Transcripts the Friday
following Graduation!!
PIN Number
After you submit the Registration form you
may check the status of your file:
1)by phone or
2)by visiting the website
Either way – you will need a Personal
Identification Number (PIN) to access
your account.
Check Your Status
After you have registered, paid the fee and had your
transcript and SAT or ACT score(s) sent, you may check
your status by:
1) Phone – Eligibility Center Customer Service
toll free – 1-877-622-2321
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central time M - F.
2) Internet
When Does a Student Receive a
Preliminary Report?
The Eligibility Center prioritizes incoming
information by the following categories:
•Students who are being actively recruited by an
institution and are on an institutional request
list (IRL)
•Students with disabilities who have taken a non-
standard test or who have registered with NCAA
disability services
•Students who request a report. You can call or
send an email to request.
Remember,
meeting the NCAA academic
rules does not guarantee your
admission into a college.
You must still apply for
admission.
Recruiting
Specific information about recruiting
policies can be found in Guide for the
College-Bound Student-Athlete.
Financial Aid
•There are no four-year athletics scholarships.
•All athletics scholarships awarded by NCAA
institutions are limited to one year and are
renewable each academic year and may be reduced
or withdrawn.
•Athletics scholarships may be renewed each
academic year for a maximum of five years within a
six-year period of continuous college attendance.
•Athletics scholarships are awarded in a variety of
amounts, ranging from full scholarships (including
tuition fees, room, board and books) to partial
scholarships (e.g., books only).
Questions???
Questions???
The Eligibility Center has created a
high school direct phone line. Please
contact the Eligibility Center with
your questions at 877/622-2321.
Questions
1. Q: If I transferred from another
school, how are my “Core Courses”
defined?
A: You will use the List of Approved
Courses and Grading scale from each
school attended in calculating “Core
GPA”. You will need original transcripts
from each school, also.
Questions
2. Q: If I am taking a class at ECTC,
does it count toward my “Core
GPA?”
A: Yes, if it is in the area of English,
Math, Science, or Social Science. You
will need to provide the NCAA with your
ECTC Transcript in addition to the EHS
transcript.
Questions
3. Q: If I am taking a class through
Kentucky Virtual High School
(KVHS), does it count toward my
“Core GPA”?
A: More than likely, if it is in the area of
English, Math, Science, or Social Science.
The NCAA approves classes taken “by
non-traditional means” on a case-by-case
basis. However, they have researched
KVHS and have approved those courses
in the past.
Questions
4. Q: On the registration form it asks
for my email address. What if I
don’t have email?
A: All students have free email accounts
through EHS. However, you could
simply leave that part blank and indicate,
where asked, that you prefer the paper
option for all correspondence.
Questions
5. Q: I took Algebra 1 in the 8th grade.
Does it count as a Core Course for
me?
A: NO – only courses taken in the 9th
grade and beyond count as “Core”, even
if listed on the high school transcript.
Resources
Go to www.eligibilitycenter.org
From the home page, click on “Resources.”
The “Resources” page
has a link to the
“Guide for the College-
Bound Student-
Athlete”, as well as
other helpful
information.
You will need Acrobat
Reader to view the
Guide.
Also found on
Guidance website.
Resources
www.eligibilitycenter.org - for college-bound
student-athletes to complete their registration
and check their status with the Eligibility Center.
Also to download and print a copy of the 2009-
10 Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete.
www.NCAA.org –Under “Academics & Athletes”
section, click on “Eligibility and Recruiting” and
then click on “Information for College-Bound
Student-Athletes and Parents.”
www.Actstudent.org
www.Collegeboard.com
Summary
1. Register with Eligibility Center in junior year.
Request that Guidance Office send preliminary
transcript.
2. Take the required number of “core courses”.
3. Take the ACT/SAT & send scores to Eligibility Center.
4. Complete the Worksheet to calculate “core GPA”.
Compare GPA and test scores on sliding scale.
5. Check status online.
6. Request that Guidance Office send final transcript
upon graduation.