NCAA Initial Eligibility and Clearinghouse Issues Presented by Etienne Thomas San Jose State University Director of Compliance Compiled and Produced by the NCAA Membership Services Staff

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. 4. Completion of 13 core courses.

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 4 years of English 2 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 2 years of additional core-course units

Division I Initial-Eligibility Index Current Rule This is an abbreviated version of the index. For the full index, see the NCAA Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete. Core Grade- Point Average SATACT (Sum of Scores)

Important Changes in the Division I Initial-Eligibility Rule Increase in core courses from 13 to 14. Change in the core grade-point average/test score index.

Division I Core-Course Requirements--New Rule Division I has INCREASED minimum number of core courses. Increase from 13 to 14. Additional course may be in any area: –English, mathematics, natural/physical science, social science, nondoctrinal religion, philosophy, computer science, or foreign language.

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. Core Grade- Point Average SATACT (Sum of Scores)

Effective Dates of the New Division I Rule Students first entering a collegiate institution on or after August 1, 2003 may meet either the current rule or the new rule. Students first entering a collegiate institution on or after August 1, 2005 must meet the new rule only.

To View the New Rule… Go to Go to the Custom Home Pages pull-down menu. Select Prospect/Parent page. Follow prompts.

Division II Core-Course Requirements 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 2 years of additional core-course units

Division II Core-Course Requirements--Proposed Rule Division II has proposed an INCREASE in the minimum number of core courses. Increase from 13 to 14. Additional course may be in any area: –English, mathematics, natural/physical science, social science, nondoctrinal religion, philosophy, computer science. If adopted, the increase takes effect for students first entering a collegiate institution on or after August 1, 2005.

Division II Minimum 820 SAT or 68 sum ACT and 2.00 core grade-point average

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: 4Meet high-school graduation requirements. 4Fully prepare students for a four-year college. 4Meet NCAA core-course requirements.

How to Assist Your Students Junior year 4 Take ACT or SAT test. 4 Report test scores to the clearinghouse. 4 Use code 9999 when registering. 4 That will automatically send scores to the clearinghouse.

How to Assist Your Students Junior year 4ACT or SAT test. 4 Report scores to the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse. After junior year 4 Register on line with the clearinghouse. 4 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 4 Assist students with the on-line registration procedure at 4 Send the students preliminary transcript (with at least six semesters represented) to the clearinghouse.

When Should Students Register? 4 Register on line at the conclusion of the junior year. 4 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: 4 Students who are being actively recruited by an institution and are on an institutional request list; 4 Students with disabilities who have taken a nonstandard test or who have registered with NCAA disability services; 4 Students who request a report.

How to Assist Your Students During the senior year 4 Continue to monitor course selection. After the senior year 4 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. 4.Completion of 13 core courses.

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 students 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

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. Mens 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. Womens 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.

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/ Clearinghouse 24-Hour Automated Line – 877/ Clearinghouse Fax – 319/ NCAA National Office – 317/ NCAA Fax – 317/ NCAA Hotline – 800/

Questions?

NAIA For additional information please reference the NAIA website at