NCAA Initial Eligibility Elizabeth Donohue Assistant Athletic Director/ Senior Woman Administrator Marist College

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

Four Parts of Initial Eligibility 1. Graduation from high school. 2. Earn a minimum core grade- point average. 3. Earn a minimum ACT or SAT test score. 4. Completion of 16 core courses.

Graduation Requirement for Division I You must complete the 16 core course requirement in eight semesters. If you graduate in eight semesters, you may use one core course completed in the year after graduation. You may complete the course at a location other than your high school.

Core Course Defined 1.Recognized academic course which qualifies for high school graduation: -English -Mathematics (MUST be at level of Algebra I or above) –Natural or Physical Science –Social Science –Foreign Language –Nondoctrinal Religion or Philosophy

Core-Course Defined Continued 2. Must be considered college preparatory for entrance into a four-year college; 3. Math must be at the level of Algebra I or higher; 4. Taught by a qualified instructor; 5. At or above regular academic level.

Grade-Average Calculation GPA of core courses is on a scale. Grades from additional core courses you took will be used only if they improve your grade-point average. Following values are for each letter grade: A – 4 pointsC – 2 points B – 3 pointsD – 1 point If your high school uses plus and minus grades (A+ or B-) the plus and minus WILL NOT be used. If your high school uses numeric grades, those grades will be changed to letter grades.

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

Division I Core-Course Requirements 4 years of English 3 years of mathematics (level of Algebra I or higher) 2 years of natural/physical science (1 year lab) 1 additional year of English, mathematics or natural/physical science 2 years social science 4 years additional course (courses above, foreign language, nondoctrinal religion/philosophy

Division I Initial-Eligibility Index This is an abbreviated version of the full scale showing the high end, the low end and points in between. This is an abbreviated version of the full scale showing the high end, the low end and points in between. Core GPA SATACT (Sum Score)

Division II Core-Course Requirements until years of English 2 years of mathematics (level of Algebra I or higher) 2 years of natural/physical science (1 year lab) 2 additional years of English, mathematics or natural/physical science 2 years social science 3 years additional course (courses above, foreign language, nondoctrinal religion/philosophy

Division II Initial-Eligibility Index Present a grade-point average in 14 core courses Achieve a combination SAT score of 820 or a sum score of 68 on the ACT If you enroll in a Division II college on or after August 1, 2013 you must earn 16 core courses: 3 additional years of English, math or natural/physical science 4 years of additional core courses (from any category)

IMPORTANT! Computer Science Eliminated! Computer science courses cannot be used for initial-eligibility purposes. Eliminated for both Division I and Division II. Effective Aug. 1, 2005 Can only be used if high school grants graduation credit in math or natural or physical science. or natural or physical science.

One Core Course after Graduation Since 2007: If you graduate from high school within 8 semesters (4 years) you may use ONE core course completed in the year after graduation (summer or academic yr) Ex: Summer school course or course during a prep school year.

Your GOAL at Division I or II is to become a QUALIFIER: Can practice or compete for your college 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 if you maintain your eligibility from year to year.

Nonqualifier Cannot practice or compete for your college 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 In Division I: Can play only three seasons in your sport if you maintain your eligibility from year to year (to earn a fourth season you must complete at least 80 percent of your degree requirements before beginning your fifth year of college.

How to Prepare for Qualifier Status Freshmen/Sophomores: Start planning now! 4Take classes that match your school’s approved course list 4Fully prepare for a four-year college. 4Meet NCAA core-course requirements.

How to Prepare for Qualifier Status Junior year 4 Take ACT or SAT test. 4 Report test scores to the Eligibility Center. 4 Use code 9999 when registering. 4 That will automatically send scores to the Eligibility Center. 4 Test scores on your transcript will not be accepted.

How to Prepare for Qualifier Status Junior Year 4 Register online at 4 You must register if you wish to participate in athletics at any Division I or II institution. 4 Have counselor sends six- semester transcript to the Eligibility Center at the end of the year.

When Does a Student Receive a Preliminary Report? The Eligibility Center 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 an education-impacting disability; 4 Students who request a report.

How to Prepare for Qualifier Status During the senior year 4 Continue to monitor course selection. 4 Confirm accuracy of preliminary report and review it with the high school counselor. 4 Continue to take SAT, ACT if necessary After the senior year 4 Request that the counselor send final transcript (with proof of graduation) to the Eligibility Center.

Transcript Accuracy is Vital!! Once the Eligibility Center 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. The Eligibility Center MUST also receive a transcript from EACH high school you attended.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities Two frequently asked questions: 1.What initial eligibility standards must a student diagnosed with disabilities meet? Same as all other students, however they are permitted to use the accommodations. 2. Who is eligible to use the accommodations? Those with a diagnosed disability and who are receiving accommodations from their high school.

Accommodations 1. SAT or ACT scores Nonstandardized scores (e.g., untimed, test reading)Nonstandardized scores (e.g., untimed, test reading) Approval must be obtained through the testing agencyApproval must be obtained through the testing agency 2. Core Curriculum Credit for course work specifically designed for students with disabilitiesCredit for course work specifically designed for 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

Accommodations Time extension for the completion of the 16 core courses (Division I only). - Can complete all courses prior to initial full time enrollment in a collegiate institution (e.g., summer after 12 th grade). - Division II already has this provision.

Documenting your Education- Impacting Disability No need to register if you meet qualifier standards. Must register if: –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 following documents to the NCAA: –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 Individual Education Plan (IEP), Individual Transition Plan (ITP), 504 Plan or other statement of accommodations. –Sent to: NCAA Eligibility Center P.O. Box 7110 Indianapolis, IN

Amateurism Division I and II athletes must be certified as an amateur student- athlete by Eligibility Center. Students will complete an amateurism questionnaire when registering with Eligibility Center.

Some Points to Remember... 1.The requirements for eligibility to participate at Division I differ from those required at Division II. 2.Initial-eligibility waivers MUST be filed by an NCAA institution on behalf of the student (Note: students with NCAA approved diagnosed disabilities may file a waiver on their own behalf.) 3.Correspondence and independent study courses may be used to meet the 14/16 core-course requirements provided they meet certain requirements. 4.Courses taken in the eighth grade MAY NOT be used to satisfy the core-curriculum requirements. 5.Students enrolling in a Division I institution generally MAY NOT use courses taken after high-school graduation to meet core-curriculum requirements. (Note 1: exception), (Note 2: Students with NCAA- approved diagnosed disabilities may use courses taken after graduation but before full-time college enrollment.) 6.Only core-course grade-point averages are used to calculate the core-course GPA. Additional courses taken beyond the 14/16 may be used to assist the overall average if needed. 7.Students who attend multiple high schools MUST submit transcripts from all high schools.

Important Numbers/Websites Eligibility Center Customer Service –877/ Eligibility Center Fax –319/ NCAA National Office –317/ NCAA Fax –317/ NCAA Publications –800/ Eligibility Center website – NCAA website –