1. NCAA Eligibility Brittany Lauritsen, Assistant AD/Compliance/swa
Washburn University Athletics

2. So, you want to play college sports?
There are a few key things you will need to do over the course of your high school career to ensure that you are academically eligible to play college sports!
STEPS TO ACHIEVING YOUR ELIGIBILITY
ACADEMIC STAT LINE
BREAKDOWN OF TASKS EACH YEAR
RECRUITING GUIDELINES

3. What is a core course?
NCAA core courses include courses that: ▪ Qualify for high school graduation in English, mathematics (Algebra 1 or higher), natural or physical science, social science, foreign language or comparative religion or philosophy. ▪ Are considered four-year college preparatory. ▪ Are taught at or above the high school’s regular academic level. ▪ Are taught by a qualified instructor. ▪ Tip: You can find your school’s list of NCAA-approved core courses by going to eligibilitycenter.org/courselist.

4. YOUR ACADEMIC STAT LINE (DIV. I)
Must have completed 16 NCAA-approved “core courses”
Division I: 4 English, 3 Math, 2 Science, 1 Additional English/Math/Science, 2 Social Sciences, and 4 Additional Core Courses. Ten (10) core courses completed before the seventh semester; seven (7) of the 10 must be in English, math or natural/physical science.
Must have a cumulative “core GPA” of 2.3 on a 4.0 scale
Must have ACT or SAT score that matches core course GPA on NCAA sliding scale
See or for more info!

5. YOUR ACADEMIC STAT LINE (DIV. II)
All Full AND Partial Qualifiers must have completed 16 NCAA-approved “core courses”
3 English, 2 Math, 2 Science, 3 Additional English/Math/Science, 2 Social Sciences, and 4 Additional Core Courses
Full Qualifiers (allowed to practice and compete) must have a cumulative “core GPA” of 2.2 on a 4.0 scale
Partial Qualifiers (allowed to practice) must have a cumulative “core GPA” of 2.0
Division II will use a sliding scale like Division I
ACT score is a sum of English, Math, Reading, and Science sections
SAT score includes only Reading and Math sections
When you register, include Eligibility Center code 9999

6. FIRST AND SECOND QUARTERS: FR & SO
Start planning now!
Work hard to get the best grades possible.
Take classes that match your school’s NCAA list of approved core courses.
You can receive your school’s NCAA list of approved core courses at

7. THIRD QUARTER: JUNIOR YEAR
At the beginning of your junior year, register at and complete the amateurism questionnaire.

8. THIRD QUARTER, CONTINUED…
Register to take the ACT, SAT or both and use the Eligibility Center code (9999) as a score recipient.
Double check to make sure the courses you have taken match your school’s NCAA list of approved core courses.
Ask your guidance counselor to send an official transcript to the Eligibility Center after completing your junior year. (The Eligibility Center does not accept faxed transcripts or test scores.)
Prior to registration for classes for your senior year, check with your guidance counselor to determine the amount of core courses that you need to complete your senior year.

9. FOURTH QUARTER: SENIOR YEAR
Take the SAT and/or ACT again. The Eligibility Center will use the best scores from each section of the ACT or SAT to determine your best cumulative score.
Continue to take college-prep courses.
Check the courses you have taken to match your school’s NCAA list of approved core courses.
Review your amateurism questionnaire responses and request final amateurism certification on or after April 1 (for fall enrollees) or October 1 (for spring enrollees).
Continue to work hard to get the best grades possible.
Graduate on time (in eight academic semesters). If you fall behind, use summer school sessions prior to graduation to catch up.
After graduation, ask your guidance counselor to send your final transcript with proof of graduation.

10. Recruiting Rules: FR and SOPH Years
Recruiting Materials: A coach may only send you a questionnaire, a letter explaining the rules, a referral to admissions, and a camp brochure. and faxes are treated the same way. You may write to college coaches as much as you like.
Telephone Calls: College coaches may not telephone (or text) you at all—not even to return a call from either you or your parents. You may make calls to coaches as often as you like.
Off-Campus Contact: College coaches may not have any off-campus contact with you or your parents other than a brief exchange of a greeting.

11. Recruiting Rules: FR and SOPH Years
Unofficial Visits: You may visit college campuses as often as you like at your own expense. When you are on a college campus you may meet with the coach and are allowed 5 complimentary tickets to an on-campus contest.
Official Visits: Official visits are not allowed during your freshman and sophomore years.
Tryouts: Tryouts are not allowed during your freshman and sophomore years.

12. Recruiting Rules: JR and SR Years
Recruiting Materials: Starting June 15 before your junior year, college coaches may begin to send you recruiting materials. and faxes are treated the same way.
Telephone Calls: Starting June 15 before your junior year, college coaches may make telephone calls (or send texts) to you. There are no restrictions on the numbers of calls they can make.
Off-Campus Contact: Starting June 15 before your junior year in high school, college coaches are allowed off-campus contacts with you and your parents.

13. Recruiting Rules: JR and SR Years
Unofficial Visits: You may visit college campuses as often as you like at your own expense. When you are on a college campus you may meet with the coach and are allowed 5 complimentary tickets to an on-campus contest.
Official Visits: Starting June 15 prior to your junior year official visits are allowed during the summer and throughout your junior year. You may make only one official visit per college.
Tryouts: Starting June 15 before your junior year in high school, you are allowed one tryout per institution per sport. You must have completed your season or be enrolled in a term other than the term of your traditional season.

14. OVERTIME
The NCAA Eligibility Center has great resources, pamphlets, and helpful reference guides
When in doubt, ask your counselor!
“Whatever my role is, whatever my job is, whatever I’m asked to do, I’m going to give a little bit extra because I think that’s what it’s going to take.” –Abby Wambach
Put in the work at practice, at games, in class, and at home.
Every extra minute you choose to study and focus helps your academic game, just like every minute of extra practice helps your athletic game.