NCAA Eligibility

Attention Escondido Union High School District Student Athletes

Did you know that in order to participate in athletic programs at a university or college, you need to work with the NCAA to meet specific coursework and athletic participation criteria?
Did you know that it is important to begin this process right away so that you are on track for participation at the college level by the end of your junior year of high school?
Every potential college/university student athlete goes through the same process for determining eligibility to participate in athletic programs.
The process involves working closely with your coach, your school counselor, your school athletic director or administrator overseeing athletics and the NCAA Clearinghouse.
The information below is being provided to assist you in determining your potential eligibility status.

Please do not hesitate to contact your school counselor and your school athletic director for additional information.

DIVISION I:

The requirements are changing for students who enroll full time at an NCAA Division I school after August 1, 2016.

Students must graduate high school and meet ALL the following requirements:

Complete 16 core courses:
- Four years of English
- Three years of math (Algebra 1 or higher)
- Two years of natural/physical science (including one year of lab science if your high school offers it)
- One additional year of English, math or natural/physical science
- Two years of social science
- Four additional years of English, math, natural/physical science, social science, foreign language, comparative religion or philosophy

Complete 10 core courses, including seven in English, math or natural/physical science, before the seventh semester. Once students begin their seventh semester, they may not repeat or replace any of those 10 courses to improve their core-course GPA. Earn at least a 2.3 GPA in their core courses. Earn an SAT combined score or ACT sum score matching their core-course GPA on the Division I sliding scale, which balances their test score and core-course GPA. If students have a low test score, they need a higher core-course GPA to be eligible. If they have a low core-course GPA, they need a higher test score to be eligible. If they have a low core-course GPA, they need a higher test score to be eligible. For more resources regarding these changes, visitNCAA.org/student-athletes/play-division-i-sports or the Division I Academic Requirements Guide.

DIVISION II

To be eligible to compete in NCAA sports during your first year at a Division II school, you must meet academic requirements for your core courses, grade-point average (GPA) and test scores. The requirements are changing for students who enroll full-time at a Division II school after August 1, 2018.

If you enroll BEFORE August 1, 2018

You must graduate high school and meet ALL the following requirements:

Complete 16 core courses:
- Three years of English.
- Two years of math (Algebra 1 or higher).
- Two years of natural or physical science (including one year of lab science if your high school offers it).
- Three additional years of English, math or natural or physical science
- Two years of social science
- Four additional years of English, math, natural or physical science, social science, foreign language, comparative religion or philosophy
Earn at least a 2.0 GPA in your core courses.
Earn a SAT combined score of 820 or an ACT sum score of 68.

AFTER August 1, 2018 You must graduate high school and meet ALL the following requirements: Complete 16 core courses: Three years of English. Two years of math (Algebra 1 or higher). Two years of natural or physical science (including one year of lab science if your high school offers it). Three additional years of English, math or natural or physical science Two years of social science Four additional years of English, math, natural or physical science, social science, foreign language, comparative religion or philosophy Earn at least a 2.2 GPA in your core courses. Earn an SAT combined score or ACT sum score matching your core-course GPA on the Division II sliding scale, which balances your test score and core-course GPA. If you have a low test score, you need a higher core-course GPA to be eligible. If you have a low core-course GPA, you need a higher test score to be eligible. What if I dont meet the requirements? If you enroll BEFORE August 1, 2018 If you enroll full-time at a Division II school before Aug. 1, 2018, and you have not met all the Division II academic requirements, you may not compete in your first year. However, if you meet the requirements to be a partial qualifier, you may practice and receive an athletics scholarship in your first year at college. To be a partial qualifier, you must graduate high school and meet ONE of the following requirements: Earn a 2.0 GPA in 16 core courses: Three years of English. Two years of math (Algebra 1 or higher). Two years of natural or physical science (including one year of lab science if your high school offers it). Three additional years of English, math or natural or physical science Two years of social science Four additional years of English, math, natural or physical science, social science, foreign language, comparative religion or philosophy Earn an SAT combined score of 820 or an ACT sum score of 68.

If you enroll AFTER August 1, 2018

If you enroll full-time at a Division II school after Aug. 1, 2018, and you have not met all the Division II academic requirements, you may not compete in your first year. However, if you meet the requirements to be a partial qualifier, you may practice and receive an athletics scholarship in your first year at college. To be a partial qualifier, you must graduate high school and meet ALL the following requirements:

- - Complete 16 core courses:
    - Three years of English.
    - Two years of math (Algebra 1 or higher).
    - Two years of natural or physical science (including one year of lab science if your high school offers it).
    - Three additional years of English, math or natural or physical science
    - Two years of social science
    - Four additional years of English, math, natural or physical science, social science, foreign language, comparative religion or philosophyEarn at least a 2.0 GPA in your core courses.
  - Earn an SAT combined score or ACT sum score matching your core-course GPA on the Division II sliding scale.

If you are concerned you may not meet the Division II 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 NCAA 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 young men and women who play college sports are students first, athletes second. If you want to play NCAA sports at a Division II school you must be an amateur athlete.

DIVISION III

Division III schools provide an integrated environment focusing on academic success while offering a competitive athletics environment. Division III rules minimize potential conflicts between athletics and academics and focus on regional in-season and conference play.

While Division III schools do not offer athletics scholarships, 75 percent of Division III student-athletes receive some form of merit or need-based financial aid.

If you are planning to attend a Division III school, you do not need to register with the NCAA Eligibility Center. Division III schools set their own admissions standards.

NCAA Division III Page

Amateurism Certification Request Reminder for Students

Beginning April 1, students enrolling in college fall 2015 will have the opportunity to request final amateurism certification. Prior to the final amateurism request, please remind your fall enrollees of the following:

- - Be sure information in the registration is accurate (i.e., email, date of birth, enrollment period);
  - Be sure to enter all sports that need an amateurism certification;
  - Be sure to enter any previous colleges or universities attended (under the education tab); and
  - Be sure to complete all tasks (especially academic).

For help with requesting final amateurism certification, students can watch this video.