NCAA Initial-Eligibility Rules & Updates

Western Association for College Admission Counseling

June 10, 2014

San Jose, CA

Paul Rorvig, Associate Director

NCAA Eligibility Center

What We Will Cover…

Overview of the NCAA and the NCAA Eligibility Center

Current Initial-Eligibility Requirements Reminder of Division I rule changes New Division II rule changes Updates to the high school portal Roles and Responsibilities Available Resources Questions

Overview of the NCAAVoluntary organization that governs intercollegiate athletics.

Division I: •346 member schools. •Typically larger schools.•Athletic grants-in-aid available.

Division II: •282 member schools.•Typically small to medium sized. •Athletic grants-in-aid available.

Division III: •449 member schools.•Typically smaller schools.•Grants-in-aid cannot be athletically based.

Overview of the NCAA Eligibility Center

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?

Who Makes the Rules?

NCAA Membership Representative structure in Division I. Convention voting in Divisions II and III. Academic rules generally vetted through academic

committees. • Input from secondary school community.

By the Numbers

Current Initial-Eligibility Requirements

1. Graduate from high school.

2. Successfully complete 16 NCAA-approved courses.

• Within the core course time limitation requirements (Division I only).

3. Earn a minimum required core-course grade-point average(GPA).

4. Earn a required SAT or ACT sum score.

5. Successful Amateurism Certification.

Core-Curriculum Time Limitation

Division I: Must graduate on time. Ability to take one core course after graduation. Three core courses after graduation with approved

Education Impacting Disability.

Division II: All core courses completed following start of ninth

grade and prior to full-time enrollment at four-year collegiate institution.

Early Academic Qualifier

Determined at the time of preliminary certification. Division I:

• 900 SAT (critical reading and math) or 75 ACT sum;• 3.000 core grade-point average (GPA); and• 14 units (3 English, 2 math, 2 science, 2 additional English,

math or science, and 5 additional core courses). Division II:

• 1000 SAT (critical reading and math) or 85 ACT sum;• 3.000 core GPA; and• 12 units (3 English, 2 math, 2 science and 5 additional core

courses).

NEW RequirementsDivision I

For students enrolling full time at an NCAA Division I college or university on or after August 1, 2016, there are three possible academic outcomes:

Full qualifier = competition, athletics aid (scholarship), and practice the first year

Academic redshirt = athletics aid the first year, practice in first regular academic term (semester or quarter)

Nonqualifier = no athletics aid, practice or competition the first year

Summary of Changes

Full Qualifiers must meet these elements: Minimum core-course GPA of 2.300 in 16 core courses

required; Core-course GPA and SAT/ACT sliding scale; and Ten core courses required before beginning of senior year

No change to the 16 core requirement and graduation requirement

Core-Course Progression

A qualifier: Must complete 10 core courses before seventh semester

of high school (e.g., senior year) Of the 10 core courses completed, seven must be in the

areas of English, math, or science These 10 core courses become “locked in” for the purpose

of GPA calculationo A repeat of one of the “locked in” courses will not be used if taken

after the seventh semester begins

Academic Redshirt: Requirements for Scholarship and Practice

Minimum required GPA 2.000 in 16 core courses

Core-course GPA and SAT/ACT sliding scale

No change to the 16 core requirement and graduation requirement

Division I GPA Calculation Change

Current: Additional core courses (beyond the 16 required) may be used to meet the core-course GPA requirements

New: Additional core courses (beyond the 16 required) MAY NOT be used to meet the core-course GPA requirements Effective August 1, 2016

New: DII Rule Changes

Eliminates “flat” GPA of 2.000 and 820 SAT or 68 sum ACT

Establishes two new sliding scales One for qualifiers One for partial qualifiers

Establishes minimum 2.200 core GPA for qualifiers Retains 16 core-course requirement Effective August 1, 2018

DII Qualifier Scale (abbreviated)

Core-Course GPA SAT (CR and math only) ACT sum score

3.300 400 37

3.000 520 46

2.500 720 59

2.200 840 70

DII Partial Qualifier Scale (abbreviated)

Core-Course GPA SAT (CR and math only) ACT sum score

3.050 400 37

3.000 420 39

2.500 620 52

2.000 820 68

High School Portal Enhancements

www.eligibilitycenter.org

Roles and Responsibilities

Role of the student Registration and associated tasks Responsible for academic progress and achievement

NCAA member institution Guidance Recruiting rules compliance

High School Send transcripts after six and eight semesters Update list of NCAA courses annually Guidance

Available Resources

Resources tab on the NCAA Eligibility Center website (www.eligibilitycenter.org).

www.2point3.org (mobile ready website with new academic requirements).

Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete. Quick Reference Guide. Initial Eligibility Brochure.

Additional Resources To subscribe:

Go to www.eligibilitycenter.org;

Click the link to enter as a “High School Administrator”.

At the bottom of the log-in page, click the link to subscribe.

To specifically subscribe to the new Coaches Newsletter, enter “Coach” as your title. You will then receive both the High School and Coaches Newsletters.

Additional Resources

FREE NFHS NCAA Initial-Eligibility Online Course

www.nfhslearn.com

Questions?

The NCAA Eligibility Center has created a phone line exclusively for high schools. Please contact the NCAA Eligibility Center with your questions at 877/622-2321.