The National Center for College Costs has helped client families navigate the complex Federal Methodology used for need-based financial aid for nearly a decade, and helped find colleges that competitively meet each student's academic and financial needs.  In most cases, students depend on need and merit-based money to help keep college affordable and loan debt to a minimum.  This year, as in all years, there are graduating seniors who plan to compete athletically at the collegiate level in the fall at NCAA-affiliated institutions and some of them will receive partial or full scholarships to help reduce the cost of attending their colleges of choice.  In order to play (and pull down their scholarship dollars), these students must meet freshman eligibility standards outlined by the NCAA Eligibility Center.

Athletes who will play at the Division I and Division II levels must meet the criteria in three general academic categories in order to be eligible for competition their freshman year; core courses, test scores and grade point averages are considered. Division III athletes are not required to meet these criteria and complete the NCAA clearinghouse process, but rather must meet the student-athlete guidelines for their respective institutions.

Core Courses:

Starting August 1, 2008, Division I universities require athletes who enter school on or after August 1, 2008 to have passed 16 core courses in high school to be eligible for competition.  Division II institutions require the completion of 14 core classes.  Every athlete should go to http://www.ncaaclearinghouse.net/ to verify that their courses meet these requirements.

Test Scores:

The NCAA accepts both SAT and ACT test scores.  A recent rule change requires test scores to be sent directly to the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse; scores provided on high school transcripts are no longer accepted.  The clearinghouse code (9999) must be entered when registering for these tests to ensure proper completion.  Division I institutions adjust test scores on a sliding scale, while Division II schools require a minimum SAT score of 820 and an ACT sum score of 68.  The critical reading and math scores are the only SAT components considered by the NCAA when determining eligibility.  The writing section is not considered at this time. The writing component is optional on the ACT and also is not considered.

Grade Point Average:

Like test scores, Division I schools look at a student-athlete's GPA on a sliding scale.  Division II institutions require a 2.0 minimum GPA.  The NCAA only looks at the grade point average in core classes when determining freshman eligibility.  The sliding scales for test scores and grade point average can be found at http://www.ncaaclearinghouse.net/.

The NCAA Eligibility Center wants to ensure that all institutions and their student-athletes meet the necessary guidelines.  This article details the basic parameters that must be met by all freshman student athletes entering a college affiliated with the NCAA on or after August 1, 2008.  Please go to http://www.ncaaclearinghouse.net/  to be sure that all additional requirements are met.  Any prospective college student may register with the Eligibility Center once the junior year is completed, but this process needs to be completed immediately by any senior who plans to compete this fall. 

Good luck!!