NCAAInitial Eligibility

Rules for College ParticipationPresenter

Betty Remigino-KnappAthletic Director

What is the NCAA

National Collegiate Athletic AssociationGoverns athletics for all colleges and universitiesMade up of 1006 schools and classified in three divisionsDivision I 325 schoolsDivision II 270 schoolsDivision III 470

Divisional Differences

Division I and II offer athletic scholarshipsDivision III and Ivy League colleges do not offer athletic scholarships

NCAA Clearinghouse/Eligibility Center

The NCAA Clearinghouse certifies if student athletes high school records meet the eligibility requirements for Division I and II schools

NCAA Amateurism Certification

All prospective student-athletes entering an NCAA Division I or II institution must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center and have his or her amateur status certifiedProspective student-athletes enrolling in spring 2008 must request final certification of their amateur status beginning October 15th

Fall enrollees are encouraged to complete questionnaire asap

OVERVIEW

Four parts of initial eligibility.Changes in initial-eligibility rules.How to assist students with the initial-eligibility process.Accommodations for students with disabilities.Recruiting.

Four Parts of Initial Eligibility

1. Graduation from high school.

2. Minimum core grade-point average.

3. Minimum ACT or SAT test score.

4. Completion of 14 core courses in Division II and 16 core courses in Division I.

Core-Course Definition

An NCAA core course must meet the following:

1. Recognized academic course which qualifies for high-school graduation credit in one or a combination of: English, math, science, social studies, foreign language, computer science, nondoctrinal religion, philosophy;

Core-Course Definition

2. Course must be considered college preparatory for entrance into a four-year college;

3. Mathematics must be at the level of Algebra I or higher;

4. Course must be taught by a qualified instructor;

5. Course must be at or above regular academic level.

Use of Non-Traditional Courses

1. Course must meet definition of NCAA core course;

2. Instructor and student must have access to one another for teaching, evaluating,assisting;

3. Evaluation of work is conducted by appropriate academic authorities;

4. Course is acceptable for all students, and is placed on the high-school transcript.

Division I Core-Course Requirements--Current Rule

16 Core Courses

4 years of English3 years of math (at Algebra I or higher)2 years of science (one must be a lab)1 year of additional English, math or science2 years of social studies4 years of additional core-course units(from any area above, foreign language or nondoctrinal religion/philosophy)

Steps You Must Take to Participate in NCAA Division I or II Athletics

Freshmen and Sophomores:• •Start planning now!• •Take classes that match your school’s NCAA List of

Approved Core Courses. The NCAA Eligibility Center will only use approved core courses to certify your initial eligibility.

• •You can access and print your high school’s NCAA List of Approved Core Courses at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net.

Division I Initial-Eligibility Index Current Rule

This is an abbreviated version of the index. For the full index, see the NCAA Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete.

Core Grade-Point Average

SAT ACT(Sum of Scores)

2.500 820 68

2.300 900 75

2.100 970 82

2.000 1010 86

New Division I Initial-Eligibility Index This is an abbreviated version of the full scale. This shows the high

end, the low end and points in between.

Core Grade-Point Average

SAT ACT(Sum of Scores)

3.550 400 373.000 620 522.750 720 592.500 820 682.250 920 772.000 1010 86

You will be a nonqualifier in Division I

If you do not meet the academic requirements for core courses. As a nonqualifier, you:May not participate in athletics competition or practice during your first year in college;May receive financial aid based only on need (not athletic based aid) in your first year; andMay play only three seasons (to earn a fourth season you must graduate before your fifth year )

Division II Core-Course Requirements

14 Required Core Courses3 years of English2 years of math (at Algebra I or higher)2 years of science (one must be a lab)2 years of additional English, math or science2 years of social studies3 years of additional core-course units*On or after August 2013 -16 Core Courses for Div. II3 years of additional English, math or science4 years of additional core-course units

Division III College NCAA Initial Eligibility Requirements

There are NO NCAA initial eligibility requirements used in Division IIIStudent should contact the specific college regarding financial aid, practice and competition rules.

Division II

Minimum820 SAT or 68 sum ACT

And 2.00 core grade-point average

Division II has no sliding scale.

Partial Qualifier Division II

You will be a partial qualifier if you meet one of the following:

The specified minimum SAT or ACT score; orCompletion of the required 14 core courses with a

2.0 grade point average in your core courses.

As a partial qualifier, you:

May practice with your team at its home facility;May receive an athletics scholarship during your first year;May not compete during your freshman year; May compete in the four seasons remaining.

Nonqualifier Division II

If you have not graduated from high school or have not presented the core-course grade point average, SAT or ACT scores. As a nonqualifier, you:May not participate in athletics competition or practice during your first year in college;May receive financial aid based only on need in your first year.May play in four seasons.

IMPORTANT!Computer Science is Being Eliminated!

Computer science courses cannot be used for initial-eligibility purposes.Eliminated for both Division I and Division II.Effective August 1, 2005, for those first entering college on or after August 1, 2005.

How to Assist Your Students

Grades 9-12Guide students in their course selection to: Meet high-school graduation requirements. Fully prepare students for a four-year college. Meet NCAA core-course requirements.

How to Assist Your Students

Junior year

Take ACT or SAT test. Report test scores to the

clearinghouse. Use code 9999 when registering. That will automatically send scores to the

clearinghouse.

How to Assist Your Students

Junior year ACT or SAT test. Report scores to the NCAA Initial-Eligibility

Clearinghouse.

After junior year Register on line with the clearinghouse. Counselor sends six-semester transcript to

the clearinghouse.

Who Needs to Register with the Clearinghouse?

A student who plans to attend an NCAA Division I or II institution

andwho wishes to participate in

intercollegiate athletics.

Your Role in the Clearinghouse Process

Assist students with the on-line registration procedure at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net

Send the student’s preliminary transcript (with at least six semesters

represented) to the clearinghouse.

When Should Students Register?

Register on line at the conclusion of the junior year.

The clearinghouse will not process a transcript with fewer

than six semesters represented.

When Does a Student Receive a Preliminary Report?

The clearinghouse prioritizes incoming information by the following categories:

Students who are being actively recruited by an institution and are on an institutional request list;

Students with disabilities who have taken a nonstandard test or who have registered with NCAA disability services;

Students who request a report.

How to Assist Your Students

During the senior year Continue to monitor course selection.

After the senior year Counselor sends final transcript (with

proof of graduation) to the clearinghouse.

Transcript Accuracy is Vital!!

Once the clearinghouse 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.

Four Parts of Initial Eligibility

1. Graduation from high school.

2. Minimum core grade-point average.

3. Minimum ACT or SAT test score.

4. Completion of 14 core courses for Division II5. Completion of 16 core courses for Division I

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

Use of a nonstandard ACT and/or SAT test.Use of courses taken after high-school

graduation.Use of courses specifically designed

for students with disabilities.

Registering with NCAA Disability Services

No need to register unless:– 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 NCAA the following documents:– 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 student’s Individual Education Plan (IEP), Individual Transition Plan (ITP), 504 Plan or other statement of accommodations.

– Sent to: NCAA Membership Services, P.O. Box 6222, Indianapolis, Indiana 46206-6222.

The Recruiting Process

Develop a list of prospective schools with help of guidance counselors, coaches, and your athletic director.Consideration should be given to academic achievement and athletic abilityMake certain you are taking the required core courses Research schools you are interested in

Student Athlete Tasks

Review the NCAA Guide for College Bound Student Athlete. Available onlineFamiliarize yourself with the rules and regulations governing recruiting, eligibility and financial aidUpdate your athletic resumeAsk your coach to evaluate your athletic ability and recommend an appropriate level of competition. Be realisticSend letter, email or call schools you are interested inSchedule visits to schools interested in

RecruitingPrinted materials.– Generally, on/after September 1 beginning of junior year.

May vary by sport.Phone calls.– Division I

• Football: Once in May after junior year, then once weekly September 1 and after.

• Men’s Basketball: One call in March of junior year. One on/after June 21 after junior year. Three calls in July after junior year. Once weekly thereafter.

• Women’s Basketball: One call on/after June 21 after junior year. Three calls in July after junior year. Once weekly thereafter.

• Other sports: On/after July 1 after junior year.– Division II

• On/after June 15 after junior year.

Recruiting Visits

Unofficial Visit– Prospect pays all expenses.– Institution may provide 3 complimentary admissions

to an on-campus athletics event.– Prospect may take an unofficial visit at any time.– Prospect may take as many unofficial visits as

he/she wishes.

Recruiting Visits

Official visits– Institution finances all or part of the visit.– Maximum of 5 visits per prospect.– One visit per school.– Maximum 48 hours in length.– Academic requirements for visit:

• Division I: Test score and transcript.• Division II: Test score.

Recruiting

National Letter of Intent (NLI)– Binding one-year agreement.– Prospect must attend that institution for one year.– Institution must provide prospect with athletics

financial aid in conjunction with the NLI.– Athletic aid is for one year only, renewed on a year-

to year basis.

Campus Recruiting Visits

Confirm arrangementsFinancial arrangement (official vs unofficial)What to bring: Athletic resume, Unofficial transcript, Other requested materialExpress desire to meet with faculty members or chairperson of appropriate departmentsAsk questions about the admission procedureTry to see the campus on a typical school dayTalk with playersHave important questions prepared

Review

Four parts to initial eligibility.Changes in initial-eligibility rules.How to assist your students through the process.Students with disabilities.Recruiting.Telephone numbers.

Important Telephone Numbers

Clearinghouse Customer Service– 877/262-1492

Clearinghouse 24-Hour Automated Line– 877/861-3003

Clearinghouse Fax– 319/337-1556

NCAA National Office– 317/917-6222

NCAA Fax– 317/917-6622

NCAA Hotline– 800/638-3731

Questions?