NFL Draft

How to Become NCAA Eligible: A Guide for Student-Athletes

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Oct 12, 2019; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) looks to pass the ball during the first quarter of the game against the Florida State Seminoles at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

For student-athletes to practice and play at the college or university level, they must satisfy NCAA eligibility requirements. They must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center at the beginning of their junior or end of sophomore years of high school and meet all NCAA academic requirements all through high school.

The NCAA decides if a student-athlete is eligible based on his or her amateurism status and academic preparedness. They determine Academic eligibility using a combination of high school course work, GPA requirements, and ACT/SAT results. Also, the NCAA determines a student’s amateurism status based on the answers on his or her amateurism certificate.  When student-athletes achieve NCAA-eligibility status, they can play for five academic years.  

What is the NCAA Eligibility Center?

The NCAA Eligibility Center is considered a watchdog organization for NCAA athletics.  They confirm the eligibility of student-athletes at Division I or Division ll schools. All NCAA student-athletes must register with the center before they can play any college sport or receive a scholarship from an NCAA school. The NCAA application process usually takes about 45 minutes. The student only needs a valid email address.  

Some details you’ll be asked to input during the registration process include:

·       Your high school name and location

·       Your high school coursework

·       Basic identification information such as name, birthday, sex, and address

·       The sport you want to play in college

·       The clubs, traveling teams, and high school teams you’ve played for

You need to update these details regularly so NCAA schools looking for recruits will have your current coursework and GPA information. 

Becoming NCAA eligible might be exciting, but it requires a lot of patience and constant school work as well as training. Professional assistance in the UK from cheap essay writing service delivered with quality can sometimes help you achieve the balance you desire. This means you can focus on your on both your studies and sports without being overwhelmed. Furthermore, you don’t want to be deemed ineligible for the competition just because you’ve failed to maintain the required grade point.

US Citizens, Canadian citizens, and citizens of US territories often pay a $90 fee to register with the NCAA Eligibility Center. International students pay $150.  In most cases, NCAA waives the registration fee for low income-students, but that’s only if they live in the US or its territories. US students who qualify for the ACT / SAT  fee waivers can also receive the NCAA athlete registration waiver.

What are the NCAA academic requirements to play and NCAA-sport?

 Division IDivision II
Core Course Requirements✓     4 years of English language✓     3 years of mathematics (Algebra or higher level)✓     2 years of physical/natural science (also one year of lab science if offered by the high school)✓     One more year of English language, mathematics, or science✓     2 years of social science✓     4 extra years of English language, mathematics, science (physical/ natural), foreign language, social science  philosophy, or comparative religion✓     3 years of English language✓     2 years of mathematics (Algebra 1 or higher)✓     2 years of physical/natural science (also one year of lab science if offered by the high school)✓     3 extra years of English language, mathematics, or science (physical/natural science)✓     2 years of social science✓     4 extra years of English language, mathematics, science (physical/ natural), foreign language, social science  philosophy, or comparative religion
NCAA GPA Requirements2.32.2
SAT or  ACTIf you graduate with a minimum GPA of 2.3, you must have a combined SAT score of 980 to satisfy NCAA SAT requirements or an ACT score of 75 for the NCAA ACT requirement.If you graduate with a minimum GPA of 2.2, you must have a combined SAT score of 920 to satisfy NCAA SAT requirements or an ACT score of 70 and above for the NCAA ACT requirement.

What are the NCAA eligibility requirements for Division III athletes?

Most of the time, Division III institutions set their academic eligibility standards. So, there are no NCAA eligibility standards for them. If you plan to compete in Division III schools, you must be accepted to the school just like any other student.

You’ll not receive an athletic scholarship if you compete in Division III. And since academics come first, then sports in Division III institutions, you don’t have to be academically certified by the NCAA.  That being said, it’s important to remain in good academic standing with your school by doing custom essays and research papers as you progress towards your degree. 

If you’re uncertain what division you want to compete in, you can begin with a free NCAA profile page.  Once you peruse a Division I or Division II program, keep in mind that you can move to a Certification Account later.

Conclusion

We hope this guide has provided you with sufficient information to keep you on track to meet the NCAA academic eligibility requirement for Division II and Division II schools of your choosing. 

Unfortunately, there are no Division III NCAA eligibility requirements because Division III institutions feature their own admission requirements that you have to meet to maintain eligibility.

Damond Talbot

NFL Draft Diamonds was created to assist the underdogs playing the sport. We call them diamonds in the rough. My name is Damond Talbot, I have worked extremely hard to help hundreds of small school players over the past several years, and will continue my mission. We have several contributors on this site, and if they contribute their name and contact will be in the piece above. You can email me at nfldraftdiamonds@gmail.com

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