NCAA Division I and Division II Academic Standards

Do your student-athletes know the requirements to be eligible to compete at a Division I or II school? It takes more than athletic talent!

Do your students understand their NCAA GPA is based on core courses only? The Eligibility Center calculates your students' core-course grade-point average based only on the grades they earn in NCAA-approved core courses.

Division I requires a minimum 2.3 core GPA.
Division II requires a minimum 2.2 core GPA.

Do your students know the requirements to be eligible to compete? For Divisions I and II, your students must complete a total of 16 NCAA-approved core courses to be eligible to play their sport at the collegiate level. Click here for a resource you can share with your students to help ensure they are on track with these core-course requirements.

Are your students being recruited by Division I schools? To study and compete at a Division I school, your student-athletes must complete 10 of their 16 core courses (including seven in English, math or science) before the start of their seventh semester. (Solely international student-athletes don't have this requirement.) Click here for Division II requirements.

Division III schools determine their own eligibility. Students should speak with the compliance office at the Division III school recruiting them for additional information.

New Orleans Saints Flag Football Coaching Resource

Are you coaching a flag football team in your community? With the growth of this sport nationwide, the New Orleans Saints have stepped up to provide a series of training videos for coaches and players. Led by Saints staff and coaches, these short instructional videos provide information on proper and safe methods for flag players' skill development and coaches' instruction. Click here to view these videos and be sure to share with your flag football student-athletes and coaches.

2024-25 Guide for High School Counselors

Now Available!

The 2024-25 Guide for High School Counselors is now available! The guide is designed to assist you and your colleagues, so you know the academic requirements for your athletes and understand the role school high counselors play in supporting your athletes. It's also the best resource for information for you as a coach when your students have questions, or you need to work with their high school counselor to assist with your student-athlete's progress toward NCAA certification.

The PDF version is available via the High School Portal's Resources page or click here to download. Watch for release of additional updated resources in the coming weeks!

Resource Reminder: Frequently Asked Questions

Receiving questions about the Eligibility Center's process that you can't answer? Visit the Eligibility Center's online FAQ for answers to many of the questions you or your student-athletes may have. This is also a great resource for questions parents, families or other advocates may send your way, including:

Feel free to share ncaa.org/studentfaq in your emails, newsletters or other correspondence to your student-athletes/families.

Sport Science Institute: Concussion Safety

Together with leading medical organizations, behavioral health centers and content matter experts, the NCAA Sport Science Institute provides educational resources to promote and support the health and well-being of student-athletes.

This downloadable fact sheet for coaches provides quick and easy-to-read information about concussion safety.

The NCAA Sport Science Institute is a leader in providing health and safety resources to college athletes, coaches, athletics administrators and campus partners.

877-262-1492

eligibilitycenter.org

Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete | Initial-Eligibility Flyer

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