If you want to play sports at an NCAA Division I or II school, start by registering
for a Certification Account with the NCAA Eligibility Center at eligibility center.org.
If you want to play Division III sports or you aren't sure where you want to compete,
start by creating a Profile Page at eligibility center.org.
ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
To play sports at a Division I or II school, you must graduate from high school, complete 16 NCAA-approved core courses, earn a minimum GPA, and earn an ACT or SAT score that matches your core-course GPA.
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CORE COURSES
Visit eligibility center.org/courselist for a full list of your high school's approved core courses. (The VCHS ACT code is 351788.)
Complete 16 core courses in the following areas:
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DIVISION I
Complete 10 NCAA core courses, including 7 in English, math or natural/physical science, before your seventh semester.
ENGLISH
4 Years
MATH
(Algebra I
or higher)
3 Years
NATURAL/
PHYSICAL
SCIENCE
(including one
year of lab,
if offered)
2 Years
ADDITIONAL
(English, math or
natural/physical
science)
1 Year
SOCIAL
SCIENCE
2 Years
ADDITIONAL
COURSES
(Any area listed
to the left, foreign
language, or
comparative
religion/philosophy)
4 Years
DIVISION II
ENGLISH
4 Years
MATH
(Algebra I
or higher)
2 Years
NATURAL/
PHYSICAL
SCIENCE
(including one
year of lab,
if offered)
2 Years
ADDITIONAL
(English, math or
natural/physical
science)
3 Years
SOCIAL
SCIENCE
2 Years
ADDITIONAL
COURSES
(Any area listed
to the left, foreign
language, or
comparative
religion/philosophy)
4 Years
GRADE-POINT AVERAGE
The NCAA Eligibility Center calculates your grade-point average (GPA) based on the grades you earn in NCAA-approved core courses.
-
DI requires a minimum 2.3 GPA.
-
DII requires a minimum 2.2 GPA.
TEST SCORES
Take the ACT or SAT as many times as you want before you enroll full-time in college, but remember to list the NCAA Eligibility Center (code 9999) as a score recipient whenever you register to take a test. If you take a test more than once, send the Eligibility Center all your scores, and they will use the best scores from each test section to create your sum score. They accept official scores only from the ACT or SAT and won't use scores shown on your high school transcript.
SLIDING SCALE
Divisions I and II use sliding scales to match test scores and GPAs to determine eligibility. The sliding scale balances your test score with your GPA. If you have a low test score, you need a higher GPA to be eligible. Find more information about sliding scales at ncaa.org/student-athletes/future/test-scores.
HIGH SCHOOL TIMELINE
GRADE 9
Plan
-
Start planning now! Take the right courses and earn the best grades you can.
-
Ask your counselor for a list of your high school's NCAA core courses to make sure you take the right classes.
GRADE 10
Register
-
Register for a Certification Account or Profile with the NCAA Eligibility Center at eligibility center.org.
-
If you fall behind on courses, don't take shortcuts to catch up. Ask your counselor for help with finding approved courses or programs you can take.
GRADE 11
Study
-
Check with your counselor to make sure you are on track to graduate on time.
-
Take the ACT or SAT, and make sure the Eligibility Center gets your scores by using code 9999.
-
At the end of the year, ask your counselor to upload your official transcript.
GRADE 12
Graduate
-
Take the ACT or SAT again, if necessary, and make sure the Eligibility Center gets your scores by using code 9999.
-
Request your final amateurism certification after April 1.
-
After you graduate, ask your counselor to upload your final official transcript with proof of graduation.