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College and Career Center » Student Athletes- NCAA & NAIA

Student Athletes- NCAA & NAIA

STUDENT ATHLETES
Students who initially enroll full time in college during 2026/2027 academic year and intend to play NCAA Division I or II or NAIA Division 1 athletics will not be required to take a standardized test to meet NCAA initial-eligibility requirements.
 
  • Student-athletes enrolling in a Division I school during the 2026-27 academic year will be academically eligible by earning a 2.3 grade-point average in 16 NCAA-approved core courses, with 10 core courses (seven in English, math and science) completed by the start of their seventh semester in high school (before senior year).
  • Student-athletes enrolling in a Division II school during the 2026-27 academic year will be academically eligible by earning a 2.2 grade-point average in 16 NCAA-approved core courses.

HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATING CLASS REQUIREMENTS:

Student-Athletes: In order to be recruited, it is recommended that students complete their NCAA and NAIA applications by the beginning of their Junior Year. Students will need to ask their high school counselor to submit their transcript for NCAA/NAIA validation. The SAT/ACT is no longer required.
 
See link to create an account.
NCAA: NCAA Eligibility Center    
NAIA:  https://play.mynaia.org/

Academic Eligibility: Division 1 Schools
To participate in Division I athletics or receive an athletics scholarship during the first year of college, a student-athlete must:
  • Complete the 16 core-course requirement in eight high school semesters:
    • 4 years of English;
    • 3 years of math (Algebra 1 or higher);
    • 2 years of natural, Life or physical science (including one year of lab science if offered by the high school);
    • 1 extra year of English, math or natural or physical science;
    • 2 years of social science;
    • 4 years of extra core courses (from any category above, or foreign language, non-doctrinal religion or philosophy).
  • Earn a minimum required grade-point average in core courses.

Academic Eligibility: Division 2 Schools
If you enroll in a Division II college and want to participate in athletics or receive an athletics scholarship during your first year, you must:
  • Graduate from high school;
  • Complete these 16 core courses:
    • 3 years of English;
    • 2 years of math (Algebra 1 or higher);
    • 2 years of natural or physical science (including one year of lab science if offered by your high school);
    • 3 additional years of English, math, or natural or physical science;
    • 2 years of social science;
    • 4 years of additional core courses (from any category above, or foreign language, nondoctrinal religion or philosophy).
  • Earn a 2.000 grade-point average or better in your core courses.

Play Division III sports
Division III schools provide an integrated environment focusing on academic success while offering a competitive athletics environment. Division III rules minimize potential conflicts between athletics and academics and focus on regional in-season and conference play.

While Division III schools do not offer athletics scholarships, 75 percent of Division III student-athletes receive some form of merit or need-based financial aid.

If you are planning to attend a Division III school, you do not need to register with the NCAA Eligibility Center. Division III schools set their own admissions standards.
 
 
National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)
NCAA schools require college-bound student-athletes to build a foundation of high school courses to prepare them for college coursework. Students who plan to compete in NCAA sports at Division I or II schools must pass 16 CHS pre-approved NCAA core courses. College-bound student-athletes preparing to enroll in a Division I or Division II school need to register with the NCAA. NCAA Prospective student-athletes are strongly recommended to consult the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Clearinghouse regarding eligibility issues at Division 1 and Division II Colleges. You are urged to read the "NCAA Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete". Register with the NCAA Clearinghouse here

Junior Year
  • Register by your Junior year of high school and then tell your high school counselor that you registered. High school counselors must go on line and validate your transcript.
  • Update your transcript and information each year.
  • Begin preparing film and stats to show to college recruiters. 
  • Upload any SAT or ACT test results. Send SAT and ACT to 9999 code.

 Senior Year
  • Request final amateurism certification: Students enrolling in the Fall semester of college can log in to their NCAA account and request your final amateurism certification on or after April 1 of that year.
***To request final amateurism certification, please follow these steps:
  • Log in to your NCAA Eligibility Center account at eligibilitycenter.org. You will be taken to your Dashboard. Already logged in on your laptop or tablet? Select Dashboard from the menu on the left-hand side of the screen. Already logged in on your phone? Scroll to the bottom and click Return to Dashboard.
  • Check your progress on your Dashboard. The first circle (Account Creation) must be complete prior to requesting your amateurism certification.
  • Ensure you have completed all assigned amateurism-related tasks in your task list.
  • You may have tasks open in the second circle (Send Test Scores and Transcripts) and still request your amateurism certification.
  • In the third box on your Dashboard, select the green “Submit request now” button, as shown at right.
  • Select the button for the sport you want to request amateurism.
  • You may request your final amateurism certification even if you are not being recruited by an NCAA Division I or II school. However, we may wait to begin your certification until after an NCAA Division I or II school adds you to their Institutional Request List (IRL). Please provide the school(s) recruiting you with your NCAA ID number.
  • Tip: If you changed your enrollment period after requesting final certification, you will need to return to the Dashboard and re-request final amateurism for each sport in the third box. If you have not requested final amateurism in the past, follow the timeline above. 

Reminder:
  • You cannot be spoken to or meet with a college recruiter until you have been cleared through the NCAA. 
  • Do not accept any gifts or money from a recruiter.
 
Please see your high school counselor if you are being contacted by a recruiter. Check the Eligibility Center to ensure they have met amateurism standards and are academically prepared for college coursework.                                                                                                                             
 
NCAA Eligibility Center Quick Reference Guide
 
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., is a governing body of small athletics programs dedicated to character-driven intercollegiate athletics. Since 1937, the NAIA has administered programs dedicated to championships that are balanced with the overall college educational experience. Each year more than 65,000 NAIA student-athletes have the opportunity to play college sports, earn over $600 million in scholarships, and compete for a chance to participate in 25 national championships. Learn more at naia.org. FAST. FREE. SECURE. HIGH SCHOOL PORTAL The NAIA’s preferred transcript submission service #PlayNAIA
 
NAIA Division 1 and Division 2 give the same number of athletic scholarships as NCAA Division 1 and 2. The same academic rules apply to NCAA 16 core courses.
 
Here are some things you’ll want to think about as you consider entering the athletic recruitment process:

  • Think about the concept of “fit” – make sure the school is a solid academic fit for you as well as sports/social fit. You want to make sure you will be able to graduate in four years with a solid major and a strong transcript.
  • Talk with your coach to help determine at what level you are able to play (DI, DII, or DIII).
  • Be responsible in the process and don’t forget to return questionnaires, send film if requested, take standardized tests, send transcripts, etc.
  • Visit as many schools as possible (unofficial). Spend some serious quality time with the coach(es) and other players and ask how they are treated, how well they’re doing in their classes, and what their life is like.
  • Be honest throughout the process and follow the rules diligently. Be honest with the coaches recruiting you and look for those who are honest with you.
NCAA Guide and Worksheets