Play Division I Sports (original) (raw)

If you want to compete at an NCAA Division I school, you must register with the Eligibility Center meet academic and amateurism standards set by NCAA members.

• Learn more about how to plan out your high school years and meet NCAA initial-eligibility requirements.

If you need assistance, contact the Eligibility Center’s customer service team at 877-262-1492, Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time. International students (including Quebec) should use the International Contact Form to submit questions.

Division I Academic Standards

To be eligible to practice, compete and receive an athletics scholarship in your first year of full-time enrollment, you must meet the following requirements:

• Earn 16 NCAA-approved core-course credits in the following areas:
  • Four years of English.
  • Three years of math (Algebra 1 or higher).
  • Two years of science (including one year of lab, if offered).
  • One extra year of English, math or science.
  • Two years of social science.
  • Four additional years of English, math, science, social science, world language, comparative religion or philosophy.
• Complete your 16 NCAA-approved core-course credits in eight semesters from your initial start of ninth grade. If you graduate from high school early, you still must meet core-course requirements.
• Meet the 10/7 requirement by completing 10 of your 16 NCAA-approved core-course credits, including seven in English, math or science, before the start if your seventh semester. Note: Students with solely internationalacademic credentials (including Canada) are not required to meet the 10/7 requirement.
• Earn a minimum 2.3 core-course GPA.
• Ask your high school counselor to upload your final official transcript with proof of graduation to your Eligibility Center account.
• Receive academic and amateurism certifications from the Eligibility Center.
  • For questions about name, image and likeness, click here.
  • Learn more about amateurism.

What If I Don’t Meet Division I Standards?

If you have not met all the Division I academic standards, you may not compete in your first year of full-time enrollment at a Division I school. However, if you qualify as an academic redshirt, you may practice during your first regular academic term and receive an athletics scholarship during your first year of full-time enrollment.

If you are concerned you may not meet the Division I academic requirements, consider taking the following actions:

• Get tutoring or other study help.
• Ask for advice from your high school counselor.
• Check in with the compliance office at the NCAA school you plan to attend.
• Follow your high school’s policies. The best thing to do is work within the rules.
• Avoid quick fixes through credit recovery programs. These courses may not be accepted by the NCAA.
• Keep your coursework. If the Eligibility Center needs to review your record due to irregularities, you may be asked to provide your coursework.
• Graduate on time. Division I schools allow college-bound student-athletes who graduate on-time to take one core course during the year after they graduate high school.

Division I Facts

Participation

• 173,500 student- athletes.
• 346 schools.

Athletic scholarships

• Fifty-one percent of DI student-athletes receive some level of athletics aid.

Academics

• 2012 Graduation Success Rate: 81 percent

Other stats

• Average enrollment: 12,900
• Average number of sports: 18 Average percentage of sudent body participating in NCAA sports: 6 percent
• Division I national championships: 26 (1 out of every 8.5 student-athletes participates)