Planning to Play Sports in College? What You Need to Know About the NCAA
If you’re a student-athlete with dreams of competing at the college level, understanding the NCAA is your first step. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) governs college sports and ensures student-athletes meet academic and amateurism standards.
Whether you want to play at a Division I powerhouse or a smaller Division III school, here’s everything you need to know to stay on track.
The NCAA is an organization that regulates student-athletes at over 1,100 colleges and universities. It helps ensure fair play, academic standards, and eligibility across three divisions: Division I, II, and III.
NCAA Divisions: What’s the Difference?
| Division | Overview | Scholarships | Academic Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Division I | Large schools with big athletic programs (e.g., Texas A&M, Alabama) | Full/partial athletic scholarships | High GPA & strong academics |
| Division II | Mid-size schools with competitive teams | Some athletic scholarships | Slightly lower GPA/test score threshold than DI |
| Division III | Smaller schools focused more on academics | No athletic scholarships (but merit & need-based aid available) | No NCAA academic certification required |
Grade-Level Roadmap
| Grade | Tasks |
|---|---|
| 9th | Start strong academically. Ask your counselor if your courses are NCAA-approved core courses. |
| 10th | Keep your GPA up. Focus on completing core courses. Create a free profile page at eligibilitycenter.org if you’re exploring the idea of college sports. |
| 11th | Register for a Certification Account if you’re serious about DI or DII. Take the ACT/SAT if needed. Upload transcripts. Check core-course progress. |
| 12th | Complete all 16 NCAA-approved core courses. Submit final transcripts after graduation. Check amateurism status. Make sure your account is updated! |
Academic Requirements (DI & DII)
✅ Core Courses:
You must complete 16 core courses in high school. These include:
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4 years of English
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3 years of math (Algebra I or higher)
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2 years of natural/physical science
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2 years of social science
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1 additional year of English, math, or science
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4 additional years of any subject above or a foreign languag
✅ GPA Requirements:
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Division I: Minimum 2.3 GPA in core courses
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Division II: Minimum 2.2 GPA in core courses
(Higher GPA = more test flexibility)
✅ Test Scores (as of 2023):
Standardized test scores (SAT/ACT) are no longer required for initial eligibility in DI and DII. However, some colleges may still require them for admission.
Why Create an NCAA Eligibility Center Account?
Creating your account is essential if you’re planning to compete at a Division I or II school.
There are two types of accounts:
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Free Profile Page – For students unsure about playing in college or interested in Division III.
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Certification Account – Required to make official visits, sign a National Letter of Intent, or play DI or DII sports.
💡 Keep your account up to date with:
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Transcript uploads
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Amateurism questions
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Final eligibility documents
Final Tips
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Verify your high school’s approved core courses: Use this search tool ➡ https://web3.ncaa.org/hsportal/exec/hsAction
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Start early—eligibility starts in 9th grade, and your GPA matters from day one.
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Connect with your school counselor and coach to make sure you’re on track.
Want to learn more? View the resources below and visit eligibilitycenter.org to start your journey toward college athletics today.
