Important Information About Division I and Division II
-
Initial Eligibility Changes

The New Rule: For students entering any college or university, your NCAA initial eligibility will be evaluated under the new rule described on this sheet.

-Increases the number of core courses.
-Changes the Division I initial eligibility index, or sliding scale.
(See the Core GPA/test score index)

Former Rule
13 Core Courses:

  • 4 years of English
  • 2 years of Mathematics (Algebra I of higher)
  • 1 year of additional English, Mathematics or natural/physical science
  • 2 years of Social science
  • 2 years of additional courses (from any area above or
  • Foreign language, nondoctrinal religion/philosophy, computer science

 

Class of 2005
14 core Courses:

  • 4 years of English
  • 2 years of Mathematics (algebra I or higher)
  • 2 years of natural/physical science (1 year of lab if offered by high school)
  • 1 year of additional English, mathematics or natural/physical science
  • 2 years of social science
  • 3 years of additional courses (from any area above or foreign language, non-doctrinal religion/ philosophy, computer science*)

Class of 2008
16 Core Courses:
(Division I only)

  • 4 years of English
  • 3 years of mathematics (Algebra I or higher)
  • 2 years of natural/physical science (one must be a lab science)
  • 1 year of additional English, math or science
  • 2 years of social studies
  • 4 years of additional core courses (from any area listed above, or from foreign language, non-doctrinal religion or philosophy).

 

Grade Point Average/Test Score Index
(This is an abbreviated version of the full scale)

Helpful Websites for the Student Athelete

GPA

SAT

ACT

www.ncaaclearinghouse.net

The NCAA Clearinghouse site. All important information for student athletes including clearance.

3.55

400

37

www.njcaa.org

The NCAA site for Junior Colleges

3.0

620

52

www.naia.org

The NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) official web site.

2.75

720

59

www.ncaa.org

The official site of NCAA. Site includes rules and guidlines for recruiting and athletic interaction.

2.5

820

68

www.collegeboard.com

Standardized testiing information site.

2.25

920

77

 

2.0

1010

86

 

 

To Register with the Clearinghouse

Fill out the online form at the Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse Web Site (www.ncaaclearinghouse.net) or call the NCAA publications hotline at 800/638-3731 and ask for a free copy of the "Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete" which contains the registration forms and a Clearinghouse brochure. This Guide can also be viewed online in the Student-Athlete Eligibility and Recruiting section.

 

For Information on Your Clearinghouse Status

For questions about whether your transcript, student release form, etc. were received, or about when you will be cleared, call the automated system at 877/861-3003 (you will need your Personal Identification Number {PIN}and Social Security number).

If you have misplaced your PIN contact the Clearinghouse Customer Service at:
877/262-1492.

 

NCAA - WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
DIVISIONS I, II AND III?
(Taken from NCAA Online - www.ncaa.org)

Division I

Division I member institutions have to sponsor at least seven sports for men and seven for women (or six for men and eight for women) with two team sports for each gender. Each playing season has to be represented by each gender as well. There are contest and participant minimums for each sport, as well as scheduling criteria. For sports other than football and basketball, Division I schools must play 100% of the minimum number of contests against Division I opponents - anything over the minimum number of games has to be 50% Division I. Men's and women's basketball teams have to play all but two games against Division I teams; for men, they must play 1/3 of all their contests in the home arena. Schools that have football are classified as Division I-A or I-AA. I-A football schools are usually fairly elaborate programs. Division I-A teams have to meet minimum attendance requirements (17,000 people in attendance per home game, OR 20,000 average of all football games in the last four years, or 30,000 permanent seats in their stadium and average 17,000 per home game or 20,000 average of all football games in the last four years, OR be in a member conference in which at least six conference members sponsor football or more than half of football schools meet attendance criterion. Division I-AA teams do not need to meet minimum attendance requirements. Division I schools must meet minimum financial aid awards for their athletics program, and there are maximum financial aid awards for each sport that a Division I school cannot exceed.

Division II

Division II institutions have to sponsor at least four sports for men and four for women, with two team sports for each gender and each playing season represented by each gender. There are contest and participant minimums for each sport, as well as scheduling criteria - football and men's and women's basketball teams must play at least 50% of their games against Division II or I-A or I-AA opponents. For sports other than football and basketball, there are not scheduling requirements. There are not attendance requirements for football or arena game requirements for basketball. There are maximum financial aid awards for each sport that a Division II school must not exceed. Division II teams usually feature a number of local or in-state student-athletes. Many Division II student-athletes pay for school through a combination of scholarship money, grants, student loans and employment earnings. Division II athletic programs are financed in the institution's budget like other academic departments on campus. Traditional rivalries with regional institutions dominate schedules of many Division II athletics programs.

Division III

Division III institutions have to sponsor at least five sports for men and five for women, with two team sports for each gender and each playing season represented by each gender. There are minimum contest and participant minimums for each sport. Division III athletics features student-athletes who receive no financial aid related to their athletic ability and athletic departments are staffed and funded like any other department in the university. Division III athletic departments place special importance on the impact of athletics on the participants rather than on the spectators. The student/athlete's experience is of paramount concern. Division III athletics encourages participation by maximizing the number and variety of athletics opportunities available to students, placing primary emphasis on regional in-season and conference competition.