Academic requirements for Division 1 schools

 
Complete these 16 core courses and graduate from high school:

  • 4 years of English
  • 3 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)
  • 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,
    comparative religion or philosophy)
  • Earn a minimum required grade-point average in your core courses
  • Earn a combined SAT or ACT sum score that matches your core-course grade-point
    average and test score sliding scale (for example, a 2.400 core-course grade-point
    average needs an 860 SAT).

Requirement to graduate with your high school class

You must complete the 16 core-course requirement in eight semesters, which begins when you initially started high school with your ninth-grade class.  If you graduate from high school in eight semesters with your class, you may use one core-course unit completed within one year after graduation (summer or academic year) to meet NCAA Division 1 initial-eligibility requirements.  You may complete the core course at a location other than the high school from which you graduated and may initially enroll full time at a college or university at any time after completion of the core course.

 

What is a Division 1 Qualifier?

Being a Division 1 qualifier enables you to:

  • Practice or compete for your college or university during your first year of college.
  • Receive an athletics scholarship during your first year of college.
  • Play four seasons in your sport if you maintain your eligibility from year to year.
     You may be able to play only three seasons in your sport if you
    maintain your eligibility from year to year.  To earn a fourth
    season you must complete at least 80 percent of your degree
    requirements before beginning your fifth year of college.

What is a Division 1 Non-qualifier?

If you are a Division 1 non qualifier, you will NOT be able to:

  • Practice or compete for your college or university during your first year of college.
  • Receive an athletics scholarship during your first year of college, although you may receive need-based financial aid.