NCAA Information for the College-Bound Athlete ​

Many outstanding CDM athletes continue to play their sport in college, whether at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) or club level. Students who would like to play on an NCAA Division I or II athletic team must register and be certified by the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse. 

Eligibility Requirements
Some of the initial-eligibility requirements have changed. Students must earn at least a 2.300 GPA in NCAA core courses to be eligible to compete in Division I athletics during their first year of college.  The motto is: “2.3 or take a knee.” For details on eligibility, including a list of the 16 required core courses, visit www.eligibilitycenter.org.

Registration Information
  • Students should register with the NCAA Eligibility Center online at www.eligibilitycenter.org by the beginning of their junior year.  There is a $90 registration fee.
  • Students should keep their PIN in a safe place and remember to identify themselves exactly the same way on all forms (no nicknames.)
  • Only courses that appear on your high school’s list of NCAA courses will be used to calculate your GPA for NCAA eligibility purposes.
  • Once ten core courses are “locked in” prior to the start of your seventh semester, you can’t take those classes over again to improve your GPA.
  • Earn a combined SAT or ACT score that matches your core-course GPA on the sliding scale.  Visit the eligibility center online for specific details.
  • Student NCAA registration link:  Register for the NCAA
  • Student registration checklist:
  • http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/eligibility_center/Student_Resources/Registration_Checklist.pdf

​Recruitment Information
The recruitment process and rules vary significantly by sport and by level. Your coach is likely the best resource for learning how to be recruited in your sport of choice.  College athletics websites also have information about NCAA rules, recruitment questionnaires, camp opportunities, and other helpful information. 

​IVC Athletics Eligibility - Recruited College Bound HS Athletes

NCAA Division I Manual

NCAA Division II Manual

NCAA Division III Manual