College Athletics

The most comprehensive source for information can be found online at the NCAA Eligibility Center: www.eligibilitycenter.org You can download the “Guide for the College Bound Student Athlete” on this website, which can serve as a quick and thorough reference.

Helpful Hint:

**Carry out a college search for schools that match your academic interest first. Use resources such as College Board (www.collegeboard.com). **

Student-athletes must be “academically eligible” in order to participate in intercollegiate sports. Eligibility is based upon your core GPA (calculated using only NCAA-approved courses in English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Foreign Language) and ACT/ SAT score. Not all FHS courses are NCAA-approved. Therefore, you should continually review your progress and understand your core GPA to make sure you are on track.

In order to determine your eligibility, you should register with the NCAA Eligibility Center by the end of your junior year. ACT/ SAT scores should be sent directly to NCAA. This can be done by entering the code 9999 as one of your college choices when you register for the ACT or SAT. You can also have your scores sent directly from the testing agency after the fact, but there is a fee attached.

How do I register?

1. Go to www.eligibilitycenter.org
2. Select NCAA College-Bound Student-Athletes 'Enter Here'
3. Select "U.S. Students Register Here"
4. Pay the registration fee. Students who qualify under the free/reduced lunch program may also be eligible for a fee waiver. Talk to your counselor about securing a waiver.
5. Make sure your ACT/ SAT scores have been sent to NCAA directly from the testing agency.
6. Meet with your College Counselor in order to have your high school transcripts submitted to the Eligibility Center.

Important Note:

Starting with the Class of 2016. Students hoping to compete in NCAA Division I athletics must meet new requirements for full competition, including:

• Minimum core GPA of 2.3
• Complete 10 core courses (7 of which must be English, math, or science) by the end of junior year

There are almost 100 schools affiliated with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, (NAIA). 

To be eligible to participate in an NAIA college athletic program, an entering freshman must graduate and must meet two of the following requirements:

• Score a minimum composite of 18 on the ACT or 860 on the SAT.
• Achieve an overall high school grade point average of 2.0
• Graduate in the top half of his/her graduating class.

For more information, or to register with the NAIA, visit the Eligibility Center at www.playnaia.org. The registration fee is $80. If you qualify under the free/reduced lunch program, you may also be eligible for a fee waiver. Talk to your college counselor about securing a waiver.

Remember that very few students are contacted by coaches- you are your best advocate! After narrowing down your list of schools, you should send the coaches information about yourself, including your athletic and academic accomplishments. Ask them what additional information they need. View a sample letter and resume p. 31-32 to help you get started. Coaches may also want to see a highlight video/ DVD. If you are interested in learning more about NCAA regulations & opportunities, don’t forget to check in with Ms. Lane, Guidance Counselor. She is another great resource here at FHS.