ELIGIBILITY
For High School Prospects
Visit the NCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse
A Quick Reference to NCAA Freshman Eligibility Standards
For International Recruits
Download the NCAA Amateurism and Eligibility Form for International Student-Athletes
For Returning Student-Athletes
The NCAA regulations regarding academic eligibility are referred to as the "Progress-Toward-Degree" requirements. Once you initially enroll in an institution as a full-time student, you are subject to these regulations if you wish to remain eligible to participate in intercollegiate athletics at any NCAA institution. Below is an excerpt from the NCAA Division I Manual in regards to Progress-Toward-Degree Requirements.
14.4 PROGRESS-TOWARD-DEGRE REQUIREMENTS
To be eligible to represent an institution in intercollegiate athletics competition, a student-athlete shall maintain progress toward a baccalaureate or equivalent degree at that institution as determined by the regulations of that institution. As a general requirement, “progress toward degree” is to be interpreted at each member institution by the academic authorities who determine the meaning of such phrases for all students, subject to controlling legislation of the conference(s) or similar association of which the institution is a member. (See Constitution 3.2.4.13 regarding the obligations of members to publish their progress-toward-degree requirements for student-athletes.) (Note: The restrictions, exceptions and waivers set forth in Bylaws 14.4.3.4, 14.4.3.5 and 14.4.3.6 also apply to the general requirements for good academic standing and progress toward degree.)
14.4.3.1 Fulfillment of Credit-Hour Requirements.
Eligibility for competition shall be determined based on satisfactory completion of at least::
(a) Twenty-four-semester or 36-quarter hours of academic credit prior to start of the student-athlete’s second year of collegiate enrollment
(b) Eighteen-semester or 27-quarter hours of academic credit since the beginning of the previous fall term or since the beginning of the certifying institution’s preceding regular two semesters or three quarters (hours earned during the summer may not be used to fulfill this requirement); and
(c) Six-semester or six-quarter hours of academic credit during the preceding regular academic term (e.g., fall semester, winter quarter) in which the student-athlete has been enrolled full time at any collegiate institution
14.4.3.1.5 Designation of Degree Program.
A student-athlete shall designate a program of studies leading toward a specific baccalaureate degree at the certifying institution by the beginning of the third year of enrollment (fifth semester or seventh quarter) and thereafter shall make progress toward that specific degree. This provision shall be applicable to the eligibility not only of a continuing student, but also of a transfer student from a four-year or two-year collegiate institution who is entering his or her third year of collegiate enrollment, even if the student has not yet completed an academic year in residence or used a season of eligibility in a sport at the certifying institution. Designation of a specific baccalaureate degree program may be accomplished by: (a) Formal enrollment by the student-athlete in a specific baccalaureate degree program; and (b) Approval by an appropriate academic official (who must not be an academic adviser/counselor employed by the athletics department) of the program leading to the specific baccalaureate degree that the student-athlete is pursuing.
14.4.3.2 Fulfillment of Percentage of Degree Requirements.
A student-athlete who is entering his or her third year of collegiate enrollment shall have completed successfully at least 40 percent of the course requirements in the student’s specific degree program. A student-athlete who is entering his or her fourth year of collegiate enrollment shall have completed successfully at least 60 percent of the course requirements in the student’s specific degree program. A student-athlete who is entering his or her fifth year of collegiate enrollment shall have completed successfully at least 80 percent of the course requirements in the student’s specific degree program. The course requirements must be in the student’s specific degree program (as opposed to the student’s major).