NCAA Eligibility

NCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse

**Get your body into shape for sports, prepare your mind for the real world. 

STUDENT-ATHLETE’S ACADEMIC ROLE/RESPONSIBILITY               

1.  Take personal responsibility for your actions!

2.  Take your classes and athletics seriously.  If you are failing two + classes, you will

     and be able to play your sport.

3.  Get the best grades as possible (strive for As and Bs, you will be eligible for academic

     scholarship money, in addition to athletic scholarship money).                

4.  GPAs- strive to be an “A” student in the Freshman year so that you won’t be playing

     catch up for the rest of your high school career. Continue being an “A” and “B”

     student throughout your high school career.  The higher the grades, the more

     opportunities and money!!!

NCAA INITIAL ELIGIBILITY CLEARINGHOUSE

In order to play a Division I and II sport, you must be academically qualify. This means you need to meet certain Grade Point Average and SAT/ACT levels.  (See Sliding Scale for Eligibility on p. 7 in the 2005-2006 Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete) For example, if you have a 2.0 GPA, you must have a combined verbal and math score of 1010 on the SATs.

Go online to www.ncaaclearinghouse.net and request the free 2005-06 Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete. This guide will answer all your questions about eligibility. 

Academic-Eligibility Requirements 

The Class of 2006 needs to have 14 Core (Academic) Courses to be considered eligible to play Division I or II sports:

English- African American Literature, Creative Writing, English I-IV

Social Science- American Gov’t, Black Studies, Economics, Psychology, Sociology,

US History, Western Civ, World Geography, and World History

Mathematics- Algebra I, II, Calculus, Geometry, and Pre-Calculus; Algebra IA and Algebra IB combined count for only 1 Core Course.

Natural/Physical Sciences- Biology, Adv Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Environmental Science, Forensic Science, Life Science, Meteorology, Physical Science, and Physical Science (Biotechnology is in the process of receiving approval)

Additional Core Courses- French I-III, Latin I, II, Spanish I-III; (Religion 4 is in the process of receiving approval since it is a comparative religious course).

Register to be eligible to play your sport!

1. If you want to participate in Div. I or II sports, you must register with the clearinghouse to be eligible to play your sport.
2. Fill it out in the Spring of Junior year or in the Senior year, not before!

1. Online application is easier!  www.ncaaclearinghouse.net. 
2. SFA school code is 210-185.
3. Payment of $50 or fee waiver from me.
4. Request a transcript from me.
   

Some other information

Athletic Scholarships awarded by NCAA institutions are limited to one year and are renewable annually for a total of 5 years. Receiving an athletic scholarship in the Freshman year is not a guarantee that you will receive it for the remaining years at college.

Athletic Scholarships are awarded in a variety of amounts, ranging from full-tuition to very small scholarships, such as payment for books only. 

Please do not rely on receiving only full-athletic scholarship to an institution.  Always have a back-up plan by applying for need-based financial aid, beginning Jan. 1- March 31 and academic scholarships.  Academic scholarship information is located under the Academic Guidance section at www.sfacademy.org. There is millions of $ in academic scholarships that go unclaimed as a result of students not applying for it!

If you want to play in a Div. I or II sport in college, you need to submit your college applications separately.  The NCAA Clearinghouse only determines whether you are eligible to play in Div. I or II sports in your Freshman year in college. You also need to fill out college applications, so that you will be admitted into the college.  The recruiters and myself will assist you in the process, but it is your responsibility to make it happen.

Submitting your College Applications

Seniors athletes should submit all college applications before the holidays. The following should accompany the application:  application fee or fee waiver, personal essay, recommendation letters, and transcript.  Make sure you read the directions because each college will have their own admissions qualifications.  

Make sure you take a tour of the campus and get an interview with an admissions representative.  You need to feel comfortable on campus and feel that the school you may be playing your sport at is the right fit for you athletically and academically. 

Please make sure that you are in touch with me. Do not rely on getting into college from recruiters only.  The guidance counselor’s role is to assist you in making the right fit for your college academics and athletics.  

** CONSIDER ALL YOUR OPTIONS!  As a Student Athlete, please consider all the colleges that are recruiting you, even if they are Div. III schools.  If you are a very good player, you will probably be the star of your team at a Div. III school, where you will gain recognition and notoriety.  Although Div. III schools do not offer financial aid based upon athletic ability, they do offer need-based and academically-related financial aid.  Div. III athletes will allow you to play your sport and get an excellent education.  Getting the education with the goal of obtaining a career is the most important factor, as the chances are very slim of going professional in any sport.  And what if you get an injury? Although the body has its limitations and can be hurt, your mind can take you places you have never dreamed of, allowing you to earn a decent living and live a comfortable lifestyle.  Combine both sports and academics at college!

** PREP SCHOOL or OTHER OPTIONS? Is it really worth going to high school for a 5th year for the sake of playing a sport in college?  If playing Div. I athletics in college is your dream, consider prep school or a feeder community college.  I have seen smart students with excellent GPAs and SAT scores do nothing because they did not consider all their options.  Div. III schools are just as good as Div. I and II, and if you have worked hard and achieved good grades, you can earn academic scholarships to attend college and play your sport.