 INFORMATION FOR THE
COLLEGE-BOUND STUDENT-ATHLETE
If you are currently a student-athlete enrolled in one of the Flint Community Schools and you are considering the possibility of playing Division I or II athletics, you must meet the eligibility requirements set forth by the NCAA Clearinghouse. You will find instructions on eligibility requirements and how to register listed below. For more information on eligibility requirements check out the NCAA Clearinghouse Web site at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net.
Certification
There have been recent changes in the requirements for student athletes to participate in NCAA Division I and Division II athletics. Click here or scroll down for further details on the NCAA website.
To become certified by the NCAA Clearinghouse a student must:
- Graduate from High School
- Earn a grade point average of 2.0 or higher on approved Flint Community Schools core courses
- If you are in the class of 2005, 2006, or 2007 you must complete 14 core courses to be eligible to participate in NCAA Division I or Division II sports. This is an increase from the previous requirement of 13.
- If you are in the class of 2008, you must complete 16 core courses to compete in Division I. The requirement for Division II remains at 14. One of the additional courses MUST be in mathematics.
- Earn a minimum sum score of 68 on the ACT or 820 on the SAT
Note:
Grade point average and ACT/SAT scores vary according to the Initial- Eligibility Index. To view the index click NCAA Initial-Eligibility Index.
Registration
It is necessary for a student to register with the NCAA Clearinghouse for certification. To register:
- Pick up a student release form and a red brochure titled "Making you are Eligible to participate in college sports" from your counselor.
- Provide requested information
- Part I: Student information and high school enrollment
- Part II: Authorization signatures
- Part III: Permission to release information to colleges/universities
- Part IV: Learning Disability information
- Part V: Personal Identification Number (PIN)
- Part VI: Payment - fee of $27.00
- Mail original white copy to the NCAA Clearinghouse
- Give the yellow and pink copy to your counselor (photocopies of form must go to each high school attended)
Links To Various Sites
- Click here for the NCAA
- NCAA Guide for the College-Bound Student Athlete online version
- Information regarding initial certification
- Information on academic eligibility
- Sport-by sport: A listing of NCAA Colleges an Universities by sport
- Division I: A listing of Division I teams by regions provided by the NCAA
- Division II: A listing of Division II teams by regions provided by the NCAA
- Division III: A listing of Division III teams by regions provided by the NCAA
- Letter of Intent: Information regarding the National Letter of Intent provided by the NCAA
- Questions and Answers provided by the NCAA
This information was obtained from the NCAA Clearinghouse Website at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net. Specific questions regarding any of the information on this page may be answered by contacting the NCAA Membership Services staff at 317/917-6222.
NCAA Clearinghouse
Website and Services
The key features of the new Clearinghouse services include:
- IMPORTANT! New Eligibility Rules! Click here to read about the changes.
- You may access the Clearinghouse Home Page directly or through links from the NCAA's Website at www.ncaa.org.
- From the NCAA Clearinghouse website, prospective student-athletes are able to access information needed to understand the Division I and Division II eligibility requirements, register with the Clearinghouse and access individual Clearinghouse records.
- Prospective Student-Athletes (Domestic) who are eligible for a waiver of the Initial-Eligibility Certification Fee may complete their Student Release Form (SRF) online. NOTE: to be eligible for a fee waiver, you must have already received a fee waiver (not state voucher) for the ACT or SAT. Your high school counselor will also be required to submit an electronic fee waiver verification on your behalf (high school counselors with PIN access may submit waivers for eligible students from the High School Administrator section of the Clearinghouse website).
- Attention Canadian Prospects: Core course listings for each province are now listed on the Clearinghouse website under the following high school codes:
Alberta 998-004
British Columbia 998-005
Ontario 998-003
Quebec 998-001
Saskatchewan 998-002
All others 998-006
General Information on the NCAA Clearinghouse Website:
- Links to the NCAA website.
- Core-course listings for high schools.
- Online version of NCAA Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete.
- Online information about Division I and Division II initial-eligibility requirements.
- Online Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
Prospective Student-Athletes:
- Submit your Student Release Form (SRF) via the Web.
- Registered Students - Update your registration information (if necessary).
- Registered Students - Check your certification status.
- Home-School Students - please click here
Clearinghouse Customer Services
- Clearinghouse mailing address:
NCAA Clearinghouse
301 ACT Drive
Box 4043
Iowa City, IA 52243-4043
- Clearinghouse customer service hours:
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time Monday through Friday
- Toll Free phone numbers (domestic callers only):
Customer Service Line - 877/262-1492
- Phone numbers (international callers):
Customer Service Line - 319/337-1492
The Division I and Division II initial-eligibility requirements have changed.
WHAT IS THE NEW RULE? The new requirements increase the number of required core courses from 13 to 14. The additional course may come from any of the following areas: English, mathematics, natural/physical science, social science, foreign language, non-doctrinal religion or philosophy. Please see the important notice below about the elimination of computer science.
For the classes of 2005, 2006 and 2007: Division I and Division II
If you plan to enter college in 2005 or after, your eligibility will be determined under the new rule. That means that you must have 14 core courses to be eligible to practice, play and receive financial aid at a Division I or Division II school.
For the class of 2008: Division I only -- 16 core courses
If you plan to enter college in 2008 or after, you will need to present 16 core courses in the following breakdown:
- 4 years of English
- 3 years of mathematics (Algebra I or higher)
- 2 years of natural/physical science (one must be a lab science)
- 1 year of additional English, math or science
- 2 years of social studies
- 4 years of additional core courses (from any area listed above, or from foreign language, nondoctrinal religion or philosophy)
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Hot issues
Information for home-schooled students
Students who were home schooled for any part of high school (grades nine through 12) must now register with the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse. The clearinghouse will determine whether they will be eligible for practice, competition and institutional financial aid at an NCAA Division I or Division II institution during their freshman year.
The clearinghouse will perform preliminary and final certification reports for home-schooled students. The preliminary analysis of a student's academic record will enable the student to become aware of any deficiencies in their academic record and allow the student to rectify those deficiencies prior to high-school graduation.
It is important to note that before a preliminary certification may be performed, the clearinghouse must receive the student release form (or registration form, which may be completed via the Internet), the registration fee, a transcript with at least six semesters represented, and official test scores on the ACT and/or SAT.
After high-school graduation, once the clearinghouse receives the student's final transcript and proof of graduation, the clearinghouse will perform a final certification.
Home-schooled students should register with the clearinghouse by visiting the clearinghouse Web site at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net. From there, click on "Prospective Student-Athletes," then "Domestic Student Release Form" and follow the prompts.
Computer science being eliminated for core-course purposes
Computer science courses will no longer be able to be used for initial-eligibility purposes. This rule is effective August 1, 2005, for students first entering a collegiate institution on or after August 1, 2005. Computer science courses (such as programming) that are taught through the mathematics or natural/physical science departments and receive either math or science credit and are on the high school's list of approved core courses as math or science may be used after the August 1, 2005, date.
Register online!
Prospective student-athletes may register with the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse on-line. Simply go to the Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse Web site by clicking on the clearinghouse link. By registering on-line, prospects will be able to view their eligibility information on-line, and will not have to call the clearinghouse for eligibility updates. On-line registration saves time, and allows prospective student-athletes to view their eligibility status up to six weeks faster than through the paper registration process.
Changes in SAT/ACT tests
The SAT and ACT have made changes their tests; one of the most significant changes is the addition of a writing component. On both the SAT and ACT, students will be asked to write an essay. The SAT writing section is mandatory, while the ACT writing section is optional.
The SAT will now have three parts: critical reading (formerly known as verbal), mathematics, and writing. Since each section is worth 200-800 points, the SAT score will now range from 600-2400.
Will the NCAA require a writing test as part of its initial-eligibility requirements?
The NCAA had determined that the writing component should not be required at the present time. The NCAA has noted the importance of reviewing research related to the impact of the writing component.
How will the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse use the scores on the new SAT?
Because the critical reading and math sections will still be scored on a 200-800 point scale, the clearinghouse will still combine those two sections for the combined score. The writing section will not be used. The clearinghouse will use scores from the new SAT in combination with scores from the current SAT for the combined score.
What about ACT?
ACT is also adding a writing component, but the ACT writing component is optional. The scores on the ACT will remain the same.
Where can I get more information?
The College Board has information about the new SAT on its Web site at www.collegeboard.com, and ACT has information at www.act.org.
Specific questions regarding any of the information on this page may be answered by contacting the NCAA Membership Services staff at 317/917-6222. |
