NCAA Raises the Bar on Eligibility Standards
By Jamie Oberg, UIL Intern | Thursday, January 24, 2013 11:07 AM
The NCAA has released details for changes in initial-eligibility standards for Division I college-bound athletes. The new rules will affect student–athletes entering a Division I school on or after August 1, 2016.
Athletic Director Dr. Mark Cousins said his department supports the new standards.
"The UIL has always promoted academic and athletic success as a part of a well-rounded educational experience," he said. "We are always glad to see programs that help support academic readiness and a smooth transition for our college bound participants."
In order for an inbound student-athlete to be considered a full-qualifier, or receive aid and compete in the first year of enrollment, he/she must meet new requirements in regard to core courses, test scores and grade point average (GPA).
New changes for full-qualifiers include:
- Completion of 16 NCAA core courses. 10 of these 16 courses must be completed before the student-athlete’s senior year in high school.
- Increased minimum Core Course GPA from 2.0 to 2.3.
- Must meet the updated competition sliding scale requirement of GPA and ACT/SAT test score for full-qualifiers.
Additionally, a student-athlete who is deemed ineligible for full qualification may be declared an academic redshirt. Student-athletes in this distinction may receive aid and may practice but cannot compete in their first year of enrollment.
Qualifications for an academic redshirt include:
- Completion of 16 NCAA core courses, but did not complete 10 before beginning his/her senior year.
- Minimum Core-Course GPA of 2.0.
- Must meet Academic Redshirt sliding scale requirement of GPA and ACT/SAT score.
For more information on these requirements and sliding scales please visit: www.eligibilitycenter.org