NCAA Academic Eligibility: What Counselors Need to Know
When a student says they want to play sports in college, one of the first questions should be: Are they on track academically? If you're a counselor working with student-athletes, it’s important to know the NCAA academic rules, especially for Division I. These are the most rigorous standards, and while not every athlete will end up at a D1 school, aiming for D1 eligibility is smart because it keeps more doors open. If they qualify for D1, they’ll also be eligible for D2, which has slightly different (and less strict) rules.
Here’s a clear breakdown of what it takes.
16 Core Courses
To play at the D1 level — and receive an athletic scholarship — students need to complete 16 core courses by the end of high school. These courses have to be NCAA-approved (you can look them up on your high school’s list on eligibilitycenter.org). Here's how the 16 break down:
English – 4 years
Math (Algebra I or higher) – 3 years
Science (including one lab if offered) – 2 years
Social Science – 2 years
Additional English, Math, or Science – 1 year
Additional courses (from any core area or world language/philosophy/religion) – 4 years
The key here is that these have to be academic, college-prep classes — not health, not PE, not AVID.
Timing: They Have to Finish Them in 8 Semesters
The NCAA clock starts ticking in ninth grade. All 16 courses must be completed during high school — no summer after graduation, no extra gap year classes. Even if a student graduates early, they still have to meet the full course requirements to be eligible.
The 10/7 Rule (One of the Most Common Trip-Ups)
Before a student starts their senior year (seventh semester), they need to have 10 of their 16 core courses completed, and seven of those need to be in English, math, or science.
After that point, the final six courses can be finished during senior year, but they can’t go back and add to the 10/7 once they’ve started that seventh semester. If students are short, they can retake a class before senior year to get back on track.
FYI: The 10/7 rule doesn’t apply to international students with only international transcripts.
GPA Requirements: It’s Not Just About Passing
To compete at the D1 level, students need at least a 2.3 GPA in their core courses. That’s a weighted GPA, but only includes the 16 NCAA-approved classes. Grades in electives or non-approved courses don’t count in this calculation.
Final Thoughts
Not every student-athlete will end up at a Division I school, and that’s okay. However, helping them aim for D1 standards ensures they’re academically prepared for whatever level they ultimately compete at. It also gives them more flexibility as their recruiting picture evolves.
As counselors, we’re in a great position to keep student-athletes on track, especially in their first two years of high school when the groundwork is being laid. A quick check-in about the 10/7 rule, a reminder that GPA matters, and a little planning can make a big difference down the road.
