Students at division I colleges must have earned a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 in their core academic high school classes. For division I athletes, core courses are: four years English, three years math, algebra I level or higher, two years science (at least one year of lab science preferred), two years social science, one additional year-long course in English, math or science, four additional elective classes in any of the above or a foreign language.
Students must complete these courses and graduate in eight semesters. They can complete only one core course after graduation. There is no set minimum SAT or ACT score but the student's GPA determines the score needed to qualify.
Freshmen at division II schools must have graduated high school with a 2.0 GPA in 14 academic core courses. The requirements are nearly the same as division I's except they need one year less English, one year less math, one more year-long course (English, math or science) and one fewer elective courses.
Students must also earn a minimum score of an 820 on the SAT or a combined score of 68 on the ACT. Students who meet either the core course requirement or the test score requirement, but not both, may practice with their team and receive an athletic scholarship as a freshman. However, they may not participate in competition until their sophomore year.
Students maintain eligibility by remaining a full-time and earn at least 24 semester credits, or 36 quarter credits, in their freshman year to be eligible as a sophomore. To stay eligible after that, students must have earned at least 18 semester credits, or 27 quarter credits, in the preceding academic year (with at least six credits passed each term).
By the beginning of a student's third academic year, they must be officially enrolled in a specific degree program and have completed at least 40 percent of the requirements for that degree. By the beginning of their fourth academic year, they must have completed at least 60 percent of their degree requirements.
The minimum GPA is a 1.8 on a 4.0 scale for eligibility as a sophomore. Third year students' minimum is 1.9 and for seniors, 2.0.
Students must complete their four years of eligibility within five calendar years of their graduation from high school. However, exceptions to this rule may be granted due to circumstances such as injury, military service, or required church missions.