What are the GPA Requirements for the NCAA

Your GPA is a major determining factor on your college sports eligibility. But the NCAA calculates GPA in a very specific way, that may not match how your HS reports it. They will use specific courses on your transcript and calculate a GPA for your eligibility only from there. Although many recruits will meet these requirements without much challenge, make sure you know the rules so that a technicality does not keep you from competing as a freshman.

Common reasons athletes are ineligible

The biggest misconception is that your high school GPA, especially a weighted one will translate to college. Your core academic course grades are what matters to the NCAA so students who raise their high school GPA with electives, often get flagged during the process. Likewise if you do fail a class, it is a major priority that you make up that class because after your junior year, your timely graduation review will be in effect. In other words you can’t simply make up all the credits as a Senior.

What is more common is that a high school that does not commonly send students to college does not have their approved course list verified. This does not mean you cannot get certified, but it will often take a lot longer for that process to get completed first, before you can be reviewed. If you are an international student it is likely you will be in this category and need to follow the protocols recommended for international student eligibility.

Is there a minimum GPA requirement?

Generally speaking the answer is yes and not exactly. Prior to the COVID-19 Pandemic the minimum GPAs for D1 and D2 were 23 and 2.2 respectively. And at that level a recruit would need a 980 SAT to be eligible. The higher your GPA was reported, the lower your concordant SAT/ACT could be to certify eligibility. In recent years, with waivers in effect, the SAT requirement for the NCAA has been waived, although many colleges still require it for their own admissions.

Coach Rob’s Note: Don’t go under-recruited! I put in the hard work for you to know exactly which colleges already want to recruit you, which ones will view you as a top recruit, and how to get their attention. Book a meeting with me, Coach Rob, and see how easy it can be to get the offers you deserve!

What courses count towards my GPA?

Your GPA is calculated from only courses that are taken in English, Math, Physical/Natural Science, Social Science, Foreign Language, Philosophy, or Religion. However there are certain limits for reach class you have to hit. In general it will all add up to 16 courses at minimum that meet those core course standards to calculate your GPA. As a college advisor I always recommend looking to take core courses aside from perhaps Philosophy and Religion, every year of high school. Colleges have their own admissions standards, and failure to do so, may make you eligible for the NCAA but still not eligible for admissions to the college of your choice. 

Can I lose my eligibility while in college?

Yes you can. If a college student-athlete does not maintain at least 1.8 to 2.0 GPA throughout their semesters, and stay in track for graduation, you will run the risk of becoming academically ineligible. Make sure to keep your academics at the forefront because success in college sports is not just about getting on the field. It is about doing what is necessary in order to stay there.

Coach Rob is a recruiting expert and the Founder of SCA Recruiting. He is also the author of the book Winning the Ship: How to Win the College Athlete Recruitment Game. Available now on Amazon.