FAQ On Initial Eligibilty

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ON INITIAL ELIBILITY

What requirements do I need to be able to practice, play and be eligible for an athletic scholarship to Portland State University straight out of high school?
You need to complete the following:
     • Graduate from high school;
     • Complete a minimum of 14* NCAA approved core courses;
     • Present a minimum grade-point average (gpa) in your core courses; and
     • Present a qualifying test score on either the ACT or SAT test.

* For students enrolling in a Division I school on or after August 1, 2008, the minimum number of NCAA approved core courses is 16.

When should I student register with the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse?
You should register with the clearinghouse after the completion of your junior year in high school. Your transcript, which includes three years of grades, should be sent to the clearinghouse by your high school. Additionally, you should have your SAT or ACT test scores forwarded directly to the clearinghouse when signing up for the exam.

How do I know if the courses I'm taking will count as NCAA core courses?
The NCAA maintains a list of your high school's approved core courses.
     • Go to the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse website
              (http://eligibilitycenter.org/ECWR2/NCAA_EMS/NCAA.html)
     • Click on "General Information"
     • Click on "List of Approved Core Courses"
     • Input your high school's code (if you know it) or search by your high school's name and state.
     • Review the list

Important: If a core course you took is not on the list, it won't be used in your eligibility determination. Courses on your transcript must exactly match what is on the NCAA list.

What do I do if a core course I took isn't on the list?
See your high school counselor immediately. Someone at your high school is responsible for keeping your high school's list updated.

May a correspondence or independent study course be used to meet the core-course requirements?
Yes. Independent study, Internet or correspondence courses may be used as core courses if the following conditions are met:
     • They meet all requirements for a core course;
     • The instructor and student have access to one another during the course for the purpose of teaching, evaluating and providing assistance;
     • Evaluation of the student's work is conducted by the appropriate academic authorities in accordance with the high school's established academic policies;
     and
     • The course is acceptable for any student and is placed on the high-school transcript.

May courses taken in the eighth grade that are high-school core courses (e.g., Algebra I, Spanish 1, Freshman Composition) be used to meet the core-course requirements?
Generally no, courses taken in the eighth grade may not be used to satisfy the core-course requirements regardless of the course content or level. However, in the rare event that students need to have courses taken in the eighth grade considered for eligibility purposes, there is a waiver process available.

How is the NCAA core gpa different from a student's overall gpa?
The NCAA core-course gpa is calculated using only NCAA-approved core courses in the required number of core units. A high school gpa generally include the grades from most or all
courses attempted in grades nine through 12.

Can weighted grades for honors or advanced placement courses be factored into the calculation of the student's core gpa?
A school's normal practice of weighting honors or advanced courses may be used. Weighting cannot be used if the high school weights grades solely for the purpose of determining class rank. Additionally, in no instance may the student receive greater than 1.000 additional quality points
for purposes of calculating the gpa for initial eligibility.

May courses taken at a local college be used to meet the core-course requirements?
College courses may be used to satisfy core-course requirements if the courses are accepted and awarded credit by the high school for any student and, meet all other requirements for core courses. The courses must be placed on the student's high-school transcript. Courses taken at a college will NOT appear on the high school's list of approved core courses. The high school's list of NCAA approved core courses will include only those courses taught/offered by the high school.

Can students with a diagnosed disability use courses that are designated for students with a disability to meet NCAA core-course requirements?
Students with appropriately diagnosed disabilities may use courses for students with disabilities for the purpose of meeting NCAA core-course requirements. Courses for students with
disabilities must appear on the high school's list of NCAA approved core courses in order for a student to receive NCAA credit for the course.

Please note that students with disabilities must supply required documentation: (a) a signed copy of a professional evaluation report that states the diagnosis of the student's disability; and (b) a copy of the student's Individualized Education Plan (IEP), Individual Transition Plan (ITP) or Section 504 Plan or statement that relates to accommodations received by the student with the disability. The NCAA national office, not the clearinghouse, processes the information.

May a nonstandard ACT/SAT be used for initial eligibility?
Yes. Students with diagnosed disabilities may take a nonstandard ACT or SAT. The test score must still be provided to the clearinghouse, just as any other test.

Does the prohibition against special education, remedial or compensatory courses apply to students with disabilities?
No. In order for courses designated for students with disabilities to be approved, the course must be substantially comparable, qualitatively and quantitatively, as a regular core course offered in that academic area.

Are vocational courses acceptable?
Traditional vocational courses are not acceptable. These include courses such as agriculture, auto mechanics, accounting and health.

What if a student's final high-school transcript contains an error or the student has grade changes that are not included on the first final transcript mailed to the clearinghouse?
Once the clearinghouse has received all required documentation including a final high-school transcript for a student, they are able to produce a final certification report. If a high school sends a revised final transcript, the clearinghouse will not be able to use the changes. Instead, any changes to a student's final high-school transcript must be approved through the initial eligibility waiver process.

May courses taken at high school "A" be accepted if they appear on high school "B's" transcript?
No. High school "A" may provide the clearinghouse with an official copy of high school "B's" transcript, but grades from one high school cannot be accepted on another high-school's transcript.

May students use courses taken after high-school graduation?
Generally, students who enroll in a Division I institution may not use courses taken after high- school graduation to meet the NCAA core-course requirements. Students who return after
graduation to the high school from which they graduated may take courses to meet the core- course requirements. These students cannot enroll in college and participate in intercollegiate athletics until the following fall.

Students with diagnosed disabilities may use core courses taken after high-school, provided the courses are completed before full-time enrollment in a university.

What options are available for those who do not meet the NCAA initial-eligibility standards?
In exceptional circumstances students who do not meet the initial-eligibility standards may be granted a waiver of their deficiency through an NCAA initial-eligibility waiver. NCAA
academic committees have the authority to authorize waivers of the initial-eligibility requirements based on objective evidence that demonstrates circumstances in which a student's overall academic record warrants the waiver of the normal application of the legislation. The waiver must be filed by an NCAA institution (college or university) on behalf of the student.

[NOTE: This is not a complete list of NCAA regulations regarding initial eligibility. Please call or write the NCAA or access the NCAA Web site if you have specific questions.]
NCAA
Membership Services
P.O. Box 6222
Indianapolis, IN 46206-6222
317/917-6222 (phone)
317/917-6622 (fax)
800/638-3731 (NCAA Hotline)
www.ncaa.org