As we roll into the new year, we bump into new rules and requirements. The NCAA Division 2 program has new NCAA requirements that all high-school recruits must take a look at. Future NCAA Division 2 athletes need to pay close attention to these new requirements because it can be the deciding factor on whether you can compete at the next level. The following requirements are essential and must be fulfilled for NCAA Division 2 athletes to participate and receive a scholarship in the first year. The new requirements will officially take place on August 1, 2018.

Requirements:

NCAA Division 2 student-athletes must complete all of the 16 core courses. The 16 core courses that the student-athletes are: 3 years of English, 2 years of Math (Algebra I or higher), 2 years of Natural/Physical Science (1 year with lab (if offered)), 2 years of Social Science, 3 years of additional math, science, or English, and 4 years of additional math, science, English, social science, foreign language, comparative religion or philosophy.

Qualifiers:

There are three different types of qualifiers, Full, Partial, or Nonqualifier. After the student-athletes complete their 16 core-courses, they can see which category they fall under.

Under the Full Qualifier, student-athletes must complete all 16 core courses, earn a core-course GPA of 2.200, earn an ACT/SAT score that matches their GPA on the NCAA D2 full qualifier sliding scale, and graduate high school. Full qualifiers can practice, play, and receive scholarships during their first year of enrollment.

Under the Partial Qualifier, student-athletes must complete all 16 core courses, earn a core-course GPA of 2.000, earn an ACT/SAT score that matches their GPA on the NCAA D2 partial qualifier sliding scale, and graduate high school. Partial qualifiers may receive scholarship and practice but are NOT able to play during their first year of enrollment.

Under the Nonqualifier, student-athletes cannot play, practice, or receive any scholarship during their first year of enrollment.

* Originally published on January 12, 2018, by Ryan Kwong