D2 and D3 Academic Requirements Breakdown
Previously, we broke down the academic requirements for Division 1 bound student-athletes. While there are similarities, the academic eligibility for Division 1 and Division 2 vary. Both divisions define a full qualifier as a college-bound student-athlete that is able to practice, compete, and receive athletic scholarships during their first year of enrollment. In order to be eligible to compete at the D2 level, the student-athlete must meet the following core course requirements:
English: 3 years Math (Algebra 1 or higher): 2 years Natural/Physical Science (including 1 year of lab if offered): 2 years Additional English, Math, or Natural/Physical Science: 3 years Social Science: 2 years Additional Courses (any of the above areas, foreign language, or comparative religion/philosophy): 4 years
To be considered a full qualifier, the Division 2 bound student-athlete must also meet the following requirements:
Complete 16 core courses. Earn a core-course GPA of at least 2.200. Earn the ACT/SAT score matching your core-course GPA on the Division 2 full qualifier sliding scale. Graduate high school.
If the student-athlete does not meet the second set of requirements, they may be considered a partial qualifier. A partial qualifier is a college-bound student-athlete that can receive an athletic scholarship during their first year of enrollment and may practice during their first regular academic term, but may NOT compete during their first year of enrollment. The minimum requirements to determine a partial qualifier are:
Complete 16 core courses. Earn a core-course GPA of at least 2.000. Earn the ACT/SAT score matching your core-course GPA on the Division 2 full qualifier sliding scale. Graduate high school.
Lastly, if the Division 2 bound student-athlete does not meet these requirements, then they are considered a nonqualifier. A nonqualifier means that the college-bound student-athlete may not practice, compete or receive an athletic scholarship during their first year of enrollment at an NCAA Division 2 school.
Academic requirements for Division 3 bound student-athletes vary based on the institution they will be attending.
This information was taken from the NCAA Eligibility Center.
Hailey Markovich
Hailey attended Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas. Her experience began with working in the recruiting department of TCU Football for her entire four years of college. She then moved on to work for the Dallas Cowboys as a member of the promotions team. She now lives in Denver, Colorado to contribute her knowledge of the college football recruiting process to Student-Athlete Showcase.
