Know the rules before they cost you.
Eligibility, core courses, testing, and the recruiting timeline — explained on the current NCAA rules. No retired sliding-scale charts, no recycled myths.
16 guides published · latest Jun 16, 2026
Start here
The NCAA sliding scale, explained: why it's retired and what counts now
The famous GPA-to-test-score chart was eliminated in 2023. Here's what it was, when it ended, and the core-course and core-GPA rules that replaced it.
6 min read · Jun 12, 2026
NCAA Core Courses: the 16 classes that actually count
The NCAA builds your eligibility GPA from just 16 specific courses — here's exactly which classes count and which ones don't.
7 min read · Jun 6, 2026
Can a 2.0 GPA play D1? What the NCAA actually requires
A 2.0 isn't an automatic no — it depends on your core-course GPA, not the number on the report card. Here's the real math, in plain English.
6 min read · Jun 2, 2026
13 more guides
Homeschool athletes and NCAA eligibility: the complete playbook
Homeschoolers go D1 every year — but the documentation rules are different, and the burden of proof is on you.
7 min read · Jun 16, 2026
NAIA vs. NCAA eligibility: different rulebooks, different doors
The NAIA runs its own eligibility center with simpler rules — and for thousands of athletes it's the better fit, not the backup plan.
6 min read · Jun 15, 2026
Senior year NCAA checklist: certification, transcripts, and the deadlines that end careers
By senior year the GPA math is mostly locked — what's left is paperwork, and paperwork is where eligible athletes still lose.
6 min read · Jun 14, 2026
Freshman year NCAA eligibility checklist: 7 moves that decide everything
Recruiting is won in 9th grade math class. Here's the freshman-year plan that keeps every door open.
6 min read · Jun 13, 2026
The 16 NCAA core courses, listed — what counts and what doesn't
English, math, science, social science and the approved extras — plus the classes families are shocked don't count.
7 min read · Jun 11, 2026
When should my athlete register with the NCAA Eligibility Center?
There's no hard deadline, but the smart move is sophomore or junior year. Here's why registering early protects your athlete's eligibility — explained for parents.
6 min read · Jun 10, 2026
NIL, amateurism & eligibility: what families need to know
NIL money is allowed now — and it doesn't end amateurism on its own. But the rules differ by state and are still changing. Here's what families actually need to watch.
6 min read · Jun 9, 2026
The NCAA Sliding Scale Is Gone: What Replaced It
The NCAA permanently eliminated the SAT/ACT sliding scale in 2023. Here's the short history, the core-course and core-GPA rules that replaced it, and where test scores still count.
6 min read · Jun 8, 2026
The NCAA Eligibility Center: a parent's step-by-step guide
If your child hopes to play D1 or D2 sports, the Eligibility Center isn't optional. Here's every step, in plain English — from account setup to final transcript.
6 min read · Jun 7, 2026
What GPA do you need to play college sports? (by division)
There's no single magic number — it changes by division, and it's almost never the GPA on the report card. Here's the real math, level by level.
6 min read · Jun 5, 2026
Do SAT/ACT scores still matter for NCAA eligibility?
The NCAA permanently dropped test scores from eligibility in 2023, but colleges, scholarships, and coaches still read those numbers closely. Here's what's actually true, and whether your athlete should still test.
6 min read · Jun 4, 2026
D1 vs D2 vs D3 vs NAIA: the eligibility differences explained
Four levels, four sets of rules. Here's how D1, D2, D3, and NAIA differ on academics, scholarships, and registration — and how to find the right fit.
7 min read · Jun 3, 2026
The academic side of getting recruited (what coaches actually check)
Talent gets you noticed. Academics get you signed. Here's what college coaches really check off the field — and how to be the recruit they can say yes to.
6 min read · Jun 1, 2026
Beyond the guides
Eligibility Center
The 16 core courses, the GPA lines, and the grade-by-grade timeline that gets you to them.
16 core courses · 4 grade levels
Questions & answers
The questions families actually type into Google, answered on the rules that are in force today.
75 answers
Rules by state
Your state association decides whether you play this season; the NCAA decides whether you play in college.
50 state guides
College profiles
Federal admissions data for each school next to the eligibility bar its division sets on a recruit.
237 programs · 48 HBCUs