HIGH SCHOOL ELIGIBILITY
To participate in athletic competition students must meet certain academic criteria, as established by the N.J.S.I.A.A.
First Semester: Fall and Winter Sports
To be eligible for athletic competition during the first semester (September 1 to January 31) of the 10th, 11th or 12th grade a pupil must have passed 25% of their overall credits (30 credits) required by the State of New Jersey for graduation (120 credits) during the immediately preceding academic year.
All Freshman are eligible for participation during the first semester.
Second Semester: Spring Sports
To be eligible for athletic competition during the second semester (Feb. 1 to June 30) of the 9th, 10th, 11th or 12th grade, a pupil must have passed the equivalent of 12.5% of the credits (15 credits) required by the state of New Jersey for graduation (120 credits) at the close of the preceding semester (Jan. 31). Full-year courses shall be equated as one-half of the total credits to be gained for the full year to determine credits passed during the immediately preceding semester.
Homeschool Student Eligibility
Homeschooled children are eligible to participate in the high school interscholastic athletic program only if the school district, the parent, and the homeschooled child comply with the Guidelines, Constitution, By laws, Rules, and Regulations of NJSIAA, and the policies and regulations of the Board of Education.
- The Board of Education policy is available here:
- Further clarification information and additional required paperwork is available here:
NCAA ELIGIBILITY
** NEW FOR 2026-27 **
NCAA Division I period of eligibility rules is changing starting with the 2026-27 academic year - click HERE for the NCAA Eligibility Center website that further explains the changes.
- CoreCourse GPA
- NCAA Core Course List - High School Code: 310417
- NCAA Eligibility Center
- NCAA Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete
- NCAA Website
College-Bound Student-Athletes
The initial-eligibility standards for NCAA Division 1 college-bound student-athletes are changing. College-bound student-athletes first entering a Division 1 college or university on or after August 1, 2015, will need to meet new academic rules in order to receive athletics aid (scholarship), practice or compete during their first year. First, here are three terms you need to know:
- Full Qualifier: A college-bound student-athlete may receive athletics aid (scholarship), practice and compete in the first year of enrollment at the Division I college or university.
- Academic Redshirt: A college-bound student-athlete may receive athletics aid (scholarship) in the first year of enrollment and may practice in the first regular academic term (semester or quarter) but may NOT compete in the first year of enrollment. After the first term is complete, the college-bound student-athlete must be academically successful at his/her college or university to continue to practice for the rest of the year.
- Nonqualifier: A college-bound student-athlete cannot receive athletics aid (scholarship), cannot practice and cannot compete in the first year of enrollment.
Quick Hits
- Initial-Eligibility Brochure: A basic look at the requirements to becoming an NCAA Division I or II student-athlete.
- Division I Academic Requirements: A brief overview of Division I initial-eligibility academic requirements.
- Division II Academic Requirements: A brief overview of Division II initial-eligibility academic requirements.
- Division III Amateurism Requirements: A brief overview of Division III amateurism requirements for college-bound international student athletes.