NCAA Eligibility for Canadian Students: A Step-by-Step Guide
Playing NCAA sports starts in the classroom. Before a Canadian student-athlete can practise, compete or receive an athletic scholarship at a Division I or Division II school, the NCAA Eligibility Center has to certify their high school record. This guide walks Ontario students and parents through each step, from choosing the right courses to registering with the Eligibility Center.
Step 1: Know which division you are aiming for
Division I and Division II have academic eligibility standards that the NCAA Eligibility Center checks. Division III schools do not use NCAA academic certification. Instead, each Division III school applies its own admission requirements. Many athletes keep more than one division open, so it is smart to plan for the Division I standard from Grade 9.
Step 2: Learn the core course requirements
Division I requires 16 NCAA-approved core courses:
4 years of English
3 years of math (Algebra I or higher)
2 years of science
1 additional year of English, math or science
2 years of social science
4 additional core courses
Ten of those 16 courses, including 7 in English, math or science, must be completed before the start of your senior year. This is called the 10/7 rule, and those ten courses are locked in for your core GPA once your final year begins.
Division II also requires 16 core courses: 3 years of English, 2 years of math, 2 years of science, 3 additional years of English, math or science, 2 years of social science and 4 additional core courses.
Step 3: Make sure your Ontario courses count
For Ontario students, the NCAA counts University (U) and University/College (M) courses in English, math, science and social science as core courses. College (C), Open (O), Workplace (E) and Locally Developed courses do not count. The NCAA also expects proof of graduation, which for Ontario students is the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), and it looks at courses completed over four years, or eight semesters, starting in Grade 9.
This is where many Canadian athletes run into trouble. A course that is fine for your OSSD may not count for the NCAA, so check every course against these rules before you choose it.
Step 4: Calculate your core course GPA
Division I requires a minimum core course GPA of 2.3, and Division II requires 2.2. The NCAA converts Ontario percentages to a 4.0 scale, so an 80 counts as a 4.0 but a 79 counts as a 3.0. Our guide How to Calculate Your NCAA Core GPA in Ontario shows exactly how it works, with a worked example.
Step 5: Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center
Create your account at the NCAA Eligibility Center, usually in Grade 10 or 11, and keep your course list up to date. After graduation you will need a final official transcript with proof of graduation. SAT and ACT scores are no longer required for Division I or Division II academic eligibility, although some schools may still ask for them for admission.
Step 6: Keep your other pathways open
Many Canadian athletes also consider U SPORTS at Canadian universities or a junior college (JUCO) in the United States. The academic rules are different for each. Read U SPORTS vs NCAA: Academic Requirements for Ontario Student-Athletes to compare them side by side.
How Aubrey Academy helps student-athletes
Aubrey Academy is a Ministry-inspected Ontario private online high school (BSID 665140). Our courses are taught by Ontario Certified Teachers, run 100 percent online and start any day, so athletes can fill core course gaps or upgrade marks around training and travel.
Our NCAA Eligibility Pathway Planning service (CA$250) includes a transcript review against NCAA core course requirements, your core course GPA for Division I and II, your U SPORTS admission average, a course-by-course academic plan and an academic profile you can share with coaches. It covers D1, D2, D3, U SPORTS and JUCO pathways, and your first NCAA consultation is free. The service is open to student-athletes everywhere, not only in Canada, including international and U.S. students. Learn more on our student-athlete page.
NCAA rules can change. Always confirm your status with the NCAA Eligibility Center, which makes the final decision on every student's record.