High School Academic Requirements to be Eligible for Collegiate Track & Field

Verified with the official 2026-27 NCAA, NAIA, U SPORTS, NJCAA and CCAA rules on September 30, 2026.

The short answer: To compete as a first-year in NCAA Division I track and field, you need 16 NCAA-approved core courses and a 2.3 core-course GPA. Division II needs 16 core courses and a 2.2. The NAIA needs a 2.3 GPA, or two of these three: a 2.0 GPA, a top-half class rank, or an 18 ACT / 970 SAT. Division III, U SPORTS, the NJCAA and the CCAA set no national GPA minimum: you need to be admitted and enrolled full time. The NCAA no longer requires an SAT or ACT score.

This post covers the eligibility rules for each association. For choosing high school courses, GPA targets and admissions in the US and Canada, start with the Academics section of our Track & Field Recruiting Guide.

Admission and eligibility are two separate standards

To compete at the college level, you must meet two separate standards. First, you must meet the admission requirements of the university, based on your high school courses and grades. Second, you must meet the athletic eligibility requirements set by the NCAA, NAIA, U SPORTS, NJCAA or CCAA. Your courses and grades get you admitted. Eligibility rules determine whether you can step on the starting line.

The minimums below are floors. Meeting them does not guarantee admission, a scholarship or a roster spot. Competitive NCAA recruits often fall in the 2.8 to 3.5+ GPA range, and stronger grades unlock academic merit aid that can be combined with athletic aid.

Academic eligibility at a glance

NCAA Division I

Division I requires 16 NCAA-approved core courses:

• English: 4 years
• Math (Algebra I or higher): 3 years
• Natural or physical science (including one year of lab, if offered): 2 years
• Additional English, math or natural or physical science: 1 year
• Social science: 2 years
• Additional courses (any area above, foreign language, or comparative religion or philosophy): 4 years

Ten of the 16 must be complete before the start of your seventh semester, which is the start of senior year. Seven of those 10 must be in English, math or natural or physical science. You also need a core-course GPA of at least 2.3 and a high school diploma.

If your core-course GPA falls between 2.0 and 2.299, you are an academic redshirt. You can receive an athletic scholarship and practice in your first term, but you cannot compete in your first year. To keep practicing after that, you must pass 9 semester hours (or 8 quarter hours) in your first term.

Only courses on your high school's NCAA-approved list count. Find your school's list and learn how the NCAA calculates your core-course GPA.

NCAA Division II

Division II also requires 16 NCAA-approved core courses:

• English: 3 years
• Math (Algebra I or higher): 2 years
• Natural or physical science (including one year of lab, if offered): 2 years
• Additional English, math or natural or physical science: 3 years
• Social science: 2 years
• Additional courses (any area above, foreign language, or comparative religion or philosophy): 4 years

You need a core-course GPA of at least 2.2 and a high school diploma to be a full qualifier.

If you miss full-qualifier status, you are a partial qualifier. You can receive an athletic scholarship and practice on campus, but you cannot compete in your first year. Since August 2024, there is no minimum GPA for partial qualifiers.

NCAA Division III

The NCAA sets no academic eligibility standard for Division III. You must be admitted under the school's regular admission policy and enrolled full time. Division III schools offer no athletic scholarships, so your grades carry more weight in admission and in the academic aid the school can offer.

NAIA

The NAIA requires a high school diploma plus one of two routes:

• A GPA of 2.3 or higher, or
• Two of these three: a 2.0 GPA, a class rank in the top half of your graduating class, or a score of 18 on the ACT or 970 on the SAT.

The NAIA has no core-course requirement. You only need a test score if you are using the two-of-three route. Every NAIA athlete registers with PlayNAIA, the NAIA Eligibility Center. Registration costs $110 for US and Canadian high school students and $170 for international students.

U SPORTS

Once you are admitted to a U SPORTS university and enrolled in degree-granting courses, you can compete right away. If you are admitted but not yet enrolled in degree-granting courses, you must pass 9 credits in one semester first.

The same applies to athletic scholarships, which U SPORTS calls Athletic Financial Awards. Since 2024-25, an entering student can receive one once accepted and enrolled in degree-granting courses. U SPORTS no longer requires an 80% entering average.

Your grades still decide admission. Many U SPORTS programs look for about a B average in required Grade 11 and Grade 12 courses, and competitive faculties ask for more. After your first year, check your university's rules for keeping an award, since standards vary by school and conference.

NJCAA

The NJCAA requires proof that you graduated high school: a final transcript, or a state-recognized equivalency exam such as the GED. There is no GPA or test-score minimum to enter, but you must be enrolled full time to compete. Many athletes use junior college as a route to NCAA or NAIA programs. Read more about using JUCO as a second chance.

CCAA

The CCAA sets no entering average. You must be enrolled full time, which means at least 9 credits a semester, and your college declares you eligible. To stay eligible, you must pass 6 credits in the fall semester and 18 across the year.

What changed since this post first ran in 2021

• SAT and ACT: NCAA Divisions I and II removed standardized test scores from initial eligibility in January 2023, effective August 2023. Some colleges still require or recommend a score for admission or scholarships. See our SAT and ACT guide.
• Division II partial qualifiers: the 2.0 GPA minimum for partial qualifiers was removed in August 2024.
• NAIA: a 2.3 GPA now qualifies on its own, and the test-score standard is 18 on the ACT or 970 on the SAT.
• U SPORTS: from 2024-25, athletes entering from high school no longer need a 60% entering average to compete or an 80% entering average to receive an athletic scholarship.

Frequently asked questions

What GPA do you need to run track in college?

NCAA Division I requires a 2.3 core-course GPA and Division II requires 2.2. The NAIA requires a 2.3, or two of these three: a 2.0 GPA, a top-half class rank, or an 18 ACT / 970 SAT. Division III, U SPORTS, the NJCAA and the CCAA set no national minimum. Each school's admission standards are often higher.

Do I need the SAT or ACT to be eligible?

The NCAA does not require a test score for eligibility. The NAIA uses one only as an option within its two-of-three route. Some colleges still require or recommend a score for admission or academic scholarships.

Can I get an athletic scholarship in my first year at a U SPORTS university?

Yes. Since 2024-25, you can receive an Athletic Financial Award once you are accepted and enrolled in degree-granting courses. The 80% entering-average requirement no longer applies.

What happens if my GPA is below 2.3 for Division I?

With a core-course GPA from 2.0 to 2.299, you are an academic redshirt: you can receive a scholarship and practice, but you cannot compete in your first year. Division II, the NAIA, Division III, U SPORTS, the NJCAA and the CCAA each have their own route.

When should I register with the NCAA Eligibility Center?

Create a free Profile Page account early in high school. You will need a full Academic and Athletics Certification account before official visits and before competing in Division I or II. Our guide to the NCAA and NAIA eligibility centers walks through both.

Put your academics on your profile

Add your GPA or average to the Academic Information section of your Streamline Athletes profile, and upload your most recent transcript or report card. Book advising if you want help mapping schools where your academics earn merit aid.