If your athlete is targeting Division II programs, the academic eligibility rules are not identical to Division I. They are close enough to cause confusion, but different enough that the distinctions matter — especially when it comes to GPA thresholds, test score flexibility, and how senior-year grades are handled.
How D2 eligibility requirements differ from D1
Here is a quick comparison of the key differences:
Core course count.
Both D1 and D2 require 16 core courses. The categories are the same. The difference is in how the NCAA evaluates those courses, not how many your athlete needs.
Minimum core GPA.
D2 requires a minimum core GPA of 2.2. D1 requires 2.3. That tenth of a point may not sound like much, but for a student hovering near the cutoff, it can be the difference between eligibility and ineligibility.
The sliding scale.
Both divisions use a sliding scale that pairs GPA with standardized test scores — but the D2 scale is more lenient. A student with the same GPA and test score may qualify for D2 but not D1.
No 10/7 rule.
This is the most significant difference. D1 requires that 10 of the 16 core courses be completed before the start of the student's seventh semester of high school (senior year). D2 has no such rule. Your athlete can continue improving grades and completing core courses through the end of senior year. For more on how this rule works at the D1 level, see our guide on the NCAA 10/7 rule — but know that it applies to D1 only.
Partial qualifier status.
D2 offers a "partial qualifier" designation. A partial qualifier can receive an athletic scholarship and practice with the team during the first year but cannot compete in games. D1 uses a different system called "academic redshirt," which has its own set of restrictions. The D2 partial qualifier path gives families one more option if a student falls slightly short of full qualifier status.
D2 requires 16 core courses completed during grades 9 through 12. "Core courses" are academic classes in specific subject areas that have been approved by the NCAA. Not every class at your athlete's high school counts — electives, remedial courses, and some vocational classes typically do not qualify.
Here is the breakdown of the 16 required courses:
| Subject area | Required courses |
|---|
| English | 3 |
| Math (Algebra I or higher) | 2 |
| Natural or physical science (including one lab course) | 2 |
| Additional courses in English, math, or science | 3 |
| Social science | 2 |
| Additional academic courses (from any category above, or foreign language, philosophy, or comparative religion) | 4 |
These categories are the same as D1. The difference, again, is not what courses are required but how and when they must be completed.
Your athlete's high school counselor should have a list of NCAA-approved core courses for your specific school. You can also look up your school's approved course list on the NCAA Eligibility Center website. If a course is not on the list, it will not count — regardless of how rigorous it is. For a deeper look at how core courses work across both divisions, see our core course requirements guide.
D2 GPA requirements and the sliding scale
To be a full qualifier at a D2 school, your athlete needs a minimum core GPA of 2.2 calculated from those 16 core courses. This is not the same as the GPA on your athlete's high school transcript — the NCAA recalculates it using only approved core courses and its own weighting system.
How the D2 sliding scale works.
The sliding scale pairs your athlete's core GPA with a standardized test score (SAT or ACT). A higher GPA requires a lower test score, and vice versa. The D2 sliding scale is more forgiving than the D1 version, meaning a student with the same numbers may qualify for D2 even if they fall short for D1.
Here are selected points from the D2 sliding scale to give you a sense of how it works:
| Core GPA | SAT (combined reading + math) | ACT (sum score) |
|---|
| 3.30 or above | 400 | 37 |
| 3.00 | 520 | 44 |
| 2.70 | 680 | 56 |
| 2.50 | 820 | 68 |
| 2.20 | 1020 | 86 |
A few things to note about these numbers:
- The SAT score used is the combined Evidence-Based Reading and Writing plus Math score, on a 400–1600 scale.
- The ACT "sum score" is the total of all four section scores added together (not the composite average you typically see on score reports). A composite ACT of 21 roughly translates to a sum score of 84.
- If your athlete's GPA is 3.30 or higher, the test score requirement is essentially the minimum possible — meaning any valid score will work.
The test-optional policy.
The NCAA's test-optional policy, which was introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, currently applies to D2 as well. Under this policy, students who meet a core GPA of 2.2 or higher may qualify without submitting an SAT or ACT score. Check the NCAA Eligibility Center for the most current status of this policy, as it may change for future graduating classes.
Partial qualifier thresholds.
If your athlete does not meet full qualifier requirements but has a core GPA of at least 2.0 and meets a lower point on the sliding scale, they may still be classified as a partial qualifier. As noted above, this allows scholarship and practice but not competition during the first year.
D2 amateurism requirements
The amateurism rules for D2 are the same as D1. This is the area where there is no meaningful difference between the divisions.
To maintain amateur status, your athlete must not have:
- Signed a contract with a professional team
- Received a salary or payment for playing a sport
- Played on a professional team
- Accepted prize money above actual expenses
- Been represented by an agent or organization to market athletic ability
Name, image, and likeness (NIL).
D2 athletes are permitted to earn money from NIL activities under current NCAA rules. The rules around NIL continue to evolve, but the basic framework is the same across D1 and D2 — athletes can profit from their name, image, and likeness as long as the arrangement is not a pay-for-play deal tied to enrollment at a specific school.
When amateurism certification happens.
Your athlete's amateurism status is certified through the same NCAA Eligibility Center used for academic certification. This happens as part of the overall registration process, not as a separate step.
How to register for D2 eligibility through the NCAA Eligibility Center
D2 uses the exact same NCAA Eligibility Center as D1. There is one registration process that covers both divisions — your athlete does not need to register separately.
Here is what the process looks like:
Step 1: Create an account.
Go to the NCAA Eligibility Center website and create a student account. This should be done at the start of sophomore year or beginning of junior year at the latest.
Step 2: Enter academic information.
Your athlete will enter personal details, high school information, and a list of courses. The NCAA Eligibility Center will request transcripts directly from the high school.
Step 3: Complete the amateurism questionnaire.
The account includes an amateurism certification questionnaire. Answer every question honestly. This is typically straightforward for most high school students.
Step 4: Send test scores (if applicable).
If your athlete is submitting SAT or ACT scores, they must be sent directly from the testing agency to the NCAA Eligibility Center. Use code 9999 when registering for the SAT or ACT so that scores are sent automatically. Scores from a high school transcript are not accepted.
Step 5: Request final transcript.
After your athlete graduates, the high school must send a final transcript with proof of graduation to the Eligibility Center.
For a complete walkthrough of each step, see our guide to registering with the NCAA Eligibility Center.
The bottom line: your D2 eligibility checklist
D2 eligibility is achievable for a wide range of student-athletes. The requirements are clear and the thresholds are slightly more accessible than D1. Here is your working checklist:
- Complete 16 core courses in the required subject areas during grades 9–12
- Earn a minimum 2.2 core GPA across those 16 courses (2.0 for partial qualifier status)
- Meet the D2 sliding scale pairing your GPA with a standardized test score — or qualify under the test-optional policy with a 2.2 GPA or higher
- Maintain amateur status by avoiding contracts, payments, or agent agreements tied to your sport
- Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center no later than the start of junior year
- Send official test scores using code 9999 (if submitting scores)
- Request a final transcript be sent after graduation
Because D2 does not have the 10/7 rule, your athlete has more flexibility to improve grades during senior year. This is a genuine advantage for late bloomers or students who need an extra semester to bring up a borderline GPA.
If you are exploring D2 programs more broadly — recruiting timelines, scholarship availability, and what the D2 experience looks like — read our full D2 recruiting guide for the complete picture. For the comprehensive overview of D2 athletics — conferences, competitive landscape, scholarship stacking, and who D2 is right for — our D2 colleges guide covers everything in one place.