GPA
What does GPA stand for?
GPA is an abbreviation for grade point average. It is the sum of a student’s course grades throughout their high school or college career divided by the number of credits. In the United States, most high schools and colleges report grades on a 4.0 scale.
Thus A = 4.0 GPA; B = 3.0; C = 2.0; D = 1.0; and F = 0.0.
Why are GPAs important?
GPAs are important because they indicate how well a student has performed in their courses on average.
Why are GPAs important in college sports?
A student’s primary purpose of attending a higher education institution is to receive knowledge and learn the skills necessary to effectively participate in their chosen profession upon graduation. This same principle applies to student-athletes. GPAs are a key indicator of academic performance and a way for coaches and professors to ensure that education is not being overshadowed by athletic participation. During the recruitment process GPAs are a critical indicator to coaches of how a high school student-athlete may perform under academic pressures at their institution. It is also a standardized metric that may help coaches evaluate potential student-athletes on a level playing field.
What GPA do you need to be recruited to play college sports?
To be initially eligible as a collegiate student-athlete, individuals must earn:
- At least a 2.3 GPA in 16 high school core courses.
- SAT combined score or ACT sum score matching your core-course GPA on the Division I sliding scale, which balances your test score and core-course GPA.
If you have a low test score, you need a higher core-course GPA to be eligible.
What GPA do you need to remain eligible as a student-athlete playing NCAA sports?
The minimum GPA required for student-athletes to continue their eligibility may vary based on an institution’s minimum GPA that is required for graduation. The NCAA’s benchmark for eligibility requires that upon entering the second year of collegiate enrollment, a student-athlete must earn 90% of the minimum required GPA, 95% upon entering the third year, and 100% of the minimum GPA required for graduation thereafter.
