High school freshmen take note: the NCAA is changing its academic requirements for college-bound student-athletes at the Division I level. The new rules impose time limits on completing courses in high school, set new GPA benchmarks and change the sliding scale between GPA and SAT/ACT test scores. The new eligibility rules affect current high school freshmen and all student-athletes entering college on or after Aug. 1, 2015.

Under the new rules, to receive athletics aid (a scholarship), practice and compete in your first year of college, you must:

1. Complete 16 core courses (same distribution as in the past).

2. Complete at least 10 of those core courses before your seventh semester of high school (first semester of senior year). Seven of the 10 must be in English, math or science. These 10 courses become “locked in” for calculating your GPA, meaning you cannot repeat any of them after your senior year begins. This rule didn’t exist in the past.

3. Earn a minimum GPA of 2.30 in your 16 core courses. This rule didn’t exist in the past.

4. Meet the new sliding scale between your GPA and SAT/ACT scores. The new scale increases GPA/test score requirements. Currently, a 2.50 GPA requires an 820 SAT or 68 sum ACT score. Under the new rule, if you have a 2.50 GPA, you must score a 1000 SAT or 85 sum ACT.

5. Graduate from high school.

If you meet these requirements, you will be a full qualifier. Only full qualifiers are eligible to receive athletics aid (scholarships), practice and compete in the first year of college.