What is NCAA Eligibility Center?
The NCAA Eligibility Center (formerly known as the NCAA Clearinghouse) is an organization that helps determine the eligibility of student-athletes to participate in college-level sports in the United States.
The NCAA Eligibility Center ensures you meet academic and amateurism requirements by reviewing your transcripts and amateurism questionnaire, with rare cases requiring additional information.
HOW TO DETERMINE YOUR NCAA ELIGIBILITY
Here are the steps to determine your NCAA eligibility:
1. Identify Your Academic Goals: Consider the academic path you intend to pursue in high school or secondary school.
2. Check Core Course Requirements: Review the NCAA’s list of approved core courses to ensure you’re taking the right classes.
3. Maintain a Strong GPA: Strive to maintain a high-grade point average (GPA) in your core courses.
4. Meet Amateurism Rules: Ensure you comply with NCAA amateurism rules by avoiding any prohibited activities or benefits related to your sport.
5. Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center: Create an account on the NCAA Eligibility Center website and submit the required information and documentation.
6. Monitor Progress: Continuously check your academic progress to confirm that you’re on track to meet NCAA eligibility requirements.
7. Seek Guidance: Consult with your school counselor for assistance with meeting academic and eligibility requirements.
8. Communicate with Coaches: Maintain open communication with college coaches who are recruiting you to ensure they’re aware of your eligibility status.
9. Stay Informed: Stay up-to-date with NCAA rules and regulations, as they may change over time.
By following these steps, you can determine your NCAA eligibility and increase your chances of participating in college sports.
NCAA ELIGIBILITY CENTER CHECKLIST
The NCAA Eligibility Center checklist is a downloadable resource that helps student-athletes track their progress in meeting NCAA eligibility requirements, ensuring a smooth path to collegiate sports participation.
Download your eligibility checklist »
NCAA ELIGIBILITY CENTER FAQS
What type of NCAA account is right for you?
NCAA Certification account
If you are actively being recruited at the NCAA D1 or D2 level, or you are very confident you will be competing at that level out of high school, you should register with the NCAA and create a Certification Account.
NCAA Profile Page account
If you aren’t sure of your division level, you should create an NCAA Profile page so you can easily transition to a Certification Account if needed.
How do I register for the NCAA Eligibility Center?
To register for the NCAA Eligibility Center, you will need to visit their site and allocate 15-30 minutes for the initial registration.
What is an NCAA ID number?
An NCAA ID number is a unique identification number assigned to student-athletes by the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) to track their eligibility and participation in collegiate sports.
How do you get an NCAA ID number?
Go to the NCAA Eligibility Center website, create either a Certification Account or Profile Page account, and complete the initial registration process to get your NCAA ID number.
I already have a NCAA ID number, how do I find it?
Access your NCAA Eligibility Center account by visiting eligibilitycenter.org, and you can find your NCAA ID in the top-right corner, positioned just below your name.
What are NCAA Eligibility requirements?
NCAA Eligibility requirements involve meeting academic criteria and adhering to amateurism guidelines. It’s important to stay informed about NCAA Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rules, as they can impact your amateurism status. For more details, visit our NCAA Eligibility Requirements page.
How long does the NCAA Eligibility Center process take?
You are not officially done with the NCAA Eligibility Center process until you are done with high school and officially declared eligible at your D1 or D2 institution. There are three phases to the NCAA Eligibility Center process you will need to check in to make sure you are on track:
- Creating a Certification Account – This should happen your freshman or sophomore year of high school.
- Having up-to-date transcripts after your junior year – The NCAA requires prospective D1 athletes to complete 10 core courses before the start of your final semester of high school. 7 of these courses need to be in English, math and natural or physical science. Additionally, your core course GPA will be “locked in” at this time – you won’t be allowed to retake these classes to improve your grades.
- Sending in final transcripts and requesting final amateurism certification – After you have completed high school, you will send your final transcripts and request your final amateurism certification.
Insider Tip: If you are enrolling early (common for elite level D1 athletes playing in the fall) or have a unique situation coming out of junior college, your process could be slightly different than the one detailed above.The most important thing is that you have a Certification Account, keep it up to date and all of your most recent academic records are on file with the NCAA.
At NCSA, we know how important NCAA eligibility is for your college sports dreams. Our team of experts and online resources offer you the latest information and useful tools to help you get there.
By using an NCSA profile, you can easily gather all your essential recruiting details in one place, and our NCAA eligibility center resources will help you stay on track each year. Are you ready to take the first step?
