NCAA Eligibility Center

If your athlete is hoping to compete in NCAA Division 1 or Division 2, they must be certified eligible by the NCAA Eligibility Center (previously called the NCAA Clearinghouse). D3 and NAIA schools have their own processes and do not use the Eligibility Center.

When to register

Most families register in their athlete\'s junior year of high school. You can register earlier — and we recommend it — because the registration creates a "Profile" account that you can complete progressively. Wait until end of junior year and the rush slows everything down.

What it costs

The registration fee is around $100 for U.S. students, more for international. Fee waivers are available for students who already received an SAT or ACT fee waiver.

What you submit

1. Transcripts — sent directly from your high school to the Eligibility Center, never by you.
2. SAT or ACT scores — sent directly from College Board (SAT) or ACT using the code 9999.
3. Proof of amateur status — confirms you haven\'t played professionally or accepted improper benefits.

Academic requirements (D1)

You must complete 16 NCAA-approved core courses, with at least 10 completed before senior year. Your core-course GPA must meet a sliding scale that interacts with your SAT/ACT score. As of recent rule changes, NCAA D1 has temporarily waived standardized test requirements, but core GPA still matters.

Academic requirements (D2)

Similar structure to D1 but slightly more flexible — 16 core courses, no specific "10 before senior year" rule, sliding scale with test scores.

What this means practically

• Take core courses seriously freshman year. NCAA does not count remedial classes, makeup credit, or anything taken outside an approved high school curriculum.
• Talk to your school counselor early. They know which of your high school\'s courses are NCAA-approved.
• Don\'t wait to register. The Eligibility Center can take weeks to process documents during peak season.
• Coaches will ask. By junior year, any D1 or D2 coach showing real interest will ask "are you registered with the Eligibility Center?" Have the answer ready.