Did you know that to be eligible to compete and play NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) Division I or II sports, student-athletes must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center?
So, if you are thinking that you might want to participate in sports at a NCAA Division I or II college, you must register so the Eligibility Center can certify whether you, a prospective college athlete, is eligible. The Eligibility Center does this by reviewing the student-athlete’s academic record, SAT and/or ACT scores, and amateur status to ensure each student-athlete conforms with NCAA rules.
In order to play sports at an NCAA Division I or II college, you must do the following:
- Complete a certain number of high school ‘core courses’
- Earn a certain minimum grade point average in these ‘core courses’
- Earn a certain minimum score on the SAT or ACT
- Graduate from high school
These ‘core courses’ are on the database that the NCAA Eligibility Center keeps and you can also view a list of approved core courses on its High School Portal.
Even though there is not a registration ‘deadline,’ the NCAA recommends that student-athletes register at the beginning of their junior year, although many student-athletes do register later. It is important to know that you must be cleared by the Eligibility Center before you receive an athletic scholarship or compete at a Division I or II college. You must register online so if you need assistance, please contact us to help you. You will need to enter personal information, answer questions about your high schoool course work and sports participation outside of high school. In addition, there is a registration fee, but that can be waived if you meet the criteria.
Once you have completed at least six semesters of high school, you need to arrange to have your transcript sent from your high school to the Eligibility Center. You will also need to have your SAT and/or ACT scores reported directly to the Eligibility Center. You can arrange this when you register for either of the tests.
Remember that the best way to prepare for your future in college is to complete the approved ‘core courses’ and earn excellent grades in each of those classes.
If you need any help or have any questions about the NCAA Eligility Center, please contact us to set up an appointment.