Woodcreek High School

NCAA Eligibility Center Basics

www.ncaa.org

FAQs about the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Center

Student athletes must register with the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Center to be eligible to play NCAA Division I or Division II sports in college. (Athletes playing in NCAA Division III do not have to register.

What is the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Center?

The NCAA Initial-Eligibility Center is the organization that determines whether prospective college athletes are eligible to play sports at NCAA Division I or Division II institutions. It does this by reviewing the student athlete's academic record, SAT or ACT scores, and amateur status to ensure conformity with NCAA rules.

When should students register with the Eligibility Center?

The NCAA recommends that student athletes register with the Eligibility Center at the beginning of their junior year in high school, but many students register after their junior year. There is no registration deadline, but students must be cleared by the Eligibility Center before they receive athletic scholarships or compete at a Division I or Division II institution.

How do students register with the Eligibility Center?

Students can register online at the NCAA Eligibility Center website. They will have to enter personal information, answer questions about their athletic participation, and pay a registration fee. The website will then prompt them to have their high school transcript and ACT or SAT scores sent to the Eligibility Center.

Can students have the registration fee waived?

Yes, you are eligible for a waiver of the initial-eligibility certification fee if you have already received a fee waiver (not a state voucher) for the ACT or SAT. If you have not been granted a fee waiver by ACT or SAT, then you will NOT be eligible for a waiver of the certification fee. If you are seeking a waiver of the certification fee, you should confirm your eligibility with your high school counselor. Your high school counselor MUST submit an electronic fee waiver confirmation before your registration may be processed.

What records does the Eligibility Center require?

The Woodcreek NCAA Coordinator will send in students' final transcripts and proof of graduation at the end of their senior year.

How often can students update their athletics participation information?

Students can update the information on the athletics participation section online as often as they want (and should update it regularly), up to the time when they request a final certification of their status. At that point (usually three to four months before enrolling in college), students must finalize their information.

What are the NCAA academic eligibility requirements? 

To play sports at an NCAA Division I or Division II institution, the student must:

·               Complete a certain number of high school core courses (defined below)

·               Earn a certain minimum grade point average in these core courses

·               Earn a certain minimum score on the SAT or ACT

                    (for Division I, this is scaled according to the student's core-course GPA)

   ·               Graduate from high school

For specific academic eligibility requirements CLICK HERE

What are core courses?

"Core courses" is the name that the NCAA gives to high school courses that meet certain academic criteria specified by the association. Students must complete a certain number of core courses for NCAA Division I and II eligibility.

How are high school courses classified as core courses?

All participating high schools submit lists of the courses that they offer that meet NCAA core-course criteria. If approved, the courses are added to a database that the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Center maintains. You can check this database, or view a list of approved core courses on the High School Administration page to see whether your student athletes are enrolled in courses that will count toward NCAA eligibility.