Recruiting 101
FAQ’s
What is the NCAA Clearinghouse? The NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse is the organization that determines whether prospective college athletes are eligible to play sports at NCAA Division I or Division II institutions. They review the student athlete's academic record, SAT or ACT scores, and amateur status to ensure conformity with NCAA rules. College coaches are able to access the Clearinghouse database to confirm that perspective student-athletes are eligible to compete at the next level.
When should a student register with the NCAA Eligibility Center? Student-athletes interested in college sports should register with the Eligibility Center in the beginning of their junior year in high school. At the end of the student's junior year, a transcript, which includes six semesters of grades, should be sent to the Eligibility Center from the high school. Additionally, student-athletes can have their SAT or ACT scores forwarded directly to the Eligibility Center by entering the code '9999' on the respective tests.
What requirements do I need to be able to practice, play and get a scholarship at an NCAA Division I or II college or university? 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
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 do I know if the courses I am taking will count as core courses? You need to look at your high school's NCAA List of Approved Core Courses. Follow these steps: 1. Go to the NCAA Eligibility Center Web site at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net; 2. Click on "General Information"; 3. Click on "List of Approved Core Courses"; 4. Input your high school's CEEB code (if you know it) or search by your high school's name and state; and 5. Review the list.
*Very important: If a core course you took is not on the list, it will not be used in your eligibility determination. Courses that appear on your transcript must exactly match what is on the list. What do I do if a core course I took is not on the list? See your high school counselor immediately. Someone at your high school is responsible for keeping your high school's list updated. It is important your high school does this each year to make sure the core courses you are taking appear on the list.