In the highly competitive world of college athletics where the hope of scholarships covering significant amounts of tuition athletes and parents need to realize the importance of academics. The impact of grades and college entry exam scores are perhaps most overlooked because parents and athletes don’t understand the ins and outs.  So here are tips to a few of the most common questions regarding the NCAA Academic Eligibility Center and Clearninghouse ID.

To begin, since a significant amount of scholarship money is only the line athletes must verify their grades and college prep test scores. It makes sense that the NCAA, as well as the college recruiting you, assures that recruits do have the grades to play!

The Process Begins

The verification process begins with the NCAA Academic Eligibility Center. Student-athletes need to register and recieve a Certification Account. This account is linked to the NCAA ID (also referred to as the Clearninghouse ID). Take note that a Certification Account is necessary before taking official visits to D1 or D2 schools. More importantly, a student-athlete must has a NCAA Certification Account before signing a National Letter of Intent.

Students enrolling at an NCAA Division I or II institutions for the first time need to also complete the amateurism questionnaire through the NCAA Academic Eligibility Center Web site. Lastly, Students need to request final amateurism certification prior to enrollment.

When to Get Started

I advise my athletes to start the process at the beginning of their Junior year. This is a great time to meet with a guidance counselor and start taking the college entry exams. I also advise that athletes take both the SAT and ACT early in Junior year. Furthermore, SAT and ACT scores must be reported directly to the Eligibility Center from the testing agency.  The NCAA will not accept scores from transcript copies.

But, you may be asking, “What if I didn’t do these things my Junior year? Am I too late?” If you are a Senior and have not already begun the eligibility process, don’t panic, there is still time but you do need to be intentional. First, arrange to meet with your guidance counselor then immediately get started with the NCAA Academic Eligibility Center.

D3? No Need

Lastly, athletes who plan to play at the Division III level are not required to register with the NCAA Academic Eligibility Center. However, student-athletes must meet the eligibility requirements set by both the specific institution and the athletic conference it participates (NCAA.org).  Finally, athletes that find NAIA school a better fit need to register with the NAIA. The process is very similar to the NCAA.  Start the same registration process with the NAIA at the  NAIA Eligibility Center.

If you have questions more questions about the NCAA or NAIA Eligibility Center you can message them to me at @michaelwoosley on Twitter.