When do I need to register with the NCAA Clearinghouse?
There are two situations where you need to register with the NCAA Clearinghouse (now called the Eligibility Center). If a college coach asks you to register or requests your NCAA ID number, you need to create your account. The second situation is, if you are in your Junior year and you are sure you are getting recruited by an NCAA DI or DII program.
When registering/creating your account with the NCAA here are the steps you need to finish first.
- Create your online account – The entire Eligibility Center process is handled online, for more go here.
- Make a payment or get a fee waiver – The cost of the Eligibility Center is $70 for US and Canadian athletes and $120 for international athletes. Fee waivers are available with the help of your high school councilor.
- Have your official transcripts mailed in – The NCAA only accepts official copies of your high school transcripts sent by your high school. If you have attended multiple high schools, you will need to have all of your records sent in.
- Have a copy of your test scores sent by the testing agency – You will need to take either the SAT or ACT and have the testing organization send those scores to the NCAA.
Common reasons people register with the NCAA Eligibility Center when they don’t need to.
- Many athletes are told to register with the NCAA by their high coach because that gets them recruited. Registering with the NCAA does nothing to get your name out to coaches or get you the exposure you need to get recruited.
- If you are going to a Junior College, NCAA DIII school or NAIA program, you don’t need to register with the NCAA. The NAIA has their own Eligibility Center and there is nothing you need to do for DIII or Junior College programs
- Registering with the NCAA Eligibility Center does not help you in the recruiting process. Recruiting is about getting evaluated by the college coaches who are the right fit for you. The eligibility center process handles your academic and amateur eligibility once a coach is interested in having you on their team.
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