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Special Information for Athletes

If you want to play sports in college or go to college on an athletic scholarship, you need to start planning your junior year of high school. There are many regulations and conditions you need to know ahead of time so that you don't miss possible opportunities.

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) establishes rules on eligibility, recruiting, and financial aid for most college athletic programs. Colleges are members of one of the NCAA's three membership divisions—Division I, II, or III—according to the size and scope of their athletic programs and whether they provide athletic scholarships.

Steps for Division I and Division II Freshman Athletes

If you plan to participate in NCAA Division I or II college sports as a freshman, you need certification from the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse (www.ncaaclearinghouse.net). You should start the certification process when you are a junior in high school.

Step 1: Take the core curriculum

  • Check with your counselor to make sure you are taking classes that meet the NCAA core course requirements.

Step 2: Take the SAT or ACT

  • Take the ACT Assessment or SAT I as a junior.
  • Make sure the Clearinghouse receives your ACT Assessment and/or SAT I score reports by entering the specific code (9999) printed in the ACT and SAT registration packets.

Step 3: Submit your Student Release Form

  • Submit your Student Release Form (available in your guidance counseling office) to the Clearinghouse by the beginning of your senior year.
  • This form authorizes:
    • Your high school to release your student transcripts—including test scores, proof of grades, and other academic information—to the Clearinghouse.
    • The Clearinghouse to release this information to the colleges that request it.
  • The Clearinghouse must receive your Student Release Form and corresponding fee before processing any documents. (Fee waivers are available for economically disadvantaged students. Check with your counselor for fee waiver information.)

What happens next?

  • The Clearinghouse personnel will validate your form and determine your initial eligibility.
  • Colleges will request information from the Clearinghouse on the initial eligibility of prospective student-athletes.
  • The Clearinghouse will make a certification decision and report it directly to the college.

Three types of eligibility are possible:

  1. Certification of eligibility for expense-paid campus visits.
  2. Preliminary certification of eligibility to participate in college sports (appears likely to meet all NCAA requirements but not yet graduated).
  3. Final certification granted when the Clearinghouse receives proof of graduation.

Find additional information about the NCAA Clearinghouse in the "Guide for College-Bound Student-Athletes", published by the NCAA. To get a copy of this guide, call 800-638-3731 (toll-free) or visit NCAAStudent.org.

Steps for Intercollegiate Freshman Athletes

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has different eligibility requirements for student-athletes.

To be eligible to participate in intercollegiate athletics as an incoming freshman, you must meet two of the following three requirements:

  1. Have a 2.0 (C) or higher cumulative final grade point average in high school.
  2. Have a composite score of 18 or higher on the ACT Assessment or an 860 total score or higher on the SAT I on a single test administered on a national test date.
  3. Have a top-half final class rank in your high school graduating class.

The college also needs your official ACT Assessment or SAT I score report from the appropriate national testing center.

  • You must request the testing center to forward your test scores to the college's admissions office.
  • Results reported on your high school transcript are not acceptable.

If you have additional questions about NAIA eligibility, visit http://www.naia.org.


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