Everything you need to know on the NCAA Eligibility Center

Who will be certified?
Every college-bound student-athlete, both domestic and international, who is attending an NCAA Division I or II institution for the first time, must be certified by the eligibility center. This includes college-bound student-athletes who are transferring from any two- or four-year institutions (including international institutions) that are not members of NCAA Division I or II. Thus, if an individual wants to participate in athletics at an NCAA Division I or II institution, the college-bound student-athlete must register with the eligibility center and submit the appropriate documentation to receive a certification decision.

Do transfer college-bound student-athletes also have to register with the eligibility center?
Every college-bound student-athlete who is attending an NCAA Division I or II institution full time for the first time must be certified by the eligibility center.

When should I register with the eligibility center?
Register for the eligibility center at the beginning of your junior year in high school. The athletics participation section should be updated regularly so that institutions recruiting you will have up-to-date information about you. Be sure to send your high school transcript to the eligibility center after you have completed at least six semesters of high school coursework.

Is there a registration deadline?
No. However, college-bound student-athletes must be certified as an amateur before they may receive an athletics scholarship or practice or compete at a Division I or II institution.

Is there an additional fee to register with the eligibility center because of the additional questions on athletics participation?
No, there is only one fee to register for the eligibility center, which covers both the academic and amateurism certification. In addition, there is no reduction of the fee if the college-bound student-athlete does not need an academic certification (e.g., has already served an academic year in residence at a collegiate institution).

May I receive a fee waiver?
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.

How often can I update my information?
You can update your information as often as you need until you request a final certification of your amateurism status. At that point, you will no longer be able to update your amateurism information.

Can I receive different amateurism certifications for Division I and Division II?
Yes. Divisions I and II have different rules, so it is possible that your certification status may be different for each division.

Who can help me complete the amateurism registration process?
Anyone can assist you in completing the process. However, when you have completed the registration process, YOU will be the only person allowed to submit the information to the eligibility center.

Will a paper copy of the amateurism form be available?
No, the registration form will only be available on the eligibility center Web site and must be completed online.

Questions Relating to the Athletics Participation Section of the Amateurism Certification Process

What if I enroll in an NCAA Division I or II institution and decide to participate in a sport other than one of the three I had listed on the amateurism certification registration form?
If you decide to participate in a sport other than the three you listed on the registration form, the institution in which you enroll will be responsible for certifying your amateurism status in that sport.

If I have been participating in events related to my sport for a significant period of time, what events do I need to list on the amateurism registration form?
You should include all events in which you participated, beginning with the ninth grade and thereafter.

Am I automatically ineligible if I violated the amateurism rules?
No. The eligibility center will review your athletics participation history. If there are violations of NCAA amateurism rules, the eligibility center may certify you with conditions, which must be fulfilled before you are eligible for competition. The conditions will be set based on which rule was violated and the severity of the violation. Such conditions may include repayment of money or sitting out of competition for a specified number of games, or both. In some cases, the eligibility center may determine that the violations are such that permanent ineligibility for competition is the appropriate penalty.

Can I appeal a certification decision regarding my amateur status?
Yes. The NCAA has an appeals process in place if you choose to appeal the certification decision. You will need to work with an NCAA institution since all appeals must be filed by a member institution.