College Scholarship Mailbag

THE NCAA ELEGIBILITY CENTER/CLEARINGHOUSE

All high school student-athletes who wish to compete in NCAA athletics at the Division I or II level must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center. The NCAA Eligibility Center certifies the academic and amateur credentials of all college-bound student-athletes who wish to compete in NCAA Division I or II athletics (Guide to College Bound Student-Athlete). In more simple terms, the NCAA Eligibility Center is a service that evaluates high school student-athlete’s core classes, GPA and standardized test scores (ACT/SAT). These scores must be certified by the clearinghouse and approved by the Executive committee in order for the student-athlete to compete at an NCAA institution their freshman year. Student - athletes who are considering college athletics at the NCAA Division I or II level should register with the NCAA in the spring of their JUNIOR YEAR IN HIGH SCHOOL (just prior to the end of the school year). Student-athletes can register during the summer and into their senior year; however, it is better to register at the end of junior year to ensure eligibility for visits, etc. There are several steps to take to register with the NCAA Eligibility Center. First, go to the Eligibility Center website - www.ncaaclearinghouse.net. All student-athletes must pay a fee and receive a pin number. Second, each student-athlete must have their standardized test scores (ACT/SAT) sent directly to the Eligibility Center (use code 9999 when registering for the ACT/SAT so that the testing center will send your scores to the NCAA). Third, the student-athlete’s guidance counselor should send the student’s transcripts to the NCAA Eligibility Center. Finally, the student-athlete will complete an amateurism form, and update all transcripts upon graduation. More detailed information on all of these steps is provided at www.ncaaclearinhouse.net and in the NCAA’s Guide for College Bound Student-Athletes (found on the Eligibility Center Website). Most high school athletic directors are also familiar with the NCAA Clearinghouse. IMPORTANT CLEARINGHOUSE TERMSCore Course: According to the NCAA guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete, a core course is “a recognized academic course that offers fundamental instructional components in a specified area of study. Courses taught at a level below the high school’s regular academic instruction level (e.g., remedial, special education or compensatory) cannot be considered core courses regardless of course content.” Qualifier, Partial Qualifier, Non-Qualifier: A student-athlete can enter college either as a qualifier, partial qualifier or non-qualifier. As a qualifier, a student-athlete is eligible for financial aid, practice and competition during the first academic year in residence. A partial qualifier may receive institutional financial aid, including athletically related financial aid, and may practice only on campus or at the institution’s regular practice facility but may not compete during the first academic year in residence. If a student-athlete enters as a non-qualifier, they shall not be eligible for regular season competition or practice during the first academic year in residence. However, such a student shall be eligible for non-athletics institutional financial aid that is not from an athletics source and is based on financial need only. Note: The Eligibility Center only certifies that a student-athlete meets MINIMUM STANDARDS. Admission requirements at each institution will vary, but most colleges/universities typically require a GPA and test score much higher than the minimum requirements to be eligible. Additionally, college golf coaches like to recruit GOOD STUDENTS first. As a result, golfers should strive for much higher than these minimum requirements! It is extremely rare for a college or university to award a scholarship to a golfer who is a partial or non-qualifier.