How Counselors Can Support Student-Athletes
High school staff can help students stay on track for NCAA eligibility by supporting key academic and administrative milestones throughout high school.
Supporting Students Through the Eligibility Process
Counselors play an important role in helping students navigate NCAA eligibility, but students and their families are responsible for several steps in the process. Understanding who is responsible for what can help students stay on track.
1. Help Students Understand Eligibility Requirements
- Initial Eligibility Requirements — Understand the academic requirements for NCAA eligibility
- NCAA-Approved Core Courses — Confirm students are taking courses that can count toward NCAA requirements
- Core-Course GPA Worksheets — Track progress toward Division I or II academic requirements
- Eligibility Center Registration — Review account types and registration requirements
2. What Students and Families Are Responsible For
- Eligibility Center Registration
- Students and their families decide when to register and are responsible for selecting the appropriate Eligibility Center account and completing registration requirements.
- Students must select a certification account and complete registration (including payment or fee waiver) before they may be invited by Division I schools to go on official visits, sign for athletics aid or become eligible to compete at an NCAA Division I or II school in the initial year of enrollment.
- Recruiting
- Students and their families are their own best advocates when reaching out to college coaches about the interest in the program.
- High school and club coaches may help facilitate this process.
- Recruiting services may also be utilized based on the circumstances.
- College coaches ensure Division-specific and sport-specific rules are followed and may have their own strategies to recruit students.
- Many NCAA schools’ athletics department websites include student-athlete interest questionnaires that may be submitted and reviewed.
- Meeting Eligibility Requirements
- Meeting initial-eligibility requirements is the student’s responsibility. High school counselors can support that effort by advising on course enrollment, sharing information about NCAA eligibility requirements, and submitting student transcripts to the Eligibility Center.
- When an academic and amateurism certification is requested by an NCAA Division I or II school, the Eligibility Center will perform a certification based on the academic information provided by the student and high school(s), as well as the sports participation information provided by the student-athlete.
- When an amateurism certification is requested by an NCAA Division III school for an international student-athlete , the Eligibility Center will perform a certification based on the amateurism information provided by the student.
Your High School Portal with the NCAA Eligibility Center
The High School Portal allows counselors, administrators and registrars to support student-athletes throughout the NCAA eligibility process. Designated contacts can log in using their six-digit high school or CEEB code and password to review student records, submit transcripts and fee waivers, manage the school’s NCAA-approved core-course list and complete assigned tasks.
Important Account Information
Each high school account includes a unique password shared by designated contacts and a five-digit PIN used to verify account information when contacting the Eligibility Center. If you update the password or PIN through the High School Info tab, be sure to notify other contacts associated with the account.
High School Portal Responsibilities
Managing High School Contacts
Each high school designates primary and secondary contacts responsible for maintaining the school’s Eligibility Center account. These contacts can manage core courses, submit records, respond to tasks and update account information.
District Accounts
Some school districts maintain an NCAA district account that allows designated contacts to manage core courses and account information for multiple schools. To find your district’s primary and secondary contacts or set up an Eligibility Center district account, contact customer service.
Student Record Submissions
Official academic records submitted through the High School Portal help the Eligibility Center evaluate student-athlete academic eligibility.
High School Account Review
The NCAA Eligibility Center reviews high schools and their academic offerings to determine which courses may be used to satisfy NCAA initial-eligibility requirements. Schools may be reviewed when they are new to the NCAA process or when updates to academic programs, course offerings or school information require additional evaluation.
For High Schools new to the NCAA
If your high school has not previously worked with the NCAA Eligibility Center, a review may be required before courses can be considered for NCAA initial-eligibility purposes. Schools should submit requested academic information and supporting documentation through the High School Portal.
What the NCAA Reviews
The NCAA Eligibility Center will request information about your high school to complete the account review.
Academic calendars, administrator and teacher information, enrollment information, graduation requirements and other policies.
Course catalog, grading scales, instructional practices and other policies.
Supporting documentation needed to complete a review.
High School Account Review Process
The NCAA Eligibility Center evaluates submitted information to determine whether courses and academic programs meet NCAA standards. Schools may be contacted for additional information during the review process. Once complete, the Eligibility Center will communicate the outcome and any next steps through the High School Portal.
Step 1 – Contact the Eligibility Center to determine if your high school is eligible for an NCAA account.
Step 2 – Submit required school information and supporting documentation through the High School Portal.
Step 3 – The NCAA Eligibility Center review academic programs, courses and supporting materials, and requests additional information if necessary.
Step 4 – The school receives the review outcome and any required next steps.
High School Core-Course Review
Maintain your school’s NCAA-approved core-course list.
High schools are responsible for maintaining an accurate NCAA-approved core-course list. Regular reviews and updates help ensure student-athletes receive appropriate credit toward NCAA initial-eligibility requirements.
High schools with account statuses of Cleared or Extended Evaluation may submit core courses for review and potential use in certifications. Core courses may be submitted in the following categories:
- English
- Mathematics
- Natural or Physical Science
- Social Science
- World Language, Comparative Religion or Philosophy
The NCAA Eligibility Center reviews courses submitted by high schools to determine whether they meet NCAA core-course requirements. Schools may be asked to provide additional information or supporting documentation as part of the review process.
Criteria Used to Evaluate Core Courses
Courses that meet NCAA core-course requirements must be submitted by the high school and approved by the Eligibility Center. Course submissions are reviewed and decisions are rendered using NCAA legislation and core-course criteria for review outlined in the appendix of the High School Review Committee’s Policies and Procedures.
Managing Your High School's Core-Course List
High school primary and secondary contacts are responsible for maintaining their school’s NCAA-approved core-course list through the High School Portal. This includes submitting course updates, archiving outdated course titles and providing supporting documentation when required. If your school’s core-course list is accurate, log in to verify that no updates are needed. This confirms the list is current and notifies the Eligibility Center that no changes are required. Schools that participate in a unified curriculum district account should work with their district contacts, who manage the core-course list on behalf of participating schools.
Course updates submitted through the High School Portal are typically reviewed within three to five business days. Designated contacts will receive an email notification once the review is complete.
Still Need Help?
Contact the Eligibility Center Customer Service team
| Domestic and Canadian students (except Quebec) | 877-262-1492 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET – Mon. through Fri. |
| International and Quebec students | International Contact Form |