NAIA eligibility for homeschoolers requires either an ACT score of 18+, SAT score of 970+, completion of 9 college credits, or approval through the homeschool waiver committee. Registration happens through play.mynaia.org.
What is NAIA Eligibility?
NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) eligibility determines whether student-athletes can compete at NAIA member colleges. For homeschoolers, the NAIA Eligibility Center provides three pathways since traditional GPA calculations don't apply to home education. The NAIA oversees athletics at smaller colleges and universities, offering an alternative to NCAA Division I and II programs with generally simpler eligibility requirements.
Key Takeaways
- Three eligibility paths: qualifying test score, dual enrollment credits, or waiver committee
- ACT composite of 18 or SAT combined score of 970 meets the test requirement
- Nine college credits with C grades or better satisfies the dual enrollment path
- Registration through play.mynaia.org takes about 10 minutes
- No specific core course requirements unlike NCAA
Eligibility Pathways for Homeschoolers
Eligibility Pathways for Homeschoolers
- Qualifying Test Score
ACT composite of 18 or SAT combined (Reading/Writing + Math) of 970. Send scores using NAIA code 9876.
- Dual Enrollment Credits
Complete 9 or more college-level credits with grades of C or better from an accredited institution.
- Homeschool Waiver
Apply through PlayNAIA portal with supporting documentation for committee review.
The Homeschool Waiver Process
When test scores and dual enrollment don't apply, families can request a waiver from the NAIA homeschool committee. Submit your student's transcript showing graduation date and administrator signature, recommendation letters, the student's planned fall semester schedule, and any supporting documentation showing academic readiness. Waivers with sufficient documentation tend to be approved. If you prepared Core Course Worksheets for NCAA, those documents can support your NAIA waiver request too.
Registration Timeline
Create your account at play.mynaia.org during junior year if possible. The registration itself takes roughly 10 minutes, but gathering and submitting all documents adds time. Once your materials are complete, processing typically takes 3-7 business days. Contact the Eligibility Center Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5 PM Central Time through the PlayNAIA contact form if you have questions.
NAIA vs. NCAA for Homeschoolers
The NAIA process is notably simpler than NCAA eligibility. There are no specific core course requirements to validate, no core course worksheets documenting curriculum details, and the test score thresholds are lower. NCAA requires specific courses in English, math, science, and social studies with detailed documentation. NAIA just needs to verify you're academically prepared through one of the three pathways. This makes NAIA an attractive option for homeschoolers who find NCAA requirements overwhelming.
The Bottom Line
NAIA eligibility offers homeschooled athletes a more accessible path to college sports than NCAA requirements. Start early in high school by taking the ACT or SAT and consider dual enrollment courses that serve double duty for both academic credit and eligibility. Keep detailed records throughout high school even though NAIA doesn't require the documentation depth NCAA demands. The waiver option provides a safety net if standardized testing isn't your student's strength.
