The NCAA Clearinghouse, now called the NCAA Eligibility Center, certifies academic and amateur eligibility for Division I and II student-athletes. Homeschoolers must submit transcripts, core course worksheets, and test scores for individual evaluation.
What is the NCAA Clearinghouse?
The NCAA Eligibility Center, formerly known as the NCAA Clearinghouse, is the organization that determines whether prospective student-athletes meet academic and amateurism requirements to compete at NCAA Division I or Division II schools. Established in 1993 and renamed in 2008, the Eligibility Center reviews transcripts, validates core courses, verifies test scores, and confirms amateur status. Homeschoolers face additional documentation requirements since no pre-approved curriculum list exists for home education.
Key Takeaways
- Registration costs $110 for domestic students (fee waivers available)
- Homeschoolers must complete Core Course Worksheets for all 16 required courses
- SAT/ACT scores must be sent directly from testing agencies using code 9999
- Full evaluation begins only after a coach places you on their Institutional Request List
- New York and Hawaii do not recognize homeschool diplomas for NCAA purposes
Division I Core Course Requirements
The Homeschool Documentation Process
Since no homeschool curricula are pre-approved, every course faces individual review. For each of your 16 core courses, you'll complete an official NCAA Core-Course Worksheet describing learning objectives, topics covered, materials used, and grading criteria. Self-created worksheets are not accepted. Your transcript must show your 9th grade start date, all course titles with grades and credits, your grading scale, and graduation date. The parent or administrator must sign required statements affirming accuracy.
The 10/7 Rule for Division I
Division I has a critical timing requirement: 10 of your 16 core courses must be completed before your seventh semester, meaning before senior year begins. This rule trips up families who plan to load core courses into senior year. Plan your high school transcript with this requirement in mind from 9th grade. Division II does not have this rule, giving families more scheduling flexibility.
When Your Courses Get Evaluated
Here's what surprises many families: the Eligibility Center won't fully evaluate your homeschool coursework until a college coach places you on their Institutional Request List (IRL). You must be actively recruited before complete evaluation begins. This means you can register and submit documents early, but final certification waits until a college expresses official interest. Start the process anyway since having documents ready speeds up certification once you're on an IRL.
The Bottom Line
NCAA eligibility for homeschoolers requires more documentation than traditional school athletes face, but thousands of homeschooled students compete at D1 and D2 levels each year. Begin registration early in high school, keep meticulous course records from 9th grade onward, and complete your documentation before you need it. Expect to invest roughly 30 hours throughout high school on the NCAA eligibility process. The Eligibility Center's homeschool toolkit provides detailed guidance for navigating requirements.
