The NCAA Clearinghouse is critical for your college recruiting success. The correct time to sign up for the NCAA Clearinghouse is at the end of your Junior academic year.

Some of you may be asking, “What is the NCAA Clearinghouse?” Well the NCAA website provides us with a great definition:

NCAA Clearinghouse - Students who plan to play Division I or Division II sports during their freshman year of college must register with the NCAA during their senior year of high school. This registration process certifies that the student has met certain academic and other standards, as required under NCAA guidelines in order to compete and receive athletic-based financial aid.

The Clearinghouse allows NCAA D I and D II coaches to quickly and easily sort through athletes so they know that you are academically eligible to compete at their University. It saves them time instead of having to deal directly with your high school counselor.

You can sign up for the Clearinghouse at: www.ncaaclearinghouse.net

REAL LIFE CLEARINGHOUSE STORY

I know of a student-athlete that had a full-ride basketball scholarship to a school in Northern California, and the coach assumed he was cleared by the NCAA Clearinghouse because the student-athlete came from a prestigious high school. The student-athlete started his fall semester on campus, he was getting ready for his upcoming basketball season, and the coach just happened to find out that the student had not registered with the NCAA Clearinghouse. It nearly cost him his scholarship, even though he was a “qualifier.”

I share that story with you because it is IMPERATIVE that you register with the NCAA Clearinghouse. It does cost some money, and if you need financial assistance with it the NCAA has a way of subsidizing your costs.

The important thing is that you do well in the classroom, prepare for your SAT/ACT’s, and be sure to get yourself signed up for the Clearinghouse at the end of your Junior academic year.

Want to find out more about NCAA Clearinghouse, then visit Coach Chris Berg’s site on how to choose the best Athletic Scholarships for your needs.