This post was submitted to ShowcaseU.com by Eric Schultz - Assistant Director of Compliance at the University of Northern Colorado.

The NCAA Eligibility Center Registration Process

It’s that time a year again when all High School juniors should start thinking about registering with the NCAA Eligibility Center and taking a standardized test; either the ACT or SAT.

Recruiting cycles are different for every sport but the one common thread is coaches want to know that you have registered with the NCAA and that you have taken the ACT or SAT.  If you haven’t done one of those two main components prior to prior to taking official visits during your senior year coaches become may become concerned.  They want kids who have all their requirements met and who are top of their game.  By doing this, you'll make the recruiting process a little bit easier for both you and the institution or program you are pursuing.

The NCAA Eligibility Center website has undergone huge changes within the past year and has made the process in which you register much easier.  Here are some easy steps to follow to register with the NCAA.

1. First go to www.eligibilitycenter.org.  Here you will choose from either entering college earlier than Fall 2010 or Fall 2010 and later.
2. Once you click on the Fall 2010 or later, you will be redirected to a new screen with ample and relevant information.
3. On the top right hand corner of this new page, you will see a login box.  This login box is where you sign into your account to update your information.  Also this is where you will see the “New Account” tab.  
4. A “pop-up” screen will appear requesting you to enter a valid email address.  Once you click submit you will receive an email with a Verification Code that you must enter in the Email Address Verification Screen that pops up after you click submit.
5. After you input the verification code, the “Create your Account” screen will appear.  Here you will create a password for your account. Also, complete the “Security Question” and enter your First, Middle and Last Name followed by your Gender and Date of Birth.  After you have this screen completed click on “Continue” in the bottom left hand corner.
6. On this screen you will read the “Terms and Conditions,” the “Ethical Conduct” piece and sign the form stating you have read and understand both the “Terms and Conditions,” and “Ethical Conduct.” You are required to have your Parent/Guardian also read the “Terms and Conditions,” and the “Ethical Conduct.” Once they have read and understood the “Terms and Conditions,” and “Ethical Conduct,” they will need to sign this as well. After this, you will click on “Create Account” on the bottom left hand corner.
7. Now you will start entering all your information.  The first screen will ask you when you will graduate from High School and when you plan on entering college.
8. The rest of the registration is guided by an automatic program.  If you forget a field, the registration process will not allow you to continue until you furnish the information it is looking for.
9. At the end of the registration process you will be asked to submit a valid payment (Credit Card or E-Check) of $60 for US Students and $85 for International Students  or if you are eligible for a registration fee waiver.
10. To be eligible for a Registration Fee Waiver you must have already received a fee waiver for the ACT or SAT (This is not the same as a U.S. state voucher). So check with your U.S. high school guidance counselor to confirm that you are eligible-before you submit the electronic Fee Waiver below. After you submit the electronic Fee Waiver below, your payment status will remain incomplete until the Fee Waiver documentation is received. Your guidance counselor must submit that documentation on your behalf.
11. Once you have paid your registration fee, you will need to have your ACT or SAT test results sent directly to the NCAA.  At one time the NCAA would take the test results off your High School Transcript.  Those days are gone but the NCAA has a code like any other college would.  At the end of the sign up process you are asked to list college codes and when your results are ready the testing agency will send your scores to the respective college.  The NCAA’s code is 9999.  Be sure to include this code now; otherwise it will cost you extra money to have your results sent at a later date.
12. After you have completed your Junior year in High School, have your Guidance Counselor or Registrar send your Transcripts to the NCAA.  When you ask them to send your transcripts be sure to include your NCAA ID on the envelope or written directly on the transcript.  This will help the NCAA to match your transcripts with your account.

To register for the ACT or SAT talk to your High School guidance counselor as they will be able to help you pick a date and also fill out all the paperwork needed to take the test.  Some High Schools even give High School Juniors the option of taking a free state administered ACT/SAT during the Spring Semester of your Junior Year.

The NCAA Eligibility Center registration process is something that can be very tricky.  Hopefully these steps will help you along your way.  This is the first step to becoming eligible to compete at the NCAA Division I or Division II level.