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Recruiting Information
The Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse
What is the Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse?
If you intend to participate in Division I athletics as a freshman, you
must register with and be certified by the NCAA Initial-Eligibility
Clearinghouse. Your high school counselor should provide you with the
student-release form and a red brochure titled, "Making Sure You Are
Eligible to Participate in College Sports."
How do I register with the Clearinghouse?
Complete the student-release form and mail the top (white) copy of the form
to the Clearinghouse along with the $18 registration fee.
What else does the Clearinghouse need to certify me?
After graduation and before school closes for the summer, your high school
must send the Clearinghouse a copy of your final transcript that confirms
graduation from high school. You also must have your ACT or SAT scores
sent to the Clearinghouse.
How do I have my test scores sent to the Clearinghouse?
Test scores must be sent directly from the testing agency. You can
accomplish this by marking code 9999 as one of the institutions to receive
your scores, or submit a request for an "Additional Score Report" to the
appropriate testing agency.
Recruiting Regulations
When do I become a prospective student-athlete?
When you start ninth-grade classes. Before the ninth grade, you become a
prospective student-athlete if a college gives you (or your relatives or
friends) any financial aid or other benefits that the college does not
provide to all prospective students.
When is a college considered to be recruiting me?
If any coach or representative of the college's athletics interests
approaches you (or any member of your family) about enrolling and
participating in athletics at that college.
Who can recruit me?
Only university coaches and staff. Alumni and friends of the university
are NOT permitted to contact prospective student-athletes in any way.
Official Visits
How many official visits am I allowed to take? Beginning when?
Each prospective student-athlete is limited to five official visits which
may be taken following the opening day of classes of your senior year of
high school. You may take only one visit to any one institution.
What must the school have from me before I take an official visit?
The recruiting institution must already have a high school or a college
transcript and ACT or SAT test scores on file.
Summer Jobs
Can a university I have signed with help me get a summer job? Beginning when?
After you sign a National Letter of Intent, the school you signed with may
arrange summer employment for you. That employment may begin AFTER you
graduate from high school.
Unofficial Visits
Can I pay my own way to visit a college campus? Starting when?
You may visit an institution's campus at your own expense an unlimited
number of times before your senior year of high school and continuing in
your senior year.
What can the school give me when I go on an unofficial visit?
A maximum of three complimentary admissions to a campus athletic event in
which that school's team is competing, issued through a pass list only.
Such complimentary admissions are for the exclusive use of the prospect and
those persons accompanying him on the visit. They can be issued only on an
individual game basis.
Phone Calls
Who can call me on the phone? When? How often?
Coaches are permitted to call you after July 1 after the completion of your
junior year. After that date, a coach can call you or your parents or legal
guardian once a week. Boosters are NOT permitted to call.
When are coaches or faculty members allowed unlimited calls to me?
At the following times: During the five days immediately before your
official visit to that university; on the day of a coach's off-campus
contact with you; during the time beginning with the initial National
Letter of Intent (NLI) signing date in your sport through the two days
after the signing date.
Are the phone call rules different for football?
In football, coaches may call you once during May of your junior year and
not again until September 1 of your senior year of high school. After that
date, a coach can call you or your parents or legal guardian once a week
outside of the contact period. Boosters are NOT permitted to call.
Coaches can make unlimited calls during the permissible off-campus contact
periods and during the 48 hours prior to and 48 hours after 8 a.m. on the
initial signing date for the NLI.
Can I call coaches collect or toll free? When?
Yes. You may call coaches or universities collect or use a toll-free
(1-800) number on or after July 1 after you complete your junior year of
high school.
Correspondance And Recruiting Materials
From whom can I receive letters? Beginning when?
Coaches, faculty members and athletics staff members (but NOT boosters) can
send you letters, starting September 1 of your junior year in high school.
What can a university send me?
A Division I university may provide you with the following materials:
General correspondence, including letters, U.S. Postal Service postcards
and institutional note cards, and materials printed on plain white paper
with black ink; NCAA educational information; pre-enrollment information
subsequent to signing a National Letter of Intent with the university; one
athletic publication (media guide or recruiting guide) which may include
only one color printing inside; official academic, admissions and student
services publications or videotapes produced by the institution and
available to all students; questionnaires.
Can they send me anything prior to my junior year?
Only questionnaires and summer camp brochures.
Can any other materials be mailed to me?
No. Game programs, which may not include posters, can be provided only
during official or unofficial visits to the school's campus. The same
restrictions apply to student-athlete handbooks.