Membership Newsletter
May 2021

COVID-19 Academic Initial-Eligibility and Delayed Enrollment Relief
Given the continuing impact of COVID-19 on the educational environment, the NCAA Eligibility Center has partnered with the NCAA membership to identify the following changes to the initial-eligibility certification process and delayed enrollment flexibility.

Academic Initial-Eligibility Relief

Please review our COVID-19 FAQ to review changes to the initial-eligibility certification process for students who initially enroll full time in a collegiate institution during the 2021-22 or 2022-23 academic year.

Delayed Enrollment Flexibility

Please review our COVID-19 Delayed Enrollment document for the flexibility NCAA Divisions I and II have approved for prospective student-athletes who delay initial full-time collegiate enrollment and participate in organized competition following their legislated grace period.

Academic Records Submission Form

As you begin to receive final transcripts and academic documents on campus, please remember you can utilize our Academic Record Submission Form to send those to the EC. This form is to be used by NCAA member institutions only so please don’t send it to high schools to use. High schools are encouraged to upload transcripts via the High School Portal.

Utilizing the MI Portal Report Feature

With the school year coming to an end, remember to utilize the reports function in the Membership Portal! This function allows you to run reports for any PSAs missing final high school transcripts/proof of graduation, or those that still need to request final amateurism. This is a great way to provide your coaches with a list of PSAs that still need information provided to the EC! Here's a great resource for determining what qualifies as proof of graduation.

Amateurism Decision Inquiry Form

In an instance where a PSA has received a final amateurism certification decision but there is new relevant information that was not reasonably available at the time of the initial decision, a compliance administrator can request a Decision Inquiry Form. This form can be requested by calling our customer service staff at 877-544-2950. You'll then submit the relevant documentation via the Membership Portal. Before submitting the DIF, please review our Amateurism Decision Inquiry Form Resource to learn what documentation is required and the process once the DIF has been submitted.

IRL Management Reminders

As of Saturday, May 1, IRL cycles available for activation changed. On that date, the 2021-22 cycle became the current cycle, with 2022-23 and 2023-24 cycles also available for selection. Academic and amateurism certifications for students on the 2020-21 IRL will no longer be pulled for review unless the account had been “in process” or “under review” prior to May 1.

If you have student accounts currently activated on the 20/21 cycle still requiring academic or amateurism certification, please activate these to the 21/22 cycle.
Please ensure students no longer being recruited are deactivated from your IRL.

Contact customer service at 877-544-2950 or email ecinfo@ncaa.org with questions about the IRL activation process.

Student Enrollment Updates

Students on your IRL who did not enroll during the 2020-21 academic year will need to update their enrollment period within their Eligibility Center account and request final amateurism certification in order to activate a certification review.

If your recruit has received an Enrollment Verification Task reminder, this is not the same as the Enrollment Verification Document Needed task (for matriculation letters). Students still need to complete this task before their account is put in line for review.

International Decisions: Intl-Final

Beginning May of 2020, you can see which academic evaluation model was used during an international student’s certification. For more information on how to view old model and new model certifications, please review our FAQ.

2021 Regional Rules Seminar

The annual NCAA Regional Rules Seminar will be held virtually June 7-9, 2021. The Regional Rules Seminar provides an opportunity for the membership, affiliate members and others across all three divisions to discuss NCAA rules, policies and procedures; share best practices; and connect with peers. Participation in the 2021 virtual Regional Rules Seminar is open to all NCAA-member schools, conference offices and affiliate members. Additional updates regarding the 2021 Regional Rules Seminar will be posted here.

The Eligibility Center will be hosting two sessions (see information below). A complete list of sessions is available here. To register for the seminar and specific sessions, please click here.

NCAA Eligibility Center Hot Topics

Monday, June 7
4:45 to 5:45 p.m. Eastern

This session will provide an overview of key issues and changes for the membership to be aware of pertaining primarily to incoming students in the 2021-22 academic year. The session will summarize the impact of COVID-19 on initial-eligibility certification, highlight recent process improvements and address the most frequently asked questions received by Eligibility Center staff. Updates on forward-looking initiatives will also be provided.

Eligibility Center Certification Hurdles –
How to Identify, Address and Prevent Last Minute Delays

Tuesday, June 8
4:45 to 5:45 p.m. Eastern

In this session, Eligibility Center staff members from various departments will discuss the most common hurdles observed in initial-eligibility certifications. Topics will include high school review, international, amateurism and general registration hurdles.

Eligibility Center Office Closure

The Eligibility Center will be closed Friday, May 28 and Monday, May 31 in honor of Memorial Day. Normal business hours will resume Tuesday, June 1. Have a safe and happy holiday weekend!