Newberry High School

National Association of Interscholastic Athletes (NAIA)

The NAIA is a governing body of over 250 small athletics programs that are dedicated to character-driven intercollegiate athletics. NAIA members provide more than 83,000 student-athletes with opportunities to play college sports. The NAIA Eligibility Center, at PlayNAIA.org, is responsible for determining the NAIA eligibility of first-time student-athletes. Students must receive an eligible decision by the NAIA Eligibility Center prior to competing for the first-time in the NAIA, and all NAIA schools are bound by the center’s decisions. Every student interested in playing sports at NAIA colleges for the first time needs to register online with the NAIA Eligibility Center and receive an eligible determination. This applies to high school seniors and transfers from both two- and four-year colleges.

(You need to register with the NAIA Eligibility Center even if you are registering with the NCAA to determine if you meet eligibility requirements for NAIA. The NAIA and NCAA are two separate associations, with two different sets of rules and certification processes.)

Make sure to review the NAIA Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete. This Guide answers important questions regarding the NAIA initial-eligibility process. Visit the NAIA website for additional information.