College Bound Athletes
IF YOU ARE A COLLEGEBOUND ATHLETE
Meet with your high school counselor by your 10th-grade year to ensure you register for NCAA- and NAIA-approved classes!
Continue to work hand-in-hand with your counselor throughout high school to ensure you are meeting all the NCAA and NAIA requirements and paperwork.
ATHLETIC ASSOCIATIONS
NCAA
The National Collegiate Athletic Association(NCAA) is a very large athletic association divided into three divisions. To be eligible, students must meet several criteria plus have transcripts and test scores verified. The NCAA has strict rules on amateurism. A student must register with the NCAA if considering DI or DII schools.
DI and DII have very precise recruiting rules and restrictions. DIII has fewer recruiting restrictions because academic requirements and eligibility are handled through each individual school.
DIII schools can't offer athletic scholarships, but they do offer financial aid in many other ways. Often, DIII schools hand out more aid overall than DI and DII schools.
Transfer students must sign a release before talking to other schools.
All three divisions are competitive.
NAIA
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) schools are generally smaller, secular colleges that compete regionally with other NAIA schools. This association has fewer recruiting and eligibility restrictions than the NCAA and offers greater flexibility for players to transfer without missing a season or affecting eligibility.
It is competitive, but usually less of a commitment than DI or the top DII schools. NAIA can offer athletic scholarships.
NJCAA
The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) is a sister organization to the NCAA and governs two-year athletic programs throughout the United States.
It is divided into Divisions and Regions. The current NJCAA has 24 separate regions across the United States.