College Athletics
Plan for College as Both a Student & an Athlete
If you hope to compete in college athletics, your planning needs to include more than finding a team.
Academic preparation, athletics eligibility, recruiting, college fit, financial aid, and your overall education and career goals should all be part of your decision.
Start early and understand the requirements of the athletics organization and colleges you're considering.
Start With Academic Preparation
Your high school courses and grades can affect your eligibility to participate in college athletics.
Requirements vary depending on the athletics organization and division.
If you're considering college athletics:
- Tell your school counselor.
- Research eligibility requirements early.
- Make sure your high school courses meet applicable requirements.
- Track your academic progress.
- Understand requirements for the colleges you're considering.
- Keep eligibility information and accounts current.
Don't wait until senior year to find out that a course or other requirement is missing.
NCAA Athletics
The National Collegiate Athletic Association includes Division I, Division II, and Division III institutions.
Students interested in NCAA athletics should understand the eligibility process and determine what type of NCAA Eligibility Center account they need.
Division I and Division II prospective student-athletes generally need academic and athletics certification through the NCAA Eligibility Center. Division III has different requirements, including differences between domestic and international students.
Eligibility rules can change, so use the NCAA's current requirements when planning.
Explore NCAA Eligibility Requirements →
Visit the NCAA Eligibility Center →
Understand NCAA Divisions
Division I
Division I institutions sponsor competitive athletics programs and may offer athletics financial aid.
Prospective Division I student-athletes must meet NCAA academic and athletics eligibility requirements.
Division II
Division II institutions also may provide athletics financial aid and have NCAA academic and athletics eligibility requirements.
Division III
Division III institutions do not award athletics scholarships.
Students may still receive other forms of financial aid, including institutional merit-based or need-based aid.
Division III institutions establish their own admission and academic standards, while NCAA Eligibility Center requirements vary based on the student's circumstances.
NAIA Athletics
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics includes colleges and universities with intercollegiate athletics programs.
Prospective NAIA student-athletes should review current eligibility requirements and complete the appropriate eligibility process.
Explore NAIA Eligibility & PlayNAIA →
NJCAA Athletics
The National Junior College Athletic Association supports intercollegiate athletics at two-year colleges.
Eligibility and athletics-aid opportunities vary by division, sport, and institution.
Students considering a two-year college should review current NJCAA requirements and talk directly with coaches, admission staff, and financial aid staff at the colleges they're considering.
Understand the Recruiting Process
Being interested in playing college sports and being recruited aren't always the same thing.
As you explore opportunities:
- Research programs that fit your athletic and academic abilities.
- Communicate professionally with coaches.
- Understand recruiting rules.
- Keep athletics and academic information current.
- Ask what the coach expects from prospective athletes.
- Learn how roster decisions are made.
- Understand what happens if you aren't able to continue competing.
Most importantly, evaluate whether you would still want to attend the college if your athletics situation changed.
Evaluate Academic & Career Fit
Don't choose a college based only on the team.
Ask:
- Does the college offer the program or major I want?
- Can I meet the academic requirements?
- What academic support is available to student-athletes?
- Will practices and travel work with my academic program?
- Are internships, clinical experiences, study abroad, or other opportunities realistic with my athletics schedule?
- Does this college support my long-term career goals?
Athletics may be an important part of your college experience, but your education needs to prepare you for what comes afterward.
Understand Athletics Financial Aid
Athletics scholarship opportunities vary by governing organization, division, sport, institution, and individual student.
If you're offered athletics aid, ask:
- How much is being offered?
- What expenses does it cover?
- How long does the offer last?
- What are the renewal requirements?
- Can the amount change?
- What happens if I'm injured?
- What happens if I stop competing?
- Can I combine athletics aid with academic, need-based, or other financial aid?
- What costs will I still need to cover?
Review the complete financial aid offer—not just the athletics scholarship.
Compare Financial Aid Offers →
Look at the Complete College Experience
When comparing athletics opportunities, consider:
Academic Fit
Will the college prepare you for your education and career goals?
Athletic Fit
Does the program match your abilities, goals, and expectations?
Financial Fit
Can you afford the college after considering all scholarships, grants, aid, and remaining costs?
Personal Fit
Can you see yourself living and learning there?
The right athletics opportunity should be part of a college experience that works for you as a student, athlete, and person.
