GUIDE FOR
HIGH SCHOOL
COUNSELORS
2024-25
2
GUIDE FOR HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELORS
Inside
Contents
3 What is the NCAA?
4 NCAA Sports
5 Scholarships
6 Our Three Divisions
7 NCAA Initial-Eligibility Process
8 Registration Checklist
10 Sending Transcripts
10 What is High School Review?
11 NCAA-Approved Core Courses
14 Credit Recovery Courses
14 Test Scores
15 Grade-Point Average
16 Division I Academic Standards
18 Division II Academic Standards
19 Division III Amateurism Standards
20 International Students
20 Homeschooled Students
21 High School Counselor Quick Tips
23 High School Counselor Timeline
24 High School Counselor Resources
25 Important Terms
Information
Visit
eligibilitycenter.org
ncaa.org/playcollegesports
Follow
X @ncaaec
YouTube @ncaaec
Facebook @ncaaec
Instagram @playcollegesports
Contact
High School Administrators Only
877-622-2321, Monday-Friday
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time
College-Bound Student-Athletes Only
U.S. and Canada (except Quebec):
877-262-1492, Monday-Friday
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time
International (including Quebec):
on.ncaa.com/intlcontact
Certification Processing
NCAA Eligibility Center
Certification Processing
P.O. Box 7110
Indianapolis, IN 46207-7110
Overnight Delivery
NCAA Eligibility Center
Certification Processing
1802 Alonzo Watford Sr. Drive
Indianapolis, IN 46202
Have a question about
NCAA eligibility?
» Read this guide.
» Search frequently asked questions at
ncaa.org/studentfaq.
» Check the Help section of
eligibilitycenter.org.
» Visit ncaa.org/playcollegesports.
» Contact the NCAA Eligibility Center.
NCAA, Make It Yours and March Madness are trademarks of the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
All other trademarks are property of their respective holders. September 2024.
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GUIDE FOR HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELORS
NCAA FACTS
What is the NCAA?
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is an organization dedicated to providing a pathway to
opportunity for college athletes. Over 1,000 colleges and universities are members of the NCAA.
These schools work together with the NCAA national office and athletics conferences across the country to
support more than 500,000 college athletes who make up over 20,000 teams competing in NCAA sports.
The NCAA’s diverse members include schools ranging in size from hundreds of students to tens of
thousands. The NCAA’s current three-division structure was adopted in 1973 to create a fair
playing field for teams from similar schools and provide college athletes more opportunities to
participate in national championships.
Among the three NCAA divisions, Division I schools generally have the biggest student bodies,
manage the largest athletics budgets and offer the highest number of athletics scholarships.
The Division II approach provides growth opportunities through academic achievement,
learning in high-level athletics competition and a focus on service to the community. The
DivisionIII experience offers participation in a competitive athletics environment that pushes
college athletes to excel on the field and build upon their potential by tackling new challenges
across campus.
To learn more about the pathways, visit on.ncaa.com/3divisions.
Are initial-eligibility standards similar in all three divisions?
Division I and II schools require students to meet academic and amateurism standards and be
certified by the Eligibility Center. While Division III schools set their own academic standards
on campus, the Eligibility Center certifies the amateur status of Division III international
student-athletes (first-year enrollees and transfers). All other Division III student-athletes
are certified on campus.
1906
Year established
1,073
Active schools
355
Active Division I members
293
Active Division II members
425
Active Division III members
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GUIDE FOR HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELORS
NCAA Sports
The NCAA conducts 90 national championships in 24 sports across Divisions I, II and III, with 45 championships for women,
42 for men and three coed national championships. Nearly 54,000 student-athletes participate in NCAA championships each year.
From signature events like the NCAA March Madness® basketball tournaments to rowing, rifle and skiing, the NCAA administers
championships to ensure student-athletes have a first-class experience. But the NCAA is also committed to quality events for
everyone involved, from the coaches to the fans and broadcast audiences.
It is important to the NCAA that our championships have a positive impact on the communities that host them. The NCAA hosts
youth clinics and various fan events to complement the competition — creating a championship experience for everyone involved.
SPRING SPORTS
MEN:
Baseball
Golf
Lacrosse
Outdoor Track
and Field
Tennis
Volleyball
WOMEN:
Beach
Volleyball
Golf
Lacrosse
Outdoor
Track
and Field
Rowing
Softball
Tennis
Water Polo
WINTER SPORTS
MEN:
Basketball
Fencing
Gymnastics
Ice Hockey
Indoor Track
and Field
Rifle
Skiing
Swimming
and Diving
Wrestling
WOMEN:
Basketball
Bowling
Fencing
Gymnastics
Ice Hockey
Indoor Track
and Field
Rifle
Skiing
Swimming
and Diving
FALL SPORTS
MEN:
Cross
Country
Football
Soccer
Water Polo
WOMEN:
Cross
Country
Field Hockey
Soccer
Volleyball
EMERGING SPORTS
WOMEN:
Acrobatics
and Tumbling
Equestrian
(Divisions I and II only)
Rugby
Stunt
Triathlon
Wrestling
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GUIDE FOR HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELORS
Scholarships
NCAA Division I and II schools provide nearly $4 billion in athletics scholarships annually to 197,000
student-athletes. (Division III schools do not offer athletics scholarships.)
Division I schools may provide a student with a multiyear
scholarship. Division II schools may only provide a student
with a one-year scholarship. Additionally, Division I and II
schools may provide funding for degree completion to finish a
bachelor’s or master’s degree after the student’s time playing
NCAA sports ends.
If a school plans to reduce or not renew a student’s aid, the
school must notify the student in writing by July 1 before the
start of the impacted school year and provide an opportunity
for the student to appeal. In most cases, the head coach
decides who receives a scholarship, the scholarship amount
and whether it will be renewed.
Many student-athletes also benefit from academic
scholarships, NCAA financial aid programs, and need-based
aid such as federal Pell Grants. A student must report all
financial aid they receive to their NCAA school’s financial aid
office. If students have questions about what financial aid
can be accepted, they should contact their NCAA school’s
financial aid office or athletics department for more detailed
information about NCAA financial aid rules.
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GUIDE FOR HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELORS
1 in 23 1 in 7 1 in 5
37%
24%
38%
*The number of schools for each division is current as of the 2024-25 academic year. All other figures are based on 2023-24 data.
Percentages shown for schools and student-athletes represent numbers at active NCAA schools, so they do not add up to 100%.
8,883 1,6172,169
19
17
19
293
(27%)
355
(32%)
425
(39%)
DID YOU KNOW?
How is each division governed?
NCAA schools develop and approve
legislation for their own divisions. Groups of
presidents and chancellors lead each division
in the form of committees with regularly
scheduled meetings. For more information,
visit on.ncaa.com/governance.
What are the eligibility
requirements in each division?
If students want to compete at an NCAA
Division I or II school, they must meet
academic and amateurism standards set by
NCAA members. Academic and amateurism
standards are outlined in this guide and can
be found on each division’s page on ncaa.org.
Our Three Divisions
The NCAA’s three divisions were created in 1973 to align like-minded
campuses in the areas of fairness, competition and opportunity.
DIVISION
MEDIAN
UNDERGRADUATE
ENROLLMENT
AVERAGE NUMBER OF
TEAMS PER SCHOOL
STUDENTS WHO
ARE ATHLETES
PERCENTAGE OF NCAA
STUDENTATHLETES
IN EACH DIVISION
ATHLETICS
SCHOLARSHIPS
ACTIVE
SCHOOLS*
Multiyear, cost-of-attendance
athletics scholarships available.
59% of athletes
receive athletics aid.
Partial athletics
scholarship model.
64% of athletes
receive athletics aid.
No athletics
scholarships.
80% of athletes
receive nonathletics aid.
Division III’s largest
school has 28,692
undergraduates.
The smallest? 270.
Division II is the only
division with schools
in Alaska, Puerto
Rico and Canada.
Division I student-
athletes graduate at
a higher rate than the
general student body.
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GUIDE FOR HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELORS
NCAA ELIGIBILITY CENTER
A-
B
A
NCAA Initial-Eligibility Process
An NCAA school recruits students by placing them on its institutional request list,
which begins a request for certification from the NCAA Eligibility Center.
This chart presents a general overview to help students and their families better understand the
components of the initial-eligibility process.
NOT CLEARED
NCAA cannot use high school’s
core courses and proof
of graduation.
CLEARED
NCAA can use high school’s
approved core courses and
proof of graduation.
EXTENDED EVALUATION
NCAA may require additional academic
information for core courses. Proof of
graduation can be used.
DECISION
Eligibility Center provides decision on
high schools and courses.*
Eligibility Center reviews the information submitted by the high school.
If the Eligibility Center has not reviewed the student’s high school or courses,
the high school provides information.
DI
NONQUALIFIER
Student may not practice,
compete or receive
athletics aid in first year.
DI AND DII QUALIFIER
Student may practice,
compete and receive
athletics aid in first year.
DII PARTIAL
QUALIFIER
Student may practice
and receive athletics aid
in first year.
DI ACADEMIC
REDSHIRT
Student may practice (in
the first academic term)
and receive athletics aid
in first year.
Review of student’s
academic credentials.
DECISION
Eligibility Center certifies a
student’s academic eligibility with
one of the following statuses:
College Student-Athlete
*The Eligibility Center also certifies student-athletes’ amateurism statuses. Click here to learn more.
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GUIDE FOR HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELORS
Registration Checklist
Do your students want to compete in NCAA sports? Advise them to register
with the Eligibility Center at eligibilitycenter.org before the ninth grade
(year nine of secondary school).
Which account type is right for your students?
1. Profile Page Account: Students who are younger or are
not being recruited, are unsure in which division they
want to compete, or are domestic students who plan to
compete at a Division III school, should register for a free
Profile Page account. They can transition their account to
a certification account as needed, once they start being
actively recruited by an NCAA school.
2. Academic and Amateurism Certification Account:
Students must receive academic and amateurism
certifications from the Eligibility Center to compete at a
Division I or II school. They must complete the Academic and
Amateurism Certification account registration (including
payment or fee waiver) before they go on Division I official
visits, sign for athletics aid, receive an athletics scholarship
or compete at a Division I or II school.
3. Amateurism-Only Certification Account:
International student-athletes (first-year enrollees and
transfers) enrolling at a Division III school must register
with an Amateurism-Only Certification account (or use an
existing Academic and Amateurism Certification account,
if they have one) and receive their final amateurism
certification before they can compete.
This account may also be right for students transferring
from a non-NCAA college or university to a Division I or II
school who do not require an Eligibility Center academic
certification. These students should check with the
compliance office at the NCAA school they may attend to
determine their required account type.
ELIGIBILITY CENTER ACCOUNT TYPES
In which division do your students plan to compete?
Profile Page*
Account
Academic and
Amateurism
Certification Account
Amateurism-Only
Certification Account
Division I or II
Before recruiting begins or middle school and younger students (domestic or
international). Can be transitioned to the right certification account when needed.
High school student (domestic or international) enrolling for the first time at an
NCAA school.
Transferring from a two- or four-year college or university. (Your students should
check with the compliance office at the school they plan to attend.)
Division III
Domestic high school student enrolling for the first time at a Division III school.
High school student with a permanent residence outside of the U.S.
High school student who attended secondary or postsecondary school outside of the
U.S. for any time (excluding U.S.-based students who study abroad).
International high school student enrolling for the first time at a Division III school.
High school student who was based and competed outside of the U.S. or
participated on a sports team who was based and competed outside of the U.S.
Transferring from a two- or four-year college or university; attended domestic high
school(s) only.
Transferring from a two- or four-year college or university; attended at least one
international high school. (U.S. territories are considered domestic.)
Division Undecided/Unknown
Never enrolled full time at a two- or four-year college or university. Best before
recruiting begins or for middle school and younger students. Can be transitioned to
the right certification account when needed.
OR
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GUIDE FOR HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELORS
ELIGIBILITY CENTER REGISTRATION ESSENTIALS
Once students have determined the right account for them,
they should visit eligibilitycenter.org to register. A list
of information they will need to complete their account is
outlined below. For a Profile Page account, allow 15 minutes to
complete. For certification accounts, allow between 30 and 45
minutes to complete. If they need to exit and come back at a
later time, they can save and exit once their account is created.
*Unsure which account type is right for a student? Have all
students start with our free Profile Page account, then check
with the compliance office at the NCAA school they may attend.
If the student needs assistance, have them contact the Eligibility
Center’s customer service team at 877-262-1492, Monday-
Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time. International students
(including Quebec) should use the International Contact Form
to submit questions.
Valid Email
To register, students need a valid email address
that they check regularly and will have access to
after high school. The Eligibility Center uses email
to update students about their account throughout
the process. Note: If they have a sibling who has
previously registered, the student will need to
use a different email address than the one in their
sibling’s account.
Basic Student Personal Information
This includes information such as their name,
gender, date of birth, primary and secondary
contact information, address and mobile number.
Basic Student Education History
When registering, students will be required to
provide details about all secondary and high
schools and additional programs they attended in
the U.S. and internationally. All schools, regardless
of whether students received grades or credits
must be included. If they attended ninth grade at
a junior high school located in the same school
system in which they later attended high school,
the ninth-grade school should not be listed.
Student Sports Participation History
Students should select each sport they plan to
participate in at an NCAA school. For certification
accounts, students will be required to provide
details on any expenses or awards they received,
any teams they have practiced or played with, or
certain events in which they participated. Students
will also list any individuals who have advised them
or marketed their skills in a particular sport. This
information helps the Eligibility Center certify
their amateur status once they request their final
amateurism certification.
Payment (Certification Accounts Only)
Registration for a certification account is complete
only after their registration fee is paid (or upon
requesting a fee waiver, if eligible). Students
may pay online by debit, credit card or echeck.
For an Academic and Amateurism Certification
account, the fee for college-bound student-
athletes attending a high school in the U.S.,
U.S. territories or Canada is $100; the fee for
international students is $160. For students for
which an Amateurism-Only Certification account
is the right choice, the fee for all students is $70.
Profile Page accounts do not have a fee.
All fees are nonrefundable 30 days after the
certification account fee is paid. If a student
completed a duplicate registration and paid their
registration fee twice, they may be eligible for
a refund. To receive a refund, they will need to
complete and submit an NCAA refund form.
Below are some items students should have with them when creating an account at eligibilitycenter.org:
Unsure if they’ve already created an account?
Encourage students to contact customer service at
877-262-1492, Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Eastern time, before creating a new account to
avoid duplicate account issues during recruiting.
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GUIDE FOR HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELORS
To send a transcript by U.S. mail or through an overnight or express delivery service, use the appropriate address on page 2.
Allow four days for processing from the day of receipt. (Uploading via the High School Portal is considered best practice.)
Sending Transcripts
The primary and secondary contacts in each high school’s Eligibility Center account have the capability to upload official
transcripts directly to a student’s account for free via the High School Portal. This process is much quicker than using
the U.S. Postal Service or any overnight delivery method. When transcripts are uploaded directly to a student’s account, the
Eligibility Center has near real-time access to the transcript. Click here for instructions on how to use this process.
Best practice is that the high school uploads the student’s official four- and six-semester transcripts, and their final official
transcript with proof of graduation (once they have completed high school). While transcripts uploaded via the High School Portal
are received the same day, electronic transcript submission via a third party may take up to three business days to process. If a
student attended more than one high school or took courses from more than one program, the Eligibility Center needs an official
transcript from each high school or program the student attended. Note: The Eligibility Center does not accept grades from
one high school or program transcribed on another high school’s transcript. Transcripts can be uploaded or sent electronically
through one of the approved e-transcript providers listed below:
What is High School Review?
High school review is a unit within the Eligibility Center that determines which high schools and courses may be used in the
academic certification process. The high school review staff partners with high schools and districts, as well as leading secondary
education organizations, for educational outreach and to stay current with changes in educational policies and practices. The staff
also collaborates with NCAA committees regarding legislation and policy. This team is staffed by individuals with professional
understanding of and experience with the high school and postsecondary school communities.
For High Schools New to the NCAA
If you would like your high school reviewed for use in initial-eligibility certifications and your high school does not have
an account with the Eligibility Center (or your high school’s account status is “None”), call our high school support line at
877-622-2321, Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time. The customer service team will need basic demographic
information, including contact names, phone numbers and emails. An email with login and PIN information will be sent to the
contacts provided to begin the account review process.
Click here to learn more about the high school account review process.
» Cialfo.
» National Student Clearinghouse.
» National Transcript Center.
» Naviance (management tool for schools
that use Parchment as the back end
for delivering e-transcripts).
» NeedMyTranscript.
» Parchment (Docufide).
» SCOIR.
» Scribbles Software.
» State of Georgia comes via DIRECT.
» USMO ET (Speede).
» XAP.
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GUIDE FOR HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELORS
Philosophy
English
Science
(Including one
year of lab,
if offered)
World
Language
Math
(Algebra I
or higher)
Social
Science
Comparative
Religion
NCAA-Approved Core Courses
The NCAA core course requirement ensures college-bound student-athletes are taking high school
courses that prepare them for the academic expectations in college. Note: Not all high school courses
are NCAA-approved core courses and may not count toward the 16 core-course credit requirement.
What is a Core Course?
A core course must meet the following requirements to be used in an academic certification:
Meet high school graduation requirements in one or more of the following subject areas:
Be on your high school’s list of NCAA-approved core courses.
Be completed in alignment with your high school’s policies related to instruction, pacing, etc.
Be completed at a high school with a “Cleared” or “Extended Evaluation” Eligibility Center
account status.
What criteria are used to evaluate core courses?
Courses that meet NCAA core-course requirements must be submitted to and approved by the Eligibility Center. Course submissions
are reviewed and decisions are rendered using NCAA legislation and core-course criteria for review outlined in Appendix A of the
High School Review Committee’s Policies and Procedures.
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GUIDE FOR HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELORS
Maintaining Your High School’s NCAA Core-Course List
If you are your high school’s primary or secondary contact with the Eligibility Center and your high school is not part of a unified
curriculum NCAA district account, you are responsible for keeping your high school’s NCAA core-course list up to date. This includes
submitting updates to your high school’s existing list, archiving old course titles and uploading core-course documentation for review
(when applicable). If you believe your school’s list is accurate, please log in to the High School Portal to verify you have no updates.
This will refresh your account and let the Eligibility Center know your school’s core-course list is correct. Note: If your high school is
part of a unified-curriculum district account, your high school’s core-course list is managed by the contacts for the district account.
Adding Course Titles
After your high school implements new course offerings, you should update your high school’s list of courses promptly so course
decisions may be made by the Eligibility Center before you schedule students. You can update your high school’s list of
NCAA-approved courses through the High School Portal, which also includes a tutorial on how to update your list.
Courses submitted through the High School Portal will be reviewed within three to five business days. Your high school’s contacts
will be notified by email of the status of courses submitted.
Changing Course Titles
If the title of a course is substantively changing, you should update your list in the High School Portal. Course title changes
may require submission of additional information to determine if the new course title meets NCAA core-course legislation
and criteria. If it is simply a matter of word order, there is no need to submit the change. For example, Honors Biology, Biology
Honors, H/Biology, HBio, BioH and Bio-H are all titles used to represent the same honors course in biology.
Archiving Course Titles
You may choose to archive courses that are no longer taught, leaving them visible on your high school’s archived list. For example,
if your high school stops teaching a course on Shakespeare at the end of the 2024-25 school year, you may archive it, even though
students who took the course may still be working through the NCAA eligibility process. Students who complete the Shakespeare
course in the 2024-25 school year or before would still be able to use the course in their certification.
Some schools prefer to keep courses on their active list until the last students who could have taken the course graduate. Other
schools prefer to archive their courses once they are no longer taught. What difference does it make? A more concise list can help
students, families and coaches find active courses more easily. Archiving your courses and updating your list of courses can be done
via the High School Portal.
What happens when courses are designated “Additional Information Required”?
When a course is designated “Additional Information Required,” it means the review staff needs more documentation about
the course to determine if it meets the criteria for review. Documentation may be uploaded for review via the Submit Pending
Course Documents tab on the High School Portal. Note: Courses with this designation are on hold. If no action is taken,
courses in this category cannot be used for NCAA initial-eligibility certification.
The following course title changes SHOULD be updated:
» Freshman Composition to English 1.
» Biology to Living Environment.
» Ancient Cultures to World History I.
The following course title changes DO NOT need to be updated:
» Algebra 1 to Algebra I.
» H Chem to Chem/H.
» Econ to Economics.
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GUIDE FOR HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELORS
What happens when courses are designated “Not Approved”?
Courses that do not appear to meet core-course legislation or criteria for review will be designated as “Not Approved” with an
assigned reason code including decision rationale.
For courses that are designated as “Not Approved” and have a specific reasoning code assigned to it (i.e., RC5, RC12 and RC17), you
may also submit additional information for review if your high school believes the course meets the NCAA core-course legislation
and criteria. Make sure you read and understand the core-course criteria for review before taking the time to gather and submit
documentation. Note: You have 60 days from the decision date to submit all required core-course documentation. If the upload link
has expired, you must resubmit the course(s) via the Submit Updates to My School’s List option in the NCAA Courses dropdown on
the High School Portal.
Audited Courses
There may be times when a course erroneously appears on a high school’s list of NCAA courses. This may be due to changes in
NCAA legislation or a course mistakenly submitted or approved.
When it becomes necessary to audit and remove a course from a list, the NCAA Eligibility Center staff works to ensure students
who have taken such a course in the past are not negatively impacted by the removal. For example, if “Health” appeared on a high
school’s list of NCAA courses and was subsequently audited, it would appear as “Not Approved” beginning the next academic
year with a notation that the course may be used through the school year it was audited. Therefore, students who took the
course before it was audited and removed still would be able to use the course in their NCAA academic certification.
Dual-Enrollment Coursework
Dual-enrollment coursework may be used to satisfy NCAA core-course requirements if the courses appear on the student’s
official transcript with grade and high school credit and meet all requirements for an NCAA-approved core course. College
courses must be placed on the student’s high school transcript with a designation that the course was completed through
a two- or four-year college. Courses completed at a college should not be submitted for your high school’s list of NCAA
courses. However, dual-enrollment courses that meet core-course requirements and are taught by your high school’s
instructors should be submitted for inclusion on your high school’s core-course list.
Courses Taken Before High School
High school courses taken prior to ninth grade may be used to satisfy NCAA core-course requirements if the course
appears on the student’s official transcript with grade and high school credit and appears on your high school’s list
of NCAA-approved core courses. For example, if students take a high school course such as Algebra I or Spanish I
before high school, the course may count toward their 16 core-course credits requirement as long as the course title
is on the high school’s list of approved NCAA courses.
REASON CODE DECISION RATIONALE EXAMPLE COURSES
RC1
The course does not meet graduation requirements in one of
the specified areas.
Excel, band and physical education.
RC5 The course is considered doctrinal in nature. Apologetics, theology and spiritual life.
RC12 The course is not considered a four-year college preparatory. Technical math, career prep and writing for the workplace.
RC17
The course does not meet NCAA core-course criteria noted
within specific discipline.
Accounting, theatre and yearbook.
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GUIDE FOR HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELORS
Semester 1 Semester 4 Semester 5 Semester 6 Semester 7 GraduationSemester 8
Summer
School
Full-Time
Enrollment
Semester 2 Semester 3
Before the start of their seventh semester,
any core course needed to meet the
10/7 requirement can be replaced or
repeated for a higher grade. Visit on.ncaa.
com/10/7requirement to learn more.
After the start of their
seventh semester, the
Eligibility Center will use the
best combination of core
courses completed before
the seventh semester to
meet the 10/7 requirement.
After on-time high school graduation,
one core-course unit may be used in their
academic certification to meet core-
course requirements. The course must be
completed in the summer or academic year
immediately following on-time graduation.
Courses Taken After High School
A college course taken after high school graduation may be used toward a student’s initial eligibility and awarded 0.5 units from
their college transcript (unless awarded one full unit on their high school transcript). It must appear on the student’s official
transcript with grade and high school credit and meet all requirements for an NCAA-approved core course.
For Division I, only core courses completed in the first eight semesters from a student’s initial start of ninth grade will be used
in their academic certification. However, if a student graduates from high school on time (in eight semesters) with their incoming
ninth-grade class, they may use one core-course unit completed in the year after graduation (summer or academic year) and
before enrolling full time at any college or university. They may complete the NCAA-approved core course at a location other than
the high school from which they graduated as long as the course is taken before full-time enrollment at any college or university.
For Division II, a student may use an unlimited number of core
courses completed after graduation (summer or academic
year) and before enrolling full time at any college or university.
They may complete the NCAA-approved core course at a
location other than the high school from which they graduated.
Credit Recovery
Courses
Many high schools offer credit recovery or credit retrieval
courses for students to receive credit for a course they
previously failed. These courses are also reviewed by the high
school review staff.
For credit recovery courses to be approved:
1. Courses must meet NCAA core-course requirements.
2. Repeated courses must be substantially comparable
(qualitatively and quantitatively) to the previously
attempted course.
Test Scores
In January 2023, NCAA Divisions I and II adopted legislation
to remove standardized test scores from initial-eligibility
requirements. Encourage students to check with the NCAA
school they plan to attend regarding whether standardized test
scores are necessary for admission or scholarship requirements.
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GUIDE FOR HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELORS
Grade-Point Average
The NCAA Eligibility Center calculates a student’s core-
course grade-point average based on the grades they earn
in NCAA-approved core courses. Only the best grades from
the required number of NCAA core courses will be used. This
means that the cumulative GPA listed on a student’s high
school transcripts could be different than the NCAA core-
course GPA used in their certification. Their core-course GPA
is based solely on the grades they received in NCAA-approved
core courses. To find your high school’s list of NCAA-approved
core courses, visit eligibilitycenter.org/courselist.
A student’s core-course GPA is calculated on a 4.0 scale.
Numeric grades such as 92 or 87 are converted to letter grades
such as A or B based on the high school’s grading scale on file
with the Eligibility Center. As part of this calculation, each
grade received is assigned “quality points.”
The Eligibility Center does not use plus or minus grades
when calculating a core-course GPA. For example, grades of
B+, B and B- are each worth three quality points. Weighted
honors or Advanced Placement courses may improve the
student’s core-course GPA, but the high school must notify
the Eligibility Center that it awards weighted grades in these
courses. (The high school’s course-weighting policy must align
with acceptable NCAA course-weight policy.) Note: Your high
school may have multiple grading scales on file. For more
information, review the High School Grading Period section of
your high school’s account.
In “Pass/Fail” grading situations, the Eligibility Center will
assign the high school’s lowest passing grade for a course
in which the student received a “Pass” grade. For most high
schools, the lowest passing grade is a D, so the Eligibility
Center generally assigns a D as a passing grade.
Calculating a Student’s Quality Points
To determine the quality points earned for each course,
multiply the quality points for the grade by the amount of credit earned.
Examples:
» An A grade (4 points) for a trimester course (0.34 unit):
4 points x 0.34 unit = 1.36 total quality points
» An A grade (4 points) for a semester course (0.50 unit):
4 points x 0.50 unit = 2.00 total quality points
» An A grade (4 points) for a full-year course (1.00 unit):
4 points x 1.00 unit = 4.00 quality points
Use the Division I and II Worksheets to help determine
a student’s core-course GPA.
QUALITY POINTS
A = 4 points
B = 3 points
C = 2 points
D = 1 point
UNITS OF CREDIT
1 quarter unit = 0.25 unit
1 trimester unit = 0.34 unit
1 semester unit = 0.50 unit
1 year = 1.00 unit
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GUIDE FOR HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELORS
Semester 1 Semester 4 Semester 5 Semester 6 Semester 7 Semester 8Semester 2 Semester 3
4 x 4 = 16
Example Schedule
How to Plan High School Courses to
Meet the 16 Core-Course Requirement
(1) English
(1) Math
(1) Science
(1) Social science
and/or additional
4 CORE COURSES
9
th
GRADE
(1) English
(1) Math
(1) Science
(1) Social science
and/or additional
4 CORE COURSES
11
th
GRADE
(1) English
(1) Math
(1) Science
(1) Social science
and/or additional
4 CORE COURSES
10
th
GRADE
(1) English
(1) Math
(1) Science
(1) Social science
and/or additional
4 CORE COURSES
12
th
GRADE
4 years 2 years 2 years3 years 1 year 4 years
ENGLISH
SCIENCE
(Including one
year of lab,
if offered)
SOCIAL
SCIENCE
MATH
(Algebra I
or higher)
EXTRA
ENGLISH, MATH
OR SCIENCE
ADDITIONAL
Any area listed to the
left, or world language,
comparative religion or
philosophy
2. Complete their 16 NCAA-approved core-course credits in eight semesters from their initial start of ninth grade.
If students graduate from high school early, they still must meet core-course requirements.
3. Meet the 10/7 requirement by completing 10 of their 16 NCAA-approved core-course credits, including seven in English,
math or science, before the start of their seventh semester.
4. Earn a minimum 2.3 core-course GPA.
5. Request that their high school’s primary or secondary contact upload their final official transcript
with proof of graduation via the High School Portal.
6. Receive academic and amateurism certifications from the Eligibility Center.
1. Earn 16 NCAA-approved core-course credits in the following areas:
Before the start of their seventh semester, any core
course needed to meet the 10/7 requirement can be
replaced or repeated for a higher grade. Visit
on.ncaa.com/10/7requirement to learn more.
» Students with solely international academic credentials (including Canada)
are not required to meet the 10/7 requirement.
After the start of their
seventh semester,
the Eligibility Center
will use the best
combination of core
courses completed
before the seventh
semester to meet the
10/7 requirement.
Division I schools require your student-athletes to meet academic standards.
To be eligible to practice, compete and receive an athletics scholarship in their
first year of full-time enrollment, students must meet the following requirements:
Division I Academic Standards
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GUIDE FOR HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELORS
What if a student doesn’t
graduate on time?
In Division I, if students do not graduate on time
(eight semesters from their initial start of ninth grade),
the Eligibility Center will still use their grades and
coursework for the first eight semesters for their
certification. They will still need to provide proof of
graduation (once they graduate) but may not use any
coursework taken after their eighth semester.
What if a student doesn’t meet
Division I standards?
If students have not met all the Division I academic
standards, they may not compete in their first year of
full-time enrollment at a Division I school. However, if they
qualify as an academic redshirt, they may practice during
their first regular academic term and receive an athletics
scholarship during their first year of full-time enrollment.
Division I Worksheet
Use the Division I Worksheet to assist you in monitoring
a student’s progress in meeting NCAA initial-eligibility
standards. The Eligibility Center will
determine their academic status after
they graduate. Remember to check your
high school’s list of NCAA-approved core
courses for the courses they have taken or
plan to take.
ACADEMIC CERTIFICATION DECISIONS
Academic certifications are required for all college-
bound student-athletes planning to compete at an
NCAA Division I school. If students are being recruited
by Division I schools, below are the most common
decisions they may receive once a certification has
been completed.
EARLY ACADEMIC QUALIFIER
If they meet specific criteria after six semesters of
high school, they may be deemed an early academic
qualifier for Division I and may practice, compete and
receive an athletics scholarship during their first year
of full-time enrollment.
QUALIFIER
They may practice, compete and receive an
athletics scholarship during their first year of
full-time enrollment.
ACADEMIC REDSHIRT
They may practice during their first regular academic
term and receive an athletics scholarship during
their first year of full-time enrollment but may
NOT compete during their first year of full-time
enrollment. They must pass either eight quarter or
nine semester hours to practice in the next term.
NONQUALIFIER
They will not be able to practice, compete or receive
an athletics scholarship during their first year of
full-time enrollment.
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GUIDE FOR HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELORS
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GUIDE FOR HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELORS
2. Earn a minimum 2.2 core-course GPA.
3. Request that their high school’s primary or secondary contact upload their final official transcript
with proof of graduation via the High School Portal.
4. Receive academic and amateurism certifications from the Eligibility Center.
ACADEMIC CERTIFICATION DECISIONS
Academic certifications are required for all college-
bound student-athletes planning to compete at
an NCAA Division II school. If students are being
recruited by Division II schools, below are the
most common decisions they may receive once a
certification has been completed.
EARLY ACADEMIC QUALIFIER
If they meet specific criteria after six semesters of
high school, they may be deemed an early academic
qualifier for Division II and may practice, compete
and receive an athletics scholarship during their
first year of full-time enrollment.
QUALIFIER
They may practice, compete and receive an
athletics scholarship during their first year of
full-time enrollment.
PARTIAL QUALIFIER
They may practice and receive an athletics
scholarship but may NOT compete during their first
year of full-time enrollment.
What if a student doesn’t meet
Division II standards?
If students have not met all the Division II academic
standards, they may not compete in their first year of full-
time enrollment at a Division II school. However, they will
be deemed a partial qualifier. All Division II partial qualifiers
may practice and receive an athletics scholarship but may
NOT compete during their first year of full-time enrollment.
Division II Worksheet
Use the Division II Worksheet to assist you in monitoring
a student’s progress in meeting NCAA initial-eligibility
standards. The Eligibility Center will
determine their academic status after
they graduate. Remember to check
your high school’s list of NCAA-
approved core courses for the courses
they have taken or plan to take.
Division II schools require your student-athletes to meet academic standards.
To be eligible to practice, compete and receive an athletics scholarship in their
first year of full-time enrollment, students must meet the following requirements:
Division II Academic Standards
1. Earn 16 NCAA-approved core-course credits in the following areas:
3 years 2 years2 years 3 years 2 years 4 years
ENGLISH
SCIENCE
(Including one
year of lab,
if offered)
MATH
(Algebra I
or higher)
EXTRA
ENGLISH, MATH
OR SCIENCE
SOCIAL
SCIENCE
ADDITIONAL
Any area listed to the
left, or world language,
comparative religion or
philosophy
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GUIDE FOR HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELORS
Division III Amateurism Standards
Division III schools provide an integrated environment focusing on
academic success while offering a competitive athletics environment.
Division III rules minimize potential conflicts between athletics and
academics and focus on regional in-season and conference play to
maximize academic, co-curricular and extracurricular opportunities. While
Division III schools do not offer athletics scholarships, 80% of Division III
student-athletes receive some form of merit or need-based financial aid.
While Division III schools set their own academic standards on campus, the Eligibility Center certifies the amateur status
of Division III international student-athletes (first-year enrollees and transfers). All other Division III student-athletes are
certified on campus. Students should contact the Division III school they plan to attend for information about its
academic requirements.
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GUIDE FOR HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELORS
International Students
For Divisions I and II, international students have taken
coursework outside the U.S. (not including Department of
Defense Dependent Schools or American schools abroad)
at any point from the initial start of school year nine through
secondary school graduation. For student-athletes planning
to enroll at a Division III school, check with the compliance
office to determine status. International students enrolling at
a Division I or II school must submit:
» Transcripts for years nine and up in the native language.
» Proof of graduation in the native language, which may
include certificates, diplomas and/or final leaving exams.
» Certified line-by-line English translations of these
documents if they are issued in a language other
than English.
Students enrolling at a Division III school should monitor
their task list to determine if any academic documentation is
needed to certify their amateur status.
In certain situations, the NCAA Eligibility Center may request
additional documentation to clarify that a student’s academic
information is complete, valid and accurate. The task list
within their Eligibility Center account is used to communicate
these requests, so be sure they check their email often
for tasks.
» For information on how to submit international
documentation, visit on.ncaa.com/intldocs.
» All documents submitted
to the Eligibility Center
become the property of the
Eligibility Center and cannot
be returned. This includes any
mailed original documents.
Failure to include any of these
items will delay the review of the student’s records, so be
sure to understand the documents required for the country in
which they attended school by reviewing the current Guide to
International Academic Standards for Athletics Eligibility.
Have international students wondering what to expect when
attending an NCAA school? Check out the International
Student-Athlete Handbook.
Need help? For specific questions that you can’t find the
answer to in our other resources, use our International
Contact Form, found at on.ncaa.com/intlcontact.
Homeschooled Students
Learning at home is not necessarily the same as being homeschooled. Because of ongoing growth in
online and virtual education, a student may be able to learn at home through an online school with
online teachers, which would not be considered a parent-directed tutor.
Homeschooled courses are those in which a parent or parent-directed tutor:
» Plans and delivers actual instructional activities such as lectures, discussions, tutorials, feedback or assistance.
» Determines the student’s comprehension of the material by grading and evaluating student performance and achievement on
assignments and assessments and providing appropriate reteaching and feedback.
» Determines the overall grade the student achieved in the course.
» Places the grade on a transcript or grade report, or reports the grade to a homeschool umbrella program.
How to Register
Homeschooled students who want to play NCAA sports at a Division I or II school must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center
and meet the same standards as all other students.
Once they have completed their registration, students should visit on.ncaa.com/homeschool and download the
Homeschooling Toolkit. This resource provides the directions and guidance homeschooled students and families need
to understand the initial-eligibility process.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Visit your country’s specific information page
at ncaa.org/countries. For a list of non-English-
language resources for future student-athletes,
visit on.ncaa.com/translated.
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GUIDE FOR HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELORS
High School Counselor Quick Tips
As a high school counselor, one of the main tools you will use to help your student-athletes is the Eligibility Center’s
High School Portal. (Click here for a tutorial on using the portal.) To start, there are three main concepts to understand:
Who are your high school and district’s primary and secondary contacts?
Each high school and district with an Eligibility Center account has one primary and one secondary contact. These contacts
should have access to curriculum and student records and the bandwidth to have ongoing engagement with the Eligibility Center.
High School Primary and Secondary Contacts
» On the portal, your school’s primary and secondary contacts can manage your school’s core-course list, upload official
transcripts and proof of graduation, submit fee waivers, respond to open tasks, view student reports and update contacts.
» To find your school’s primary and secondary contacts, visit on.ncaa.com/ccl and search for your school by high school code/
CEEB, state, city or school name. (Names of the contacts are listed in the High School Summary section.) To learn how to
update your school’s primary or secondary contacts, review the How to Reset High School Contact Information resource.
District Primary and Secondary Contacts
» Depending on how your district is set up, primary and secondary contacts can manage your district’s core-course list,
respond to open tasks and update contacts.
» To find your district’s primary and secondary contacts or set up an Eligibility Center account, contact customer service at
877-622-2321, Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time. To learn how to update your district’s primary or secondary
contacts, review the How to Reset District Contact Information resource.
How can you help your students?
» Know Division I academic standards, Division II academic standards and Division III amateurism standards.
⁰
Advise students to enroll in and complete courses listed on your high school’s list of NCAA-approved core courses.
⁰
Help students calculate their NCAA core-course GPA using the Division I and II worksheets.
» Encourage incoming freshmen student-athletes to register for a free Profile Page account at eligibilitycenter.org.
» Help students with a Profile Page account who are being actively recruited by an NCAA Division I or II school transition their
account to the right certification account.
Which responsibilities may be delegated to other individuals?
» Who determines if students should and should not register with the Eligibility Center?
⁰
Students and their families should make the final decision to register with the Eligibility Center. Students must complete
their certification account registration (including payment or fee waiver) before they go on Division I official visits,
sign for athletics aid, receive an athletics scholarship or compete at a Division I or II school.
⁰
High school and club coaches should provide advice on how likely it is that the student will play NCAA sports.
Encourage your coaching staff to subscribe to the Eligibility Center’s coaches newsletter.
» How are students noticed or recruited for college sports?
⁰
High school and club coaches should advise and assist students during the recruiting process.
⁰
College coaches typically ensure rules are followed when recruiting students. Rules differ by sport and division.
⁰
Students and their families should contact NCAA schools the student is interested in attending to understand the full
financial impact of attendance and other recruiting-related questions.
» How do students meet eligibility requirements?
⁰
Meeting initial-eligibility requirements is the student’s responsibility. High school counselors support that effort.
⁰
Student-athlete academic achievement begins in the ninth grade (year nine of secondary school). When an academic
and amateurism certification is requested by an NCAA Division I or II school, the Eligibility Center will perform a
certification based on the academic information provided by the student and high school(s), as well as the sports
participation information provided by the student-athlete.
⁰
When an amateurism certification is requested by an NCAA Division III school for an international student-
athlete (first-year enrollee and transfer), the Eligibility Center will perform a certification based on the
amateurism information provided by the student.
Want this information in a printable form? Visit on.ncaa.com/hscounquicktips.
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GUIDE FOR HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELORS
High School or CEEB Code
PIN
Accessing Your High School’s Account
If your high school has an Eligibility Center account, log in with your six-digit high school or CEEB code and password. Your high
school will also have a five-digit PIN. This will be required as validation for contacts who call the Eligibility Center’s customer
service team. Note: Each high school account has one unique password that is shared among contacts.
You can keep your high school or CEEB code and PIN handy by entering them in the form below:
Forgot your high school’s password?
» If you’re listed as a current contact in your high school’s account and have forgotten your high school’s password, please select
Forgot Password on the High School Portal login page. A temporary password will be sent to your email. You will use this
temporary password to log in and create a new password for your high school’s account. If you do not receive a temporary
password, please contact our customer service team at 877-622-2321, Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time.
» If you’re a new contact and need access to your high school’s account, but the current primary and secondary contacts
are no longer at your high school, complete the High School Contact Change Form.
» If you have forgotten your PIN, log in to your account, click “High School Info,” then select “View/Update PIN” from
the dropdown.
If you do not yet have an account with courses listed or your account status is “None,” call our customer service team
at 877-622-2321, Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time, to start the high school account review process.
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GUIDE FOR HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELORS
» Help students use NCAA Research’s interactive map
to locate NCAA schools they’re interested in attending.
» Remind students to apply (and be accepted) to the NCAA
schools they’re interested in attending.
» Encourage incoming freshmen student-athletes
to register for a free Profile Page account at
eligibilitycenter.org if they haven’t yet.
» Help students with a Profile Page account who are being
actively recruited by an NCAA school transition their
account to the right certification account.
» Remind students who are graduating midyear and have
a winter/spring enrollment period to request their final
amateurism certification in their Eligibility Center
account beginning Oct 1.
» Ensure student-athletes are on track to complete the
required number of NCAA-approved core courses
to graduate on time with their class.
» Before students register for courses, update your
school’s core-course list. If your school’s list has
no updates, log in to the High School Portal to verify.
» Monitor your high school’s fee waiver report
and submit fee waivers, when applicable.
» At the end of the first semester, upload official
transcripts for student-athletes. Also upload proof
of graduation for student-athletes graduating early.
» If student-athletes are falling behind academically,
help them find approved courses they can take.
» Monitor the Tasks tab on the High School Portal
and respond to requests for information within the
noted time frames.
WINTER: TRACK
» Monitor the Tasks tab on the High School Portal
and respond to requests for information within the
noted timeframes.
» Remind students with a fall enrollment period to request
their final amateurism certification in their Eligibility
Center account beginning April 1.
SPRING: MONITOR
» At the end of the school year, upload official transcripts
for incoming senior student-athletes (for preliminary
reviews). Also upload final official transcripts with
proof of graduation for graduating student-athletes.
» Once final certifications are attempted, monitor
the Tasks tab on the High School Portal and
respond to requests for information within
the noted time frames.
SUMMER: UPLOAD
High School Counselor Timeline
FALL: PLAN
The purpose of this timeline is to help your school’s primary and secondary contacts plan the year regarding NCAA
initial-eligibility requirements. Note: To update your school’s primary or secondary contact, log in to the High School
Portal and visit Update Contact Info. If you’re a new contact and need access to your high school’s account, but the
current primary and secondary contacts are no longer at your school, complete the High School Contact Change Form.
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GUIDE FOR HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELORS
FOR STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIESFOR HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELORS
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GUIDE FOR HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELORS
High School Counselor Resources
As a high school counselor, you play an important role in helping students understand the requirements to study and compete in
college sports at an NCAA school. Below are resources to help answer the most commonly asked questions.
How to Use the High School Portal
Resources for High School Administrators
Division I Academic Standards
Division II Academic Standards
Division III Amateurism Standards
Core-Course Criteria for Review
Fee Waiver Submission Tutorial
High School Presentation Resources
High School Counselor Quick Tips
High School Tasks Tutorial
Homeschooling Toolkit
What is a Core Course?
Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete
Initial-Eligibility Flyer
NCAA Eligibility Center Registration
(eligibilitycenter.org)
NCAA Eligibility Center Information
(ncaa.org/playcollegesports)
Our Three Divisions
Student FAQs
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GUIDE FOR HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELORS
Important Terms
Celebratory signing form (used by Division III schools): A
standard NCAA-provided, nonbinding form after a student has
been accepted for enrollment at a Division III school.
Contact: Any time a college coach says more than “Hello”
while face-to-face with a student or their family off the
college’s campus.
Contact period: Period of time when it is permissible for
authorized athletics department staff members to make in-
person, off-campus recruiting contacts and evaluations. For
more information, visit on.ncaa.com/recruitcalendars.
Core course: Course that meets NCAA legislation and core-
course criteria in the High School Review Committee’s
Policies and Procedures and appears on your high school’s
list of NCAA-approved courses.
Dead period: Period of time when it is not permissible to make
in-person recruiting contacts or evaluations on or off the
college’s campus or to permit official or unofficial visits to the
college’s campus. For more information, visit on.ncaa.com/
recruitcalendars.
Education-impacting disability: Current impairment that
has a substantial educational impact on a student’s academic
performance and requires accommodation.
Emerging sport: NCAA recognized women’s sport that is
intended to help schools provide more athletics opportunities for
women and more sport-sponsorship options for NCAA schools,
as well as help that sport achieve NCAA championship status.
Enrollment period: Season (fall or winter/spring) and year a
student plans to enroll full time at any NCAA school for the
first time.
Evaluation: When a college coach observes a student
practicing or competing.
Evaluation period: Period of time when it is permissible
for authorized athletics department staff members to be
involved in off-campus activities designed to assess academic
qualifications and playing ability. No in-person, off-campus
recruiting contacts may be made during an evaluation period.
For more information, visit on.ncaa.com/recruitcalendars.
Financial aid (scholarship): Any money a student receives
from a college or another source, such as outside loans or
grants. Financial aid may be based on athletics ability, financial
need, scholarships or academic achievement.
Full-time enrollment: Each school determines what full-
time status means. Typically, students are full time if they’re
enrolled for at least 12 credit hours in a term.
Institutional request list: A list of college-bound student-
athletes who an NCAA school is interested in recruiting. This
informs the Eligibility Center of the school’s interest in having
an academic and/or amateurism certification decision for them.
International student: In Divisions I and II, an international
student is any student who is enrolled in a secondary school
outside the U.S., U.S. territories or Canada. In Division III,
an international student is any student who attended high
school outside of the U.S. or U.S. territories or competed
individually or as part of a team based outside of the U.S. or
U.S. territories; or whose permanent residence is outside of
the U.S. This does not apply to U.S.-based students who study
abroad unless they also compete while living abroad.
NCAA ID: Ten-digit identification number that an NCAA school
recruiting a student uses to place them on its institutional
request list. A student’s NCAA ID is located in the top-right corner
of their Eligibility Center account.
Official commitment: When a student signs for athletics aid,
agreeing to attend a Division I or II school for one academic year.
Official visit: Any visit to a college campus paid by the NCAA
school a student is visiting.
Preferred walk-on: Guaranteed a spot on the roster. “Preferred”
status means a college coach wants the student on their team,
but doesn’t have a scholarship for them.
Quiet period: Period of time when it is permissible to make
in-person recruiting contacts only on the college’s campus. No
in-person, off-campus recruiting contacts or evaluations may be
made during the quiet period. For more information, visit on.ncaa.
com/recruitcalendars.
Recruited: When a college coach contacts students off campus,
pays their expenses to visit the campus, or (in Divisions I and II)
issues them athletics aid or written offers of financial aid.
Recruiting calendar: NCAA Division I and II recruiting
calendars promote student well-being and ensure fairness
among schools by defining certain periods during the year in
which recruiting may or may not occur in a particular sport.
Recruiting shutdown: Period of time when no form of
recruiting (e.g., contacts, evaluations, official or unofficial
visits, correspondence, or making or receiving phone calls)
is permissible. For more information, visit on.ncaa.com/
recruitcalendars.
Two-year college: Any school from which students can earn an
Associate of Arts, Associate of Science or Associate of Applied
Science within two years. Often referred to as community or
junior colleges.
Unofficial visit: Any visit to a college campus paid for by a
student or their family.
Verbal commitment: When students verbally agree to play
sports for colleges before they sign or are eligible to sign for
athletics aid. The commitment is not binding on the student or
the school.
Walk-on: Someone who is not typically recruited by a school to
participate in sports and does not receive a scholarship from
the school but who becomes a member of one of the school’s
athletics teams.
NCAA is a trademark of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. September 2024.