• NCAA Website

Parents and students need to understand that playing a sport in college is a lot different from playing a sport in high school. Colleges expect more from their athletes and the competition is also much tougher.

NCAA is the organization that oversees most college athletic programs. NCAA colleges are divided into three divisions:

• Division I - can offer athletic scholarships.
• Division II - can offer athletic scholarships.
• Division III - CANNOT offer athletic scholarships; Division III colleges are usually smaller, private colleges.

Athletes who aren't able to play a sport at a Division I or II college often go to a Division III college. These college are usually much more expensive, but because the competition isn't as great, more athletes are able to play at a Division III college. Also note that smaller private schools often have scholarship opportunities that bring their price down to about the same as a public university so don't automatically rule out private colleges for cost reasons alone.

In order to make sure that all college athletes are ready for college-level work, the NCAA has very strict rules about who can play a sport in college. Athletes who want to compete at a Division I or II college must have a minimum GPA in a ce4rtain number of core courses. They must also have the required ACT or SAT score.

Students thinking about playing a sport in college need to see their counselor to make sure they are taking the right high school courses. They should also take the ACT and/or SAT in the spring of their junior year. For additional information on NCAA requirements click here.

Some colleges belong to the NAIA instead of the NCAA. To learn about NAIAcolleges and their eligibility requirements, go to the NAIA website.

Students need to understand that there's a lot of competition for athletic scholarships and that very few athletes are able to get a full ride scholarship. Students who do go on to play a sport in college must be very dedicated and they must be willing to
devote a great deal of time to their sport.

Grade 9

• Verify with your high school guidance counselor and the online core-course listing to make sure you are on track.

Grade 10

• Verify with your high school guidance counselor and the online core-course listing to make sure you are on track.

Grade 11

• Register with the eligibility center.
• Make sure you are still on course to meet core-course requirements (verify you have the correct number of core courses and that the core courses are on your high school's 48-H with the eligibility center).
• After your junior year, have your high school guidance counselor send a copy of your transcript. If you have attended any other high schools, make sure a transcript is sent to the eligibility center from each high school.
• When taking the ACT or SAT, request test scores to be sent to the eligibility center (the code is "9999").
• Begin your amateurism questionnaire.

Grade 12

• When taking the ACT or SAT, request test scores to be sent to the eligibility center (the code is "9999").
• Complete amateurism questionnaire and sign the final authorization signature online on or after April 1 if you are expecting to enroll in college in the fall semester. (If you are expecting to enroll for spring semester, sign the final authorization signature on or after October 1 of the year prior to enrollment.)
• Speak with your high school guidance counselor.