Helpful Links for the Potential College Athlete

When you have narrowed your list of potential schools, be sure to discover to which of the athletic associations they belong.

In addition to the links below students and parents may find this flowchart helpful when determining what they need to do to make sure their student is eligible for college athletics.

NCAA - This is the homepage for the National Collegiate Athletic Association. The largest of the college athletic associations.

NCAA Eligibility Center- This site will provide you with information about initial-eligibility at NCAA Division I and II member colleges and universities. If you are thinking about playing sports at a Division I or II school you must register with the clearinghouse. Be sure to bring in the two release forms to the guidance office after you register. Please note that the clearinghouse is no longer accepting ACT scores sent on high school transcripts. You must request that ACT send the scores directly to the clearinghouse after you have tested.

NAIA - The homepage for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. It is made up of small private or independent colleges, but has many of the same requirements as the NCAA. The NAIA also has put together a guide for NAIA bound college athletes. Students interested in playing at an NAIA school must register with the NAIA Eligibility Center

NCJAA
The National Junior College Athletic Association provides opportunities for student-athletes to continue their athletic careers. The NJCAA is divided into three divisions just like the NCAA. The schools that are members of this organization are two-year community and junior colleges. After completing their eligibility, a student-athlete may choose to continue their academic and athletic career at a NCAA or NAIA school. A list of local NJCAA schools can be found here.