College-Bound Student-Athletes

College athletics encompasses a variety of opportunities for students to continue playing their sport at the next level, and there are several items that must be completed throughout your high school years from eligibility requirements to transcript submissions, and more. The most prominent associations are:

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is divided into different divisions - Division I, Division II, and Division III. NCAA Guide to the college-Bound Student-Athlete
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) also offers athletic opportunities at 250 institutions. NAIA Guide to the College-Bound Student-Athlete

Each association and division maintains different initial-eligibility requirements so it is important to be familiar with the one where you will be competing. If you are unsure where you will attend yet, it would be best to satisfy the most rigorous set of requirements (NCAA Division I) as this will keep your options open for the most opportunities.

Please consult with your Mater Dei school counselor to be preliminarily evaluated on your progress for NCAA initial-eligibility academic requirements (Core Courses, GPA, etc.).

RECOMMENDED HIGH SCHOOL TIMELINE

Grade 9

Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center and/or NAIA Eligibility Center
- Complete the NCAA free Profiler Page account
Review the Division I and II initial-eligibility academic requirements
- Division III schools set their own admissions and eligibility standards. Contact the Division III school you are planning to attend or visit ncaa.org/d3 to learn more.
- For NAIA schools, you must be admitted to the institution under admission standards equal to or higher than those applied to the general student body
Review Mater Dei NCAA-approved courses. Search using MD's School Code:053240

Grade 10

If you are being actively recruited by an NCAA Division I or II school and have a free Profile Page account, transition it to a paid Academic & Amateurism Certification account
Complete the Transcript Release Form if you would like MD to share your unofficial transcript with interested coaches/schools
- Send the completed form to your assigned counselor
Begin talking with your coaches about the process for getting recruited for your sport
- RESOURCE: How to Get Recruited

Grade 11

Review your NCAA eligibility and MD graduation progress with your school counselor and develop a plan if improvement is needed
NOTE: The NCAA is not requiring the SAT/ACT for their initial eligibility certification. However, the school you plan to attend may still require it.
Ensure your sports participation information is correct in your NCAA/NAIA Eligibility Center account
At the end of the school year, send an official 6th-semester transcript from each high school attended to your NCAA/NAIA Eligibility Center account. Mater Dei students should send in their transcript on their own through parchment. Choose to send your transcript, NOT enrollment verification.
- If you are a transfer student or you took any classes outside of Mater Dei, you MUST send an official transcript to the NCAA Eligibility Center from each of those schools in order for those classes to be considered in the NCAA's academic evaluation.

Grade 12

Complete all Tasks assigned via the NCAA Eligibility Center, including the NEW NCAA Sports Wagering Education Module
Even if you committed to a school and/or signed a National Letter of Intent, you MUST still apply and get accepted to the school
Request your final NCAA amateurism certification beginning October 1 (Winter/Spring enrollees) or April 1 (Fall enrollees)
Finish Christian Service Hours (40 direct hours, 80 total hours)
- Service Hours Opportunities
- Log hours on MobileServe App
- Contact the Director of Christian Service and Outreach with any questions
After you graduate, send your final high school official transcript to your NCAA/NAIA accounts. Be sure to confirm that official transcripts have been sent from all high schools attended.
- Reminder: also send a final official high school transcript from Parchment to the college you will be attending

*View the NCAA's comprehensive High School Timeline and Registration Checklist

Event Recaps

FALL

Our College Athletics Overview presentation covered important information about NCAA/NAIA Eligibility Center portals, initial-eligibility requirements, high school timeline, and more topics that all students interested in competing in college should know. College Athletics Overview PPT Slides

WINTER

Our Navigating Recruiting, Eligibility, and NIL panel discussion provided attending families multiple perspectives on this ever-changing landscape. Our five industry experts included two financial advisors, attorney, sports agent, and an MD parent - all with rich knowledge in the collegiate athletics space. Enjoy a RECORDING as well as the SLIDES from our event.

Mr. Jeremy Riche Academic Admissions Counselor, NCAA and AP Coordinator

(714) 850-9568