College-Bound Student-Athletes
College athletics encompasses a variety of different opportunities for students to compete in a sport at the college level, and there are several items that must be completed throughout your high school years from eligibility, standards, transcripts, test scores, and more. The two 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 and standards 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.).
Grade 9
- Complete the free Profile Page account in the NCAA Eligibility Center
- 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, www.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 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 Mrs. Crosby at [email protected]
Grade 11
- Review your NCAA eligibility progress with your school counselor
- 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
- If you are being actively recruited by an NAIA school, consider registering on the NAIA Eligibility Center
- Ensure your sports participation information is correct in your NCAA/NAIA Eligibility Center account
- At the end of the school year, send an official transcript from each high school attended to your NCAA/NAIA Eligibility Center account. Mater Dei students should send in transcripts on their own through Parchment.
- Confirm that all official transcripts from each high school attended have been sent to your NCAA/NAIA Eligibility Center accounts, including 9th, 10th and 11th grade
Grade 12
- Request your final NCAA amateurism certification beginning October 1 (Winter/Spring enrollees) or April 1 (Fall enrollees)
- 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.
*View the NCAA’s comprehensive High School Timeline and Registration Checklist
College Athletics Information Night
- The event 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.
- This year’s presentation can be viewed here: NCAA College Night PowerPoint
- For additional information and resources, please email our College-Bound Student-Athlete Programming Coordinator, Mr. Riche. He and your School Counselor are here to support you through this process!
