Guide for The College Bound Student Athlete

NCAA Sports

The NCAA conducts 90 national championships in 24 sports across Divisions I, II and III, with 45 championships administered for women, 42 for men and three co-ed national championships. That means almost 54,000 student-athletes participate in NCAA championships each year.

From signature events like the NCAA March Madness® men’s and women’s basketball tournaments to rowing, rifle, softball 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 what is hoped to be a championship experience for everyone involved.

Scholarships

NCAA Divisions I and II schools provide more than $2.7 billion in athletics scholarships annually to more than 150,000 student-athletes. Division III schools do not offer athletics scholarships.

Only about 2% of high school athletes are awarded athletics scholarships to compete in college. Of the studentathletes participating in sports with professional leagues, less than 2% become professional athletes. A college education is the most rewarding benefit of your studentathlete experience.

Division I schools may provide tuition and fees, room and board, books and other expenses related to attendance at the school. Division II full scholarships cover tuition and fees, room and board, and courserelated books and supplies. Most student-athletes who receive athletics scholarships receive an amount covering a portion of these costs. Many student-athletes also benefit from academic scholarships, NCAA financial aid programs such as the NCAA Division I Student Assistance Fund, and need-based aid such as federal Pell Grants. You must report all financial aid you receive to your NCAA school’s financial aid office. If you have questions about what financial aid can be accepted, contact your NCAA school’s financial aid office and athletics department for help.

Division I schools may provide you with multiyear scholarships. Division II schools must provide you with a one-year scholarship. Additionally, Divisions I and II schools may provide funding for degree completion to finish your bachelor’s or master’s degree after your time playing NCAA sports ends. NCAA rules require you to be registered with the NCAA Eligibility Center in order to go on an official visit, receive a written offer of financial aid or sign a National Letter of Intent.

If a school plans to reduce or not renew your aid, the school must notify you in writing by July 1 prior to the start of the impacted school year and provide an opportunity for you to appeal. In most cases, the head coach decides who receives a scholarship, the scholarship amount and whether it will be renewed. Contact the NCAA school you hope to attend for more detailed information about NCAA financial aid rules.

National letter of intent

By signing a National Letter of Intent, you are agreeing to attend a Division I or II school for one academic year. NLI member institutions agree to provide athletics financial aid to you for a minimum of one academic year as long as you are admitted to the school and are eligible for financial aid under NCAA rules.

The NLI is voluntary and not required for you to receive financial aid or participate in sports. Signing an NLI ends the recruiting process because coaches are prohibited from recruiting student-athletes who have signed NLIs with other NLI member schools.

If you sign an NLI but decide to attend another college, you may request a release, but it is the school’s discretion to grant your NLI release or not. If you sign an NLI with one school but attend a different school, you lose one full year of eligibility and must complete a full academic year at the new school before being eligible to compete. If you have questions about the NLI, visit nationalletter.org.

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