NCAA Division I
Number of Required Sports: Division I members must offer at least 14 sports (at least seven for men and seven for women, or six for men and eight for women). The institution must sponsor at least two team sports (for example, football, basketball or volleyball) for each gender. The school also must have participating male and female teams or participants in the fall, winter and spring seasons.
Total Division I Membership: 335 members.
Public / Private: In Division I, 66 percent of the members are public institutions; 34 percent are private.
Financial Aid: Division I institutions must offer a minimum amount of Financial Aid but may not exceed established maximums. Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) football, men’s and women’s basketball, women’s gymnastics, women’s volleyball and women’s tennis are considered Head-Count sports for Financial Aid purposes in Division I. Financial Aid Equivalencies (one grant-in-aid package divided into smaller pieces) may be offered in all other sports.
*Athletes must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center for Division I sports. For Academic Requirements Click Here: http://www.ncaa.org/student-athletes/resources/division-i-initial-eligibility-toolkit
To Learn more: http://www.ncaa.org/d1
NCAA Division II
Division II is an intermediate-level division of competition, which offers an alternative to both the highly competitive level of intercollegiate sports offered in Division I and the non-scholarship level offered in Division III.
Division II provides an intersection where athletically gifted students can compete at a high level, while maintaining much of a traditional student experience. Excellent outcomes come from athletics programs that are properly aligned with the educational mission of the institution. This balance is what distinguishes Division II from the others, and this philosophy is at the heart of all decisions made by the division’s governing bodies.
Total Division II Membership: Division II has 302 member institutions, with 281 currently classified as active member institutions and 21 institutions advancing through the membership process. These schools range in size from less than 2,500 to over 15,000, with the average enrollment being around 4,500.
Financial Aid: Very few of the 100,000 student-athletes competing in Division II receive a full athletics grant that covers all of their expenses, but most of them will receive some Financial Aid to help them through school. For the rest of their expenses, student-athletes are on their own—using academic scholarships, student loans and employment earnings just like most other students attending the Division II institution. This healthy partnership is the essence of Division II, where student-athletes are valued for their athletics contribution and for being an important part of the overall student body.
*Athletes must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center for Division II sports. For Academic Requirements Click Here: http://www.ncaa.org/about/what-we-do/academics?division=d2
To Learn more: http://www.ncaa.org/d2
NCAA Division III
Total Division III Membership: 442 Total Members (436 Active and 6 Provisional / Reclassifying) *Division III is the NCAA’s largest division. 81 percent (352) of active Division III institutions are private, while 19 percent (84) of institutions are public.
• Division III student-athletes report active academic engagement and participation in academic “extras,” such as research with faculty, study abroad opportunities and capstone/senior thesis projects.
• Division III student-athletes report significantly greater gains in time management when compared with non-athletes. Male student-athletes also report significantly greater gains in leadership when compared with male non-athletes.
• Division III student-athletes report greater involvement in volunteering. They also are more likely to report “leadership potential” as an important consideration in choosing a career.
• Division III student-athletes are more likely to report that they see themselves as part of the campus community.
Financial Aid: It is important to recognize that Financial Aid and funding differ at the Division III School versus Division I and Division II schools. Student athletes who play their sport at the Division III level do not receive Financial Aid related to their athletic ability. This is a result of their emphasis on the impact of athletics on the players not the spectators, allowing the primary focus to be on academics. Since athletics are funded like any other academic department, their recruiting budget is much lower. Division III schools offer Financial Aid packages in the form of academic scholarships, leadership scholarships, merit-based scholarships, grant money and needs based Financial Aid. A benefit of this structure is that, unlike athletic scholarships, academic scholarships cannot be taken away due to season or career ending injuries, only through the academic non-performance of the awarded scholarship.
For More on Academic Requirements Click Here: http://www.ncaa.org/about/what-we-do/academics?division=d3
To Learn More: http://www.ncaa.org/d3
NAIA
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., is a governing body of small athletics programs that are dedicated to character-driven intercollegiate athletics.
Since 1937, the NAIA has administered programs and championships in proper balance with the overall college educational experience.
The student-athlete is the center of all NAIA experiences. Each year more than 60,000 student-athletes have the opportunity to play college sports at NAIA member institutions.
The seed of the NAIA began in 76 years ago with the tipoff of a men's basketball tournament in Kansas City that has become the longest running event in college basketball. Out of the tournament grew the NAIA, an association that has been an innovative leader. The NAIA was the first collegiate athletics association to invite historically black institutions into membership and the first to sponsor both men’s and women’s national championships.
In 2000, the NAIA reaffirmed its purpose to enhance the character building aspects of sport. Through Champions of Character, the NAIA seeks to create an environment in which every student-athlete, coach, official and spectator is committed to the true spirit of competition through five core values.
In 2010, the association opened the doors to the NAIA Eligibility Center, where prospective student-athletes are evaluated for academic and athletic eligibility. It delivers on the NAIA’s promise of integrity by leveling the playing field, guiding student-athlete success, and ensuring fair competition.
Financial Aid
NAIA rules on financial aid are straightforward. Each school determines how much aid it awards to an individual student-athlete. Under no conditions may anyone else provide direct financial assistance to any student-athlete. Scholarships, grants-in-aid or student loans are controlled by each institution through the same committee that handles all student loans and scholarships.
Financial aid to student-athletes is limited to the actual cost of:
• Tuition
• Mandatory fees, books and supplies required for courses in which the student-athlete is enrolled
• Room and board based on the official room and board allowance listed in the institution's catalog
NAIA LIMITS ON FINANCIAL AID
Each sport has an overall limit on the amount of financial aid it can award as full or partial grants to students in that sport. For example, the overall limit in baseball is 12. Baseball scholarships can be awarded to any number of students (for example, 1 full scholarship, 10 half awards and 24 quarter awards) as long as the combined total does not exceed 12. Limits on the total amount of aid that can be given to varsity athletes in each sport:
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Baseball
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12
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Golf
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5
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Tennis
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5
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Basketball (Division I)
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11
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Soccer
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12
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Track & Field
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12
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Basketball (Division II)
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6
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Softball
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10
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Wrestling
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8
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Cross Country
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5
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Swimming & Diving
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8
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Volleyball
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8
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Football
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24
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Search NAIA Schools, Click Here: http://www.naia.org/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=27900&;ATCLID=205322922
Recruiting Regulations Summary
This document contains general recruiting rules as pertains to contact with a potential recruit. For a more in-depth and specific application of the NCAA Recruiting Guidelines, please visit:
http://www.ncaa.org/wps/ncaa?key=/ncaa/ncaa/academics+and+athletes
Division I:
- Freshman – No proactive calls or e-mails from a coach. Cannot respond to an e-mail with anything soccer specific; only can acknowledge receipt of the e-mail or letter. Coach can receive calls or visit from prospect. No contact other than that.
- Sophomore – Same as above. Emails are currently under review and could change soon.
- Junior – Coach can call recruit once a week starting August 1st, preceding their junior year. Can receive e-mails and literature about soccer program from coach. Coach cannot respond to voice mails unless they are one of the Military schools (Army, Navy, Air Force and Citadel.) Coach can make verbal offers of scholarships etc, nothing written until signing date in Feb. of senior year. Can receive calls and visits as above. Cannot make any contact including e-mail during tournament or game play. Any visit cannot be paid for (unofficial visit).
- Seniors – Coach can call once a week (leaving voice mail counts as a call or speaking to a family member). Coach can pay for official visit (no more than 5 can be taken). Same rules for tournament or HS or club play; absolutely no contact during that time until their coach has released them at the very end. Rules still apply after verbal commitment is given.
Social Media-As Social Media grows, new rules have been created. Just as important is YOUR behavior on social media. Simple rule, DO NOT post something you will regret being public for 20+ years! Coaches DO MONITOR it.
- Text Messaging: Not allowed until after NLI is signed. Players can text a coach, but are NOT allowed to return messages from players until after
they sign a NLI and/or Admission into school.
- Facebook/Twitter et. Al.: No direct messages from Twitter. Facebook email can be used the same as regular email. NO instant messaging!
- Email: Freshman/Sophmore year. Only literature regarding the program or Camp Brochure. Junior/Senior Years, unlimited emails after September 1 of their junior year.
Division II:
- Freshman – Same as Div. I
- Sophomore – Same as Div I
- Junior – June 15th after Sophomore year. Can visit with Players as many times as they want. Send unlimited correspondence and unlimited phone calls. Unlimited instant messages and text messages. Coaches may directly contact a player via facebook as long as it is PRIVATE. They may not post on “walls” or in public spaces.
- Seniors – Same as Junior. Official visits after Sept.1, but the student must be registered with the NCAA Clearinghouse (http://eligibilitycenter.org/ECWR2/NCAA_EMS/NCAA.html). Only five official visits are allowed and only one per school. Prospect can tryout with team one time after completion of senior high school season if high school season is in fall, or anytime in the fall if high school season is in the spring. Letter of intent can be signed in the first week of Feb. Contact and evaluation rules are the same as Div. I. No limit on unofficial visits.
Division III:
- Freshman – A prospective student-athlete is a student who has started classes for the 9th grade. Freshman entering the summer enrollment program at a service academy may not be contacted without permission from AD at that service academy
- Sophomore – See junior year.
- Junior – In-person, off-campus recruiting contacts shall not be made until after completion of junior year in high school. Exception for US Service Academies (see above). Unlimited amount of unofficial (unpaid) visits – must be made before senior year in high school.
- Seniors – Official visits (paid by school, 5 per student athlete – one visit per school) can begin after opening day of classes in senior year.
General rules for Division III:
- There are no restrictions on timing of telephone calls, e-mails and faxes to prospective student-athletes.
- Electronic correspondence is limited to e-mail, fax, and text. Unlimited text messages are allowed. Instant message and social networking website correspondence are prohibited.
- Recruiting contact may not be made before any athletic competition in which they are playing on that day. Contact cannot be made after competition until they are released from Coach and leave dressing room or facility.
- There are no restrictions on the number of times a player can be evaluated.
- Division III schools cannot conduct practice session, test, tryout, etc. on campus or elsewhere for recruits.
Division I Coaches Off Campus Recruiting Guide Click Here:
Division II Coaches Off Campus Recruiting Guide Click Here:
Recruiting Calendar
NCAA Recruiting Calendars are kept up to date on their website. Follow this link to go directly to the NCAA recruiting Calendar. Click Here: http://www.ncaa.org/sites/default/files/Other%20Sports%20Calendar.pdf
Dead Periods for Men's and Women's Soccer occur just prior and through National Signing Day from February 2-5.
National Letter of Intent
The NLI is a binding agreement between a prospective student-athlete and an NLI member institution
- A prospective student-athlete agrees to attend the institution full-time for one academic year (two semesters or three quarters).
- The institution agrees to provide athletics financial aid for one academic year (two semesters or three quarters).
Basic penalty for not fulfilling the NLI agreement: A student-athlete has to serve one year in residence (full-time, two semesters or three quarters) at the next NLI member institution and lose one season of competition in all sports.
Quick Reference Guide for the NLI Click Here: http://www.nationalletter.org/documentLibrary/NLI-Guide-2014-15.pdf
Athletic Scholarship Overview
Does the NCAA award athletic scholarships?
Individual schools award athletic scholarships, not the NCAA. Division I and II schools offer athletic scholarships. Division III schools offer academic scholarships only. NCAA members provide more than $1.5 billion in athletics scholarships annually.
Is an athletic scholarship guaranteed for four years?
At a minimum, an athletic scholarship must be a one academic year agreement. In Division I, institutions are permitted to offer multiyear scholarships. Athletic scholarships may be renewed and the school must notify the student-athlete in writing by July 1 whether the athletic scholarship will be renewed for the next academic year. Individual schools have appeal policies for scholarships that are reduced or not renewed. In most cases, the coach decides who gets a scholarship, what it covers and whether it will be renewed.
What do athletics scholarships cover?
Division I and II institutions are permitted to provide a student-athlete with tuition and fees, room, board and required course-related books.
Can student-athletes receive other, non-athletic financial aid?
Yes. Thousands of student-athletes benefit from academic scholarships and need-based aid, such as federal Pell Grants. In addition, there is money available from the NCAA's own Student-Athlete Opportunity Fund. Sometimes student-athletes cannot accept certain types of aid because of NCAA amateurism or financial aid requirements. Student-athletes and parents with questions on additional financial aid should check with their athletic department or college financial aid office.
Is an athletic scholarship the same thing as a National Letter of Intent?
No, but they are often confused with each other. By signing a National Letter of Intent (NLI), a future NCAA student-athlete ends the recruiting process with all other NLI institutions and commits to a school for one year. In return, the student-athlete is guaranteed a one-year scholarship from that school. The NLI seeks to limit recruiting pressure but signing one is not a required step to earning an athletic scholarship.
Do many high school athletes earn athletics scholarships?
Very few in fact. According to recent statistics, about 2 percent of high school athletes are awarded athletics scholarships to compete in college. This small number means high school student-athletes and their parents need to have realistic expectations about receiving an athletic scholarship to play sports in college. Academic, not athletic, achievement is the most reliable path to success in life.
Recruiting FAQ
What is a contact?
A contact occurs any time a college coach says more than hello during a face-to-face contact with a college-bound student-athlete or his or her parents off the college’s campus.
What is a contact period?
During a contact period a college coach may have face-to-face contact with college-bound student-athletes or their parents, watch student-athletes compete and visit their high schools, and write or telephone student-athletes or their parents.
What is an evaluation period?
During an evaluation period a college coach may watch college-bound student-athletes compete, visit their high schools, and write or telephone student-athletes or their parents. However, a college coach may not have face-to-face contact with college-bound student-athletes or their parents off the college’s campus during an evaluation period.
What is a quiet period?
During a quiet period a college coach may not have face-to-face contact with college-bound student-athletes or their parents, and may not watch student-athletes compete or visit their high schools. Coaches may write or telephone college-bound student-athletes or their parents during this time.
What is a dead period?
During a dead period a college coach may not have face-to-face contact with college-bound student-athletes or their parents, and may not watch student-athletes compete or visit their high schools. Coaches may write and telephone student-athletes or their parents during a dead period.
What is the difference between an official visit and an unofficial visit?
Any visit to a college campus by a college-bound student-athlete or his or her parents paid for by the college is an official visit. Visits paid for by college-bound student-athletes or their parents are unofficial visits.
During an official visit the college can pay for transportation to and from the college for the prospect, lodging and three meals per day for both the prospect and the parent or guardian, as well as reasonable entertainment expenses including three tickets to a home sports event.
The only expenses a college-bound student-athlete may receive from a college during an unofficial visit are three tickets to a home sports event.
What is a National Letter of Intent?
A National Letter of Intent is signed by a college-bound student-athlete when the student-athlete agrees to attend a Division I or II college or university for one academic year. Participating institutions agree to provide financial aid for one academic year to the student-athlete as long as the student-athlete is admitted to the school and is eligible for financial aid under NCAA rules. Other forms of financial aid do not guarantee the student-athlete financial aid.
The National Letter of Intent is voluntary and not required for a student-athlete to receive financial aid or participate in sports.
Signing an National Letter of Intent ends the recruiting process since participating schools are prohibited from recruiting student-athletes who have already signed letters with other participating schools.
A student-athlete who has signed a National Letter of Intent may request a release from his or her contract with the school. If a student-athlete signs a National Letter of Intent with one school but attends a different school, he or she will lose one full year of eligibility and must complete a full academic year at their new school before being eligible to compete.
What are recruiting calendars?
Recruiting calendars help promote the well-being prospective student-athletes and coaches and ensure competitive equity by defining certain time periods in which recruiting may or may not occur in a particular sport.