Intro

Are you a college-bound student athlete? Are you interested in playing a sport at a Division I or Division II college?

If you answered yes, it is imperative that you follow the guidelines the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has for college-bound student athletes. For information visit www.ncaa.org.

The NCAA requires that potention college athletes in Division I or Division II colleges register. To be safe, we recommend students register during their junior year. Students must register at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net.

Athletic Scholarship Information

Planning Should Not Be Neglected!

The road for each student-athletes future is complex and somewhat unknown. You should take every opportunity to develop a plan that will allow you to explore all possibilities.

Where Should You Begin?

Every student-athlete must begin their plan by making a commitment in the classroom. Poor Assumption: If you are a great Athlete with poor grades a University will still recruit you. (This is one of the most common beliefs that high school students assume)! Fact: The NCAA has strict academic guidelines that must be met by EVERY student-athlete!

What is Eligibility?

Meeting the NCAA academic standards for a student-athlete to be Eligible to practice, compete and receive athletic related financial aid. Qualifier: Meets all NCAA standards

NCAA Eligibility

DIVISION I (ONE) 16 Core Courses ( Effective August 1st 2008 and after 16 Core) 4 Years English 3 Years Math (Algebra I or higher) (3 Years 2008) 2 Years of Natural / Physical Science (1 year of lab) 1 Year of additional English, Mathematics or Natural / Physical Science. 2 Years Social Science 4 Years of additional courses (from any above subject or foreign language, religion / philosophy. Computer Science will not be recognized for students entering college in 2005 and after. (4 Years 2008)

New Core GPA/Test Index Division I

CORE GPA SAT ACT
2.000 1010 86
SKIP 2.025 - 2.175
2.200 940 79
SKIP 2.225 – 2.375
2.400 860 71
SKIP 2.425 – 2.575
2.600 780 64
SKIP 2.625 – 2.875
2.900 660 54
SKIP 2.925 3.525
3.550 and above 400 37

New Core GPA / Test Index Division II

Student-Athletes competing at the Division II level must meet the minimum academic standards listed below.

• 14 core courses which meet the same academic standards as those listed for Division I.
• Minimum GPA of 2.000
• Minimum SAT / ACT of 820 / 68

Non Qualifier

A non qualifier is a Division I or Division II athlete that does not meet both the NCAA academic standards. They are not eligible to practice or compete during their first academic year in residence. They are also Not eligible for any athletic related financial aid.

Division III Requirements

Eligibility for financial aid, practice and competition is governed by individual institutions and conferences in Division III. Academic requirements are also set by each University and Conference.

NCAA Clearing House Getting Started

SRF: Student Release Form. This form is critical to begin the eligibility process. Completing this form is your authorization for both your High School and the NCAA to access and share your high school transcripts with colleges and the NCAA. Complete an SRF and return it to the NCAA Clearing House with a check for $50.00/Register on line with a credit card. Obtain an “NCAA SRF” on line at: www.ncaaclearinghouse.net or call the hot line at 800 638-3731. Ask for the “Guide for the College Bound Student-Athlete”.

List of Approved Core Courses!

You can go online to www.ncaaclearinghouse.net to review the list of approved core courses for your High School. After entering the code, all approved core courses that have been submitted through the (48-H) for your school can be reviewed.

Transcripts and Test Scores

Transcripts and Test Scores must be sent directly to the Clearinghouse. No faxes or online grades will be accepted. The envelope must be from the high school and the transcript requires an official seal. Test scores (SAT/ACT) can be included on the official transcript. Test scores can also come directly from the testing agency by entering code “9999” on the test form!

Completing The Review

Your final eligibility will not become available until you have officially graduated. Make sure you follow-up with your guidance counselor to insure that your final transcripts have been forward to the NCAA for final evaluation and certification.

Making The Visits

You are permitted 5 Official Visits by NCAA Division I Universities. During an Official Visit most of your costs are covered by the University.

Parent/Student Planning

The cost to attend a four year University can easily exceed $100,000. Financial Aid is a potential avenue for most families. University Financial Aid is based on need. Need is determined based on the FAFSA. The FAFSA form can be completed on line beginning January 1 of a students senior year in high school.

Financial Aid

Once you have completed the FAFSA and submitted to the federal government, you will receive an SAR in the mail. SAR: Student Aid Report tells you if you qualify for Federal Need Based Aid. EFC: The student aid report contain an “EFC” notation that represents the {Estimated Family Contribution}.

Every Family will receive an EFC. This number is calculated against the cost of the institution. If the EFC calculates to a negative number you will not qualify for Federal Financial Aid. If it calculates to a positive number you qualify.

EFC

• Families EFC: 008500 This EFC represents $8,500 School A School B
• $25,000 Cost $8,250
• -$8,500 Minus EFC -$8,500
• $+16,500 -$250
• EFC
• Student A Student B
• EFC 000000 060000
• $25,000 Cost of University $25,000
• -0,000 Student A Student B -$60,000
• $+25,000 -$35,000

Student A qualifies for a substantial amount of Financial Aid. Student B does not qualify.

Estimate On Line

You can go on-line to FAFSA.ORG to obtain an estimate of what your EFC will be. Make sure you are investment wise prior to completing the estimator.

Find Out The Percentages

Every school breaks financial aid into: Grant and Self Help Grant is Free Money Self Help has to be repaid Samples of University financial aid. 50/50 70/30 40/60

The True Cost

Student EFC $5,000 Cost of education $25,000 $25,000 -$5,000 +$20,000 50/50 70/30 40/60 $10,000 grant $14,000 grant $8,000 grant $10,000 Self Help $6,000 S.H. $12,000 S.H.

Athletic Aid / Merit Aid

Both of these types of aid are Not based on EFC. They are solely at the discretion of the University you are considering for attendance. These numbers are usually negotiable but can never exceed the cost of Room, Board, Tuition and Fees per the NCAA.

Athletic Aid

Athletic Aid is attached to a National Letter of Intent. Signing the NLI creates a commitment between the student-athlete and the University. Although your education requires 4-5 years for completion, ALL scholarship commitments are written on a year to year basis. Once a student signs the NLI, he cannot talk with any other school.

Signing Date

Each Sport has a different signing date. The signing date is specified by the NCAA and only permits a student athlete to officially commit to a school on or after the specified date.

Don’t Get Hooked

Aid is reviewed every year. Federal Aid will always adjust based on your EFC. Merit and Athletic Aid is also renewed each year. Some schools have Negative Merit. This means every year in school your merit money decreases. They do this because it is not federal money and the possibility of a student transferring in their Jr. / Sr. year is unlikely. Athletic Aid is based on student performance and coach integrity.