How to get into college?

How do I become eligible to play college sports in the USA? 

Getting prepared to play college sports in the USA, especially as a foreign based prospect can be a daunting task. There are many key steps in the process, though the most important factor to take note of is managing your time. It takes a lot of time, and patience to align all the key steps in the college sports recruiting process to make sure that you ultimately become eligible to play college sports in the USA. 

In regard to timing, many college sports start scouting players very early, this is typically around June 15th of their Sophomore year of high school. Getting scouted early can be a good thing, as it sets the context for you as a student athlete to be prepared well in advance, and make sure that you have all the information that is required by the college coaches that you are interacting with to be able to work with them and the college admission staff to have you ready to play your chosen sport without any hiccups when you to enter the USA college sports system. 

How does Upper 90 College assist with the college sports eligibility process?  

Upper 90 has been assisting student athletes and their families in navigating the complex college sports eligibility process from across the world for over 13 years. We've created relationships with coaches across the college sports landscape, and have the skills and resources to to be able to guide our clients every step of the way with our range of services that have a unique, 1:1 focus, and make sure that your eligibility process is streamlined. You can check out our range of services here. 

6 key steps in the college sports eligibility process

The eligibility process for college sports in the United States is a multi-step process that ensures the student-athlete meets the requirements set forth by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). The eligibility process begins long before a student-athlete steps foot on a college campus, and requires a combination of academic, athletic, and personal accomplishments.

  • One of the first steps in the eligibility process is taking the right high school courses. The NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA have specific academic requirements that a student-athlete must meet in order to be eligible to participate in college sports. These requirements typically include a minimum number of high school core courses in English, mathematics, science, and social studies.

  • In addition to taking the right courses, student-athletes must also meet the GPA and test score requirements set forth by the governing body of the college they are interested in attending. The GPA requirements vary by institution and division, but typically the minimum ranges from a 2.0 to a 2.5. Test score requirements, such as the SAT or ACT, are also required for many colleges.

  • To be eligible to participate in NCAA Division I or II athletics, a student-athlete must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center. The Eligibility Center is responsible for determining the eligibility of student-athletes and is the central clearinghouse for all NCAA athletic and academic information.

  • Once registered, the student-athlete must complete the NCAA Clearinghouse process. This process involves the submission of high school transcripts, test scores, and other academic information to the Eligibility Center. The NCAA then uses this information to determine the student-athlete’s eligibility to participate in college sports.

  • Once the student-athlete has been deemed eligible by the NCAA, they may then sign a National Letter of Intent (NLI). The NLI is a binding agreement between the student-athlete and the college they have chosen to attend. The NLI signifies that the student-athlete has agreed to attend the college and play for the college sports program, and the college has agreed to provide athletic scholarships and other financial aid.

  • In addition to academic requirements, student-athletes must also meet other athletic requirements set forth by the governing body of the college they are interested in attending. These requirements may include physical exams, skill assessments, and other evaluations of the student-athlete’s athletic abilities.

The eligibility process for college sports in the United States can be tricky to navigate, as it entails a comprehensive and step by step process that ensures the student-athlete meets the academic, athletic, and personal requirements set forth by the governing body of the college they are interested in attending. It is important for student-athletes to begin preparing for this process early, and to seek the guidance of a high school counselor or college athletic recruiter. With the right preparation and support, student-athletes can achieve their goal of participating in college sports and pursuing their dreams.

What are the college sports eligibility requirements for the NCAA?

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is one of the largest and most prestigious governing bodies for college sports in the United States. The NCAA sets the eligibility requirements for student-athletes who wish to participate in college sports at NCAA institutions. These requirements are designed to ensure that student-athletes are academically prepared for college and have the skills necessary to compete at the collegiate level.

To be eligible for NCAA athletics, student-athletes must meet the following requirements:

  • Student-athletes must have graduated from high school or completed a high school equivalency program.

  • Student-athletes must have a minimum GPA of 2.3 on a 4.0 scale.

  • Student-athletes must have a minimum ACT composite score of 22 or a minimum SAT composite score of 1060.

  • Student-athletes must have completed a minimum of 16 core courses, including English, mathematics, science, and social science.

  • Time-Limit Requirement

  • Student-athletes must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center and complete the NCAA Clearinghouse process.

  • Student-athletes who transfer to an NCAA institution from another college or university must meet specific transfer requirements, including the completion of a minimum number of credit hours and maintaining a minimum GPA.

In addition to these requirements, student-athletes may also be required to submit other documentation to the NCAA Eligibility Center, such as high school transcripts and ACT/SAT scores.

The NCAA is committed to providing student-athletes with a high-quality educational and athletic experience, and these eligibility requirements help ensure that student-athletes are academically and athletically prepared for college. With over 1,100 institutions and over 450,000 student-athletes, the NCAA is one of the largest and most prestigious governing bodies for college sports in the United States.

What are the college sports eligibility requirements for the NAIA?

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) is one of the governing bodies for college sports in the United States. The NAIA sets the eligibility requirements for student-athletes who wish to participate in college sports at NAIA institutions. These requirements are designed to ensure that student-athletes are academically prepared for college and have the skills necessary to compete at the collegiate level.

To be eligible for NAIA athletics, student-athletes must meet the following requirements:

  • Student-athletes must have graduated from high school or completed a high school equivalency program.

  • Student-athletes must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.

  • Student-athletes must have a minimum ACT composite score of 18 or a minimum SAT composite score of 860.

  • Student-athletes must have completed a minimum of 16 core courses, including English, mathematics, science, and social science.

  • Student-athletes have a maximum of four years of intercollegiate eligibility, which begins the first semester they attend college.

  • Student-athletes who transfer to an NAIA institution from another college or university must meet specific transfer requirements, including the completion of a minimum number of credit hours and maintaining a minimum GPA.

In addition to these requirements, student-athletes may also be required to submit other documentation to the NAIA Eligibility Center, such as high school transcripts and ACT/SAT scores.

The NAIA is committed to providing student-athletes with a high-quality educational and athletic experience, and these eligibility requirements help ensure that student-athletes are academically and athletically prepared for college. With over 250 institutions and over 60,000 student-athletes, the NAIA is one of the largest governing bodies for college sports in the United States.

What are the college sports eligibility requirements for the NJCAA?

The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) is a governing body for college sports in the United States, specifically for two-year colleges. The NJCAA sets the eligibility requirements for student-athletes who wish to participate in college sports at NJCAA institutions. These requirements are designed to ensure that student-athletes are academically prepared for college and have the skills necessary to compete at the collegiate level.

To be eligible for NJCAA athletics, student-athletes must meet the following requirements:

  • Student-athletes must have graduated from high school or completed a high school equivalency program.

  • Student-athletes must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.

  • Student-athletes must have a minimum ACT composite score of 17 or a minimum SAT composite score of 810.

  • Student-athletes must have completed a minimum of 16 core courses, including English, mathematics, science, and social science.

  • Student-athletes have a maximum of three years of intercollegiate eligibility, which begins the first semester they attend college.

  • Student-athletes who transfer to an NJCAA institution from another college or university must meet specific transfer requirements, including the completion of a minimum number of credit hours and maintaining a minimum GPA.

In addition to these requirements, student-athletes may also be required to submit other documentation to the NJCAA Eligibility Center, such as high school transcripts and ACT/SAT scores.

The NJCAA is committed to providing student-athletes with a high-quality educational and athletic experience, and these eligibility requirements help ensure that student-athletes are academically and athletically prepared for college. With over 500 institutions and over 100,000 student-athletes, the NJCAA is one of the largest governing bodies for college sports at two-year colleges in the United States. The NJCAA does not have an “eligibility clock” nor does the NJCAA have an age limit much like the NAIA and NCAA DIII. 

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