Glossary

NCAA

National Collegiate Athletic Association. The largest governing body for U.S. college sport, split into Division I, II and III. It sets the eligibility, recruiting and scholarship rules that most programs follow.

NAIA

National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. A separate association of mostly smaller universities. Its rules are more flexible than the NCAA's and many programs offer athletic aid.

NJCAA / JUCO

National Junior College Athletic Association, the two-year college route. A common starting point for students who need to build academics, English or competitive level before transferring to a four-year university.

Division I (D1)

The highest NCAA competition level, with the largest budgets and the most demanding schedules. Athletic scholarships are available, but places are scarce and the academic bar is high.

Division II (D2)

A middle level that balances competition and academics. Athletic scholarships exist and are often combined with academic aid.

Division III (D3)

Competitive sport without athletic scholarships. Universities support student-athletes through academic and need-based aid instead.

Conference

The group of universities a program competes against during the regular season. It determines the calendar, travel and the route to national championships.

Redshirt

A season in which an athlete trains with the team but does not compete, preserving a year of eligibility. Common for freshmen who need time to adapt.

NCAA Eligibility Center

The body that certifies whether a student meets the academic and amateurism requirements to compete in Division I or II. Registration is mandatory before signing.

Amateurism

The status confirming an athlete has not received professional payment for their sport. Losing it can cost eligibility.

GPA

Grade Point Average, the U.S. academic average on a 0 to 4.0 scale. Universities convert foreign transcripts into this scale.

Core courses

The specific subjects the NCAA requires in high school. Not every subject on a transcript counts towards eligibility.

Transcript

The official record of subjects and grades issued by a school. It must be sent in a certified, and usually translated, form.

SAT / ACT

The standardised admission tests used in the United States. Many universities are now test-optional, but a good score still opens doors and aid.

TOEFL / IELTS / Duolingo

English proficiency tests for international students. Each university sets its own minimum score.

AP / IB

Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate, demanding pre-university programmes that can earn college credit.

Academic year

In the U.S. it usually runs from August to May, divided into two semesters. Entry is normally in the fall, with some universities also admitting in January.

Recruiting

The whole process by which a coach identifies, evaluates and signs an athlete. It can take between one and three years.

Highlight video

A short, well edited clip showing an athlete's level in competition. It is usually the first thing a coach watches.

Showcase

An event where athletes compete in front of several college coaches at once. It compresses months of exposure into a few days.

Verbal commitment

A non-binding agreement between athlete and university. Either side can still walk away until the paperwork is signed.

NLI

National Letter of Intent, the binding document that ties an athlete to a university for one academic year in exchange for athletic aid.

Signing day

The date from which an athlete can formally sign their commitment. It varies by sport and division.

Official visit

A campus visit paid for, in whole or in part, by the university. The number allowed is limited by the rules.

Unofficial visit

A campus visit paid for by the family. There is no limit on how many you can make.

Contact period

The window in which coaches may speak with athletes and families in person, with no restrictions beyond the general rules.

Evaluation period

Coaches may watch athletes compete but may not have in-person contact with them.

Quiet period

Contact is only allowed on the university's own campus.

Dead period

No in-person contact of any kind is permitted. Calls and emails are still allowed.

Roster

The official list of athletes on a team. A place on the roster does not by itself mean a scholarship.

Walk-on

An athlete who joins the team without an athletic scholarship. Some earn one in later years.

Transfer Portal

The official database in which an athlete registers their intention to change university.

UTR / ITF / WTN

Rating systems that put a player's level into a comparable number. Coaches use them for a fast first filter.

Athletic scholarship

Aid granted for sporting ability. It can be full or partial and is renewed on an annual basis.

Academic scholarship

Aid granted for academic performance. It is often combined with athletic aid and tends to be more stable.

Full ride

A package covering tuition, housing, food and books in full. It is rare, and rarer still from athletic aid alone.

Grant-in-aid

The technical term for an athletic scholarship in NCAA regulations.

Need-based aid

Aid awarded according to the family's financial situation rather than merit.

Merit-based aid

Aid awarded for academic, artistic or other achievement, independent of family finances.

Cost of attendance

The university's total annual cost: tuition, housing, food, books, insurance and personal expenses. It is the real figure to compare offers against.

FAFSA

The U.S. federal financial aid application. Generally restricted to citizens and permanent residents.

CSS Profile

A financial aid form used by many private universities, and one that is open to international students.

NIL

Name, Image and Likeness. Since 2021 college athletes may earn money from their own image, within each association's rules.

Common App

A shared application platform accepted by hundreds of universities with a single form.

Early Action

An early, non-binding application. You get an answer sooner and keep the freedom to choose.

Early Decision

An early, binding application. If they admit you, you commit to enrolling.

Rolling admission

The university reviews applications as they arrive, with no single deadline, until places run out.

Waitlist

A queue of admissible candidates waiting for a place to open up.

Deferral

The university postpones its decision to a later round rather than rejecting the application.

I-20

The document the university issues so the student can apply for the visa. Without it there is no appointment at the consulate.

F-1

The student visa for full-time academic study in the United States.

SEVIS

The U.S. government system that tracks international students. It carries a fee that must be paid before the visa interview.

OPT

Optional Practical Training, the permit to work in your field of study for a period after graduating.