College athletics are offered at three levels:

• Intramural Sports - for students within a school, who want to stay active, and play against other members of their school. Competitiveness varies, and time commitment is generally low.

• Club Sports - Typically more competitive than intramural, and may be as competitive as DIII sports teams. Club sports teams play against other schools, who may or may not be in the same geographic area. Club sports teams typically have tryouts, and there is a time commitment involved. Club sports are great for a student who still wants to be active in their sport, and play as part of a team that competes against others. Many schools offer ice hockey, gymnastics, tennis, fencing, and equestrian clubs, but do not also offer those sports on an intercollegiate level.

• Intercollegiate Sports - Teams play other schools, and are part of a league or conference. Most schools, about 1200, are in the NCAA (Division I, II and III), a smaller number are part of the NAIA, and there are a few other, smaller leagues as well.

Division I NCAA schools are typically the most competitive, most selective, and most time-consuming. Note that only NCAA Division I and II sports offer athletic scholarships; Division III sports do not offer athletic scholarships. Some schools offer both the intercollegiate and club level for a sport, which allows more students at the school to play at the appropriate level.

In order to play NCAA Division I or II sports in college, student-athletes must meet the eligibility standards of the NCAA Eligibility Center.

Two of the main factors that determine eligibility are your core-course GPA.

Recorded presentation from the NCAA

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Students who want to play DI or DII sports must register in the NCAA Eligibility Center. Generally, we recommend that you do this by the end of your junior year, though you can do it in your senior year.

Click here to access a checklist to ensure you have the info you need to register

How to Register:

STEP 1: Go to eligibilitycenter.org 

FRESHMAN AND SOPHOMORES:
Scroll down and click to create a new Type 1 Profile Page account (this is free)

JUNIORS, SENIORS, AND OTHERS BEING ACTIVELY RECRUITED FOR D1/D2

If you have an account, log into your existing account, and convert it to a PAID account (Academic and Amateurism Certification Account)

If you don't have an account, create a new Type 3 account

• You will then have to enter your email address and then a verification code will be sent to your email address. You should use a personal email address, not your school email.

• Put the verification code in the box. 

• Now create your account. Fill out all of the information. 

• Hackensack HS code: 310460

• Registration fee is $100, payable be credit card. If you are eligible for an SAT/ACT fee waiver or are approved for free or reduced lunch, you can use a waiver here, too. 

Over 200 schools nationwide participate in the NAIA, a different athletic league. 

Click here to see a list of NAIA schools

The NAIA has a separate eligibility determination process, but it is more straightforward than the NCAA process.

Click here to learn more about recruiting and eligibility in the NAIA.

Guide for the NCAA Bound Student Athlete

NCAA Eligibility Information - Division I

NCAA Eligibility Information - Division II

NCAA DI and DII Recruiting Calendars

NCAA Eligibility Center

NAIA Eligibility Center