National College Association of America
Link to this Site : http://www.ncaa.org/student-athletes/future/eligibility-center
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a member-led organization dedicated to the well-being and lifelong success of college athletes.
The Association shares a belief in and commitment to these seven core values
What We Do
Student-athlete success on the field, in the classroom and in life is at the heart of our mission. To support that charge, we and our member schools award more than $2.7 billion in athletic scholarships each year while also providing access to medical care, academic support services and first-class training opportunities.
The result is that NCAA student-athletes are graduating at a higher rate than other college students. More than eight out of 10 student-athletes will earn a bachelor’s degree.
Student-athletes work hard throughout the year to be among those who qualify to compete for 90 NCAA championships. That experience teaches them time management, leadership skills and the importance of working toward a common goal. They are the tools for success that last a lifetime.
To truly benefit from college, student-athletes have to succeed in more places than on the field. The NCAA provides opportunities to learn, compete and grow by setting standards that help prepare prospective student-athletes for college coursework and by measuring progress toward a degree once they’re on campus.
The advantages of competing in college sports are both immediate and lifelong. Participating in college sports provides opportunities to learn, compete and succeed. Student-athletes receive top-notch academic support, quality medical care and regular access to outstanding coaching, facilities and equipment. Student-athletes as a group graduate at higher rates than their peers in the general student body and feel better prepared for life after college.
Learn more about the three divisions
College-bound student-athletes preparing to enroll in a Division I or Division II school need to register with the NCAA Eligibility Center to ensure they have met amateurism standards and are academically prepared for college coursework.
Are you ready to play college sports? Download this brochure to find out.
Related resources
Want to play college sports? – Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center to ensure you have met amateurism standards and are academically prepared for college coursework.
Probability of going pro – There are nearly half a million NCAA athletes and the reality is that very few of them will go on to play sports professionally. See the stats.
Investing where it matters – There is a lot of talk about how much money college sports generates. But did you know that almost all NCAA revenue goes back to NCAA schools, conferences and student-athletes? Learn more.
NCAA After the Game™ – We know that most college athletes will go pro in something other than sports. NCAA After the Game is a resources for former college athletes of all ages. It’s the go-to place for help in succeeding on the biggest court of all…life.
A student-athlete's view
Kendall Spencer is a former track student-athlete at the University of New Mexico. He is a former chair of Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) for Division I. Learn more about SAAC.
Why play college sports?
College education
A college degree has a direct impact on a person’s quality of life. A 2013 report by The College Board shows that the median lifetime earnings of bachelor’s degree recipients are 65 percent higher than those of high school graduates.
Academic success
NCAA student-athletes are graduating at ratesthat are higher than ever. Nearly 15,000 student-athletes have returned to campuses to complete their degrees in the past decade after finishing their athletics eligibility.
Scholarships
More than 150,000 college athletes receive $2.9 billion in athletics scholarships each year from NCAA member colleges and universities.
Student Assistance Fund
Division I student-athletes have access through their campus and conference offices to more than $75 million from the NCAA’s Student Assistance Fund. These resources can be used in a variety of ways, from helping students fly home for a family tragedy to purchasing a winter coat.
Elite training opportunities
Student-athletes have regular access to top-notch coaching, facilities and equipment. These resources typically cost Olympic athletes thousands of dollars per year.
Academic and support services
College athletes receive academic support, such as state-of-the-art technology and tutoring, to help them succeed in the classroom.
Healthy living
Student-athletes have access to cafeteria “training tables” on campus, with Division I and II schools permitted to furnish unlimited meals. In addition, some schools hire nutritionists and dieticians to work with each student-athlete.
Medical care
From medical best practices to playing rules, equipment requirements and a concussion research partnership with the Department of Defense, the NCAA is committed to student-athlete safety.
Medical insurance
The NCAA funds an insurance policy covering all student-athletes who experience catastrophic injuries while playing or practicing their sports – providing up to $20 million in lifetime insurance benefits for medical expenses and other special needs. In Division I, college athletes are now permitted to borrow against future earnings to purchase loss-of-value insurance.
Exposure and experiences
Student-athletes have the opportunity to travel across the country and around the world for regular-season contests, NCAA championships and foreign tours. These experiences can open doors for the few who will compete professionally and for the majority who will go pro in something other than sports.
Preparation for life
Increasingly, the business world is focusing on creating a team environment with employees. By competing in college sports, student-athletes learn important skills such as leadership, time management and how to work with others toward a common goal.