College Information
HELPFUL TERMS
There are always other terms/ phrases that may come up but here is a start!
There are always other terms/ phrases that may come up but here is a start!
- NCAA- National Collegiate Athletic Association. The governing body of collegiate athletics. There are three divisions in the NCAA:
- Division One- In most cases these are bigger schools that have larger numbers of athletic scholarships.
- Division Two- Schools varying in size that have smaller numbers of athletic scholarships.
- Division Three- Typically smaller schools that offer no athletic scholarships, however, they can offer very generous financial aid packages.
- Division One- In most cases these are bigger schools that have larger numbers of athletic scholarships.
- NAIA- National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. The governing body of smaller institutions that do not participate in the NCAA. Some athletic scholarships are available.
- NJCAA- National Junior College Athletic Association. Junior colleges (JUCO's) that are two-year schools. Some athletic scholarships are available. After two years an associate's degree can be obtained and the student-athlete can transfer to a four-year school without penalties.
- Scholarship- A reward of money given to a student or athlete that performs exceptionally well academically or athletically. These do not have to be paid back.
- Grant In Aid- A financial sum of money that may come from the government, college or other outside sources that usually do not have to be paid back.
- Loan- A sum of money that can be borrowed BUT must be paid back in usually 5-10 years. Interest is applied to the initial sum of money during pay back.
- Financial Aid Form- A very important document that must be completed by all college bound seniors. This form is through a national association that will assign a number to you. Depending on your family's financial situation will determine the number and how much financial aid you may receive. This has NO impact on scholarship offers but possibly on Grant In Aids offers.
- NCAA Clearinghouse- A mandatory application/registration that MUST be completed by All college bound student-athletes who intend to compete at the NCAA division one or two level.
- Early Decision or Early Admission Process- When a prospective high school student applies to a particular college before regular admissions are granted. The student is usually only allowed to apply to one college and if accepted they must attend that particular college. The early decision deadline is usually mid October to early November.
- Early Action Process- A high school student may apply to several colleges and find out the decision early but has until May 1st to make their decision. The deadline is usually in December.
- Regular Admissions Process- A high school student may apply to several colleges and then choose which school to attend. The deadline for must schools is January first.
- College Acceptance- When a college accepts you to their school without restrictions.
- College Denial/Rejection- When a college does not grant you admission to their school.
- Deferred Acceptance/Wait Listed- When a college places you on a list with other applicants and waits until other accepted students accepts or rejects admission to the school.
- Special Admissions- When a head coach can assist a student-athlete to get accepted to the school if it is either past application deadline or if student doesn't have the necessary academic criteria to enter the school on their own merit. This is a QUOTA college coaches have each year for special athletes.
- Matriculate- When a student enrolls at a college and officially becomes a college person.
- Full Time Student- When a student takes a certain number of credit hours per semester or quarter. Each institution determines this on an individual school's bylaws. In order to compete in college a student-athlete must be a full time student.
- Part Time Student- When a student takes less than the recommended course load for full time status.
- Semester- Usually a 15-16 week period that school is in full session. There are two semesters per year a student must be matriculated for full time status.
- Quarters- Usually a 10-week period that school is in full session. There are three quarters a year a student must be matriculated for full time status.
- Summer session- Usually a 5-week session when class can be taken. Classes are generally on a more intense schedule than during the school year.
- Red Shirt Year- When a student-athlete is held out of competition for the school year due to various reasons such as injuries, coach's decision, or transfer students.
- Transfer Student- A student that leaves one college to attend another college.
- Eligibility- A student must maintain a certain grade point average in order to compete in college( usually a 2.0 GPA).
- Amateur- A student may not ACCEPT any gifts of monetary value for their participation in their sport while enrolled as a student-athlete.
- Release Form- If a student transfers from one college to another, they will need a document from their previous coach and athletic director stating they give the athlete permission to talk or be recruited by other schools.
