The 2024-25 Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete

We’re excited to announce the release of this year’s Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete! This comprehensive resource, published by the NCAA, is an essential tool for student-athletes, parents, and, most importantly, independent education consultants and counselors who help guide high school athletes through the complex college admissions process.

The 2024-25 edition covers everything from academic eligibility requirements for Divisions I, II, and III to the intricacies of the recruiting process, including official vs. unofficial visits and scholarship opportunities. This year’s guide also includes updates on amateurism requirements and best practices for helping student-athletes maintain their NCAA eligibility while staying competitive academically.

Why is this guide so important? As a counselor, you play a vital role in helping your student-athletes make informed decisions about their future. With more than 500,000 student-athletes competing across 1,000 NCAA schools, this guide provides the detailed information needed to navigate eligibility, compliance, and recruiting regulations, ensuring your students are fully prepared for their collegiate athletic journey.

Here is a quick look at some of the most important sections:

The Divisional Breakdown provides an overview of the three NCAA divisions (I, II, and III), explaining their structure, governance, and key differences. It highlights the median undergraduate enrollment, average number of teams per school, percentage of students who are athletes, and the availability of athletic scholarships in each division.

The High School Timeline for student-athletes preparing to compete at the collegiate level under NCAA regulations. It breaks down key steps for each grade level from 9th to 12th grade, guiding students on academic and recruitment preparation to ensure eligibility for college sports.

Both NCAA Division I and II require student-athletes to complete 16 NCAA-approved core-course credits in high school, with a focus on English, math, science, and social science. Division I athletes must maintain a minimum 2.3 GPA, while Division II has a slightly lower requirement of 2.2. Additionally, Division I has a "10/7" rule, requiring students to complete 10 core-course credits, with seven in English, math, or science, by the start of their seventh semester. In both divisions, students must upload their final transcripts and meet amateurism standards to be eligible to practice, compete, and receive athletic scholarships. Division II also allows for "partial qualifiers," who can practice and receive scholarships but cannot compete in their first year​

Be sure to download the latest guide and share it with your student-athletes to give them the best chance at success, both on the field and in the classroom.