1. Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education College Sport Programs and Scholarships

2. Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education OVERVIEW  Facts and Figures  Education should be the priority  Major US Collegiate Sports Associations  Sponsored Sports  How to Find a Sports Scholarship  Applying for Sports Scholarship  Questions to ask  The National Letter of Intent  Eligibility

3. Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education Athletic (Sport) Scholarships: Facts and Figures  Over 150,000 Undergraduate Sport Scholarships worth more than $600,000 million are awarded each year.  Scholarships are awarded to men and women in 35 Sports.  Awards can go from less than $1,000 to over $30,000 for one academic year.

4. Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education Why are scholarships awarded?  A source of revenue  Enhanced opportunities to market the institution  Encouragement to alumni giving For Colleges and Universities, successful sport teams offer

5. Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education Education Should Be Your Top Priority The truth is:  There are over 1 million high school athletes  Only 70 of them will go on to play Pro Sport  A pro can expect to average a pro career of 3.5 years DO THE MATH! Pro Sport is a worthwhile goal… However the truth is that your future success will be determined more by what you achieve in the classroom than in any sport. A college degree lasts a lifetime!

6. Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education Major Collegiate Sport Associations in the US 1.The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA):  The largest and best known.  Groups over 1,200 four year colleges and universities.  Intense level of competition  For students with the highest standard of ability  Divided into 3 Divisions:  www.ncaa.org www.ncaa.org They set the rules regarding sports scholarships. Division 1 Most competitive Most schools offer athletic scholarships; Notable exception: Ivy League schools (other financial aid is available). Division II Highly competitive Offer athletic scholarships Division III Competitive Largest Division within the NCAA. No athletic scholarships but financial aid is available. Includes some of the most prestigious small colleges.

7. Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education NCAA Sponsored Sports Archery (W)GolfSquash (W) Badminton (W)GymnasticsSynchronized Swimming (W) Baseball (M)Ice HockeyTeam Handball (W) BasketballLacrosseTennis Bowling (W)RifleTrack & Field/Cross Country Crew/Rowing (W)SkiingVolleyball FencingSoccerWater Polo Field Hockey (W)Softball (W)Wrestling (M) Football (M)Swimming & Diving

8. Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education EducationUSA.state.gov NCAA Eligibility Center Any student who plans to attend an NCAA Division I or II institution and who wishes to participate in intercollegiate athletics. must be certified by the NCAA Eligibility Center to qualify academically and be cleared as an eligible student-athlete for competition. Further details are available from: http://eligibilitycenter.org

9. Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education Remember: initial eligibility for foreign student-athletes is DIFFERENT In addition to complying with the requirements set out in the “Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete”, International Student Athletes must also comply with the country specific guidelines set out in the International Standards - Guide to International Academic Standards for Athletics Eligibility The Guide can be downloaded from the “Resources” section of the Eligibility Center web site.

10. Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education 2.National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics ( www.naia.org)  Around 300 members, mostly smaller colleges grouped into districts  High level of athletic ability  Some athletic scholarships available Major Collegiate Sport Associations in the US (cont) Baseball Basketball (Division I) Basketball (Division II) Cross Country Football Golf Soccer Softball Swimming & Diving Tennis Track & Field Wrestling Volleyball NAIA Sponsored Sports

11. Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education Beginning in the fall of 2010, students who wish to participate in athletics at a NAIA member institution will need to be certified by the NAIA Eligibility Center to qualify academically and be cleared as an eligible student-athlete for competition beginning in 2011. NAIA Eligibility Center For more information go to www.naia.org

12. Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education Major Collegiate Sport Associations in the US (cont) 3.National Junior College Athletic Association (www.njcaa.org)  Member colleges are accredited 2 year institutions.  510 member institutions  3 Divisions  Scholarships offered at Division I (Full) and II (partial).  Student may be able to transfer to a four year NCAA Div I or II college Baseball Basketball Bowling Cross Country Football Golf Ice Hockey Indoor Track and Field Lacrosse, Outdoor Track and Field Softball Soccer Swimming & Diving Tennis Volleyball Wrestling Sponsored Sports

13. Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education The Basics  Sport Scholarships are generally awarded for one year and are renewable annually as long as eligibility is maintained.  Sport Scholarships are renewed annually for a finite number of seasons.  Sport Scholarships vary greatly, from full scholarships ( including tuition, fees, room, board and books) to very small ones ( e.g. books only).

14. Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education How to Find a Sports Scholarship  American college and university coaches may contact individual athletes as a result of that athlete being seen participating in a sports event.  However, international students will probably have to do most of the work in obtaining a scholarship themselves.  Make inquiries to college and university coaches  Talk to coaches, other athletes, etc.  Use reference books  Use the internet  Follow up every lead or suggestion  Be persistent

15. Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education Applying for Sport Scholarships  Apply to schools that not only offer sports scholarships in your sport, but that will also meet your academic needs and suit your geographical or other preferences.  Make contact with the relevant coaches and institutions.  If applying to an NCAA or NAIA school, complete the Eligibility Center forms and procedures.  Take the SAT or ACT. When registering, use the Eligibility Center code (9999 for NCAA, 9876 for NAIA) to have your scores sent to them. HAVE A GAME PLAN

16. Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education Students will need to apply to the admissions office for a place at the university in addition to applying to the coach for the scholarship. College coaches are not the admissions officials - the final decision for admission lies with a college official outside of the athletic department. You cannot get a visa without being accepted through the admissions office. Applying for a Sports Scholarship

17. Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education Ask Questions 1.About the Team What position will I play on your team? Describe the other players competing at the same position. How would you best describe your coaching style? When does the head coach’s contract end? 2.About the Academics How good is the department in my major? What percentage of players on a scholarship graduate in 4 years? These questions were developed by the NCAA Student-Athlete Advisory Committee

18. Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education 3. About College Life Describe your academic support program: study hall requirements, tutor availability, faculty cooperation etc… Describe a typical day for a student athlete Will I be required to live on campus throughout my athletic participation? 4. About Financial Aid : What are the details of financial aid at your institution? How long does my scholarship last? If I'm injured, what happens to my financial aid? More Questions

19. Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education The National Letter of Intent (NLI)  Used by over 500 institutions  Binding one-year agreement between a student athlete and an institution.  The NLI is accompanied by a financial aid agreement from the institution.  Prospect must attend that institution for one year.  Athletic aid is for one year only, renewed on a year-to year basis. Students are notified in writing by July 1 whether the aid has been renewed or not for the next year. For more information visit www.national-letter.org

20. Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education Useful Web sites  http://www.ncaa.org  http://www.naia.org  http://www.njcaa.org.  http://www.collegeboard.com  http://www.actstudent.org  http://www.toefl.org  http://www.educationusa.state.gov  http://travel.state.gov

21. Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education ROADMAP TO INITIAL ELIGIBILITY FOR STUDENT-ATHLETES NCAA Eligibility Center (as of September 1, 2010; requirements subject to change without notice)

22. Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education To participate in NCAA Div. I or II sport you must:  Graduate from high school in 4 years. In Victoria, the VCE meets the high school graduation requirement when completed within 4 years of starting year 9.  Complete the required number of core courses.  Have a minimum core grade-point average.  Get the required SAT or ACT test score.

23. Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education How is initial eligibility determined for foreign student-athletes? The NCAA Eligibility Center evaluates foreign student- athletes using the Guide to International Academic Standards for Athletics Eligibility. The Guide can be downloaded from the NCAA web site

24. Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education NCAA Division I Requirements  Graduate from high school in 4 years  Complete 16 core courses in the required subject areas  Earn a minimum required GPA in Units 3/4 of year 12 subjects that qualify as a “core course”  Earn a combined SAT or ACT sum score that matches the core-course GPA (see the “sliding scale” index)

25. Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education Division I Core-Course Requirements 16 core-courses English4 years Maths3 years Science (1 lab)2 years Additional English, Math or Science 1 year Social Studies2 years Additional Core-Course Units 4 years TOTAL16 Core Course

26. Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education Core-Course Definition  English  Mathematics  Natural/Physical Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Physiology)  Social Sciences (History, Geography, Economics, Psychology, Sociology)  Foreign Language, Non-doctrinal Religion, Philosophy An NCAA core course must be a recognized academic course which qualifies for high-school graduation credit in one or a combination of the following areas:

27. Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education IMPORTANT! Only computer science courses containing significant programming elements that meet graduation requirements in the area of mathematics, natural or physical sciences may be accepted

28. Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education Division I Initial-Eligibility Index This is an abbreviated version of the full scale. This shows the high end, the low end and points in between. Core Grade- Point Average SAT Australian Grade Equivalent (appox) 3.550400 B+ 3.000620B 2.750720 C+ 2.500820C 2.250920C 2.0001010 C-

29. Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education NCAA Division II Requirements  Graduate from high school  Complete 14 core courses in the required subject area  Earn at least a 2.0 GPA in Units 3/4 of Year 12 subjects that qualify as a “core course”  Earn a combined SAT score of at least 820 (critical reading and math) OR  Earn an ACT sum score of at least 68. There is no sliding scale for Division II.

30. Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education New Division II Core-Course Requirements from 2013 For those entering college on or after August 1, 2013, if you plan to attend an NCAA Division II institution, you will be required to complete 16 core courses.

31. Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education Division II Core-Course Requirements Now: 14 core courses  3 years of English  2 years of Math (Algebra 1 or higher)  2 years of Science (one must be a lab science)  2 years of additional English, Math or Science  2 years of Social Sciences  3 years of additional core-course units( from any area above, foreign language or non-doctrinal religion/philosophy)

32. Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education Division II Core-Course Requirements from 2013: 16 core courses  3 years of English  2 years of Math (Algebra 1 or higher)  2 years of Science (one must be a lab science)  3 years of additional English, Math or Science  2 years of Social Sciences  4 years of additional core-course units (from any area above, foreign language or non-doctrinal religion/philosophy)

33. Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education NCAA Division III Requirements Division III institutions do not require registration with the Eligibility Center. Contact your Division III college or university regarding its admission standards, financial aid, practice and competition.

34. Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education Choose your VCE Subjects carefully Your checklist: Year 10

35. Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education Your Check List: at the end of Year 11:  Register with the Eligibility Centre  Complete the Amateurism Questionnaire  Request that your school send an official transcript to the Eligibility Center after completing year 11. (The Eligibility Center does NOT accept faxed transcripts.)  Make sure that you are taking the required courses  Register to take the ACT, SAT or both and use the Eligibility Center code “9999” as a score recipient

36. Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education Amateurism  Register early  The Eligibility Center encourages you to update your athletics participation information often, especially if you participate in events outside your normal high school season  Stay college eligible - always ask before you act!

37. Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education Always Ask before you Act!  Signing a contract with a professional team.  Receiving money for participating in athletics.  Receiving prize money above actual and necessary expenses.  Playing with professional athletes.  Trying out, practicing or competing with a professional team.  Receiving benefits from an agent or prospective agent.  Agreeing to be represented by an agent.  Participating in organized competition after your first opportunity to enroll in college. Amateurism Red Flags:

38. Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education Sending Transcripts  Take the Transcript Release Form to your high school  Have your school send official transcripts to the Eligibility Center at the end of Year 11. Transcripts must show grades from year 9.  As soon as you received them, send a certified copy of your VCE/I.B. results to the E.C.  Please note that a core course is different than a course required for the VCE

39. Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education Transcript Accuracy is Vital!!  Once the Eligibility Center receives a final transcript, a revised transcript will not be used.  All transcript changes after graduation must be handled through the initial-eligibility waiver process.

40. Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education Take the ACT and/or SAT  Be sure to enter 9999 code when registering for the ACT or SAT  This requests for your official test scores to be sent directly to the Eligibility Center

41. Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education Do Foreign Students Receive a Preliminary Report? No. Since initial eligibility is determined by the graduating document, foreign students do not receive a preliminary certification report.

42. Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education Your Check List: at the end of Year 12 Send certified copy of VCE/IB results and final transcripts to the Eligibility Center

43. Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education Questions?

44. Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education U.S. Educational Advising Service Visit our web site www.educationusa.info/melbourne Email us at: edusa@usconmelbourne.org Phone us on: 03 9526 5966