Indiana University Athletics
Prospective Hoosiers
We are thrilled you are considering becoming a part of our future at Indiana University. As a potential Indiana Hoosier, this informative section addresses everything you need to know as you prepare to either transition from high school to IU OR transfer to IU. As you begin this journey, please remember that you are ultimately responsible for protecting your NCAA eligibility!
GENERAL RECRUITING TERMS
- Prospective Student-Athlete (PSA):
- A prospective student-athlete (PSA) is a student who has started classes for the ninth grade. In addition, a student who has not started classes for the ninth grade becomes a PSA if the institution provides such an individual (or the individual’s relatives or friends) any financial assistance or other benefits that the institution does not provide to PSAs generally.
- National Letter of Intent (NLI):
- The National Letter of Intent (NLI) is a binding document between a PSA and an institution outlining the financial aid that will be provided to the PSA as part of their athletic participation. This is a binding agreement between the PSA and institution for a period of no less than one academic year (two semesters or three quarters). More information on the NLI procedures may be found online.
- Financial Aid Agreement/Tender:
- This is an agreement between a PSA and an institution outlining the athletic aid that will be provided as a part of the PSA's participation in athletics.
- Contact Period:
- This is an agreement between a PSA and an institution outlining the athletic aid that will be provided as a part of the PSA's participation in athletics.
- Evaluation Period:
- An evaluation recruiting period is a period of time when it is permissible for coaches to be involved in off-campus activities designed to assess the academic qualifications and playing ability of PSAs. No in-person, off-campus recruiting contacts shall be made with the PSA during an evaluation period.
- Quiet Period:
- A quiet recruiting period is a period of time when it is permissible to make in-person recruiting contacts only on the institution’s campus. No in-person, off-campus recruiting contacts or evaluations may be made during a quiet period.
- Dead Period:
- A dead recruiting period is a period of time when it is not permissible to make in-person recruiting contacts or evaluations on or off the institution’s campus or to permit official or unofficial visits by a PSA to the institution’s campus. It remains permissible, however, for an institutional staff member to write or telephone a PSA during a dead period.
INCOMING FRESHMEN
NINTH GRADE: “PLAN”
- Research the NCAA Division I Academic Requirements and work with your high school guidance office to ensure your high school academic track is on-course with the NCAA’s academic requirements.
- Contact the sport at Indiana University that you wish to learn more about and request a questionnaire.
TENTH GRADE: “REGISTER”
- Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center.
- Are you on-track to graduate using the NCAA’s academic requirement document as your road map?
ELEVENTH GRADE: “STUDY”
- Are you on-track to graduate? Work with your high school guidance office to ensure your academic track record matches the NCAA’s academic requirements.
- Take the SAT and/or the ACT and make sure your test scores are sent directly to the NCAA using the code: 9999.
- At the end of the school year, ask your high school guidance office to upload your official transcript to the NCAA Eligibility Center.
TWELFTH GRADE: “GRADUATE”
- In early fall of your senior year, apply to Indiana University.
- If necessary, take the SAT and/or the ACT again to boost your previous scores. Do not forget to send your recent scores to the NCAA using the code: 9999.
- If an athletic scholarship is not available, research financial aid and Indiana University academic scholarship options.
- On April 1 of your senior year, request your Final Amateurism Certificate through the NCAA Eligibility Center.
- After you graduate, ask your high school guidance office to upload your final official transcripts with proof of graduation to the NCAA Eligibility Center.
NCAA GUIDE TO THE COLLEGE-BOUND STUDENT-ATHLETE
NCAA Eligibility Center Information and Resources
INCOMING INTERNATIONAL STUDENT
1. Make sure you have registered with the NCAA Eligibility Center.
2. Contact the sport at Indiana University that you wish to learn more about and request a questionnaire.
3. Apply to Indiana University using the online International Application. Once applied, you will want to follow and complete all tasks associated with your iStart Tasklist. Failure to complete all tasks might deem you ineligible for Indiana University international admission standards.
4. Make sure to send IU all official documents (transcripts, diplomas, leaving certificates, etc.) from your foreign educational institution. Please be sure to send documents with a tracking number associated with the delivery as this number might be asked for during the application process.
5. For all non-native English speaking countries, please note that the TOEFL is required for admission to IU.
6. If an athletic scholarship is not available, research Indiana University academic scholarship options.
7. On April 1 of your senior year, request your Final Amateurism Certificate through the NCAA Eligibility Center.
8. After you graduate, ask your school guidance office to upload your final official transcripts with proof of graduation to the NCAA Eligibility Center.
NCAA INTERNATIONAL ACADEMIC STANDARDS
INCOMING TRANSFER STUDENT-ATHLETES
1. Make sure you have registered with the NCAA Eligibility Center
b. Received your Final Amateurism Certification
c. Completed all outstanding student tasks
2. Contact the sport at Indiana University that you wish to learn more about. If available, please provide the official release letter from your previous institution.
3. Apply to Indiana University using the online Transfer Application. After completing the application, reach out to your IU recruiting coach to let them know of your completed application.
4. Check and see if your previously completed coursework will transfer to Indiana University.
5. Review the NCAA Transferring Guidelines.
NCAA TWO-YEAR COLLEGE TRANSFER GUIDE
NCAA FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE TRANSFER GUIDE
Contact your sport - If you are interested in joining a varsity team at IU, please contact the coach for your sport or return the questionnaire (if available).