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Collegiate Athletic Associations
What is the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association)?
The NCAA is simply an association of universities that decide to cooperate in terms of athletic rules and guidelines for participation in that association. It is the largest and most well-known of the collegiate athletic associations, but it is one of several such associations.
In fact, there are over 2,000 opportunities to play basketball at the collegiate level and only 1093 of those chances are in the NCAA—there are one thousand opportunities outside of the NCAA. Decide which one is right for you. Visit the official websites of the respective organization to find out additional information about each organization.
National Collegiate Athletic Association
NCAA
Approx. 1093 colleges
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is the major athletic association in college sports. It is separated into three divisions (DI, DII, and DIII). There are approx.:
350 DI colleges
300 DII colleges
443 DIII colleges
DI and DII schools offer scholarships for athletics.
DII schools can offer a combination of athletic and academic scholarships (there is a cap on the number of scholarships that can be offered at each level—DI and DII). Not all scholarships are full scholarships (partial and non-athletic scholarships can be offered). Note: DIII colleges do not offer athletic scholarships, but they do offer merit-based and needs-based awards.
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
NAIA
Approx. 250 colleges
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) is an association of smaller athletic programs at approximately 250 schools throughout 45 states.
To be admitted to an NAIA college, like other colleges, you must meet standards equal to (or higher than) the general student population.
National Junior College Athletic Association
NJCAA
Approx. 520 colleges
The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) is an athletic association for two-year colleges. It is separated into three divisions.
D1 schools may grant full scholarships for athletics which include room and board, tuition, books and fees, etc. There are limits on the number of scholarships that can be given.
DII schools may grant athletic scholarships but only for tuition, books and fees and up to $250 in required academic supplies for courses.
There is also the National Christian College Athletic Association—NCCAA, (DI and DII schools, with approx. 47 DI schools), United States Collegiate Athletic Association—USCAA, (with about 77 schools, mostly smaller institutions and some junior and community colleges) and the Association of Christian College Athletics—ACCA, (serves both Canada and the United States and has at least 15 schools).