NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA
Universities in the USA are grouped into different divisions based on criteria such as size, academic curriculum offered, athletic program and the amount of financial assistance available.
The NCAA, NAIA and NJCAA are the governing bodies that regulate these divisions.
National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)
With
over 1,200 universities split into 3 divisions, academic standards are
high and the level of competition is very intense. Division I
institutions have more scholarship money available and are therefore;
the level of competition tends to be higher. As there is no age limit
for Div II, it is often the case that the top teams in Div 1 and Div II
are evenly matched. Institutions in Div III do not offer athletic
scholarships.
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)
There are around 350, mostly smaller colleges in the NAIA, organised by
districts. Many NAIA colleges have excellent sports programmes and may
offer some athletic scholarships. The level of athletic ability is
still high, although the standard is not set as high as for NCAA teams.
National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA)
The NJCAA is the National Junior College Athletic Association. These
are essentially preparatory institutions for student athletes to attend
with a view to achieving the required results for entrance to a
higher-level college or university.
