Our Glossary: Deciphering the U.S. College Experience

7 min read

If you're exploring US university options but find the sports scholarships and admissions language a bit overwhelming—don’t worry, you're not alone! Our latest blog features a useful glossary that breaks down the key terms in plain English to help you feel more confident in understanding the phraseology involved in your journey ahead.

From “Freshman” to “Financial Aid”, “Sophomore” to “SAT”, we’ll demystify some of the terms and phases you're likely to encounter.

Term	Definition
ACT (American College Testing)	A standardized test covering English, math, reading, and science reasoning. Accepted by all U.S. universities.
Athletic Scholarship	Financial support awarded to student-athletes based on sporting ability. Offered at many U.S. colleges, especially NCAA D1, D2, NAIA, and NJCAA levels.
Common App	A centralized application platform used by over 1,000 U.S. colleges and universities, allowing students to apply to multiple institutions with one form.
Booster	A fan or supporter of a college's sports teams who donates money to the athletic program. Boosters often have a close relationship with the team and can sometimes be involved in recruitment.
Conference	A league or group of colleges that compete against each other in a particular sport. These are often organized by geographic location or university size. High profile conferences include the Big 10 and the SEC.
Core Courses	Specific high school subjects (e.g., English, math, science) required by the NCAA to calculate eligibility GPA. Only approved courses count.
Credit Hours	Units that measure educational credit, usually based on the number of classroom hours per week. A full-time student typically takes 12–15 credit hours per term.
Draft	The process by which professional sports teams select players from college or high school to join their team, including the NFL and MLS.
Early Decision	A binding application process where students apply early (usually by November) and must attend if accepted. Best for students with a clear first-choice school.
F-1 Visa	A non-immigrant visa that allows international students to study full-time at accredited U.S. institutions.
Eligibility	The set of academic and athletic requirements an international student must meet to be able to compete in U.S. collegiate sports. This includes having a certain GPA and SAT/ACT scores, as well as a clean amateur status.
Financial Aid	Funding to help students pay for college, including scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study. Can be need-based or merit-based.
Freshman	A first-year student in a four-year college or university.
GPA (Grade Point Average)	A numerical average of a student’s academic performance, typically on a 4.0 scale. The NCAA calculates a separate GPA based only on approved core courses.
I-20 Form	A document issued by a U.S. university that allows international students to apply for an F-1 student visa.
JuCo	A two-year college that often serves as a stepping stone for athletes to transfer to a four-year university. Many international students start at a JuCo to improve their academic standing or to gain more experience before moving to a larger university.
Junior	A third-year student in a four-year college or university.
Letter of Intent (NLI)	A binding agreement between a student-athlete and a university to play for their sports team. Signing an NLI signifies a commitment to the school and often comes with a sports scholarship.
Major	The primary academic discipline a student chooses to study at university (e.g., Business, Biology, Engineering).
March Madness	The highly anticipated NCAA Division I Men's and Women's Basketball Tournaments in the spring. It's a single-elimination tournament that captivates the entire country.
Minor	A secondary area of academic focus, requiring fewer courses than a major.
NAIA	The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), the governing body for smaller colleges and universities in the United States
NCAA	The National Collegiate Athletic Association, the governing body organization that regulates student athletics among about 1,100 schools in the United States
NCAA D1	Division 1 is the highest level of collegiate athletics in the United States, known for its large student bodies, significant athletic budgets, and extensive athletic scholarship opportunities.
NCAA D2	Division II is the intermediate-level division of competition in the NCAA and offers an alternative to both the larger and better-funded Division I and to the scholarship-free environment offered in Division III.
NCAA D3	Division III is the largest NCAA and the experience offers participation in a competitive athletic environment that pushes student-athletes to excel on the field but with more focus on academics.
NCAA Eligibility Center	The organization that certifies the academic and amateur status of student-athletes for NCAA Division I and II participation.
Need-Blind Admission	A policy where a university does not consider a student’s financial situation when making admissions decisions.
NIL	Name, Image, Likeness is the policy that allows student-athletes to earn money by profiting from the use of their name, image, and likeness for commercial purposes. This can include sponsorship deals, social media posts, and appearances.
NJCAA	The National Junior College Athletic Association is the primary governing body for athletics at two-year colleges, including community and junior colleges, in the United States
Redshirt	A student-athlete who practices with the team but does not compete in games for a season. This allows them to develop their skills and physically mature without losing a year of eligibility.
Power Four Conferences	These are considered the top-tier conferences for college football and many other sports, known for their high-level competition and financial power – the Atlantic Coast Conference, Big Ten, Big 12 and South East Conference.
Regular Decision	The standard application process with set deadlines (typically Jan–Feb). Students receive decisions in spring and are not obligated to attend if accepted.
SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test)	A standardized test assessing reading, writing, and math skills. Some universities require it, while others are test-optional.
Test-Optional	A policy allowing students to choose whether or not to submit SAT/ACT scores as part of their application. Increasingly common across U.S. universities.
Senior	A fourth-year and final-year student in a four-year college or university.
Sophomore	A second-year student in a four-year college or university.
Title IX	A US federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in any school or education program that receives funding from the federal government. It is most commonly associated with ensuring equal opportunities for men's and women's sports.
Transcript	An official record of a student’s academic performance, including courses taken and grades earned. Required for university applications.
Varsity	The main sports team that represents a college or university, as opposed to a junior varsity or club team.
Walk On	A student-athlete who is on the team but did not receive an athletic scholarship. They are usually invited to join the team after a successful tryout.

Knowing the language is one step in the process. By understanding this glossary of terms, you'll feel more confident and prepared to navigate conversations with coaches and athletic staff, and you'll have a much better grasp of the unique culture that defines U.S. college sports.

But you don't have to do it alone. Our team at FirstPoint USA has a wealth of experience, having walked the same path as student-athletes themselves. We're here to provide expert guidance and support every step of the way, making sure your journey to a U.S. sports scholarship is a seamless and successful one.