College Recruiting Glossary

    Every recruiting term, explained in plain English.

    From NCAA eligibility and dead periods to scholarships, divisions, and signing day — definitions for athletes, families, and club directors navigating college recruiting.

    Eligibility & Academics
    NCAA Eligibility Center
    The body that certifies amateur status and academic eligibility.
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    Eligibility & Academics
    Core Course
    Approved academic classes that count toward NCAA eligibility.
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    Eligibility & Academics
    GPA Requirements
    The minimum core-course GPA needed to qualify.
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    Eligibility & Academics
    SAT/ACT Requirements
    Standardized test scores in the eligibility equation.
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    Eligibility & Academics
    Amateurism Certification
    Proof that an athlete has not been paid to play.
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    Eligibility & Academics
    FAFSA
    The federal form that unlocks need-based aid.
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    Recruiting Periods & Visits
    Dead Period
    No in-person contact between coaches and athletes.
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    Recruiting Periods & Visits
    Quiet Period
    In-person contact only on the college campus.
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    Recruiting Periods & Visits
    Contact Period
    Coaches may meet athletes in person off-campus.
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    Recruiting Periods & Visits
    Evaluation Period
    Coaches may watch athletes compete but not talk off-campus.
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    Recruiting Periods & Visits
    Official Visit
    A college-funded campus visit, limited to five.
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    Recruiting Periods & Visits
    Unofficial Visit
    A self-funded campus visit, unlimited in number.
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    Recruiting Periods & Visits
    Recruiting Calendar
    The NCAA schedule of contact, evaluation, and dead periods.
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    Recruiting Periods & Visits
    Recruiting Questionnaire
    The online form athletes fill out for each program.
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    Scholarships & Aid
    Athletic Scholarship
    Financial aid awarded for athletic ability.
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    Scholarships & Aid
    Full Ride Scholarship
    Covers tuition, room, board, and books.
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    Scholarships & Aid
    Partial Scholarship
    Athletic aid covering part of the cost.
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    Scholarships & Aid
    Equivalency Sport
    A sport where coaches split scholarships among players.
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    Scholarships & Aid
    Head-Count Sport
    A sport where each scholarship is a full ride.
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    Scholarships & Aid
    Financial Aid Package
    The total aid an athlete receives from all sources.
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    Scholarships & Aid
    Athletic Grant-in-Aid
    The formal term for an athletic scholarship.
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    Divisions & Associations
    NCAA Division I
    The highest level of NCAA competition.
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    Divisions & Associations
    NCAA Division II
    A balance of athletics, academics, and aid.
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    Divisions & Associations
    NCAA Division III
    The largest division; no athletic scholarships.
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    Divisions & Associations
    NAIA
    A separate association with its own scholarship rules.
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    Divisions & Associations
    NJCAA (Junior College)
    Two-year colleges that can offer athletic aid.
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    Clubs & Showcases
    Highlight Video
    The film coaches use to evaluate athletes remotely.
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    Clubs & Showcases
    Showcase Tournament
    Events designed for college coach evaluation.
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    Clubs & Showcases
    College ID Camp
    A camp hosted by a college for direct evaluation.
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    Clubs & Showcases
    Club Soccer
    Year-round competitive soccer outside high school.
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    Clubs & Showcases
    ECNL
    Elite Clubs National League — top youth soccer.
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    Clubs & Showcases
    Girls Academy (GA)
    A top-tier girls' club soccer league.
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    Clubs & Showcases
    MLS NEXT
    The elite boys' youth development platform.
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    Clubs & Showcases
    Travel Ball
    Competitive club teams that travel to tournaments.
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    Clubs & Showcases
    AAU
    Amateur Athletic Union — a major youth sports body.
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    Clubs & Showcases
    ODP (Olympic Development Program)
    US Youth Soccer's identification pathway.
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    Commitment & Signing
    Verbal Commitment
    A non-binding pledge to a school.
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    Commitment & Signing
    National Letter of Intent (NLI)
    The binding agreement between athlete and school.
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    Commitment & Signing
    Signing Day
    The first day athletes can sign an NLI.
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    Commitment & Signing
    Early Signing Period
    A short fall window to sign an NLI.
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    Commitment & Signing
    Regular Signing Period
    The spring window to sign an NLI.
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    Commitment & Signing
    Redshirt
    A year of practice without using eligibility.
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    Commitment & Signing
    Greyshirt
    Delayed enrollment to preserve eligibility.
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    Commitment & Signing
    Walk-On
    A roster player without an athletic scholarship.
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    Commitment & Signing
    Preferred Walk-On
    An invited, non-scholarship roster spot.
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    Commitment & Signing
    Transfer Portal
    The NCAA database for athletes changing schools.
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    Commitment & Signing
    College Recruiting Profile
    An athlete's centralized recruiting information.
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    Commitment & Signing
    Recruiting Services
    Platforms that connect athletes and coaches.
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