In order to participate in college sports in the USA, you must be certified by one of the college sports federations - NCAA or NAIA. The NCAA or NAIA will verify that your academic performance meets the required standards and that you meet the college definition of an amateur.

Depending on the federation and division (league), the criteria that have to be fulfilled in order to be eligible to participate differ. At the latest when you have decided on a college, you should start with the application for the college sports eligibility.