“The advantages of competing in college sports are both immediate and lifelong. Participating in college sports provides opportunities to learn, compete and succeed. Student-athletes receive top-notch academic support, quality medical care and regular access to outstanding coaching, facilities and equipment. Student-athletes as a group graduate at higher rates than their peers in the general student body and feel better prepared for life after college.

College-bound student-athletes preparing to enroll in a Division I or II school need to register with the NCAA Eligibility Center to ensure they have met amateurism standards and are academically prepared for college coursework. International college-bound student-athletes planning to enroll at a Division III school must also receive an amateurism-only certification from the Eligibility Center.”

https://www.ncaa.org/sports/2021/2/8/student-athletes-future.aspx