Core Courses — The specific high school classes required by the NCAA or NAIA for athletic eligibility. Not every class on your transcript qualifies. Verify with your school counselor every year, not just senior year.

Core Course GPA — A separate GPA calculated only from NCAA or NAIA-approved core courses. A student with a 3.5 overall GPA but a 2.1 core course GPA may be ineligible to compete at the D1 or D2 level.

Weighted vs. Unweighted GPA — An unweighted GPA treats all courses equally on a 4.0 scale. A weighted GPA assigns additional points for honors, AP, or dual enrollment courses. Know which version your target schools use.

Dual Enrollment — Courses allowing students to earn college credit while still in high school. Not all dual enrollment credits count as NCAA core courses — verify before relying on them for eligibility.

AP (Advanced Placement) — College-level courses offered in high school, culminating in a standardized exam. High scores signal academic rigor and are often accepted for college credit.

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Sliding Scale — The NCAA's system for evaluating D1 eligibility, balancing core course GPA against SAT or ACT scores. A higher GPA requires a lower test score, and vice versa.

NCAA Eligibility Center — The organization that certifies academic and amateur eligibility for D1 and D2 athletes. Registration typically begins in the spring of junior year. Non-negotiable for scholarship athletes.

NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) — Since 2021, NCAA athletes may earn compensation through endorsements, social media, and appearances. Opportunities vary significantly by school, state, and sport.

Official Visit — A campus visit paid for by the college, including transport and lodging within NCAA limits. Indicates serious interest. Come prepared with academic questions for admissions — not just athletic questions for coaches.

National Letter of Intent (NLI) — A binding agreement between an athlete and an institution committing to attendance in exchange for a scholarship. Senior year grades still matter after signing.

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Early Intervention — Addressing academic concerns at the earliest identifiable sign — a missing assignment, a declining quiz average — before the problem reaches the grade report. Consistently more effective than crisis management.

Academic Monitoring — The ongoing review of grades, assignments, deadlines, and academic standing to identify and address issues before they compound. The foundation of McQueen SASM's Level I service.

Concierge Academic Management — A premium, high-touch model where a dedicated advisor takes full ownership of monitoring, communication, planning, and coordination on behalf of the student-athlete and family.

College Alignment — Ensuring a student-athlete's academic profile is developing in a direction compatible with their target college programs — academically and athletically. A multi-year, intentional process.

Section 504 — A federal law providing academic accommodations for qualifying students. Accommodations can be relevant in both high school and college athletic contexts.

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