Parent Recruiting Guide 🚨 • PWO: Preferred Walk-On: An athlete invited to join a college team without an athletic scholarship. It may come with a roster opportunity, but confirm whether a roster spot is guaranteed and what happens if the athlete doesn’t make the team. • WO: Walk-On: An athlete who joins or tries out for a team without an athletic scholarship. A roster spot is not guaranteed. • PSA: Prospective Student-Athlete: An athlete a college is recruiting or evaluating before they enroll. • OFFER: A coach’s offer may be verbal or written. Ask whether it includes athletic aid, how much aid is offered, and how long it lasts. Get the terms in writing. • COMMItTABLE OFFER: An offer the coach says is available for the athlete to accept. Ask the coach directly whether it is committable and whether any conditions apply. • NON-RENEWAL: Notice that the school will not renew an athlete’s athletic aid for the next term or year. Read the written agreement and ask about the school’s appeal process. • GRAYSHIRT: An athlete delays enrolling full-time, often until a later term. The impact on aid and eligibility depends on the situation; ask the school’s compliance office. • BLUESHIRT: An informal football term for a walk-on who receives a scholarship after enrolling. The timing and roster treatment depend on current rules, so confirm the details with the school. • TRANSFER PORTAL: The system college athletes use to notify their school they intend to transfer and allow other schools to recruit them. Entering the portal does not guarantee admission, a roster spot, athletic aid or eligibility at another school. • OV: Official Visit: A visit where the college may cover certain travel and visit expenses. In Division I, there is no overall limit on official visits, but prospects are generally limited to one per school. Rules can vary by division and sport. • UV: Unofficial Visit: A visit paid for by the athlete or family. The athlete may still meet with coaches and see campus, subject to recruiting rules. • VERBAL COMMITMENT: An athlete’s public or private statement that they plan to attend a school. It is not the same as signing a written agreement. • FINANCIAL AID AGREEMENT: The written agreement outlining athletic aid. Division I ended the National Letter of Intent program in 2024; NCAA guidance says Division II schools may still use the NLI. • NIL: Name, Image and Likeness: An opportunity to earn money or other compensation for things like endorsements, appearances or social media promotions. Families should review the written terms and understand what the athlete must do in return. • NCAA ELIGIBILITY CENTER: The NCAA office that certifies academic and athletics eligibility for Division I and II. The NCAA core-course GPA may differ from the GPA on a high-school transcript. • RECRUITING CALENDAR: Sport- and division-specific dates that determine when coaches may contact, evaluate or meet with prospects. A “dead period” generally restricts in-person recruiting activity and campus visits.