The NJCAA is an association of community college and junior college (2 year schools) athletic departments throughout the United States. It is divided into divisions and regions. The current NJCAA has 525 member schools and holds 24 separate regions across 24 states.
Each institution belonging to the NJCAA chooses to compete on the Division I, II or III level in designated sports. Division I colleges may offer full athletic scholarships (tuition, fees, room and board). Division II colleges are limited to awarding tuition, fees, course related books, and up to $250 in course required supplies. Division III institutions may provide no athletically related financial assistance. However, NJCAA colleges that do not offer athletic aid may choose to participate at the Division I or II level if they so desire.
You attend a NJCAA school for two years and then you transfer to a 4 year institute (NCAA or NAIA) to complete your degree. The level of sport is often on par with NAIA and NCAA Division 2. This is a great route for players looking to get higher scholarship money, but who maybe could enhance their academic standing. It is essentially a great way of getting in the door and being seen. Coaches from NCAA D1, D2 and NAIA levels would rather take an athlete from NJCAA then from outside of the US. This is because they can see you in the college sports setting, but see how your academics are doing within the US system. NJCAA schools are typically around $15,000 a year for tuition, food and housing without scholarship.
NJCAA Academic Eligibility
Talented individuals who do not qualify for either of the above may be able to gain admission to a junior college. Each college will set its own entrance requirements. Only 25% of scholarships at a junior college can be given to international students. NJCAA colleges in general do not have a minimum passing score for the SAT although individual colleges may set one.