National Collegiate Athletic Association International Student-Athlete Handbook

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) released its International Student-Athlete Handbook, a first-of-its-kind resource to equip incoming international student-athletes, their families, coaches and administrators with information about their collegiate careers in the United States. The handbook includes tools and resources to guide international student-athletes throughout their careers.  

This comprehensive guide covers eight main topics: education; student life and development; immigration regulations, benefits and services; well-being and daily life; safety and security; taxes and legal matters; cultural aspects and opportunities; and NCAA eligibility resources.

Created by the office of inclusion based on the experiences of former international student-athletes, this 47-page handbook will serve as a vital resource to international student-athletes. Currently, over 25,000 international student-athletes are enrolled at NCAA schools.

The handbook also features graphics and imagery to help with a language barrier and address commonly asked questions. 

“We understand there can be challenges with choosing the right college and leaving one’s home country for the U.S., where each region and state has its own history, dialect and climate,” said Felicia Martin, senior vice president of inclusion, education and community engagement. “This resource provides valuable information on educational, social, cultural and economic aspects of studying and competing in the U.S. so that our international student-athletes have a better idea of what to expect.”

Among the topics the handbook addresses:

• Education: U.S. academic standards such as grading systems, graduation requirements and class registration; common learning methods and exams; academic integrity; academic support services; and academic eligibility standards.

• Student life and development: Campus services such as international student services offices, campus police and campus health centers; student programs and organizations; and student career services centers.

• Immigration regulations, benefits and services: Immigration services; student immigration rules and responsibilities, such as transferring and employment; basic immigration terms such as F-1, J-1 and I-20 visas; travel documents; and U.S. immigration laws, enforcement and benefits.

• Well-being and daily life: Housing; public transportation; getting a U.S. driver’s license, buying a vehicle and car insurance; basic finance such as banking, debit/credit cards and paying bills; and health care issues such as insurance, campus health services, mental health and nutrition.

• Safety and security: How to report a crime; university disciplinary procedures; personal safety; and substance misuse.

• Taxes and legal matters: Identification documents; income tax issues such as name, image and likeness and taxable income; and notary services.

• Cultural aspects and opportunities: Adjusting to a new culture; practical guidelines for everyday situations such as punctuality, personal hygiene and introductions; friendships and relationships; U.S. holidays; making the most of their time in the U.S.; graduate programs; and optional practical training.

• NCAA eligibility resources: Amateurism and general eligibility information.

The handbook will assist student-athletes, families, coaches and administrators in their transition to collegiate athletics in the United States.