Questions for Students from the United Kingdom
Are A-Levels, AS-Levels or BTEC National Diplomas considered high school?
Yes. Although you may be receiving college-level credit in the United States for A-Levels, AS-Levels and BTEC National Diplomas (through level 3), this level of education is still considered secondary work. For the purposes of athletic eligibility in the NAIA, if you are currently working towards your A-Levels, AS-Levels or BTEC, you are considered a current high school student. Please make sure your PlayNAIA.org profile reflects this.
What should I do if I only have a class rank letter from the institution where I achieved my GCSEs and not from the institution where I completed my A-Levels or BTEC?
For countries that have multiple points of graduation (e.g., A-Levels, GCSE, BTEC, etc.) a class rank letter from the institution where the initial secondary school graduation occurred is sufficient for fulfilling the class rank requirement.
I will take my A-Levels, AS-Levels, or BTEC exams this summer and my certificates are not issued until mid-August. My NAIA enrollment starts in August. Can I receive my eligibility determination prior to these certificates being issued?
Eligibility decisions are based on cumulative work. However, if the following 2 steps are complete, you may be able to obtain your decision prior to the release of your final, official certificates in August.
1) Meet 2 of 3 initial freshman eligibility requirements upon completion of GCSE or AS level coursework.
2) Have your school send a letter confirming your enrollment at the sixth form college AND confirming the number and level of exams to be taken. The letter must come directly from the school on offiical letterhead in a school-stamped envelope.
Additional Resources
General Information about studying in the U.S. as an international student
Transcript Evaluation Services
Financial Aid
Financial Aid for Undergraduate International Students
International Students Seeking to Study in the U.S.
College Athletic Scholarships in the U.S.
College Prospects of America (English) (Español) (Português)
Passports and visas
To attend an NAIA institution in the U.S., you also will need to obtain a passport and a student visa. Your passport must be valid for travel to the U.S. and have a validity date at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the U.S.
• Information about U.S. student visas • U.S. visa application forms
If you want to attend an NAIA school in Canada and are not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you will need to obtain a study permit to study in Canada. Citizens of some countries may also need a Temporary Resident Visa and a medical certificate. Permits are issued by Citizenship & Immigration Canada. Use the online guides to help you check your visa requirements, and complete your application. Because the documentation can take weeks, sometimes months, to obtain, it’s important to apply immediately after you receive your offer of admission from a Canadian school. (Information courtesy University of British Columbia International Students web site)
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