NCFA teams are typically operated by student sports clubs rather than faculty, and do not formally form part of a school's intercollegiate athletic program.

In contrast the Intercollegiate Club Football Federation (ICFF) recognized, in addition to the above, student clubs without official recognition and independent programs that combine students at multiple schools that would otherwise be unable to play college football (the NCFA allows its members to play such independent teams but does not allow those teams to contest for the championship).

In 2021 and 2022, the NCFA National Championship Game was moved to Waynesburg University at John F. Wiley Stadium.

The remaining 11 teams operate as their schools' only active football programs, despite not being sponsored by their respective athletic departments.

From 2012 to 2014, the game featured the top-two teams in the country as determined by the NCFA Coaches Poll and Power Rankings.

[3] Following the canceled 2020 season, the 2021 NCFA National Championship Bowl Game featured the top two teams in the league's final Power Rankings rather than a playoff due to lingering financial effects felt by the COVID-19 pandemic.

[5] Starting in 2013, the National Club Football Association began awarding First, Second and Academic All-Americans.