Kworld Trend / Things you may not know about athletic scholarships in 2023/2024, Earning an athletic scholarship to compete at the college level is the ultimate goal for many student athletes. However, there are a lot of misconceptions about how scholarships work—and how much help student-athletes actually receive.
College isn’t cheap, so understanding the specifics of this part of the process is important if you’re looking to reduce your college costs. Check out our complete guide to sports scholarships below.
Things you may not know about athletic scholarships in 2023/2024
If you are a student-athlete looking to pursue a college education, an athletic scholarship could be a game-changer. Athletic scholarships can help cover the cost of tuition, room and board, and other expenses associated with college. But, what exactly are sports scholarships, and how do they work?
What do sports scholarships cover?
Sports Scholarships cover a portion of the costs of tuition, course-related fees and books, room and board, and sometimes living expenses. The amount covered depends on whether the offer is a full or partial scholarship .
Who Offers Sports Scholarships?
Athletic scholarships are offered at the NCAA D1 and D2 levels, as well as at the NAIA and NJCAA levels — combined, that’s thousands of schools.
Do D2 Schools Offer Athletic Scholarships?
Yes, D2 schools offer athletic scholarships. Most scholarships at D2 level are partial scholarships. Full scholarships at a D2 school are rare, but still possible.
Do you grant a full ride for all 4 years? | Things you may not know about athletic scholarships in 2023
No, full athletic scholarships are usually one-year agreements between the college and the athlete, although some span several years.
View the table below for details on the number of scholarships offered for each sports association.
Types of sports scholarships
Athletic scholarships are awarded to student athletes who demonstrate exceptional athletic ability in a particular sport. These scholarships are available at the NCAA Division I and Division II levels, as well as at the NAIA and junior college levels. There are two main types of athletic scholarships: headcount scholarships and equivalency scholarships.
Head count scholarships are awarded to athletes in sports such as football, basketball, and volleyball, and provide full tuition, room, and board. Each team is allowed a certain number of award heads, which cannot be divided among several athletes. Equivalency scholarships, on the other hand, are offered in sports such as tennis, golf, and swimming, and provide a partial scholarship that can be split among multiple athletes.
While it is true that some colleges may offer financial aid in this fashion, the awards may not be as generous as you think. Here’s what you need to know when entering. Things you may not know about athletic scholarships in 2023/2024
1. Fewer students earn athletic scholarships than you think
According to the Next College Student Athlete (NCSA) , less than 2% of high school athletes receive some type of athletic scholarship, and most do not cover the full cost of school. To put this into perspective, this allocation rate means that an applicant has a better chance of being accepted into Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, or Yale than earning an athletic scholarship.
2. Full scholarships are even rare
Only six college sports offer scholarships that cover a student-athlete’s entire college bill, including tuition, room and board, books, and sometimes, living expenses:
- Men’s football
- Men’s basketball
- Women’s basketball
- Women’s gymnastics
- Women’s tennis
- Women’s volleyball
Athletes are also only eligible for full scholarships at Division I and II schools, which are the most athletically competitive of them all.
3. Sports scholarships are not one and done
Some academic scholarships are guaranteed for a period of four years provided that the student maintains the minimum requirements. However, the athletic scholarships must be renewed each year, and they require student-athletes to maintain a certain GPA and level of excellence in their sport. If a student sustains an injury that affects their ability to play, their scholarship may also be at risk.
4. College sports can limit everything else
Scholarship athletes must devote significant time to practices, games, and occasionally public appearances. Combined with travel schedules that often make it difficult for them to attend all of their classes, the requirements can make it difficult to maintain the minimum GPA required to maintain their scholarship. To stay organized and on top of their homework, some athletes spend almost as much time studying with collegiate instructors as they do with actual professors in college classrooms. This limits time for social activities, volunteer projects, part-time jobs, study abroad programs and other extracurricular activities.
5. It is essential to get offers in writing
If a student is fortunate enough to be recruited by a college athletic team, the coach may offer generous assistance with scholarships and other attractive accommodations. However, you should be aware that verbal promises are not binding guarantees. Nothing is official until it appears in writing in the college’s official financial aid award letter.
It is true that sports scholarships can be a great way for students to secure a college education at a reduced cost or even free. Things you may not know about athletic scholarships in 2023/2024
How to win a college sports scholarship | Things you may not know about athletic scholarships in 2023
College scholarships for student-athletes are available to students who play college sports at the Division 1 and Division 2 levels. These scholarships can range from a partial scholarship to a full scholarship. Being a college scholarship athlete is a bit like having a full-time job, which is why these scholarships can be so generous.
The catch is that in order to get an athletic scholarship at a Division 1 or Division 2 college, you must be recruited to play. The hiring process tends to be very competitive and can be quite complex.
If you are interested in this or wondering if you are good enough to be recruited, we suggest that you speak to your high school coach for more information. They will likely have trained a student or two who have gone through this process and will be able to give you some ideas.
Also, the National Collegiate Athletic Association has rules about eligibility for prospective collegiate athletes. Students will need to meet eligibility requirements, which include specific academic criteria. Things you may not know about athletic scholarships in 2023/2024
