Here’s an overview of athletic scholarships available across NCAA Division I, Division II, and Division III:
Division I
Sports Sponsored: Division I schools offer the most scholarships due to the larger athletic budgets and higher revenue sports like football and basketball.
Athletic Scholarships: Approximately 138,500 full or partial athletic scholarships are available in Division I.
Division II
Athletic Scholarships: Approximately 36,500 scholarships are awarded in Division II.
Sports Sponsored: While scholarships are fewer compared to Division I, athletes often receive partial scholarships combined with academic aid or need-based grants.
Division III
Athletic Scholarships: None (officially).
Key Notes:
Division III schools do not offer athletic scholarships, but athletes often receive substantial financial aid packages, including academic scholarships, grants, and need-based aid.
Many Division III athletes receive support comparable to what is offered in scholarship-granting divisions.
Key Notes:
Headcount sports (e.g., football, basketball, women’s gymnastics, tennis, and volleyball) provide full scholarships.
Equivalency sports (e.g., baseball, track and field, soccer) allow coaches to divide scholarships among multiple athletes.
All sports in Division II are considered equivalency sports, meaning scholarships are often split among team members.
Division III schools do not offer athletic scholarships, but athletes often receive substantial financial aid packages, including academic scholarships, grants, and need-based aid.
Many Division III athletes receive support comparable to what is offered in scholarship-granting divisions.
Last week the NCAA announced waivers requiring ACT or SAT test scores for athletic eligibility. While many student athletes celebrated a sigh of relief, despite the generous exception its time to start studying because it is still a good idea for student-athletes take the ACT or SAT.
To quickly review the recently exemption, last week the NCAA decided Division I or II athletes will not be required to take a standardized test to meet NCAA initial-eligibility requirements. This decision said is to “help ensure students have a fair opportunity to meet the initial-eligibility standard.” Why was this decision made?
Student athletes, stay the course, continue moving forward with the plan to take the ACT or SAT college entry exam. Photo by Ben Mullins on Unsplash
Again, the NCAA is concerned about “the continued disruption in secondary education due to the pandemic”. So, to meet eligibly requirements for athletic participation as well as to meet the criteria for academically eligibility for receive athletics scholarship, practice and completion in their first year the NCAA has made some concessions. Admission requirements are pretty low, 2.3 grade point average for Division 1 and 2.2 grade point average for Division II provided the NCAA approved 16 core courses are completed. But, lowering the standard and exempting student athletes from the standardized tests requirement leaves a few questions unanswered.
In total, omitting the ACT or SAT requirement does not specifically address university admissions requirements. Nor, does the exemption address how financial awards will be provided that usually are distributed as a result of high ACT or SAT scores?
So, put down the party hat and grab a chair. Its time to start studying because what isn’t addressed by the exemption is exactly why student-athletes should move forward with the plan to take the ACT or SAT.
First, to get into a college the university admission requirements must be met to get into that college. Undoubtably, student-athletes with a qualifiable ACT or SAT score are sure to have better opportunities for entry. Conversely, student athletes without standardized test scores are more likely not to meet the requirements for colleges known for higher academic standards Lets be realistic, schools know for selecting students with higher academics standards will continue to maintain this standards. Furthermore, student-athletes may be put at a disadvantage to gain entry into colleges known for higher academic standards. Consequently, student athletes aspiring to attend such schools will be expected to meet admission requirements or look elsewhere.
Next, it is no secret that a college education is expensive. So, even without ACT or SAT scores, college tuition will still need to be paid. What the NCAA generous waiver does not explain how to fill the financial void that is usually filled by financial awards provided by high standardized test scores? Keep in mind, outside of D1 football, which is a full athletic and academic scholarship sport, schools in DIAA, DII, NAIA and DIII typically stack athletic scholarship with academic awards towards the cost of tuition. Somebody will have to pay and I don’t see colleges reducing the price of admission any time soon.
The question remains, in the coming months, will athletes be presented other opportunities be made available to fill this void and to gain financial awards? Or will the burden be placed on solely on the athlete and their family? Without the funding provided by the SAT or ACT score how can student-athletes earn the extra financial awards that decrease tuition costs?
Bottom line for student athletes, stay the course, continue moving forward with the plan to take the ACT or SAT college entry exam.
Source: NCAA Eligibility Center announces flexibility in initial eligibility for 2021-22 Changes address uncertainty caused by COVID-19 August 17, 2020 11:00amMichelle Brutlag Hosick
What does it take to be at the top of your game? Have you ever wondered what is the daily regime for those capable of performing at high level consistently. To kick off 2020 I want to outline some of the characteristics of high performing athletes (HPAs). After all, the name of this blog has the words Elite Athletes, and assuming most of the audience are athletes, why not share helpful tips for elite athletes seeking strategies to improve.
This week, the topic is responsibility. In a culture where blame is the game, people who take personal responsibility for their actions are rare. Sadly, its easier to blame someone else than to own up to our own mistakes. But this is not how HPA’s work.
Instead, high-performing athletes take full responsibility. They would never let someone take the blame. HPAs take complete ownership of their actions, their plans and their purpose. High performing athletes want the ball in their hand when the clock is ticking down.
So, HPAs assume full responsibly by being fully accountable. It means that no matter what the outcome, the only person to blame is yourself. In no situation will excuses be acceptable! High performing athletes do not sit around hoping to rise to success on the back of someone else. No, high performing athletes understand that in every situation they are both 100% responsible and 100% accountable.
This week’s tip about social media is very important. So, here’s the tip: coaches pay attention to how athletes present themselves on social media.
Recently, All-Pro NFL superstar J.J. Watt lectured students on this very topic. Watts’ wisdom was this, “A reputation takes years and year and years to build, and one press of a button to ruin.” You can find the article here.
Here’s an example of the harm that can’t be undone. Recently, I spoke with an athlete that was kicked off his team because someone in a picture with him was holding an illegal drug. One stupid mistake has sidelined this stellar senior athlete and jeopardized his future. Please, don’t let this happen to you.
Make wise choices to avoid costly decisions.
Social media is a tremendous way to interact with people all over the world and express ourselves in any way we choose. But with great opportunity comes great responsibility. Here are some important things to keep in mind before you send your message into the great global conversation.
Anyone, anywhere can see your post
Your post speaks for your personality and character
Pictures can speak for the company you keep.
Posts are nearly impossible to erase once its out in cyber-space
To close, I’m not saying don’t use social media. I’m only suggesting that you use it to your advantage. Used properly social media really can make a difference with your recruiting. So before you press ‘send’ think about the consequences. If you have any reservations for what your about to send, by all means don’t send it!
Be smart with social media.
Coach Mike Woosley
Coach Mike Woosley is a National Scouting Director at CSA-PrepStar. As a professional collegiate sports scout Mike works with qualified next level student-athletes to find the right college athletic and academic fit. Comments and questions are always welcome.
Elite Athletes Recruiting 