Athletic Scholarships
Athletic Scholarships
What Do They Cover?
Athletic scholarships can cover a portion of college costs, including:
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Tuition and fees
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Course-related books
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Room and board
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Sometimes additional living expenses
The amount covered depends on whether the offer is a full or partial scholarship and on the specific guidelines of the college.
Who Gives Out Athletic Scholarships?
Athletic scholarships are offered at the following levels:
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NCAA Division I (D1)
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NCAA Division II (D2)
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NAIA
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NJCAA (junior colleges)
NCAA Division III (D3) schools do not offer athletic scholarships, but they may provide other forms of financial aid to help offset costs.
Are Full-Ride Scholarships for All 4 Years?
No. Most full-ride athletic scholarships are one-year agreements between the college and the student-athlete, though some schools offer multi-year agreements.
How Much Scholarship Money Can You Get?
In sports like baseball and softball, coaches usually offer partial scholarships. Each coach decides how to divide their allotted scholarship funds.
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They might offer a full ride to one top-level recruit.
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Or they may spread the money among multiple athletes.
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Ivy League Schools
Ivy League schools do not offer athletic scholarships.
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They only provide need-based financial aid.
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Coaches can help recruits apply for financial aid, but they do not have any athletic scholarship money to award.
Can You Compete in College Without a Scholarship?
Yes. There are usually more roster spots than scholarships available, so not receiving a scholarship doesn’t mean you can’t play.
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Walk-ons are athletes who try out for a team without a scholarship.
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Preferred walk-ons are invited by the coach to join the team without receiving a scholarship.
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Some walk-ons may earn a scholarship in future years based on performance and value to the team.
Are You Eligible for a Scholarship?
Student-athletes must meet certain eligibility requirements:
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Maintain a minimum academic standard
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Be considered an amateur athlete
Meeting the minimums doesn’t guarantee a scholarship—stronger academics improve your chances of receiving an offer.
Can Athletic Scholarships Be Taken Away?
There are several situations where this might happen:
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Verbal agreements are non-binding and do not guarantee a roster spot or scholarship. Even signing a National Letter of Intent doesn’t always include scholarship aid.
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Injuries may cause a scholarship to be pulled, depending on the school’s policies and how the injury occurred.
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Non-renewal can happen because most scholarships are one-year contracts. Reasons might include a coaching change, trouble on or off the field, poor performance, or disciplinary issues.
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Loss of eligibility due to poor academics, being out of good standing with the school, or other violations can also result in losing a scholarship.
What Are Other Types of Scholarships?
Academic Scholarships for Student-Athletes
Because most college student-athletes do not receive full-ride athletic scholarships, it can be very helpful to pursue academic scholarships as a supplemental form of financial aid.
Each college or university sets its own minimum academic standards—such as GPA, class rank, or ACT/SAT scores—that student-athletes must meet to be considered for academic awards.
Academic scholarships are often more secure than athletic scholarships. While athletic scholarships can be lost due to injury, performance issues, or non-renewal, academic scholarships are usually guaranteed as long as you maintain your grades—even if you are no longer playing your sport.
In addition to scholarships offered by your school, there are also opportunities from external sources, such as:
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U.S. Department of Education (federal scholarships and aid)
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Corporations
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Nonprofit organizations
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Private scholarship providers
Exploring both school-based and outside scholarships can significantly reduce your overall college costs.
Types of Athletic Scholarship Offers
Full Ride Scholarship
Offered in 6 sports
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Football
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Men’s Basketball
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Women’s Basketball
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Women’s Gymnastics
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Tennis
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Volleyball
Partial Scholarship Offer
Offered in Equivalency Sports
Baseball and Softball are in this category. Coaches essentially have a pool of scholarship money that they can divide up amongst their team.
Walk-On Offers
Not all offers come with a monetary reward. Sometimes, the reward is simply a spot on the roster.
Preferred Walk-On Offers
No athletic aid is offered, but preferred walk-ons will go into college with a roster spot secured, receive a uniform and have a strong chance of competing for playing time their first year.
Recruited Walk-On Offer
A recruited walk-on offer means there is interest from the coach but no financial assistance, so you must still earn a spot on the team through additional try outs or summer training camp.
Unrecruited Walk-On Offer
When a student-athlete qualifies for admission to the school and plans to join the team through an open tryout.
Red Shirt Offer
Typically, a redshirt athlete will have a scholarship but cannot compete for one year. They will participate in all team activities like practice, training, and receive benefits such as academic tutoring, but they will not see any playing time.
SOFTBALL BY THE NUMBERS
Schools Offering Softball
NCAA Division I 289
NCAA Division II 268
NCAA Division III 411
NAIA 210
Junior College 361
Total 1,539
Athletic Scholarship Opportunities
Division I (per school) 12
Division II (per school) 7.2
NAIA 10
NJCAA (*varies per school) 24
Student-Athlete Participation
NCAA Division I 5,400
NCAA Division II 4,991
NCAA Division III 7,098
NAIA 3,245
Junior College 5,652
HS Student-Athletes 378,211
BASEBALL BY THE NUMBERS
Schools Offering Baseball
NCAA Division I 298
NCAA Division II 259
NCAA Division III 374
NAIA 212
Junior College 511
Total 1,653
Athletic Scholarship Opportunities
Division I (per school) 11.7
Division II (per school) 9
NAIA (per school) 12
NJCAA (*varies per school) 24
Student-Athlete Participation (Approx.)
NCAA Division I 10,400
NCAA Division II 9,000
NCAA Division III 11,200
NAIA 6,300
Junior College 15,300
HS Student-Athletes* 473,503
Baseball and Softball Recruiting
For many high school baseball and softball players, competing at the college level is a lifelong dream. The recruiting process for both sports can be challenging, with many milestones to meet and boxes to check off.
It’s important to remember that no two recruiting journeys are exactly the same. However, there are key steps that can help you stay on track:
1. Keep Up with Your Grades
Being a strong student is just as important as being a strong athlete. Colleges want recruits who perform well academically, so stay focused on your classes and maintain good grades.
2. Improve Your Athletic Skills
Work to get better every day. Strengthen your fundamentals, refine your skills, and always look for ways to improve your game.
3. Be Proactive in Recruiting
Don’t rely on the mindset of “if I’m good enough, they will find me.” Actively promote yourself and your skills. Reach out to coaches, send updates, and stay visible.
4. Use Recruiting Guidelines for Your Position
Review recruiting guidelines specific to your position in baseball or softball. Use them as a reference to make sure you’re on track and meeting expectations.
5. Understand Recruiting Rules and Calendar
Familiarize yourself with the NCAA recruiting rules, which determine when and how college coaches can communicate with recruits. Knowing the calendar ensures you stay compliant and competitive.
6. Create a Skills Video
Most college coaches want to see a video showcasing your abilities, including fielding and batting skills. Coaches rely on video to assess athleticism and skill level, especially for initial evaluations.
7. Attend Camps, Combines, Tournaments, or Showcases
Participating in these events is a great way to compete in front of college coaches, gain exposure, and improve your skills. Look for opportunities that match your level and position to maximize your visibility.