in athletics scholarships awarded annually
student-athletes receiving athletics aid each year
invested annually by NCAA in postgraduate scholarships and academic programs
What Is an Athletics Scholarship?
An athletics scholarship is financial aid awarded by a college or university to a student-athlete in exchange for participating in a sport. Scholarships can cover tuition and fees, room and board, and course-related books — but most student-athletes receive partial aid, not a full ride.
Scholarships are awarded by coaches, not the NCAA. The NCAA sets the rules for how many scholarships each school can offer per sport — but your coach decides who receives one, how much it is, and whether it will be renewed each year.
The amount you receive depends on your sport, your division, and your school.
Understanding how scholarships work in your division is the most important first step.
How Scholarships Work by Division
Financial Aid Goes Beyond the Field
Athletics scholarships are just one part of the financial picture. Many student-athletes combine multiple types of aid to cover the cost of their education:
- Academic scholarships — awarded based on grades, test scores or merit. Available at all three divisions.
- Federal Pell Grants — need-based federal aid available to eligible student-athletes at any NCAA school.
- NCAA Student-Athlete Opportunity Fund (Division I) — provides Division I student-athletes with direct financial assistance for educational and personal needs.
- NCAA grant programs — the NCAA invests over $10 million annually in postgraduate scholarships, career development grants and academic success programs.
When evaluating schools, ask each financial aid office for a complete picture of all aid you may qualify for — not just athletics scholarships.
Signing Your Scholarship Agreement
If you receive a Division I or II athletics scholarship, you will be asked to sign a financial aid agreement. This is a formal commitment between you and the school — read it carefully before you sign. Division I eliminated the National Letter of Intent in 2024; Division II schools may still use it.
Signing dates vary by sport. Division I and II have sport-specific signing periods. Signing outside of these periods is not permitted.
Two resources below will help you understand what you are signing and what your coach is and is not allowed to do during this process. Reading both before your signing date is strongly recommended.
Your Scholarship Rights
NCAA Scholarship & Grant Programs
The NCAA directly funds scholarship and grant programs for student-athletes who excel academically and athletically. These go beyond what your school offers.
Your Next Steps
Ready to take the next step? These resources will help you understand eligibility requirements, connect with the NCAA Eligibility Center, and prepare for your scholarship signing.
Looking for coaching, institutional or conference grant opportunities?
QUESTIONS?
Have questions about scholarships, eligibility or financial aid? The NCAA Eligibility Center is your first resource — they can help you understand requirements and connect you with the right support.