NCAA Scholarships and Grants

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.
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.