Can Division III Give Athletic Scholarships?

Some of the most prevalent and widely sought-after scholarships offered by universities are athletic scholarships. Athletic scholarships allow students to attend universities through the merit of their sport or athleticism. Many high school athletes are willing to go to great lengths to earn an athletic scholarship, from training year-round, ensuring they are in top health for their sport, to talking to multiple schools to assess recruitment opportunities. 

Different college divisions have different rules around athletic scholarships. While numerous Division I and Division II college-bound players can receive athletic scholarships from the same program, D3 colleges handle financial aid for student-athletes a little differently.

If you’re considering attending a Division III school and are curious about participating in an intercollegiate athletics program, read on to find out what financial support is available. 

Why Don’t Division III Schools Give Athletic Scholarships?

So, can D3 give athletic scholarships? The short answer is no—not exactly. 

The goal for many Division III schools is to offer their students a well-rounded, comprehensive college experience—one that provides an even balance between academics and athletics without focusing solely on athletics. 

Division I sports can often feel like a full-time college career, leaving little time to get involved in other student organizations or pursue additional academic projects and research. 

As such, NCAA Division III institutions do not offer full or partial athletic scholarships to their student-athletes. 

But a D3 school may appeal to you if you’re  looking for a competitive level of play but still want to have time for studying abroad, participating in on-campus organizations and taking on extra opportunities to excel in the classroom. 

To participate in Division III sports, student-athletes are subject to the same admission requirements as non-athletes, including:

• Grade-point average (GPA) – Schools today take a more holistic approach to reviewing applicant qualifications, but GPA will still be considered. It’s also important to note that different schools set different expectations surrounding academic eligibility for sports. Division III schools may require a minimum GPA for athletes to maintain their spot on the team.

• Extracurricular activities – Again, each school has its own process of filtering through applicants. However, the admissions committee at a Division III institution will often favor  students involved in a number of different extracurricular activities due to their standards of providing a holistic education. 

• Admissions essays – The admissions essay isa chance for students to highlight their strengths and let their personalities shine and it's a must for Division III college hopefuls. The essay gives you  an opportunity to impress admissions committees and put yourself in the running for a competitive, merit-based scholarship. 

So, if Division III colleges and universities don’t offer athletic scholarships, how do their student-athletes pay for school? Let’s dive into the specific financial aid alternatives in the next section. 

How do Division III Athletes Pay for School?

While Division III schools are not able to offer full or partial athletic scholarships, it’s important to note that they can provide financial aid to their student-athletes in other ways. 

In fact, 75% of Division III athletes receive some type of financial aid—which can be need-based or merit-based. So, while full athletic scholarships are not available, most Division III schools do help their students pay for college.

Student-athletes searching for options for financial support are recommended to fill out the FAFSA application to determine what kind of need-based scholarships they may be eligible for. 

But what’s the secret to earning a merit-based scholarship? Here are a few ways students can be rewarded based on academic performance.

Focus on schools with larger endowments 

Strictly from a financially savvy point of view, it makes sense for student-athletes to target schools that have more money to spend. The more financial resources available to institutions, the more aid they can give to prospective students. So, who’s sitting on the highest mountain of money? Private universities make up a majority of the institutions with endowments of more than a billion dollars. For freshmen at Trinity College, for example, an average of $58,374 is awarded in merit-based aid each year. 

Get involved in community outreach 

Merit-based scholarships are awarded for a number of reasons, but some may prioritize applicants who have shown some degree of dedication to their local communities. Getting involved in organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, The Humane Society, or Best Buddies are just a few ways young adults can participate meaningfully in their area while also boosting their chances of being considered for merit-based aid.