Getting an athletic scholarship is very difficult, especially at the D1 level. Many athletes work all of their lives and still can’t attain them. The chances of being granted a collegiate athletic scholarship at the Division I level as a high school student are around 2%. Alongside this, for those individuals who are awarded a scholarship, the average value will be less than $11,000. While this statistic may seem shockingly small, don’t get your hopes down. If your lifelong dream is to play collegiate athletics, there are plenty of opportunities.
Sports That Allocate Full Scholarships
There are only six sports where all the scholarships are full ride. These so-called head-count sports are football, men’s and women’s basketball, women’s gymnastics, volleyball, and tennis. In these Division 1 sports, athletes receive a full ride or no ride.
The Consequences of Covid 19
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on college sports. Sports seasons have been delayed and altered, but more than 300 sports programs across the NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA have been cut.
Academic Success Matters
To receive a scholarship to an NCAA D1 or D2 program, student-athletes must meet specific eligibility requirements. They require you to complete a minimum academic standard and be considered an amateur athlete. However, just because you meet the minimum standards for the school you want to play at doesn’t mean you will receive a scholarship. Your chances for an offer increase the better your academics are.
Great opportunities come to those who work, even in a competitive environment, such as making a collegiate roster and receiving an athletic scholarship. If you want this for yourself, you better be prepared to work as hard in the recruiting process as you do on the field or in the gym.