How much do colleges typically offer in athletic scholarships?

I'm exploring opportunities to play sports in college and would love to know the general range of athletic scholarships colleges offer. What’s the average amount given to student-athletes?

The amount of athletic scholarships can vary widely based on the sport, the athletic division of the school, and the individual athlete's ability. It's important to remember that not all sports are scholarship sports. In the NCAA, only Division I and Division II schools offer athletic scholarships. Division III schools do not offer athletic scholarships, but they do offer other forms of financial aid that you might be eligible for.

For head-count sports (those that offer full ride scholarships) such as football or basketball at Division I schools, scholarships can cover the full cost of tuition, room and board, books, and a cost-of-living stipend. On the other hand, equivalency sports like baseball or track and field at the same level, have a set number of scholarships that can be divided among a larger number of athletes, leading to partial scholarships.

The average athletic scholarship is about $18,000 per student-athlete, according to a 2019 survey from AthleticScholarships.net. But again, this figure can vary a lot. Some student-athletes might receive a few thousand dollars, while others could snag a scholarship that covers their entire tuition.

One last point to note is the distinction between renewable and nonrenewable scholarships. Some athletic scholarships are only awarded for one year at a time, and they're renewed based on your athletic performance, while others are awarded for the entire four years. Be sure to clarify this in your scholarship agreement.

Just remember, athletic scholarships aren't the only way to fund your education. Be sure to fill out the FAFSA to see if you're eligible for federal financial aid and explore other scholarships and grants you might be eligible for!