If you are the parent of a serious student-athlete, then chances are you're becoming familiar with the scholarship policies of schools at various levels of competition.
Division 1 schools offer the most scholarship money, but also put the highest demands on student time, and therefore are incredibly competitive. Meanwhile, you might have heard there are no Division 3 (D3) athletic scholarships.
That's not quite true.
What is really a better statement is the fact that there are no Division 3 athletic scholarships which are administered through the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), which supplies funding for scholarships at other levels.
Instead, student-athletes who're thinking about playing sports in a Division 3 school will often find that there are considerable Division 3 scholarships available, just using their company sources.
Do Division 3 Schools Give Athletic Scholarships?
Division 3 colleges do not provide athletic scholarships by itself, but rather provide scholarships based on need and merit, like the majority of other universities.
That means that parents, with students thinking about pursuing a Division 3 athletic career, should familiarize themselves with how merit-based and need-based aid work.
That does not mean that athletics counts for nothing. Some of the best ways to demonstrate leadership experience, gain an appreciation for community service, and usually prove that your child has all the “soft” factors that make a great admit is through sports.
As extracurricular activities count towards consideration for D3 merit scholarships for athletes, admissions committees will always be happy to see somebody that would like to experience ball, literally.
What Can D3 Schools Offer Athletes?
Don't believe that your child will somehow be cheated from a student-athlete experience by going to a D3 school; nothing might be more wrong.
In fact, because of shorter seasons, they will likely be able to have a more balanced time while pursuing their degree.
After all, many Division 3 schools are academic powerhouses; as the Ivy League is a Division 1 conference (only one that treats scholarships just like a D3 school), the brand new England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC), has a few of the top colleges in the united states and it is firmly a D3 conference.
That doesn't mean that levels of competition are anything other than fierce. Probably the most heated rivalries attending college sports exist between Division 3 schools.
While Amherst-Williams may not obtain the media coverage of Michigan-Ohio State or Auburn-Alabama, you are able to bet that students and alumni take the games very seriously.
Finally, Division 3 schools attempt to put the student first. At schools with NCAA athletic scholarships, students must still play for the scholarship to become valid.
Division 3 admits don't have any such requirement; if after a season or two continued involvement is not within the student's interest, there isn't any financial consequence for the child walking away from the sport.
How Do D3 Athletes Pay for School?
Because there are no sports scholarships in the Division 3 level, student-athletes have to pay for college like the majority of other applicants. However, they do have a couple of advantages available.
First, they stick out, meaning they are more likely to get preferred consideration for merit-based rewards.
Second, many Division 3 schools already offer substantial financial aid packages and offer preferred acceptance to athletes. After all, simply because there's not scholarships doesn't mean these programs are not incredibly competitive, and coaches (and admissions officers) are pragmatic: They know that successful sports teams are an easy way to construct rapport with alumni.
In fact, becoming an athlete might help students gain admission to universities where they would well be waitlisted, like Williams, Hamilton, or Amherst.
These colleges, like practically all others in the NESCAC, offer comprehensive financial aid packages for many middle-class families. As you can see in the table below, other Division 3 colleges still work to satisfy the financial needs of student-athletes.
D3 Schools Offering the Largest Avg Needs Based Grants
Updated: 3/18/2023
<table aria-label="D3 Schools Offering the Largest Avg Needs Based Grants" id="footable_25274"
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Grad
Rate
Need Met
Freshmen
based award Freshmen
D3 Merit Scholarships for Athletes
Finally, you have the few merit scholarships, specifically for athletes. While the NCAA places firm limits on the quantity of outside funding students who receive NCAA scholarships may receive, those rules don't apply for Division 3 athletes.
Instead, they are able to i believe selection of merit scholarships, which differ by university, and some which exist to reward athletic prowess.
You will find colleges that provide merit scholarships for athletes with our easy-to-use, online College Insights Tool. Filter, sort, and compare the outcomes for information not only about merit scholarships, but test-optional, early decision, early action, need-based aid, and more.
Competition at Division 3 level colleges is aggressive, and merely because your child plays an activity does not mean that they will be automatically accepted.
However, for many families whose children would be borderline at other divisions, seeing a D3 school is a practicable option, and could let them get educational funding beyond what they would certainly receive.
D3 Schools Offering the Largest Avg Merit Aid Awards
Updated: 3/18/2023
<table aria-label="D3 Schools Offering the Largest Avg Merit Aid Awards" id="footable_25273"
>
Grad
Rate
Freshmen
W/Out Need
Merit Award Freshmen
w/out need