Do D3 Schools Give Athletic Scholarships?
Introduction to Division III Schools
To give a quick answer, Division III schools typically do not offer athletic scholarships. The reason for this is that these schools aim to offer a more well-rounded education, so that students can enjoy the benefits of an athletic program combined with academics. If you are considering a Division III program, keep in mind that the program’s ultimate goal is to provide you with that well-balanced college experience. Since the athletic program is much less rigorous compared with division I and II schools, you can dedicate more time to the school’s academic program. When deciding which route to take in terms of athletic programs, consider how rigorous and time-consuming of a program you want as a student athlete.
So, Do D3 Schools Give Athletic Scholarships to Students?
In a division III program, you can take advantage of a good athletic program, while also having time to join other clubs and organizations, study abroad, attend school events, have a job, and more. So if you are an athlete with multiple different interests and extracurricular activities, and you feel that you have a well-rounded application, consider applying to a division III school! Admissions officers in these schools look at your application holistically, so your chances of getting into a Division III school with a balanced application are higher.
Students are also often worried that when playing in a Division III school, they will not be challenged enough, and will be on teams with sub-par athletes who could not get recruited to anywhere else. On the contrary, athletic teams in division III schools often have some of the best, most accomplished athletes from all over the country. Talented athletes to compete with and against, combined with a strong academic program and a plethora of opportunities, are the reasons why many athletes choose to go the Division III path. Now that we know some of the benefits of Division III Schools, we will discuss some of the positives of pursuing non-athletic scholarships in Division III Schools.
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Why Can Non-Athletic Scholarships Be Better?
Many students and parents are often discouraged from applying to Division III schools once they hear that they do not offer athletic scholarships; however, there are plenty of other options for these schools! Some also say that these options are ultimately better. D3 schools offer many different scholarships, one of the most prominent being academic scholarships. If this is discouraging you from applying to D3 schools, remember that academic scholarships can actually be more effective than athletic scholarships. This is because you can easily lose an athletic scholarship by getting injured, performing poorly, and in other ways. On the contrary, you can easily keep an academic scholarship by maintaining good grades. Athletic scholarships are also typically one-year agreements that can be renewed, and academic scholarships are for four years.
Options for Division III Schools
Since D3 schools do not offer any athletic scholarships, what are all of the options that students even have? Let’s get into it!
Option #1: Financial Aid- The vast majority of students in the United States receive some sort of need-based financial aid.
- Before ruling out a college on the basis of finances, you should wait to complete the FAFSA and receive your financial package to that school, as it may be enough to make the school affordable for you.
Option #2: Merit-Based Scholarships
- Depending on the school you apply to, some will automatically consider you for a merit-based award or an academic merit scholarship, and some will require an additional application.
- Many external organizations and companies also have opportunities to apply for merit scholarships. For instance, the Equitable Excellence Scholarship offers merit-based scholarships that ambitious and driven students can apply to. There are more specific merit-based scholarships as well: the Society of Women Engineers offers multiple scholarships to students who identify as women, and that want to pursue an education in engineering.
Option #3: Public Division III Schools
- If you have looked into all financial aid and merit-based scholarship options, and attending these schools are still too expensive, it may be useful to consider public Division III schools.
- Public Division III schools are often significantly less expensive than private colleges. Tuition, housing, and other expenses are typically more affordable in public universities, and the programs are often still valuable.
- Do some research to decide what college and program may be best for you.
Do Scholarships & Financial Aid Right!
Although Division III colleges do not provide athletic scholarships to students, there are multiple other ways - that some may argue are even better - to make these colleges more affordable for you. First, you should consider whether a less-rigorous and less time-consuming D3 program is beneficial for you as a student athlete. Then, by doing some in-depth research, figure out which specific D3 schools are right for you, whether they are public or private. Once you have your college list secured, fill out the FAFSA, apply for merit and other scholarships, and you may just discover that a D3 school that fits your needs becomes affordable! Be sure not to be discouraged from applying to a certain school before you even receive your financial aid package and potential scholarships. Good luck with your college applications!
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