9 Realities about Athletic Scholarships
Plan accordingly for your volleyball journey to continue

Sports Scholarships are Rare

Only about 2% of high school athletes secure sports scholarships each year. These awards are available but typically average under $10,000, so it’s wise to plan with realistic expectations.

Full-Ride Scholarships are Extremely Rare

Full-ride sports scholarships are limited and mostly offered by Division I programs in the US with a focus on sports like football and basketball. Most other sports provide partial scholarships instead. The increasing popularity in volleyball allows for many opportunities to play at the post-secondary level.

Scholarships vary Widely

Scholarship funding is often tightly regulated. For example, NCAA rules dictate each program’s scholarship budget, which means coaches can divide these funds however they see fit. As a result, athletes may receive smaller scholarships than expected. The same applies to Canadian universities where scholarships depend on the athletic departments ability to fund-raise.

Don’t get swayed by Promises

Coaches might mention substantial scholarship budgets, but this doesn’t guarantee that you'll receive a big award. Scholarship offers are not final until officially documented in the school’s athletic grant-in-aid form, so take verbal promises with caution.

Verbal Commitments aren’t Binding

While coaches may make early offers to younger athletes, a verbal commitment doesn't guarantee a roster spot. A coach’s interest can change, so don’t rely on verbal offers alone.

College Sports are a major time Commitment

I athletes can spend as much as 40+ hours a week on their sport, almost like a full-time job. The commitment often limits the academic paths available to athletes, so high school extracurriculars are crucial to showcase your ability to balance commitments.

Avoid Athletic Recruiters

While some families consider hiring recruiters, coaches generally prefer to communicate directly with student-athletes. Check out our recruitment video and athletic resume guides for tips on how to make a strong impression on your own.

Keep your videos Simple

Coaches don’t need fancy, lengthy videos. A quick 2-3 minute clip showing your skills will suffice, and a basic upload to YouTube is ideal. Share the link directly with coaches to streamline the process.

Every dollar counts

Partial scholarships are common for college athletes, but there are plenty of other funding options out there. Search for outside scholarships, whether through essay contests, surveys, or local businesses. Small awards add up, and showing that you’ve earned multiple scholarships also reflects positively on your resourcefulness.

Conclusion: Do your homework

Athletes who research the academic standards of a school and look for the academic program they are interested in are better positioned to land a spot on the school team. Coaches want to know you are looking for their complete university experience and not just the volleyball program. Athletes attending a school because they value the academic program, they are registered in are more likely to maintain their academic requirements. And don’t forget, you can supplement any athletic scholarship with an academic scholarship!

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