Crunching
Crunching the Numbers: Football Scholarships |
By Ryan Wood | Active.com The recruiting process is new to nearly every prospective football player–not just you. You’ve put together a highlight video and sent it out to schools. You’re getting letters from other schools you haven’t heard of. You’re wondering what’s spin and what’s true when talking scholarship money. You’re really overwhelmed when asked to make a decision. You’re not alone. That said, it’s important to remember that knowledge is power in the recruiting game. To get a sense of where all the schools belong and what kind of scholarship limitations they have, here’s a quick rundown of each college football division: NCAA FOOTBALL BOWL SUBDIVISION (FBS) Scholarship count: FBS programs are allowed 85 scholarships on its roster at any given time, and generally can sign up to 25 players per year. Scholarship breakdown: All 85 scholarships are full rides. There are no partial scholarships given in FBS football. NCAA FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SUBDIVISION (FCS) Scholarship Count: FCS schools have 63 scholarships to be distributed, and up to 30 incoming players each year can be given aid. Scholarship Breakdown: Scholarships at FCS schools can be full or partial rides. The 63 grants can be divided up in any way, but no more than 85 players can be put on scholarship. NCAA DIVISION II Scholarship Count: Division II programs have 36 scholarships to be distributed, though some conferences don’t allow their schools to have that many. Scholarship Breakdown: Football scholarships at Division-II institutions can be divided among as many players as a program wishes. Most Division-II players are on partial scholarships. NCAA DIVISION III Scholarship Count: There are no athletic scholarships in Division III athletics. Scholarship Breakdown: Though there’s no chance of getting a football scholarship at a Division III school, it is possible to receive an academic scholarship or a need-based grant that can help financially while you play football. NAIA Scholarship Count: NAIA football programs are permitted 24 scholarships to be spread out in any way. Scholarship Breakdown: Partial scholarships are common. Strong students meeting a certain academic criteria can receive aid without it counting toward the 24-scholarship limit. NJCAA Scholarship Count: NJCAA programs are permitted 85 scholarships. Scholarship Breakdown: Many states, like Kansas, Texas and Mississippi, require its junior colleges to reserve a large number of space on the active roster for in-state talent. Kansas jucos, for example, must have 43 Kansas high school graduates on its 55-man active roster. |