Winning a Football Scholarship: A Modern Step-by-Step Guide for Aspiring Athletes

Sports scholarships are so competitive because they’re often the only real shot at a college education for thousands of high school athletes. Why? Financial reasons, academic reasons, personal preference… the list goes on. Some people simply refuse to give up on a dream. And that’s okay! If you know the system and plan smart, you can pull it off. But you’ll need to lock in: gather info to form a strategy, maybe get some help with your research. The right schools are out there, and you will find them. We’ll help you start!

Understanding the Landscape

NCAA vs. NAIA

NCAA is the National College Athletic Association headquartered in Indianapolis. It’s a non-profit with two main agendas: regulation of student athletics in American colleges and organization of programs to support athletes in college sports. NCAA works with over a thousand schools in the U.S., including big names like UCLA, Ohio State, Pennsylvania, Stanford, and many more. Every year, it offers full and partial scholarships to half a million students who actively compete. Its signature specific is separation into three divisions (more on this later). The eligibility of candidates is determined by the NCAA Eligibility Center and includes strict academic and testing requirements.

NAIA stands for National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. It operates from Kansas City and has over 200 member schools (including Southeastern University, Marian University, and Baker University). This 2024-25 season, it supports 80,000+ students. NAIA was the first to grant memberships for colleges outside the continental United States, currently covering two Canadian schools and one institution from the Virgin Islands. Its scale is smaller compared to the NCAA, but the level of play here is still quite competitive. It evaluates candidates through the NAIA Eligibility Center and offers athletic scholarships that are often more flexible than those granted by the NCAA. There is a set of academic criteria a student must meet, but the athletic recruitment process is less regulated and is usually determined by individual schools.

In short, the NCAA can spill a brighter spotlight on you, which comes with more competition and rigidity, while the NAIA is a smaller, more personal option that sometimes translates into easier scholarship access. Both paths are valid depending on what kind of college experience you’re looking for. There are other avenues to consider, too, like the National Junior College Athletic Association that governs sports in community, state, and junior colleges.

Full vs. Partial Scholarships

There are two main types of sport scholarships: full ride and partial. A full ride covers pretty much everything — tuition, housing, meals, books. A partial scholarship, as the name suggests, pitches in to help reduce the general cost of your education but may not be enough to wave off every expense. Each school and program has its own budget, so don’t assume every offer will be identical. A full ride is, of course, the ultimate dream, but don’t dismiss partial assistance outright: it can still be a great help, especially with how the student loan situation is currently unfolding.

NCAA Divisions

The NCAA has divisions to group schools based on various factors. These include size, budget, pre-existing athletic scholarships, and more nuanced aspects like how much emphasis a college has placed on sports historically. It is meant to level out the playing field for competing schools: a small liberal arts college with 2,000 students shouldn’t have to compete against a powerhouse university with a $100 million athletic program. Fair play is much more fun to watch, after all.

Division I is the big leagues, with ESPN-level games played at the highest competition level. The demands on a student’s schedule are equally high. The schools in this category have the largest athletic budgets and offer the most full-ride scholarships. You can expect to see packed classes and thousands of students roaming around the campus.

Division II schools are still competitive, but they’re more balanced between academics and athletics. There are fewer resources compared to D-I programs and more partial scholarship opportunities, but the sports are still intense. Here, you’ll be able to pick a smaller college if you prefer.

Division III focuses on academics the most. These schools don’t offer athletic scholarships, but there are still plenty of opportunities for need-based financial aid. Here, athletes play for the love of the game, not the money, and with it comes a balanced college experience. You’ll have enough time for other extracurriculars like study abroad programs.

Step 1: Do Not Let Your Academic Grades Slip

Yes, dear friend, algebra quizzes do matter. You won’t use those formulas in everyday life, but you’ll need the knowledge to pass all the classes and tests required for scholarship eligibility. This is not a coming-of-age rom-com; you won’t thrive by ball alone. Your scores and grades demonstrate more than academic success: dedication, responsibility, organizational skills, the ability to focus and be a team player are all necessary to get a proper grade.

The NCAA needs you to graduate high school with 16 core courses under your belt and a minimum GPA of 2.3 for D-I or 2.2 for D-II. Your GPA can be slightly lower if you have higher SAT/ACT scores and vice versa. SAT/ACT are currently optional for many schools but are still considered helpful. If submitted, scores will be matched with your GPA using the NCAA’s sliding scale. Ten of your core courses must be completed by the time Junior year ends, and you will not be able to retake seven of them. Note that there are specific subject requirements. Do not forget: you must be considered an amateur athlete — as in, you shouldn’t have any professional contracts or monetize your play in any way.

The NAIA requirements are a bit more lenient, but you might find the semester-based combinations for U.S. high school students confusing, so we laid them out.

Note that test scores must be at minimum 18-20 for ACT and 950-970 for SAT, likewise depending on the date. There are special rules in place for international and transfer students, but academic records and previous college credits will be reviewed carefully.

Step 2: Get Your Name Out There Early

If you’re in high school, the best time to start preparing for a college football recruiting journey was yesterday. The next best is now, now, NOW. Many athletes get serious their sophomore year because D-I coaches begin evaluating potential recruits much earlier than the contact period, which begins on June 15th. They will review the student-athlete’s video and grades and reach out to their club or high school coaches to assess their potential.

You, too, can be proactive leading up to the date. You’ll need a football resume with a short highlight video (keep it under five minutes). Make sure your profile displays your latest transcripts, and update both regularly so coaches can trace your progress. Reach out with a polite but confident email first: the no-contact rule only works one way, and student-athletes are allowed to reach out with updates on their journey. Recruiters want to see commitment and consistent development more than a single good season.

An early start also means more time to attend football camps to beef up your highlight reel. Talent is great, but visibility is everything. If you’ve already played in regional games or got high-profile football training, even better. The odds of getting noticed randomly are slim. You have to advocate for yourself. Persistence translates into chances. A good rule of thumb: the earlier you start, the more control you have over your options.

Step 3: Be Realistic About the Competition

Speaking of those odds. The pool of athletes applying for scholarships is huge. According to 2022 stats, the number of male high school soccer players in the U.S. was 450+K, while college players only numbered at 44+K. The college football odds of making any roster were 12:1 for boys and 10:1 for girls, and the odds of getting a full NCAA D-I scholarship were 108:1 and 41:1, respectively. These are not meant to scare you, but you have to remember that backup plans are smart, not cynical.

Depending on the situation, it might be best to consider schools with smaller football programs or even explore Scholarship America and other organizations offering aid outside of athletics. You can combine a partial sports scholarship with academic or financial aid to make your dream school more affordable.

Step 4: Applications, FAFSA, Scholarship Universe

Now for the part that catches a lot of athletes off guard: the scholarship application process almost always involves writing. First, you will have to file your Free Application for Federal Student Aid form for the year. FAFSA tells the government how much help you need with tuition. Based on your answers, you might qualify for grants you won’t have to pay back, federal student loans, work-study programs with on-campus jobs that help pay the bills, and state or school-specific aid. Keep in mind: filling out the form is free! Do not engage with any scammy “pay-to-apply” sites.

Be sure to also get a Scholarship Universe account. Developed by Ellucian, it’s a “complete scholarship-management platform”. It connects students with internal scholarships offered by their educational institutions and external opportunities from various organizations. After answering a series of profile questions, you will be matched with vetted scholarships for which you are personally eligible. Many universities, such as the University of Arizona and the University of Florida, have integrated Scholarship Universe into their systems so students can get familiar with all propositions safely through a single portal. ​

Step 5: Build a Support System

Don’t try to do this solo. Family support is nice if you have it, but it’s okay if you don’t. Talk to your football coach and captain, connect with mentors and look into buddy programs. Ask teachers or guidance counselors to review your materials. They can keep you on schedule and remind you that it’s okay to breathe once in a while. Do not neglect emotional support: it’s as important as logistics. The application process is stressful, and setbacks are inevitable. Be prepared for ghosted emails and a few “we’re going in a different direction” messages. That’s part of the process, and having people in your corner will be a big help in those down times.

Why It’s All Worth It

Besides the obvious financial perks, a football scholarship is an investment in your future. You get to do what you love and pursue an education at the same time. Grow on and off the field. It opens doors to potential pro opportunities through career networking, not to mention lifelong friendships. Maybe your name will be the next one on the list of famous football players who turned a modest scholarship application into a legacy.

Research. Plan. Write. Train. Repeat. Good luck out there. We’re rooting for you.