The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) offer college athletic scholarships, but student athletes are not necessarily entitled to college athletic scholarships. An athlete must perform well on the playing field in order to be considered for one.
Types of Athletic Scholarships
There are two kinds of college athletic scholarships available. They are partial scholarships and full scholarships. Both scholarships are mandated by the NCAA and have set parameters.
Partial College Athletic Scholarship
The partial athletic scholarship will not cover the entirety of tuition and fees for the athlete, but it can waive either tuition for a set number of semester hours and the fees included within those classes, or it will deduct the scholarship amount each semester from the athlete's tuition.
Full College Athletic Scholarship
A full college athletic scholarship will pay for the athlete's tuition and fees. If the athlete signs a scholarship offer before entering the university, the athlete is entitled to four years of scholarship.
Walk-on Athletes
Walk-on athletes who make the team, depending on their performance in the subsequent season, can be offered a partial or full scholarship. This is dependent on the coaching staff whether or not to offer the walk-on athlete a scholarship. Under NCAA rules, no walk-on athlete is entitled to any financial assistance from the university or the NCAA.
Books and Supplies
Books and supplies for the classes are not covered under full or partial scholarships. Books and supplies are covered by the student athletes. The NCAA or NAIA is not allowed to distribute checks to the athletes. This would be considered unethical because the athlete is perceived as taking bribes or kickbacks.
Division III Athletes
Division III athletes do not receive any kind of assistance, varsity or otherwise, from the NCAA or NAIA.
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