Sup folks, I've been working on my college financial plan lately and was wondering- which sports offer the most scholarships at the college level? Would be awesome to combine a passion of mine with financial aid.
Hello! While the exact number of scholarships can vary, NCAA Division I and II sports generally offer the most scholarships. Here are a few specific sports that traditionally offer a higher number of scholarships:
1. Football: NCAA Division I FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) programs can offer up to 85 full ride scholarships to players. FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) programs can offer up to 63 scholarships, which can be divvied out partial scholarships to more players if the school chooses.
2. Basketball: Both men's and women's basketball teams at the NCAA D1 level are allowed to offer up to 13 scholarships each.
3. Track and Field/Cross Country: These sports offer up to 12.6 for men and 18 for women in NCAA D1 institutions.
4. Baseball: This sport can offer up to 11.7 scholarships at the NCAA D1 level.
Still, keep in mind that every school and athletic program is different. The actual number of scholarships offered could be less than the maximum limit based on the college's athletic budget, their other needs in different sports, and more. Coaches can also choose to divide scholarships between more than the allowed maximum number of athletes, turning what could have been a full ride scholarship into a partial one.
One additional note: you might find comparing schools that are "headcount" versus "equivalency" sports helpful. Headcount sports, like football or basketball, offer full-ride scholarships only. On the other hand, equivalency sports, like baseball or track and field, allow coaches to divide their scholarships between more players as they see fit.
It's definitely beneficial to reach out to coaches directly for the most accurate numbers and to gain more insight into the potential for scholarships. Pursuing athletics can be a great way to help fund your college education while doing something you love, so I wish you the best of luck!
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