What is a D2 scholarship and how does it work?

I'm considering playing sports at the Division II level in college, and I keep hearing about 'D2 scholarships.' I know Division I gets a lot of attention, but I'm curious about how the scholarship system works for D2 schools. Are these scholarships mainly partial, or do they sometimes cover full tuition? Any insight into the eligibility criteria or how I can improve my chances of getting a D2 scholarship would be fantastic. Thanks in advance for any help!

Division II scholarships, more commonly known as D2 scholarships, are financial awards given to student-athletes who compete at the NCAA Division II level. These scholarships can cover different portions of school fees, including tuition, room and board, books, or other educational expenses. They can either be full-ride or partial scholarships. However, full-ride scholarships are less common at the D2 level compared to the NCAA Division I level.

The number of scholarships granted per team at the D2 level can vary depending on the sport. For example, a men’s basketball team is allowed to have up to 10 scholarships, while a women’s basketball team can have up to 10 scholarships as well.

To be considered for a Division II scholarship, you must meet the NCAA's academic and amateurism eligibility criteria. In terms of academics, you are required to fulfill a certain core curriculum during high school, which includes Mathematics, English, Natural Science, and Social Science, earn at least a 2.2 GPA, and achieve a qualifying score on the SAT or ACT (though some test-blind schools will not consider these scores). For athletic eligibility, you must not have signed a contract with a professional team, received salary for participating in athletics, or competed with professionals, among other requirements.

How you can improve your chances of getting a D2 scholarship is similar to most scholarships: strong academic performance, solid athletic ability, and proactive communication with coaches. The latter is especially important. It's common for student-athletes to reach out to coaches personally, either through emails, phone calls, or showcasing their skills and commitment through athlete recruitment platforms. Don’t just rely on your high school coach to get your name and abilities known. You should also consider attending showcase events and tournaments, as many college coaches scout for talent at these venues. Lastly, don't underestimate the importance of a positive attitude and demonstrable leadership skills; coaches are not just looking for athletes but also for team players.