Do college athletes get paid, or is it just scholarships?

I've been super curious about whether college athletes receive direct payment for playing on their teams or if their compensation is mainly in the form of scholarships. How does this work across different sports and college divisions?

Moreover, with recent changes and discussions about athletes making money off their name and likeness, has there been a shift in what's permissible regarding payments to college players? I’d appreciate any insights or experiences from current or former college athletes.

From what I understand, college athletes typically do not receive direct payments for playing on college teams. Instead, they often receive athletic scholarships which can cover part or all of their tuition, room and board, and other fees related to their education. These scholarships vary greatly across different sports and college divisions. For example, a Division I school might offer full scholarships to their most valued athletes, while at lower-ranked Division II or III schools, they might offer partial scholarships or financial aid packages that take into account the athlete's financial needs as well.

However, there has indeed been a significant change in this area recently. The NCAA, the governing body for college athletics, has adjusted its rules regarding amateurism, allowing athletes to profit from their name, image, and likeness (NIL). Previously, athletes could not receive any payments outside of their scholarships. Now, however, they can sign endorsement deals, earn money from autograph signings, and benefit monetarily from their athletic prowess in other ways - as long as these activities are in line with their school's specific NIL policy. This has been a transformative shift in college sports, allowing athletes to gain some financial benefits from the large revenues they generate for their colleges and universities.

Please note that the new NIL rules do not equate to colleges and universities paying their athletes. Rather, it allows athletes to make money from third parties using their name, image, and likeness. The schools themselves are still not permitted to pay their athletes directly.

Lastly, while these changes are in effect across various sports and college divisions, there can be significant differences in how much money different athletes can make. A star quarterback at a major Division I football school might garner lucrative endorsement deals, while athletes in lower-profile sports or smaller schools might not have the same opportunities.

In sum, scholarships are still the primary form of 'compensation' for athletes, but the newly allowed NIL deals have substantially broadened the possibilities for college athletes to earn money while they are still in school.