Can D2 schools provide athletic scholarships?

I'm involved in high school sports and considering playing at the collegiate level. I know Division I schools often offer athletic scholarships, but I'm not as aware of how it works for Division II schools. Do D2 schools also provide athletic scholarships to student athletes, and if so, how do those scholarships generally compare to those offered by D1 programs in terms of amount and availability?

Absolutely, D2 schools do provide athletic scholarships for student-athletes, just like D1 programs. While the Division I schools are often more recognized on the national stage, Division II continues to grow and is home to many excellent athlete-scholars.

There is, however, a difference in the amount of scholarships D1 and D2 schools can provide. Division I schools can offer more full scholarships, whereas D2 schools tend to offer a larger number of partial scholarships. This is due to the differing regulations regarding the "headcount" and "equivalency" sports in the NCAA framework.

For example, in headcount sports (like D1 football or women's volleyball), the school can offer a certain number of full scholarships and nothing less to its athletes. On the other hand, in equivalency sports (D2 sports fall under this category), the scholarships can be divided up among a larger number of athletes in smaller amounts.

So, while the amount offered may not be equal to what you might see at a top-tier D1 program, there are definitely scholarship opportunities available for athletes at D2 schools. It's also worth remembering each institution has flexibility in how they distribute their funds, so the number, type, and amount of scholarships can vary widely.

Consult closely with coaches during the recruitment process to understand what financial aid options might be available to you. Applying early or expressing dedicated interest in a particular D2 school could potentially give you an edge in securing available scholarship funds.