I'm trying to understand what athletic scholarships exist for girls aiming to go to college. Are there specific sports or leagues that tend to offer more scholarships to female athletes?
There are a wide range of athletic scholarships available for female athletes wanting to compete at the collegiate level. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) are the two major governing bodies in college athletics, and both offer scholarships to female athletes.
The NCAA outlines a strict set of guidelines and a maximum number of scholarships that universities can offer per sport. That being said, some sports are known as head-count sports, meaning they provide a set number of full scholarships. For girls, these are basketball, tennis, and volleyball. Other sports such as softball, gymnastics, and track and field are considered equivalency sports, meaning coaches can divide their scholarship pool among a larger number of athletes, providing partial scholarships.
In Division I, for example, a Women's Soccer team has a limit of 28 full scholarships (beginning in the 2025-26 academic year), while Women's Track has a limit of 45 scholarships (also beginning in 2025-26) which can be split among more athletes.
The NAIA similarly provides scholarships in a range of sports, with some differences in the number available per sport and rules about splitting scholarships.
There are also athletic scholarships provided by the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), open to female athletes intending to compete at two-year colleges.
Additionally, certain private associations offer sport-specific scholarships to female athletes, regardless of which college they attend. To illustrate, the Women's Western Golf Foundation provides scholarships to graduate high school girls who plan to compete in collegiate golf.
To maximize your opportunities, it's a great idea to research scholarships specific to your desired sport, and also to consider different divisions and associations. Schools, coaches, and athletic departments can provide valuable information on scholarship opportunities in their specific programs. It's important to note that securing an athletic scholarship is a combination of athletic ability, academics, and often demonstrated financial need.
Remember that being proactive, engaging with coaches, and having a solid recruitment plan can be truly beneficial in securing an athletic scholarship.
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