Playing College Football Without a Scholarship?

I love football and want to play at the college level, but I'm not sure about my chances of getting a scholarship. Can you still join a college football team without one? How does it work financially?

Absolutely, you can play college football without a scholarship. There are varying levels of collegiate football, and each one holds different prospects for non-scholarship players.

Let's start with Division I schools: The major football programs (Division I FBS) generally offer scholarships, but walk-ons without a scholarship are welcome. A "walk-on" is an athlete who joins a team without being actively recruited or receiving an athletic scholarship. Some walk-ons end up earning scholarships down the line based on their performance and contribution to the team.

Division III schools, on the other hand, aren't allowed to offer athletic scholarships at all, so everyone essentially joins as a "walk-on". In these cases, your financial package will typically consist of need-based and merit-based financial aid.

Financially, if you don't receive a scholarship, you would be responsible for covering the cost of your tuition, room, and board. You may qualify for need-based financial aid or merit-based scholarships unrelated to athletics which could considerable reduce your expenses. Also, take note that football can also help with admissions. Schools might be more inclined to admit you if you can contribute to their football program.

In short, it is possible to play college football without a scholarship. Many successful college athletes have started their journey as walk-ons.