NCAA Scholarship Information for College Basketball – Quick Facts for D1, D2 & D3

The NCAA provides scholarships and various pathways and opportunities for college athletes. They have more than 1,100 college and universities who are members of the NCAA. The schools range in size (super large to really small) for the three different divisions. Each NCAA division offers things that can meet the needs of various players as every college bound student athletes is unique. In this article we will take a look at what each NCAA division can offer, useful informative facts & stats as well as some additional information to assist you in making the right decisions.

The different divisions in a nutshell:

D1 – generally have the biggest student population, biggest athletic budgets, highest number of athletic scholarships

D2 – offers growth opportunities through academic achievements, learning in high-level athletic competition

D3 – offers participation n competitive basketball, in an environment that pushes players to excel on the court and build on their potential through their college experience

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR COLLEGE BASKETBALL PROSPECTS

NCAA D1 and D2 schools provide more than $2.7 billion in athletic scholarships every year to more than 150,000 student athletes (D3 do not offer athletic scholarships).

Facts:

• Only approximately 2% of high school athletes are awarded scholarships to compete in college.
• Of all the student athletes participating in college sports in sports with professional leagues, less than 2% go on to become professional athletes.

What do you get on a NCAA Division 1 basketball scholarship?

Division 1 men’s basketball programs can cover tuition, fees, room and board, books and other expenses related to attending the school. Division 1 schools can provide you with a multi-year scholarship. In most cases, the head coach decides who receives a scholarship, the scholarship amount and whether it will be renewed. The school must notify you in writing by July 1 prior to the start of the impacted school year if they plan to reduce or not renew your aid (scholarship).

What do you get on a NCAA Division 2 basketball scholarship?

Division 2 men’s basketball programs full scholarships cover tuition, fees, room and board, course-related books and supplies. Division 2 schools must provide you with a one-year scholarship. In most cases, the head coach decides who receives a scholarship, the scholarship amount and whether it will be renewed. The school must notify you in writing by July 1 prior to the start of the impacted school year if they plan to reduce or not renew your aid (scholarship).

NOTE: Most student athletes who receive an athletic scholarship receive an amount that covers a portion of these costs.

THE 3 NCAA BASKETBALL DIVISIONS

Each NCAA division and the schools contained with the three different divisions, develop and
approve their own legislation. Each division (D1, D2, D3) has their own group of presidents and chancellors who lead each division in the form of committees with regular meetings.

NCAA Division 1 Quick Facts:

• 350 schools (32%)
• The average undergraduate enrollment is 8,960
• 1 in 23 of the student body are athletes
• The average number of teams per school is 19.2
• 57% of athletes receive athletic aid
• D1 student athletes graduate at a higher rate than the general student body.

NCAA Division 2 Quick Facts:

• 310 schools (28%)
• The average undergraduate enrollment is 2,428
• 1 in 10 of the student body are athletes
• The average number of teams per school is 15.9
• 60% of athletes receive athletic aid
• D2 is the only division with schools in Alaska, Puerto Rico and Canada.

NCAA Division 3 Quick Facts:

• 438 schools (40%)
• The average undergraduate enrollment is 1,740
• 1 in 6 of the student body are athletes
• The average number of teams per school is 18.8
• They do not have athletic scholarships but, 80% of athletes receive non-athletic aid
• D3 largest school has 25,725 undergraduates and their smallest has 285 undergraduate.

PLAYING COLLEGE BASKETBALL

As a college-bound student athlete you must always be aware that you are the one who is responsible for your eligibility. What does this mean? This means that you need to plan ahead, take your high school classes seriously and protect your amateur status.

If you want to make sure nothing stops you from practicing, competing and receiving an athletics scholarship during your first year at a Division 1 or 2 school, getting your self certified as eligible by the NCAA Eligibility Center is a must! Eligibility for Division 3 is determined on the school’s campus.

NOTE: The Eligibility Center Staff with help players and their families along with their high school admin and coaches, throughout the whole process, to guide you and make sure you get everything taken care of.

REMEMBER TO FOCUS ON YOUR DEGREE WHILE PLAYING COLLEGE BASKETBALL

There are more than 480,000 student athletes who compete in NCAA sports collectively. It is a privilege to be selected to play college basketball especially on scholarship. However, it is very easy for a student athlete to become solely focused on basketball. Yes, you want to be the best player you can be and have an outstanding college basketball career, but you cannot neglect your studies. They are intrinsically tied together. Direct the same energy and commitment you have for basketball to your studies. Why? well firstly, you have to maintain certain academic requirements to keep the scholarship you are on and secondly, because even though there are many exceptional college basketball athletes (this also includes other sports), only a few collegiate athletes ever move on to compete at the professional or Olympic level. The reason being, is because professional opportunities are extremely limited, making the likelihood of becoming a professional athlete low (not saying it isn’t possible, it is just a very low percentage). This is why you need to focus on your studies and plan on what type of career you want to go into.

Student athletes should embrace the whole experience of college. Yes, experience everything that the basketball team has to offer, enjoy being part of the team, the training, practice and competing. But also embrace the other college experiences that will be presented to you. The learning experience of progressing through your degree, the skills in time managements, etiquette, social skills, critical thinking, things that you will pick up and learn that can be implemented into your life after college.

The life lessons you will learn along the way will come from basketball and your degree so don’t neglect one over the other.The lessons you learn will help you pursue what ever you decide to go after in terms of career, life goals and any other achievements you desire.

NCAA student athlete’s earning a college degree is high. Here are the graduation success rates for each of the NCAA Divisions: 88% in Division 1, 73% in Division 2 and 87% in Division 3. Whichever NCAA division you play for you can be successful, as many who have played college basketball before you will attest to.