What are the different types of scholarships and aid I can receive as a student-athlete? (FAFSA, Grants, Pell)
There are multiple forms of aid that a student-athlete can receive, some levels can offer more than others, and some levels have restrictions on what they can and cannot offer. The different types of aid include; Athletic Scholarship, Academic Merit Scholarship, Outside Scholarships, FAFSA Loans, Pell Grant, University Grants.
Athletic Scholarship: Awarded by the coach to a student-athlete for their athletic achievements and abilities. This is offered at all levels EXCEPT NCAA DIII and NJCAA DIII. At the DI level, athletic scholarships cannot be combined with Academic Merit Scholarships.
Academic Merit Scholarships: These are scholarships awarded by the college based on academic history. Awards often vary in amount and have different ranges that qualify the student-athlete for different levels of awarded amount. Academic Merit Scholarships are available for all students and not exclusive to student-athletes. Academic Merit Scholarships are available at all levels; however, at the NCAA DI level and NJCAA DI level, these scholarships can not be combined with athletic aid. The student-athlete will only be able to get one or the other. At the NCAA DII and NAIA level, along with the NJCAA DII level, Academic Merit Scholarships can be combined with Athletic Scholarships.
Outside Scholarships: These are scholarships that are awarded from outside of the university and can be combined with any other form of aid. Most often; these scholarships need to be applied for and selection is competitive based.
FAFSA: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is something that everyone can fill out. Filling this out can determine qualifications for Federal Aid, Pell Grant, Loans, and Federal Work-Study. These awards are determined by the US government. These can be used in conjunction with scholarships and university aid in order to supplement the costs of college.
University Grants and Scholarships: Some colleges and universities will offer their own additional versions of Grants and Scholarships, that can or cannot be paired with athletic scholarships. It is extremely important to ask coaches or admissions staff if there are any additional grants and scholarships offered by the University. Some schools will offer grants/scholarships in these areas; on-campus housing grants, first-generation college student, minority grants/scholarships, faith-based grants/scholarships, Most schools will list these additional grants/scholarships on their admissions website.