Types of Athletic Scholarships in U.S. College Sports

Introduction

Navigating the world of athletic scholarships can be a complex task for many student-athletes and their families. One of the initial surprises is discovering the limited availability of full-ride scholarships. Equally surprising are the numerous types of offers that athletes can receive from colleges. This guide aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of these various scholarship offers.

General Facts About Athletic Scholarship Offers

• One-Year Agreements: Most athletic scholarship offers are typically one-year agreements. Although multi-year offers are becoming more common, they remain rare.
• Non-Binding Verbal Offers: Verbal offers from a coach do not constitute binding agreements.
• National Letter of Intent (NLI): The NLI is a legally binding contract between the athlete and the school, which must be thoroughly understood before signing.

Understanding these terms can help in navigating the different types of offers you may encounter.

Types of Athletic Scholarship Offers

1. Full-Ride Scholarship Offer
2. Partial Scholarship Offer
3. Walk-On Offers
4. Preferred Walk-On Offer
5. Recruited Walk-On Offer
6. Unrecruited Walk-On Offer
7. Redshirt Scholarship Offer
8. Grayshirt Scholarship Offer
9. Blueshirt Scholarship Offer
10. Greenshirt Scholarship Offer

Full-Ride Scholarship Offer

Full-ride scholarships are the most sought-after and are available in six specific college sports: football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, women’s gymnastics, tennis, and volleyball. These sports, known as head count sports, generate significant revenue for schools. A full-ride scholarship covers major expenses such as tuition, room and board, books, and some course fees. However, these scholarships are typically one-year agreements that can be renewed based on various factors, including athletic performance and academic standing.

Partial Scholarship Offer

Partial scholarships are more common across NCAA Division I and II sports. In these "equivalency sports," coaches have a pool of scholarship funds to distribute among their athletes. A partial scholarship can cover a significant portion of college costs or just a small part, like books. Due to recent changes in NCAA regulations, need-based and academic scholarships that are not tied to athletic ability no longer count against the team's athletic scholarship limit, allowing athletes to stack multiple forms of aid.

Walk-On Offers

Walk-on offers provide athletes the opportunity to join a college team without immediate financial aid. There are three types of walk-on offers:

Preferred Walk-On Offer

A preferred walk-on offer guarantees a roster spot but does not include athletic aid. Preferred walk-ons secure a uniform and have a good chance of competing for playing time in their first year. They also have the opportunity to earn a scholarship in subsequent seasons, although this is not guaranteed.

Recruited Walk-On Offer

A recruited walk-on offer indicates that the coach is interested in the athlete, but no financial assistance is provided. The athlete must earn a spot on the team through additional tryouts or training camps.

Unrecruited Walk-On Offer

An unrecruited walk-on offer occurs when a student-athlete qualifies for admission to the school and plans to join the team through open tryouts. This often involves a conversation with the coach prior to enrollment to confirm the opportunity to try out for the team.

Redshirt Scholarship Offer

Redshirting allows athletes to extend their eligibility by sitting out of competitions for a year. Redshirt athletes typically receive scholarships and participate in all team activities except games. This year can be used to physically prepare for college-level competition or recover from injuries. Academic redshirting is also an option for freshmen who do not meet the academic eligibility requirements.

Grayshirt Scholarship Offer

A grayshirt offer postpones an athlete's full-time enrollment by a semester. During the first semester, the grayshirt athlete takes part-time classes and does not join the team. Full-time enrollment and athletic eligibility begin in the second term. This strategy helps manage scholarship limits and provides a transition period for the athlete.

Blueshirt Scholarship Offer

Blueshirting allows unrecruited athletes to receive a scholarship at the start of freshman practice. These athletes practice with the team but are not allowed to play for a year, similar to redshirting. Blueshirts are defined by strict recruiting restrictions, making this type of offer relatively rare.

Greenshirt Scholarship Offer

Greenshirting is becoming more popular among fall sport athletes who graduate high school early and enroll in college a semester ahead. This allows athletes to get a head start on their studies and practice with the team during the spring. Greenshirts can play in their first year but also have the option to redshirt, extending their eligibility.

Differences Between Redshirting, Grayshirting, Blueshirting, and Greenshirting

Understanding the differences between these "shirts" is crucial for athletes and their families.

Redshirting

Redshirting is the most common practice, where athletes sit out from competitions for a year but can practice with the team. This year allows them to extend their eligibility, providing five years to compete in four seasons. Redshirting is often used for athletes who need to develop physically or recover from injuries. The term originated from a Nebraska player in the 1940s who wore a red jersey to practice without competing.

Grayshirting

Grayshirting involves delaying full-time enrollment until the second semester of the freshman year. Grayshirt athletes start as part-time students, delaying the start of their athletic eligibility. This strategy helps schools manage scholarship limits and provides a transition period for athletes. Grayshirting is often used by programs that oversign, and sometimes athletes are informed of this status at the last minute, which can be challenging.

Blueshirting

Blueshirting is a relatively new practice where unrecruited athletes receive scholarships at the start of freshman practice but are not allowed to play for a year. These athletes are counted against the next year's scholarship total. To be considered unrecruited, athletes must not have taken an official visit, had in-person contact with a coach off-campus, or received a National Letter of Intent.

Greenshirting

Greenshirting, or early enrollment, allows athletes to graduate high school in December and start college in the spring. These athletes can get ahead on their classes, participate in spring practice, and work out with the team. Greenshirts are on full scholarship in the spring and have the option to redshirt, extending their eligibility to play four seasons in five years.

Division 1 (D1) Offers

D1 offers are opportunities to join a Division 1 college team. Receiving an offer does not guarantee admission; athletes must still meet the college's academic and admission requirements.

Beyond NCAA D1 and D2

Only about 2% of high school athletes receive athletic scholarships. It's crucial to consider opportunities beyond NCAA Division 1 and 2, such as Division 3, NAIA, and junior colleges. NCAA D3 schools cannot offer athletic scholarships, but many provide substantial financial aid. NAIA athletes receive an average of $7,000 in aid, and junior colleges offer both full and partial scholarships.

Conclusion

Understanding the various types of athletic scholarships can help student-athletes and their families make informed decisions. Whether it's a full-ride, partial, or walk-on offer, each type has its own set of benefits and challenges. By exploring all options, including opportunities beyond the NCAA, athletes can find the best path to continue their sports careers and education.