Parents and Players, what is a “Full Ride” scholarship and what it entails?

Many student-athletes and their families are often taken aback by the surprisingly limited availability of full-ride athletic scholarships. However, it is important to note that there are various types of financial offers that athletes may receive from educational institutions. To grasp the fundamentals of athletic scholarship offers, it is essential to be aware of a few important points: Most scholarship offers are generally structured as one-year contracts, with multi-year offers being uncommon despite their increasing occurrence. Additionally, verbal commitments made by coaches do not constitute legally binding agreements

Beginning with the 2025-2026 academic year, the NCAA is removing the scholarship limits for Division I, allowing for greater flexibility in the distribution of scholarships across all sports. This modification is anticipated to greatly influence college recruitment practices. 

What is a “Full Ride” Scholarship? A full ride scholarship represents a highly coveted financial award provided by colleges and universities. Its primary objective is to eliminate the necessity for any financial assistance or personal contributions from the recipient.

What does a full ride scholarship cover? The biggest difference between full rides and other scholarships is that a “full ride” will cover all college expenses (not just tuition). This comprehensive scholarship will help with books, fees, tuition, room and board, dining and other expenses you may have to attend college. 

What is the role of academics in full ride scholarships? To participate in college sports, it is essential to fulfill specific NCAA criteria regarding academic performance and amateur status when seeking college scholarships. A minimum GPA of 2.5 is required across 16 core courses, and your ACT or SAT scores must also meet NCAA's established thresholds when considered alongside your GPA. In addition to NCAA standards, achieving higher grades and test scores is crucial for securing full athletic scholarships. While a GPA of 2.5 is the baseline, striving for a higher score will enhance your child’s competitiveness among other scholarship candidates. Both athletic and academic achievements play a significant role in meeting the rigorous expectations of college recruiters for prestigious full ride scholarships at your preferred university. Remember, your child has the option to retake tests like the ACT to improve their scores.

How to get a full ride scholarship? To secure a full ride scholarship, it is essential to commit time to the application process. Understanding the steps to obtain such scholarships will enable your child to formulate a strategy to achieve the most favorable outcome.

Step 1: Look to develop a strategy early for your child. To stand out in the competitive landscape of college athletic recruiting, it is essential to develop a proactive strategy, even if you meet all the criteria sought by scouts and recruiters. It is important for parents to understand that the recruiting process often begins as early as your child’s freshman year in high school. Therefore, it is crucial not to postpone showcasing their abilities until coaches are permitted to reach out to your child.

Step 2: Start laying the framework now. Once your child has established their proficiency in their selected sport, it is essential for parents to begin preparing for college recruitment and the possibility of securing full-ride scholarships. Coaches typically seek information regarding your child’s involvement in school and AAU tournaments, any accolades they have earned, as well as their physical and performance statistics. Concentrating on these aspects is crucial if you intend to engage in college athletic recruiting.

Step 3: Research all available full ride scholarship opportunities.

It is advisable for your child to start exploring universities and colleges that offer the sports programs and full-ride scholarships that they are interested in. Consult with your high school counselor, coaches, utilize online databases, and examine scholarship listings in college guides to identify all potential scholarship opportunities early on. This proactive approach will allow your child to focus on developing specific athletic and/or academic skills during high school, thereby enhancing their chances of securing the desired scholarships. Additionally, you and your child should analyze the leagues and conferences of preferred teams, their performance records within those leagues, and academic standings. Conducting thorough research on these and other relevant statistics will help your child refine their options for full-ride scholarships. Highlighting this research in communications with coaches or recruiters can significantly strengthen your position.

Step 4: Collaborate with your child’s coaches (school team and AAU). Now is an opportune moment to connect with your child’s respective coaches to build and complete an athletic and academic profile. By doing so, this evaluation will provide guidance on enhancing your child’s resume by addressing any weaknesses, thereby increasing their prospects for full ride scholarships. It is essential for you as a parent to take the initiative in your child's recruitment rather than relying solely on their coaches for guidance in this process.

Step 5: You must initiate contact with recruiters. Once you and your child have organized their priorities, it is essential to make your presence known. Ideally, this should occur prior to the commencement of their junior year, although it is not a strict requirement. If additional time is necessary to enhance their academic and athletic profile, it is advisable to take that time. Your child’s coaches and potential recruiters can assist in assessing their current status and identifying the steps needed to position themselves among the top college prospects. If your child feels prepared before their junior year, you may also reach out to recruiters sooner. Utilizing email, voicemail, text messages, and social media are all effective methods to attract a coach's attention. Taking the initiative in this process, rather than relying on just the coaches, demonstrates your commitment to securing full-ride scholarships based on your own achievements.

Are scholarships good for all 4 years? The conditions and duration of full ride scholarships can differ significantly. It is essential to thoroughly review the specific terms of each scholarship program to grasp its particulars. Some scholarships may fund the entire four years of study, while others might only support one, two, or three years. Furthermore, full ride scholarships may either renew automatically each year or necessitate a reapplication process. Generally, as long as you fulfill the scholarship requirements, requalifying annually should not pose a problem. This implies that both your child’s academic and athletic performances will be evaluated each year prior to the renewal of your scholarship. Numerous institutions provide partial athletic scholarships, enabling a greater number of athletes to enroll. The amount awarded can fluctuate based on the funding available to coaches after head count scholarships are allocated. If you do not secure a full ride but demonstrate strong potential, your coach might still be able to extend a substantial scholarship to help cover a significant portion of your educational expenses.