Softball Players: Search for College Sports Scholarships

Between the NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA proactive and motivated high school softball players have the chance to tap into massive numbers of softball scholarships. Truth be told many thousands of girls play good ball and the collegiate teams don’t have enough cash to fund or field everyone. But the other truth-ism: many women never even try to win a softball scholarship.

NCAA Softball Scholarships

Approximately 950 college teams are listed among the ranks of NCAA Softball. Granted, about 400 of those are Division III teams and restricted from extending formal athletic scholarships. BUT over 500 other teams spread throughout the Div I and Div II arena can and do offer very good money to women in exchange for their softball prowess.

Scholarship Limits in NCAA play:

  • NCAA D-I Softball teams may each offer up to 12 full scholarships.
  • D-II teams may each offer up to 7.2.

These are limits on full scholarships, also valuable to look at it as a chunk of cash. Many coaches prefer to split multiple full scholarships into many partial scholarships. This strategy gives them the flexibility to attract more talent and depth to their teams. But this also depends on the team’s current needs. Remember many of these hundreds of scholarships go to current team players.

NAIA and NJCAA Softball Scholarships: Numbers

But the chances at softball scholarship money increase if you’re willing to shop outside the NCAA. The NAIA is a smaller athletic association, but school sports are highly competitive and softball is no exception. Two hundred – plus schools in the NAIA offer scholarship sponsorship. Each may extend up to 12 per team. Again, many are partial scholarships.

Often overlooked in the athletic arena is the National Junior College Athletic Association or the NJCAA, representing the JUCO schools. Believe it or not some excellent ball is played in this association AND scholarship money is quite plentiful: 362 schools with up to 24 scholarships each. If that sounds like you’re a shoe-in, however, here’s the news: economic circumstances can and do take their toll on athletic scholarships. Despite the fact that College X may offer up to 24 softball scholarships before meeting it’s limit, you’ll find College X may only have funding for half that number.

What Steps You Need To Take to Win a Scholarship for Softball

If you’re going to rest on your laurels when it comes to snagging a softball scholarship, you risk being beaten to the plate by a girl much more aggressive and proactive. Your best strategy is to do your research early in your high school career. Find out realistically what chances you have at D-I or D-II college softball, research those schools and coaches for whom you’d really like to play, and get your name, your video, your stats and references in front of their faces, asap.