Want to Play College Men’s Volleyball?
Want to Play College Men’s Volleyball?
Every year, thousands of athletes dream of earning a men’s volleyball scholarship in the U.S.
With around 239 men’s college volleyball programs across NCAA, NAIA, and Junior Colleges, opportunities are growing — but spots are still limited compared to other sports. That makes the recruiting process extremely competitive.
The good news? With the new NCAA 2025-26 equivalency rules, more athletes can now receive athletic aid, even if it’s not a full ride. This guide breaks down everything you need to know: rules, scholarship limits, recruiting guidelines, video tips, and FAQs.
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Quick Facts: Men’s Volleyball Scholarships
- College programs (latest numbers): ~239 (NCAA, NAIA, JUCO combined)
- NCAA Division I: ~23 programs
- NCAA Division II: ~25 programs
- NCAA Division III: 100+ programs (no athletic aid)
- NAIA: ~43 schools sponsoring men’s volleyball
- Junior Colleges (NJCAA/CCCAA): ~41 schools
- Scholarship availability:
- NCAA D1 & D2: Previously capped at 4.5 equivalency scholarships; under new rules, now equivalency with roster limit of 18 players, giving coaches more flexibility.
- NAIA: Up to 8 equivalency scholarships per team.
- JUCO: Varies widely by state/division; some full, many partial.
- D3: No athletic aid, but strong merit/academic packages.
The Latest NCAA Men’s Volleyball Update
Starting in the 2025-26 season, NCAA men’s volleyball is officially an equivalency sport with an 18-player roster cap.
- Coaches may now divide scholarship dollars among up to 18 players.
- Better-funded programs may offer larger awards; smaller programs may only give partial aid.
- Every rostered player could receive some scholarship money — though in practice, top athletes still get the largest packages.
👉 Translation: More athletes have access to scholarship dollars, but full rides remain rare.
Why Men’s Volleyball Recruiting Often Starts Later
Unlike women’s volleyball, where recruiting often begins in 9th grade, men’s volleyball tends to move slower:
- Division I: Contact begins June 15 after sophomore year, but many decisions are made junior year.
- Division II & NAIA: Coaches often identify recruits in 10th–11th grade.
- Junior Colleges: Recruiting can extend into senior year, making JUCO a great late option.
Because of this, athletes need to be proactive: build highlight video, academic profile, and outreach emails well before senior year.
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What You’ll Learn in This Guide
- How scholarships work at every level (D1, D2, NAIA, JUCO, D3).
- Academic and athletic benchmarks coaches expect.
- NCAA and NAIA recruiting rules (when coaches can contact you).
- How to create a highlight video that gets real responses.
- Common mistakes that cost players opportunities.
Men’s Volleyball Success Stories
“StudBud gave us tranquility that our kids will have best assistance possible. Very warm recommendation if you want to send your child overseas for studying and sports.”
Vladimir Grbic Olympic gold medalist and father of Una (Lindsey Wilson) and Ina (Ottawa Braves)“StudBud gave me the tools to connect with U.S. coaches. I went from playing in a small European club to earning a scholarship at a top NAIA program.”
— Marko, Outside Hitter, Class of 2025
““Without StudBud, I wouldn’t have known where to start. They helped me with video, school list, and direct communication with coaches.”
— Pietro, Libero, Class of 2025
FAQ Preview
Do Division I men’s volleyball scholarships cover full tuition?
Not usually. D1 men’s volleyball is an equivalency sport. Teams may divide aid among up to 18 players. Some receive full tuition, but most get partial awards.
Can I combine athletic and academic aid?
Yes. The strongest packages almost always include both athletic + academic aid.
What if I’m late to the recruiting process?
You still have options. NAIA and JUCO recruit later, and D2 schools may still have openings into senior year.
Does club vs. high school matter?
Club volleyball is more important for recruiting since coaches scout national qualifiers. High school success still adds value but isn’t the main evaluation tool.
👉 See the full Men’s Volleyball FAQ.
Bonus: How to Email Coaches (Templates)
Initial Subject Line Examples
-or-
2025 Libero – 3.9 GPA – [City/Club] – Video + Schedule
Intro Email
I’m [Name], a [Grad/Enroll Year] [Position] from [City/Country], playing for [Club/HS]. Quick profile:
Height/Touch: [e.g., 6’4″, 10’2″ approach, 9’9″ block]
Academics: [GPA, test if applicable]
Video: [link]
Schedule: [2–3 upcoming events]
I’ve followed [School/Program] and believe my style of play ([blocking speed/serve receive consistency/etc.]) is a strong fit.
Would you be open to evaluating my film and sharing your positional needs for [Year]?
Thank you,
[Name] | [Phone/WhatsApp] | [Profile Link]
Follow-Up Email (7–10 Days Later)
Since my last email: [new touch PR / award / event result].
Would love your feedback. Thank you!
Thank-You / Post-Visit Email
Thank you for taking the time to [speak with me / host me on campus / watch me play]. I really appreciated learning more about your program and the culture you’re building at [School].
This conversation confirmed my strong interest in [School/Program]. Please let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to see from me this season.
Thanks again for your time and consideration.
Best,
[Name] | [Phone/WhatsApp] | [Profile Link]
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Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Sending vague emails (no video, no measurables).
- Overly long highlight reels (coaches decide in 30 seconds).
- Focusing only on “big-name” schools.
- Ignoring academics (you’ll lose academic money).
- Waiting for coaches to discover you instead of reaching out first.