Women’s Volleyball Scholarships

Can you really earn a women’s volleyball scholarships to play in college?
Yes — but the way scholarships work depends on the division and the school’s budget. This page breaks down the latest rules (including the 2025 NCAA update) so you understand exactly what opportunities are available.

How Women’s Volleyball Scholarships Work

A scholarship is financial aid awarded by the school in exchange for your athletic commitment. In women’s volleyball, scholarships can cover:

• Tuition
• Fees
• Room and board
• Books and supplies

Depending on the program, these can be full scholarships (covering everything) or partial scholarships (covering part of the cost, often stacked with academic aid).

NCAA Division I (2025 Update) Women’s Volleyball Scholarships

• Starting with the 2025–26 season, Division I women’s volleyball is an equivalency sport.
• Teams may have up to 18 players on their roster, with scholarship aid split as full or partial awards.
• In the past, D1 volleyball was a headcount sport with 12 full rides max. That system is gone.
• Now, coaches can give a mix of full scholarships, partial scholarships, or academic + athletic packages.

👉 This means more athletes may receive aid, but not all will be on a full ride.

NCAA Division II Women’s Volleyball Scholarships

• Volleyball is an equivalency sport.
• Teams can fund up to 8 full scholarships worth of aid, but coaches usually split them among more athletes.
• Example: Instead of giving 8 full scholarships, a coach might award 16 half scholarships.

NCAA Division III Women’s Volleyball Scholarships

• No athletic scholarships.
• But many D3 schools provide strong academic scholarships and need-based aid, which often match or exceed athletic packages at other levels.

NAIA Women’s Volleyball Scholarships

• Women’s volleyball is an equivalency sport.
• Programs can fund up to 8 full scholarships worth of aid.
• Aid is often divided among more players, so many athletes get partial awards.

Junior College Women’s Volleyball Scholarships (JUCO / NJCAA)

• Rules vary by division and state.
• NJCAA Division I: Up to full scholarships available (tuition, books, housing, meals).
• NJCAA Division II: Tuition and fees (no room/board).
• NJCAA Division III: No athletic scholarships, but financial aid packages may be available.

How Coaches Decide Scholarship Offers

Scholarship dollars usually go to players who can make an immediate impact:

• Division I: Top recruits often commit as early as sophomore or junior year.
• Division II / NAIA: More flexible, recruit later, open to developing athletes.
• JUCO: Often fill rosters with athletes who are late bloomers, transfers, or internationals looking for a U.S. entry point.

Coaches consider:

• Athletic measurables (height, approach/block touch, speed).
• Position needs (e.g., middle blockers often in demand).
• Academic performance (better academics = more scholarship options).
• Character and team fit.

Scholarship Myths (and Truths)

❌ Myth: Only Division I players get full rides.
✅ Truth: D1 has partials now; some D2/NAIA/JUCO athletes get nearly full packages through stacked aid.

❌ Myth: If I’m good enough, coaches will find me.
✅ Truth: Most scholarships go to athletes who actively reach out with video, emails, and profiles.

❌ Myth: International players have fewer chances.
✅ Truth: International recruiting is growing fast — U.S. coaches regularly scout overseas.

FAQ: Volleyball Scholarships

How many scholarships can a D1 women’s volleyball team give?
As of 2025, teams may award aid to up to 18 players. Scholarships are now equivalency, so amounts vary.

Can I stack athletic and academic scholarships?
Yes. Especially outside Division I, the strongest packages combine both.

What GPA do I need for a scholarship?
Most programs prefer at least a 3.0 GPA (or equivalent for international students), but higher grades mean more opportunities for academic stacking.

How early should I start the recruiting process?
Serious D1 recruiting often begins in 9th–10th grade. For D2/NAIA, many athletes start in 10th–11th grade.