When deciding to play a sport in college, you need to consider a lot of variables. These include school culture, academics, coaching staff, team success, and how you will afford college. The issue with athletic scholarships is that they are only offered in Division I or Division II. 

The good news is that DIII schools do offer monetary compensation based on financial aid qualifications or merit. Division III schools look for a few things when considering how much money to offer. They like to see some sort of extracurricular activity for athletes; if you're involved in clubs or any other extracurricular activities, this will likely better your chances of receiving compensation. 

Related: 3 Things Every Recruit Should Know about Athletic Scholarships

DIII schools also actively look for *student* athletes. With a balanced focus on athletics and academics, having players who can excel on and off the field is a valuable trait for these schools. They are investing time in you, so they expect you to put forward the same energy when it comes to academics. 

While it may not be as straightforward as it is for DI athletes, there are ways to better your chances of receiving non-athletic scholarships when playing for a Division III program. Take pride in your academics along with your extracurriculars and you'll be compensated!

* Originally published on October 11, 2021, by Brayden Koch