Do Division II And Division III Basketball Players Get Scholarships?

There are three levels of NCAA basketball – Division I, II and III. They’re different, including if/how scholarships are awarded. FloHoops breaks it down.

Oct 25, 2023 by Matt Cannizzaro

Do Division II And Division III Basketball Players Get Scholarships?

More than 1,100 schools participate in NCAA athletics, and since 1973, they’ve been divided into three classifications—Division I, Division II and Division III, each with rules and attributes unique to that category, especially when it comes to scholarships.

They’re divided in such a way that each division includes schools that are relatively close in their beliefs, competitive goals and focus on athletics vs. academics.

Division I includes just over 30 percent of the schools (350+), Division II is just under 30 percent (approximately 300) and Division III has the largest piece of the action at approximately 40 percent (440+ schools).

When deciding what level of experience/competition best suits them, or where they might find the best financial or scholarship opportunities, student athletes must look at the differences between the three divisions and figure out what type of collegiate experience would be the most fulfilling or logical, based on their skills or needs.

Even the most dedicated college sports fans may not understand how it all works, so FloHoops is here to answer some of the most frequently asked questions. The parameters for each division cover all sports, including basketball.

What Are The Characteristics That Make Division II and Division III Unique?

To understand Division II and Division III, one first must understand the magnitude and reach of Division I, even though it’s not the biggest classification.

Despite that fact, Division I schools typically are the largest institutions, and that means more resources and support, bigger budgets, more scholarships, bigger financial opportunities, more focus on athletics, tougher competition and more exposure.

Division II still includes top talent, but student athletes get to enjoy a bit more balance in their collegiate experiences. That means sports may not be as all-consuming, and they’re able to focus more on academics, community engagement and other activities. Competition also is more regionalized, so less time is spent away from class and the campus.

The scholarship structure for Division II is different, too, but there will be more on that later.

Finally, Division III can feature the most intimate collegiate experience, as this category is approximately 80 percent private universities and features the lowest average number of students.

This level also features the greatest focus on academics, and that is reflected in the amount of time student athletes spend on the field or court practicing or competing. It also means athletes must follow the same admission and academic standards as the general student population, while also following the same policies and utilizing the same support and on-campus resources.

At the Division III level, a larger percentage of the student body is athletes—approximately 1:4.

Can Division II Student Athletes Receive Scholarships?

At the Division II level, student-athletes can only receive partial athletic scholarships, but there are opportunities to combine those with financial aid gained through academic means, need-based grants or student loans. It’s not impossible to receive a full ride at the Division II level, but it’s much less likely (than in Division I).

To further clarify, using football as an example, top-tier Division I schools are allowed 85 full scholarships for players. At the Division II level, the amount they’re allowed to give is a total equivalent to 36 full grants, but it’s not given to just 36 players. The schools evaluate the players, their skills and their needs and divide the money accordingly.

In basketball, Division I schools field about 16 players, with only 13 receiving full scholarships on the men’s side. For the women, there’s 15 scholarships. At the Division II level, there can be the equivalent of up to 10 scholarships divided among a minimum of 15 players.

The number of “equivalencies” varies by sport, with football, hockey, cross country/track & field, lacrosse and basketball receiving the most for the men, and rowing, hockey, equestrian, cross country/track & field, rugby and basketball receiving the most on the women’s side.

Playing at the Division II level can mean a better chance at some athletic financial aid, though, as 60 percent of the athletes receive something.

Can Division III Student-Athletes Receive Scholarships?

At the Division III level, there are no athletic scholarships, by rule, but approximately 80 percent of the competitors receive some sort aid from other sources, such as merit scholarships (academics, special skills, test scores), need-based opportunities or university-specific programs.

Student athletes looking to compete at the Division III level may have to do extra steps to find the right combination of financial aid, but they’ve likely chosen Division III because of the quality of the experience and the academics-first mentality.

For some, Division III may just be an athletic stepping stone and a chance to hone their skills before moving on to a Division II or Division I program where an athletic scholarship is possible and national exposure is greater.

How Many Championships Are There In Division II Athletic Competition?

In Division II, there are 25 national championships – 12 in men’s sports and 13 in women’s sports.

How Many Championships Are There In Division III Athletic Competition?

In Division III competition, there are 28 national championships up for grabs each year, including basketball.

How Many Conferences Are There For NCAA Division II Basketball?

Division II is the smallest of the three NCAA classifications, and that is reflected in the number of conferences within the division—23 for athletic purposes, plus a handful of independents.

How Many Conferences Are There For NCAA Division III Basketball?

With the inclusion of the Collegiate Conference of the South for 2024, there will be 45 Division III basketball conferences eligible for automatic bids to the season-ending national tournaments.