College Softball Scholarships and Requirements
How softball scholarships work, which college programs can offer aid, and what coaches look for before you reach out.
Which Colleges Offer Softball Scholarships?
Explore softball programs across NCAA Division I, Division II, NAIA and junior colleges that can offer athletic scholarships. Division III schools don't award them but may offer academic and need-based aid.
NCAA Division I Softball Scholarships
NCAA Division I softball can offer scholarships. Opted-in schools use a roster limit of 25 instead of a scholarship cap.
NCAA Division II Softball Scholarships
NCAA Division II softball teams share 7.2 scholarship equivalencies, so awards are often partial.
NCAA Division III Softball Scholarships
NCAA Division III schools can't award athletic scholarships, but coaches still recruit. Many offer academic and need-based aid through the financial aid office.
NAIA Softball Scholarships
NAIA colleges can offer athletic scholarships, but each school decides how much within NAIA rules. Total aid can't exceed the cost of attending.
NJCAA Softball Scholarships
NJCAA aid depends on the division: Division I can offer full scholarships, Division II covers tuition, fees and books, and Division III offers none.
How Do College Softball Scholarships Work?
College softball scholarships help student-athletes pay for college based on their athletic ability. Learn how full and partial scholarships work, which NCAA and NAIA schools offer softball aid, and what you need to qualify for a softball scholarship.
What Is a Softball Athletic Scholarship?
An athletic scholarship is financial aid a college gives an athlete to compete for its softball team. The college decides who receives one and how much, usually through the coaching staff. NCAA Division I and II schools, NAIA schools and some junior colleges can offer them. NCAA Division III schools cannot.
Full vs. Partial Softball Scholarships
A full scholarship covers the main costs of attending, and a partial scholarship covers part of them. The NCAA says most athletics scholarships are partial, and athletes often combine them with academic awards and need-based aid. Division II softball teams share 7.2 scholarship equivalencies. Ask each softball coach how the program splits its aid across the roster.
NCAA Division I Softball Scholarship Rules
In June 2025 the NCAA Division I Board adopted roster limits to replace sport-specific scholarship limits. They apply to schools in the defendant conferences and to schools that opt in to the settlement rules, and they took effect July 1, 2025. Those schools can offer partial or full scholarships to any athlete on their roster, within the roster limit. Schools that have not opted in follow different rules, so you cannot assume one limit applies everywhere. Ask each program what it can offer. For softball, the limit is 25.
NAIA and Junior College Softball Scholarships
NAIA first-time athletes need an eligibility determination from the NAIA Eligibility Center, and each NAIA college decides what athletic aid to offer within the NAIA limits for its sports. NJCAA colleges follow their division: Division I may offer full scholarships, Division II covers tuition, fees and books, and Division III offers none. Always confirm a college's level before you plan around aid.
Athletic vs. Academic Softball Scholarships
Students in every division can receive academic scholarships, grants and need-based aid. Division III schools do not give athletic scholarships, so their athletes rely on these other types of aid. Many athletes at other levels combine athletic aid with them.
How to Qualify for Softball Scholarships
Colleges offer softball scholarships to athletes they recruit, so the conversation usually starts with a coach who knows who you are. When you write, lead with your position, and measurables like pitching speed, exit velocity or pop time and include a skills video with game footage. A coach decides based on their roster needs, their budget and what they see in you, and no one can promise an offer.
What Softball Coaches Evaluate
What coaches check for each position, and what to send when you ask about aid.
Pitchers
- Speed, spin and movement
- Command and composure
- Results against strong lineups
- Video from behind and the side
- Pitch speeds
- Strikeouts, walks and ERA
Catchers
- Receiving, blocking and throws to second
- Game management
- Hitting
- Pop time and throwing video
- Batting statistics
- Your travel or club team level
Infielders
- Range, footwork and arm accuracy
- Hitting for contact and power
- Running speed
- Defensive reps and at-bats on video
- Batting average and on-base percentage
- 60-foot or home-to-first time
Outfielders
- Speed, routes and arm strength
- Tracking fly balls
- Offensive production
- Video of throws and at-bats
- Home-to-first time
- Batting average and home runs
College Softball Programs by Level and Team
Division III has the most college softball programs we list (397 of 1550). The most are in New York, Pennsylvania and Texas. We list 3,000+ softball coaches you can contact.
How Do You Get a Softball Scholarship?
Get answers about softball scholarship requirements, NCAA divisions, scholarship amounts, and how to get recruited by college softball coaches.
Do softball coaches recruit from travel ball?
Many do. Travel tournaments put many players in front of coaches at once, and coaches also use video and high school games. Send your travel schedule so a coach knows when and where to watch. Find softball coaches.
What softball stats do coaches want to see?
Pitchers: strikeouts, walks and ERA. Hitters: batting average, on-base percentage and home runs. Add the level of competition, because stats mean more with that context.
How much can a Division II softball team give?
Division II softball teams share 7.2 scholarship equivalencies, which the coach divides among the roster. That makes partial awards the norm, so ask each coach how the program splits its aid.
Should pitchers and hitters send separate videos?
Yes if you do both. Label each clip and lead with the role you want to play in college.
How many scholarships can a softball team give?
At Division I schools that opted into the House settlement, softball uses a roster limit of 25 in place of a scholarship cap. Division II softball teams share 7.2 scholarship equivalencies. NAIA and NJCAA set their own limits, so confirm the current figures with each college.
What are the requirements for a softball scholarship?
There are two parts. To compete in NCAA Division I or II you register with the NCAA Eligibility Center, complete 16 core courses and reach a minimum core GPA, currently 2.3 for Division I and 2.2 for Division II, and standardized test scores are no longer required for initial eligibility. Then a coach decides on an offer from roster needs, budget and what they see in you, starting with your position, and measurables like pitching speed, exit velocity or pop time. NAIA and NJCAA have their own rules. NCAA Eligibility Center.
Do Division III softball programs offer scholarships?
No. Division III schools cannot award athletic scholarships, and AthleticScholar lists 397 Division III softball programs. Many offer academic merit and need-based aid, and their coaches still recruit softball athletes. Ask each program about aid and talk to the college's financial aid office. Find softball coaches.
Does AthleticScholar give out scholarships?
No. AthleticScholar does not award scholarships or verify which colleges currently have scholarships available. It helps you find college programs and email their coaches so you can ask directly.
Athletic Scholarships in Other Sports
See how scholarships work and which colleges offer them in another sport.
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