Note that Division II football teams tend to get 36 academic scholarships. Because football teams contain significantly more than 36 players, the schools might divide those 36 scholarships into multiple partial scholarships of varying parameters in an attempt to provide athletic-based assistance to as many players as possible.
This stands in contrast to NCAA Division I FBS Football, where programs can offer 85 “full-ride” scholarships to athletes. With education costs soaring, financial assistance resources such as educational scholarships, athletic scholarships, and merit scholarships assist learners in avoiding debt.
Athletic scholarships are among the most challenging and highly prized scholarships available. Even though not every athlete will obtain an athletic scholarship, potential student-athletes should be aware of their alternatives.
Division II colleges offer athletic scholarships in a wide array of men’s and women’s sports. NCAA Division II schools are typically smaller privately owned or public colleges. The above academic institutions have fewer resources than Division I schools, which is demonstrated in the number of scholarships they provide.
Every Division II school is limited to 36 full or partial scholarships each year by the NCAA. Although a comprehensive athletic scholarship to an NCAA Division II institution is feasible, it is highly doubtful. Just a tiny proportion of the 110,000 Division II athletes obtain comprehensive athletic scholarships that support all their expenditures.
Top Division II Football Schools That Offer Scholarship
-
Ferris State University
Ferris State is believed to have enjoyed some of the most attainable success of any NCAA Division 2 team in recent years. In 2021, the Bulldogs won the National Championship after coming second in 2018. Academically, Ferris State has an 82% admission rate and is a decent investment for competent bachelor’s degree students.
FSU is placed in the top 30% of institutions in the country for general performance, making it a good value considering the comparatively low monetary commitment required to enroll in this university.
-
Northwest Missouri State University
Right from 2004, the Bearcats have achieved the Division II football playoffs each year, and this is without doubt an incredible achievement that demonstrates the program’s resilience. Ever since, NWMSU has played in eight championship matches and has emerged victorious in four of them (2009, 2013, 2015, and 2016).
Also, note that they have six National Championships as well as 30 Conference Championships. Northwest Missouri State has already had 13 players go as far as to play professionally ever since 1999. The most notable member of that group was Seth Wand, who was selected by the Houston Texans in the third round of the 2003 draft.
In regards to educational value, NWMSU is ranked sixth throughout the state of Missouri (out of 41 schools). This places NWMSU in the best 10% of the nation, indicating that it provides high-quality learning at an affordable cost when compared to the competition.
-
Pittsburg State University
Pittsburg State University, also known as Pitt State, is located in Pittsburg, Kansas, and is a public four-year university in southeast Kansas. Have it in mind that the football team has two D2 championships (1991, 2011) as well as the fifth-most Championship Game appearances in NCAA Division II history.
Aside from that, Pittsburg State Gorillas have won 31 conference championships whilst also creating NFL players. Perhaps the most noteworthy alum is wide receiver John Brown, who now boasts of around 31 career touchdowns and is considered a genuine performer in the league. Academically, Pittsburg State does indeed have a high admission rate (91%) and ranks 11th out of 51 Kansas colleges.
-
Grand Valley State University
Grand Valley State University (GVSU) is a massive public institution of higher learning for those pursuing a bachelor’s degree. Have it in mind that this is particularly accurate given that its projected admissions of 21,000 are greater than most of the other D2 football schools on this ranking.
Aside from that, Grand Valley State has four National Championships, which ranks third among D2 football schools. Also note that GVSU Lakers won 17 conference championships, and 30 former GVSU football players have gone on to play in the NFL.
In terms of education, Grand Valley State University is placed eighth out of 67 colleges in Michigan, with suburban-style school grounds on the eastern end of Lake Michigan.
-
Valdosta State University
Valdosta State University (VSU) is ranked third when it comes to NCAA Division II football educational institutions. A good number of folks consider it the finest D2 football school in the southern zone. Valdosta State boasts of a strong track record, having attained the Championship Game in 2 of the last three years.
The VSU Blazers won the title in 2018, including in 2004, 2007, as well as 2012. Presently, the ties for the third-most Division 2 trophies were also given to them. Valdosta State is indeed a medium-sized public school with approximately 8,300 students enrolled. VSU is among the most reasonably priced choices in this list of D2 football colleges in terms of cost.
Conclusion
Sportspeople in both Division I and II ought to be aware that there exist numerous scholarship options open beyond the athletic scholarship prospects. Joining a Division I college as a student-athlete somehow doesn’t assure you a sports scholarship.
In the real sense, several Division I colleges, such as the Ivy League, fail to offer athletic scholarships, rather relying on need-based assistance. Regardless of whether you intend to join an Ivy League college or not, you ought to be aware of the scholarship options open to you, be it through your college or a private source.