Five levels, one search
Each level has its own rules for scholarships and eligibility. Open one to see how coaches recruit there and how we reach its programs.
NCAA Division I
The most visible level, now under roster limits after the House settlement.Athletic aid: Full or partial
NCAA Division II
Real athletic aid, often partial, paired with academic money at regional programs.Athletic aid: Partial
NCAA Division III
No athletic scholarships, but academic and need-based aid and a full college experience.Athletic aid: None
NAIA
Athletic scholarships on an equivalency basis, with its own eligibility center.Athletic aid: Equivalency
Junior college (NJCAA)
Two-year colleges with scholarships that vary by division and a route to four-year programs.Athletic aid: Varies by division
The field is wider than Division I
233
NAIA member institutions for 2026-27, each offering athletic scholarships on an equivalency basis.
Source: NAIA, 2026-27 member institutions by conferencemore than500
two-year colleges across three divisions in the NJCAA.
Source: NJCAA divisional structure and scholarship rulesJuly 1, 2025
Division I schools that opted into the House settlement moved to roster limits and may put any rostered athlete on scholarship.
Source: NCAA, Division I Board of Directors adopts changes to roster limits (June 2025)
Levels compared
Scholarships, who runs eligibility, and the one thing families most often get wrong about each level.
| Level | Athletic scholarships | Who runs eligibility | What families misunderstand |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCAA Division I | Yes, now under roster limits | NCAA Eligibility Center | That it is the only level worth pursuing, or that a scholarship covers everything. |
| NCAA Division II | Yes, usually partial | NCAA Eligibility Center | That the athletic aid is not real. It is, and it pairs with academic money. |
| NCAA Division III | No athletic aid; academic and need-based only | No Eligibility Center certification for most recruits | That the competition is weak. Many programs are selective and recruit hard. |
| NAIA | Yes, on an equivalency basis | NAIA Eligibility Center | That it is a lower level with no scholarships. The aid and play are both real. |
| Junior college (NJCAA) | Varies by NJCAA division | Handled by the college, no central clearinghouse | That it is only a fallback. For many it is a deliberate route to a four-year roster. |
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Questions about levels
Which college level should my athlete aim for?
Aim for fit first. The right level depends on your athlete's ability, academics, and what they want from college, and strong offers come from every level. We reach programs across D1, D2, D3, NAIA, and JUCO so the search is not limited to one.
Do all college levels offer athletic scholarships?
No. NCAA Division I, Division II, and the NAIA offer athletic scholarships, and junior colleges do at some divisions. NCAA Division III does not offer athletic scholarships, but it does offer academic and need-based aid.
Does ScoutBridge cover every level?
Yes. Our database covers programs at every level from Division I to junior college, so we can reach the programs that fit your athlete, including the less visible ones.
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Reach the programs that fit
We run outreach at every level, so your athlete can reach programs wherever they fit.