Recruiting Information

2013
Differences between Division I, II and III

Division I

  • There are 330 Division I universities with volleyball programs.
  • Division I member institutions have up to 12 scholarships available. There can be no more than 12 members on one volleyball team on scholarship.
  • Each scholarship at the Division I level can only be awarded to one person. This means the scholarships cannot be split. For example, a program can’t give Julie books and give Stacey room and board.
  • The exception to this if the program is not fully-funded (does not have 12 full scholarships). In that case, scholarship money can be split up.
  • This also affects you if you are planning to be a walk-on and hope to get scholarship money from alternate sources such as leadership, community service, or for academic status. You must first check with the compliance director at the University to be sure the money you are receiving doesn’t count against 12 scholarships.

Division II

  • There are 271 Division II universities with volleyball programs.
  • Division II member institutions have a pool of money for recruitment as opposed to Division I where they have specific scholarships for recruitment.
  • You can receive a full scholarship at the Division II level, or you can receive a partial scholarship. The coaches can split the money how they see fit.
  • There are maximum financial aid awards for each sport that a Division II school must not exceed.
  • Division II teams usually feature a number of local or in-state student-athletes; if they only have a certain amount of money to spend on athletes each year, their money will go a lot further with in-state players than it will with out-of-state players.
  • Many Division II student-athletes pay for school through a combination of scholarship money, grants, student loans, and employment earnings.

Division III

  • There are 418 Division III universities with volleyball programs. Most are small campuses with high academic requirements
  • Division III athletics feature student-athletes who receive no financial aid related to their athletic ability.
  • Many student athletes earn academic scholarships while others apply for and receive need-based financial aid.
  • Many Division III athletic departments hold jobs on campus for student-athletes such as checking identification at the recreation center or working in a dorm to assist in their college tuition. If you are considering a Division III institution, ask the coach or athletic director about what jobs may be available on campus.

NAIA

  • There are 228 NAIA universities with volleyball programs. These schools tend to be smaller in size and frequently have a religious affiliation
  • Similar to NCAA Division II, NAIA member institutions have a pool of money for recruitment
  • Though rare, you can receive a full scholarship in the NAIA. More frequently seen is a partial

scholarship. The coaches can split the money how they see fit.

  • Athletes may also apply for academic scholarships and need-based financial aid.
  • NAIA rosters frequently consist of players from the region the school is in however, many recruit nationally and internationally as well
  • Many NAIA student-athletes pay for school through a combination of scholarship money, grants, student loans, and employment earnings.

Junior College

  • Junior colleges also vary in level and rules depending on location. California and the Oregon/Washington region are separate entities while Arizona and most others have a 3 division structure: Division I, II and III. The scholarship requirements are the same at the JC level as they are at for four-year institutions.
  • Junior College is a good place for players who need time to adjust to the academic requirements of college and for players who are underdeveloped and need more experience before they will be seasoned enough to move onto a 4-year program.

(Keep in mind that the information here can change from year to year)

NCAA Clearinghouse:

The clearinghouse will have a section where you can fill in school codes; this is a number that

specifies that you want your information sent to a specific university. You can obtain the school code

from the university in which you are interested, and your clearinghouse information will be sent

directly to that specific school. You can obtain the school code by calling the university or talking to

the coach.

Guide for the College-Bound Student Athlete:

MINIMUM ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS FOR DIVISION 1 ELIGIBILITY

  • English: 4 years
  • Math at the Algebra I level or higher: 3 years
  • Natural or Physical Science (including at least one lab course, if offered): 2 years
  • Additional courses in English, Math, or Physical Science: 1 year each
  • Social Science: 2 years
  • Additional academic courses: 4 years ( most universities require at least 2 years of foreign language)
  • Grade point average and ACT/SAT score are evaluated together on a sliding scale - The higher your GPA, the lower your test score can be, and vice versa.
  • ACT:
  • SAT:
  • IMPORTANT: If you are considering applying to a university, you must remember that it is your job to make sure you are sending your academic information to the correct places.
  • The clearinghouse and university do not work together! Both institutions must receive your SAT and ACT scores, your unofficial transcripts, and official final transcripts
  • Be sure to send unofficial copies of all your academic information to coaches you are talking with as well. They do not have access to what you submit to the clearinghouse or the university’s admissions office
  • ACT or SAT? If you have narrowed your choices to a certain number of schools, you can contact each specific school and see which test they require you to take.

Freshman/Sophomore Years

  • You become a recruitable student athlete the first day of classes in the 9th grade.
  • Contact with college coaches through phone, text, instant messenger, letter, email, fax, or visit can only be made by you. College coaches cannot call, text, email, fax or visit you.
  • They may send letters which include general information about the university. The letters can also include an athlete questionnaire for you to complete as well as camp brochures
  • Make an initial phone call to coaches of your top 5-10 schools in the fall of your sophomore year
  • You may take an unofficial visit at any time, regardless of your age/year in school

Junior Year

  • September 1st of your Junior year
  • You can receive regular written correspondence from any university; this includes letters, emails, and faxes. There is no limit on the amount of written correspondence you can receive from a university at this time.
  • Contact with college coaches by phone, text and instant messenger can only be made by you.
  • Coaches may NOT return your phone call
  • Call Coaches of your top 5-10 schools once a month to provide a personal update
  • You may take unofficial visits.
  • July 1stafter your Junior year
  • You can begin to receive phone calls from and have in-person contact with coaches
  • Coaches are never allowed to send texts to you
  • You can have up to three in-person, off-campus contacts with coaches; this includes a home visit.

Senior Year

  • You can receive regular correspondence with colleges in the form of phone calls, letters, emails, and faxes.
  • 1stday of class, Senior year
  • You are now eligible to take an official visit to a university. You are only allowed five official visits to NCAA Division I schools. However you may take unlimited official visits to any other NCAA or NAIA Schools and Junior Colleges.
  • 2ndWeek of November
  • Early Signing Period: Once you sign, you have no restrictions on contact by the University.
  • 2ndWeek of April - August 1st
  • Late Signing Period

IMPORTANT!!

Do the majority of emailing and calling yourself. If coaches ONLY hear from a parent, it is not good. Coaches are aware that you are very busy, so there will be times parents need to call or email for you. However, if this is done on a regular basis, it sends the message that your parents take care of everything for you.

NOTE: NCAA rules prohibit coaches from sending texts to you until after you’ve signed your National Letter of Intent or submitted your deposit after being accepted.