Activities · Scholarships and recognition
Activity scholarships and recognition
How athletic, music, arts and service activities can help pay for college, which groups may give athletic aid, how a mixed aid package adds up, and how to avoid paid "recruiting" and scholarship scams.
- Most money comes from colleges and the state. Activities can add to it.
- NCAA Division III gives no athletic scholarships, but often gives other aid.
- Keep a record of honors: All-State, All-County, awards, service.
- Never pay to apply or to be "seen".
General information, not financial advice. We list only rules with an official page we opened. Check each college's financial aid office. Facts checked November 9, 2026.
🏅 Who may give athletic aid
| Group | Athletic aid? | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| NCAA Division I | Yes | Since July 1, 2025, schools in the House settlement (and those that opt in) use roster limits instead of sport scholarship limits, and may offer scholarships to any athlete within the roster limit. |
| NCAA Division II | Yes, often partial | Partial-scholarship model: coaches split a team's scholarship total (a cap per sport) among players. |
| NCAA Division III | No | "Division III schools do not offer athletics scholarships." Many athletes get merit or need-based aid. |
| NAIA | Yes | Each college decides. Aid is limited to tuition, fees, books and supplies, and room and board; each sport has a cap. |
| NJCAA Division I | Yes | Full athletic scholarships possible (tuition, books, fees, room and board, plus listed extras). Each sport has limits. |
| NJCAA Division II | Yes, limited | Tuition, books, fees and up to $250 in course supplies. |
| NJCAA Division III | No | Colleges may not give athletic scholarships. |
Academic eligibility rules (NCAA core courses, NAIA GPA) are on the Sports page.
🧮 How a college aid package adds up
Example with made-up numbers
College cost for one year: $40,000
Partial athletic scholarship: − $8,000
Academic merit scholarship: − $10,000
Need-based grant (after the FAFSA): − $6,000
Family still pays (savings, work, loans): $40,000 − $8,000 − $10,000 − $6,000 = $16,000
Compare offers by the amount you still pay, not by the size of one award. Ask if each award renews every year and what you must do to keep it.
More on aid: Financial aid · Scholarships: find them and avoid scams.
🎵 Music, art and theater
- College auditions and portfolios: many colleges offer talent or departmental awards after an audition or portfolio review. Ask each music, art or theater department how it works and when auditions are.
- Get ready early: NYSSMA solos at higher levels, All-County and All-State experience, and a recording of your best performance help you prepare for auditions.
- Art and writing: the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards list their own awards and scholarships for seniors; see our contests page.
🤝 Service and leadership
- Many scholarships ask about service and leadership. A clear record helps: use the hours log.
- Local Long Island scholarships are often listed by your high school counseling office and community foundations. See Long Island scholarships.
- The President's Volunteer Service Award is paused (since May 27, 2025). See details.
⭐ Recognition that strengthens an application
- SportsAll-League, All-County and All-State team honors (named by sections and coaches associations), team captain, scholar-athlete awards.
- MusicNYSSMA scores and levels, All-County, All-State.
- ArtsScholastic Awards, school and district shows, Teeny Awards (East End).
- AcademicsContest awards, honor societies, Seal of Civic Readiness.
Write each honor in your activity record with the date and level (school, county, state, national).
🛡️ Scam warnings
- "Pay us and we guarantee a scholarship." No one can guarantee one.
- "Pay a fee to apply." Real scholarships do not charge you to apply.
- "Coaches only see athletes in our paid showcase." You can email coaches yourself for free.
- Asking for bank or Social Security numbers to "hold" an award. Stop and ask your counselor.
Report scams: reportfraud.ftc.gov. Learn more: our scam guide.
🔗 Sources
We opened and checked every source in this list on Nov 9, 2026. Rules and dates change: always read the official page.
- NCAA, DI Board of Directors formally adopts changes to roster limits (June 23, 2025): ncaa.org
- NCAA, Division II Athletics Scholarships: ncaa.org
- NCAA, Division III initial eligibility (no athletics scholarships): ncaa.org; Play Division III Sports: ncaa.org
- NAIA, Financial aid: naia.org
- NJCAA, Divisional Structure and scholarship guidelines: njcaa.org
- President's Volunteer Service Award (pause notice): presidentialserviceawards.gov
- FTC, report fraud: reportfraud.ftc.gov