D2 Schools Football Scholarships in 2024

Understanding Division 2 (D2) Schools

Sometimes it is confusing to understand what is the difference between D1 and D2 Schools. Let’s make it easy. D2, Division 2 schools are the second level out of three of the NCAA which primarily conducts college sports in the USA.D2 schools have great athletics, academics, and extracurricular activities. However, the budget and scholarships are comparatively less than D1 schools. Still, they maintain a good competitive sports program and provide great opportunities for student-athletes.

D2 Football Scholarships

Great! Now if you're looking to get a football scholarship in college, D2 schools are a great option. In this article, we'll discuss ways of getting a D2 football scholarship, both academically and athletically, as well as how the NCAA Eligibility Center evaluates prospective student-athletes.

Do D2 Schools Offer Football Scholarships?

Yes! D2 schools will give you football scholarships. Obviously, D1 schools here give the best scholarships, still D2 football programs provide equivalency scholarships. Instead of giving full-ride scholarships the amount is distributed to multiple athletes which is done by coaches to make sure the maximum athletes have the benefits of football scholarships.

Types of Aid Available: Full-Ride, Partial, Walk-On Opportunities

D2 football scholarships offer various types of financial aid to players:

Full-Ride Scholarships

It’s the best!! It covers the entire cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, room, board, and books. But to get this the students have to be best performing and also meet academic criteria.

Partial Scholarships

In case you miss the highly competitive full-ride scholarships still you can get partial scholarships which are also great. The amount can vary based on your profile and the program's budget.

Walk-On Opportunities

Then there are some D2 football programs that offer walk-on opportunities for athletes who may not initially receive a scholarship offer but want to contribute to the team. Walk-ons do not receive athletic scholarships but can earn them through their performance and dedication.

Top D2 Schools Offering Football Scholarships

Here is a list of the top D2 schools that provide football scholarships:

1. Northwest Missouri State University: Known for its strong football program and multiple national championships.
2. Grand Valley State University: A perennial powerhouse with a rich tradition in D2 football.
3. Minnesota State University, Mankato: Offers competitive scholarships to maintain its strong football program.
4. Texas A&M University-Commerce: A leading program in the Lone Star Conference.
5. University of West Georgia: Competes at a high level in the Gulf South Conference.
6. Indiana University of Pennsylvania: Known for its success in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.
7. Colorado State University-Pueblo: A strong contender in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.
8. California University of Pennsylvania: Offers robust athletic scholarships to support its football program.
9. West Texas A&M University: A competitive program in the Lone Star Conference.
10. Valdosta State University: A national championship contender with a strong football tradition.

D2 Schools Offering Football Scholarships List

The following schools are known for their robust recruiting programs, providing the full 36 scholarships allowed by the NCAA for D2 programs to attract and support a large number of talented athletes like you!

Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA)

1. Bowie State University - Bowie State Bulldogs
2. Fayetteville State University - Fayetteville State Broncos
3. Virginia State University - Virginia State Trojans
4. Winston-Salem State University - Winston-Salem State Rams

Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC)

1. Ferris State University - Ferris State Bulldogs
2. Grand Valley State University - Grand Valley State Lakers
3. Wayne State University - Wayne State Warriors

Gulf South Conference (GSC)

1. University of West Alabama - West Alabama Tigers
2. University of West Florida - West Florida Argonauts
3. Valdosta State University - Valdosta State Blazers

Lone Star Conference (LSC)

1. Angelo State University - Angelo State Rams
2. Midwestern State University - Midwestern State Mustangs
3. Texas A&M University-Commerce - Texas A&M-Commerce Lions

Northeast-10 Conference (NE-10)

1. Assumption College - Assumption Greyhounds
2. Bentley University - Bentley Falcons
3. University of New Haven - New Haven Chargers

Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC)

1. California University of Pennsylvania - California Vulcans
2. Indiana University of Pennsylvania - IUP Crimson Hawks
3. Slippery Rock University - Slippery Rock The Rock

Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC)

1. Colorado Mesa University - Colorado Mesa Mavericks
2. Colorado State University-Pueblo - CSU-Pueblo ThunderWolves
3. Western Colorado University - Western Colorado Mountaineers

Eligibility and Academic Requirements

First of all, check if you are fit to qualify for a D2 football scholarship, you must meet these specific academic and eligibility criteria set by the NCAA:

1. High School Graduation: 

Athletes must graduate from high school.

2.Core Courses: 

Completion of 16 core courses with a minimum GPA of 2.2. The core courses include:

1. Four years of English.
2. Three years of math (Algebra 1 or higher).
3. Two years of science (including one year of lab, if offered).
4. Two years of social science.
5. Four additional years of English, math, science, religion, philosophy, or foreign language.

3.NCAA Eligibility Center: 

Athletes must be registered and cleared by the NCAA Eligibility Center, which includes obtaining an amateurism certificate.

Evaluation Process by the NCAA Eligibility Center

It would be very helpful for you to know the process of how coaches/authority determine whether a student-athlete meets the academic requirements for D2 football scholarships, they must undergo an evaluation conducted by the NCAA Eligibility Center. This organization will review a student-athlete's academic records to ensure they align with NCAA guidelines.

Here's an overview of the evaluation process:

• Registration: You must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center and create an account.
• Submission of Documents:  You need to submit official high school transcripts, SAT/ACT scores, and a list of courses you are currently taking.
• Transcript Review:  The NCAA Eligibility Center will carefully examine the transcripts to verify that you have completed the required core courses and attained the minimum GPA.
• Notification of Eligibility:  Once the evaluation is complete, the NCAA Eligibility Center will notify you about their eligibility status.

Want to be ahead of others? It's recommended that you begin the NCAA Eligibility Center registration process early on, preferably during your sophomore or junior year of high school. This allows you sufficient time to track your academic progress and make any necessary adjustments to ensure you meet the eligibility criteria.

By understanding the academic and athletic requirements for D2 football scholarships and successfully navigating the evaluation process by the NCAA Eligibility Center, aspiring student-athletes like you can increase their chances of earning a D2 football scholarship.

Securing a D2 football scholarship involves strategic steps:

Build Relationships with Coaches:

• Initiate regular communication to get attention from coaches.
• Attend team events and seek feedback daily.

Highlight Athletic Abilities:

• Create an impressive athletic profile and highlight the video.
• Utilize social media for visibility and publicity.

Seek Mentorship:

• Connect with former players or current athletes who got scholarships.
• Deepen relationships with mentors.

Showcase Skills:

• Attend combines and camps on a daily basis.
• Create a compelling highlight reel which is crucial for current times.

Navigate Official Visits:

• Understand verbal vs. official offers.
• Familiarize yourself with the NLI.
• Demonstrate athletic abilities during visits.

These steps can enhance your chances of securing a D2 football scholarship

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the difference between D1 and D2 in college football?

D1 programs are larger, with higher budgets and more athletic scholarships. D2 programs offer a balance between athletics, academics, and extracurricular activities, with fewer scholarships available.

Can international students receive Division 2 football scholarships? 

Yes, international students are eligible to receive Division 2 football scholarships. They must meet the same academic and athletic eligibility requirements as domestic students, and their academic credentials must be evaluated and approved by the NCAA Eligibility Center.

Are Division 2 athletic scholarships guaranteed for four years? 

Athletic scholarships at Division 2 schools are typically awarded on a year-to-year basis. While some schools may offer multi-year scholarships, the standard practice is to renew scholarships annually based on the student-athlete’s performance, conduct, and academic standing.

What is a walk-on in Division 2 football? 

A walk-on is a student-athlete who joins a Division 2 football team without receiving an athletic scholarship. Walk-ons do not receive financial aid specifically for athletics but can earn a scholarship through their performance and contribution to the team over time.

How do Division 2 schools support the academic needs of student-athletes? 

Division 2 schools offer extensive academic support services for student-athletes, including:

• Tutoring and study halls.
• Academic advisors dedicated to athletics.
• Life skills and career development programs.
• Monitoring academic progress to ensure NCAA eligibility requirements are met.

Can Division 2 football players transfer to Division 1 schools? 

Yes, Division 2 football players can transfer to Division 1 schools, but they must adhere to NCAA transfer rules and may need to sit out a year of competition unless they qualify for a waiver or exemption. The transfer process requires coordination between the athlete, the current institution, and the prospective Division 1 school.

For further information, the NCAA website offers comprehensive resources on eligibility, scholarships, and the recruiting process for student-athletes considering Division 2 football programs.