Money and offers
Scholarships & Offers
What a softball offer is, what you sign, and how aid works at each level. Rules checked Oct 19, 2026. Rules change, so confirm details on the linked sources and with each school's compliance office. This is general guidance, not legal or eligibility advice.
Verbal offer vs. written offer
Under NCAA Division I rules a school can't give you a written offer of athletics aid before August 1 of your senior year. A verbal offer isn't a signed agreement. Ask the coach exactly what's being offered, for how long, and when it can be put in writing.
In D1 softball, coaches can't discuss offers with you at all before 1 p.m. Central on Sept. 1 of junior year.
The National Letter of Intent is gone in D1
- In October 2024, Division I replaced the National Letter of Intent with written offers of athletics aid.
- After you sign a written offer, other schools that give athletic aid can't recruit you.
Aid by level
- NCAA D1: at schools that opted into the House settlement, softball aid is no longer limited by the old scholarship cap, and schools can fund any or all of their 25 roster spots. See Roster Limits.
- NCAA D2: partial scholarships are common. Ask each coach what the program offers.
- NCAA D3: no athletic scholarships. Athletes can get need-based and non-athletic merit aid.
- NAIA: each sport has an overall limit on athletic aid, which can be split among players. Ask each school.
- JUCO: NJCAA scholarship rules vary by division. Ask each school and confirm with the NJCAA.
Apply for all the aid you can
- File the FAFSA each year.
- Some colleges also require the CSS Profile.
- Ask whether academic aid can be combined with athletic aid. Policies vary by school.
Compare offers apples to apples
- Total cost of attendance, minus all grants and scholarships, equals what your family really pays.
- Is the athletic aid for one year or several, and what conditions apply?
- Is academic or need-based aid renewable?