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Kevin Ladd Image Written By: Kevin Ladd | Edited By: Cara Goldstone | Updated: March 16, 2026

Volleyball Scholarships

Key takeaways:

  • College volleyball is predominantly female, with women's scholarships across divisions greatly outnumbering men's. In 2024, the Education Data Initiative reported that the average female volleyball scholarship amount was over $30,000 each; meanwhile, there were too few scholarships awarded to male players to report an average amount at all.
  • Most Volleyball scholarships are partial, not full-tuition. Only about 2% of all college athletes get a full-tuition scholarship. Most rely on partial scholarships or walk-on opportunities.
  • Compared to many other sports, there are abundant opportunities for college volleyball players to earn substantial scholarship support— especially for women.

Volleyball has long been a predominantly women’s sport at both the collegiate and professional levels. Because of this, the chances of getting a substantial scholarship to play women's volleyball in college is significantly higher than men's. The numbers continue to grow, with smaller, private colleges increasingly offering women's volleyball and using scholarships as a tool to recruit skilled players.

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The 25 Best Volleyball Scholarships with Approaching Deadlines in 2026

What are Volleyball scholarships?

Generally, Division I and II schools offer athletic scholarships to outstanding volleyball athletes, with most of them being partial scholarships. While Division III schools don't typically offer athletic scholarships, they may provide other forms of financial aid.

For those who don't see themselves making the team at the higher level, there is still financial aid available through participating in club volleyball. Depending upon the club, you may qualify for a scholarship to pay membership fees and travel expenses, allowing you to attend the college you feel best suits you while also continuing to play your chosen sport.

Frequently asked questions about volleyball scholarships

Are there volleyball scholarships for high school seniors?

If you are currently a high school senior who plays volleyball but has not been recruited by a Division I or Division II college, you should start looking for third-party volleyball scholarship opportunities now. Even if you are a high school junior or even younger, it is never too early to begin searching for scholarships; there are volleyball scholarships available no matter your grade level.

Are there Club Volleyball scholarships?

Yes, there are club volleyball scholarships available. These scholarships typically depend on financial need, academic standing, leadership/community service, and family circumstances.

USA South Volleyball, for example, offers scholarships to their players. If you want to play volleyball in college but cannot play at the level necessary to win a scholarship at a Division I or Division II school, this could be a great option for you.

What does a volleyball scholarship typically cover?

Full-ride scholarships could cover all of your college expenses: tuition, fees, room, board, and even textbooks. In the case of athletic scholarships, though, it is likely you will only receive partial-tuition coverage. Partial-tuition scholarships cover only a portion of the expenses listed above, all depending on the coaching staff’s budget and the athlete’s value to the team. It’s important to note that these scholarships are negotiable, though.

How do I qualify for a volleyball scholarship?

Both athletic performance and academic achievement will factor into the eligibility of each student athlete applying for a scholarship. For NCAA schools, students must meet the basic academic requirements in addition to having and maintaining an acceptable GPA. To obtain a volleyball scholarship at one of these schools, students must maintain academic excellence and exhibit great athletic skill at the same time.

Do a lot of people win volleyball scholarships?

A significant number of volleyball scholarships are awarded each year. The number of scholarships for volleyball is actually increasing and, for women, have even surpassed basketball, with 18 scholarships per team for D1 and D2 volleyball compared to 15 for D1 women’s basketball. For men’s sports, there are far more scholarships for sports like football and basketball; in men’s football, there may be up to 85 full scholarships per team versus only 4.5 per team for men’s volleyball.