The amount of scholarship money given out for football varies depending on the level of the college, as well as the individual athlete's talent and other factors. Here is a general overview of the scholarship money given out at the different levels of college football in the United States:
NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) - These are the top-tier football programs in the country, and they offer the most scholarship money. FBS schools can offer up to 85 full athletic scholarships per year, which cover tuition, room and board, and other expenses. The value of a full scholarship can range from $20,000 to $70,000 or more per year, depending on the school.
NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) - These schools are a step below the FBS in terms of size and resources, but they still offer significant scholarship money. FCS schools can offer up to 63 full athletic scholarships per year. The value of a full scholarship can range from $10,000 to $60,000 or more per year, depending on the school.
NCAA Division II - These schools are smaller than both FBS and FCS programs and generally offer less scholarship money. Division II schools can offer up to 36 full athletic scholarships per year. The value of a full scholarship can range from $5,000 to $25,000 or more per year, depending on the school.
NCAA Division III - These schools do not offer athletic scholarships, but they may offer need-based financial aid or academic scholarships to student-athletes.
It's important to note that these are general guidelines, and the amount of scholarship money offered can vary widely from school to school and from athlete to athlete. Additionally, many athletes receive partial scholarships or a combination of athletic and academic scholarships to cover their expenses.
Junior colleges, also known as JUCOs, and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) offer athletic scholarships to football players as well, but the amount of scholarship money available may be different from NCAA Division I, II, and III programs.
Junior Colleges - JUCOs offer athletic scholarships to football players, but the amount of scholarship money available can vary widely depending on the school and the player's talent level. JUCOs may offer full scholarships or partial scholarships to cover tuition, fees, and other expenses. The scholarship value can range from a few thousand dollars to a full ride scholarship.
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) - NAIA schools also offer athletic scholarships to football players, but the amount of scholarship money available can vary widely depending on the school and the player's talent level. NAIA schools can offer up to 24 full athletic scholarships per year. The value of a full scholarship can range from a few thousand dollars to a full ride scholarship.
It's important to note that JUCO and NAIA schools may have different academic and athletic requirements for their scholarships compared to NCAA schools. Additionally, some JUCO and NAIA programs may have limited resources compared to NCAA programs, which can affect the amount of scholarship money available to athletes.