The women’s volleyball tournament was introduced 40 years ago, and it has since made impressive strides. In 2018, 18,000 female players in all three NCAA divisions attracted bigger crowds than their male counterparts. The sport isn’t considered inferior in athleticism to many other men’s and women’s college sports.
No wonder then that top-notch high school players proceed to college volleyball – it isn’t just the thrill of the competition but also about the glory of sports! There’s also the attraction of athletic scholarships being more readily available for women’s volleyball stars, partly thanks to the high interest in it.
The competition for both slots in the roster and scholarships is tough as nails, too! While there are 311 women’s volleyball programs, there’s a limited number of scholarships for distribution.
Take note that Division I schools are allowed to give 12 full-ride scholarships to its players. Division II schools are more likely to give partial scholarships up to eight per team. Division III schools aren’t allowed to award athletic scholarships. But it should also be noted that Division III schools can award academic scholarships to student-athletes. NCAA rules and regulations apply.
In the NAIA and NJCAA, two of the other regulatory bodies in college sports, women’s volleyball rules are different. The NAIA allows up to eight scholarships. The NJCAA rules are: every Division I team is allowed a maximum of 14 scholarships; Division II teams can also give out 14 scholarships, max, but the value of each athletic scholarship must not exceed the costs of tuition, fees, supplies, and books. As with the NCAA, NJCAA Division III teams don’t give out athletic scholarships.
The amount of scholarships varies, but it can range from $31,000 to $63,000 and up per year. The factors that affect the amount include the funds available, the amount stated in the endowment, and the merits considered. But it’s always best to set realistic expectations since not all colleges can provide full scholarships for every team member – partial scholarships are the norm in college athletics.
Keep in mind that the women’s volleyball season starts in the fall, and the NCAA championships are in December. You must then consider the right timing when considering the colleges with women’s volleyball programs. You’re well-advised to research early, too, so you can find the right fit for your volleyball skills, financial capacity, and college goals.
Getting scouted for volleyball is also a challenging process. You shouldn’t wait for college scouts to notice your athletic performance and record since that’s unrealistic. Instead, you have to get their attention by competing in prestigious club tournaments, communicating with them, and proving your academic eligibility. You should also send in attention-grabbing game videos and other related materials, even attending events where college coaches will likely be.
The bottom line: You, the aspiring college student-athlete, have to take the bull by the horns! You must prove your worth, not only for a slot in the team but for an athletic scholarship.
Here are 15 of the best colleges that offer women’s volleyball scholarships. Remember that you should also look into their academic reputation, the total cost of attendance, and the types of scholarships offered before making your choice.
Check out these page jumps to explore the 15 Best Colleges for Girls’ Volleyball Scholarships:
- Stanford University
- University of Texas at Austin
- University of Nebraska – Lincoln
- Southern Methodist University
- University of Denver
- University of Florida
- University of Missouri – Columbia
- University of San Diego
- Rice University
- Marquette University
- University of Pittsburgh
- University of Wisconsin – Madison
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Florida State University
- Georgia Institute of Technology
Stanford University
The Stanford Cardinal women’s volleyball team is the winningest with nine NCAA national championships under its belt and 21 regular-season conference titles. They have also appeared in all NCAA tournaments since its founding in 1981. Indeed, they are formidable student-athletes that combine brains and brawn on the court!
Stanford University offers more than 350 athletic scholarships for its varsity sports, including the highly celebrated women’s volleyball team. These scholarships are intended to provide ample support for student-athletes to complete their bachelor’s degrees in four years, ideally with flying colors. While a fifth-year scholarship isn’t uncommon, it isn’t guaranteed unless the Athletic Director gives his approval.
The athletic scholarships are intended to cover only NCAA-approved expenses, namely:
- Tuition
- Compulsory fees including freshman, ASSU, telecommunication, documentation, and house dues
- Standard room and board
- Required textbooks
Any other expenses cannot be covered with a university-supported athletic scholarship. These non-approved items include health insurance, damage charges, sorority membership-related costs, class supplies, cable television, late fees, and lab fees.
There are also athletic-specific scholarships, such as John Arrillaga Athletic Scholarship II, Eger Family Athletic Scholarship, Johnson-Neal Athletic Scholarship, and Karen and Richard Recht Athletic Scholarship, which are earmarked for the women’s volleyball team. The university has numerous endowed scholarships that players can apply for, including the Barnard Family Scholarship, Louis W. and Gladyce L. Foster Scholarship, and Don and Sally Clark Scholarship.
Stanford also offers the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship as a Division I school where winners receive $10,000 as a one-time grant. Applicants must already be in their final year of NCAA eligibility and plan to pursue graduate studies within the year, maintain a 3.5 GPA, and perform with distinction in their sport. The Athletic Director’s nomination is a must for qualification.
Send an email to financialaid@stanford.edu or connect with the staff at 650-723-3058 if you have general questions about the scholarships.
University of Texas at Austin
The Texas Longhorns women’s volleyball team is a Division I team with three national championships – two in the NCAA and one in the AIAW. They have made 36 NCAA tournament appearances and have consistently been ranked in the Top 10 of the AVCA Coaches Poll. This is one team that many high school players will want to be a part of!
The athletics department neither solicits nor relies on public funds for its scholarships, but the university gives athletics scholarships according to NCAA rules. The self-funded enterprise gets most of its funds from ticket sales, media sponsorships, and private donations, particularly from alumni and corporations. The athletics department then transfers the required funds to the academic departments to cover the scholarships’ costs.
The university requires first-year students to apply for admission and complete the FAFSA form for its automatic scholarships. There’s no separate application form and process for scholarships unless otherwise stated on the specific programs. According to the rules, every first-year student who submits the FAFSA is automatically considered for scholarships, grants, and aids through the Texas Advance Commitment. These include the Presidential Scholars Program and the University Leadership Network.
But there are scholarship programs that require an additional application, particularly for applicants with distinctive qualifications. These include members of the A.S. Armed Forces, and students admitted to certain major programs. In these cases, the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid manages the scholarship programs.
The university’s colleges and departments also have their programs for incoming, transfer, and continuing students. Many of these programs have separate applications and eligibility requirements. Take note, too, that approval in one of these programs will likely affect all other financial aid.
Email onestop@utexas.edu or call (512) 232-6988 for clarifications about scholarships and financial aid.
University of Nebraska – Lincoln
The Nebraska Cornhuskers women’s volleyball team has won five national NCAA championships, among the winningest in all divisions. Plus, they have high popularity among the fans, as evidenced by the fact that they have sold out tickets in all home matches since 2001.
The University of Nebraska – Lincoln complies with the NCAA’s rules and regulations regarding institutional aid, including athletic scholarships. All non-academic scholarships and grants are countable against scholarship limits for the team if student-athletes have also been awarded athletic aid. The head coach and the athletic compliance office, and the financial aid office evaluate every countable award.
Student-athletes who have been awarded both athletic and academic scholarships must meet the NCAA criteria for these cases. Suffice it to say that being a women’s volleyball player on scholarships demands academic and athletic ability far beyond that of an ordinary student.
The academic requirements for incoming first-year students student-athletes are:
- 3.5 cumulative GPA in high school
- At least 105 ACT sum score or 1270 SAT score (critical reading and math) or ranked top 10% of the graduating class in high school
Incoming transfer students must have a 3.0 transferable GPA while continuing student-athletes must have a minimum of 3.0 GPA before the start of the fall semester.
The university also offers many academic merit-based scholarships, including:
- Chancellor’s Tuition Scholarship, which provides full-tuition for the academic year plus $500 for National Merit Scholars
- Regents Scholar Tuition Commitment Program covers full resident tuition for up to 135 credit hours or bachelor’s degree completion, whichever comes first.
For more information about athletic scholarships and relevant NCAA guidelines, call Jena Johnson at 402-472-8253 or send an email to jjohnson@huskers.com
Southern Methodist University
The SMU Mustangs women’s volleyball team won its first NCAA Division I national championships in 2015. While the university isn’t a powerhouse – yet – in the sport, its athletic scholarship program attracts many top-notch high school players for its generous terms. The graduation rate of SMU athletes is 78%, proof that the university provides its student-athletes with the tools necessary for success on and off the court, including scholarships.
Every student who is an outstanding member of its varsity teams can apply for the athletic scholarship. Since women’s volleyball is considered a revenue-generating and attention-getting varsity sport at SMU, its players can qualify for a full-ride scholarship. This covers the full tuition cost and mandatory fees, including student fees, room, board, and required textbooks.
But there are also cases when the women’s volleyball team players may receive partial scholarships, which will only cover tuition or required textbooks. Fund availability and NCAA rules are the oft-cited reasons for these cases.
Student-athletes are encouraged to contact Ryan McCabe of the Department of Compliance, SMU Athletic Department at (214) 768-4652, or send him a letter to PO Box 750216, Dallas, Texas 75275-0216 for more information.
SMU also offers academic-based scholarships that student-athletes may be qualified for, including:
- President’s Scholar Award
- Provost Scholarship
- National Merit Scholarships
- SMU Distinguished Scholarship
- Nancy Ann Hunt and Ray L. Hunt Leadership Scholars Program
- Second Century Scholars
Other scholarship opportunities include departmental scholarships, such as the Edwin L. Cox School of Business, Meadows School of the Arts, and School of Engineering merit scholarships; faith-based scholarships like the Minister’s Family Tuition Award and United Methodist Scholarship; and the Air Force and Army ROTC.
University of Denver
The UD Pioneers women’s volleyball team has yet to win a national championship, but it has made five consecutive NCAA tournament appearances (2014-2018). Overall, the university’s graduation rate for its student-athletes is an impressive 93%, well above the 53% NCAA rate, not to mention that its student-athletes shine academically with a 3.35 average GPA.
Such success can be credited to the university’s outstanding student-athlete development program, including $372 million in financial aid disbursement for its undergraduate and graduate students. The university offers athletic scholarships that can be used to cover the costs of tuition, mandatory fees, room and board, and textbooks.
The athletic department, particularly the varsity coach, determines the recipients and the scholarship’s specific award amounts. Interested students must contact the women’s volleyball head coach or the athletic department for more information.
There are numerous merit-based scholarships and need-based programs available for student-athletes, too. But emphasis must be made that not all scholarships are open for student-athletes due to their status. The receipt of scholarship money can also affect the total financial aid package.
First-year students who are admitted to DU are automatically considered for merit scholarships, too. These are fixed scholarships, meaning that the recipients will receive the same amount for the entirety of the four-year scholarship. The amounts range from $12,000 to $26,000 per year for up to 12 quarters; summer quarters are excluded.
Examples of merit scholarships are the Chancellor, Provost, Dean, University, Pioneer, Centennial, and Crimson & Gold programs. In-campus residents who receive these scholarships are also eligible for the $3,000 Residence Hall Grant.
Get more information by sending an email to www.du.edu/financialaid or calling the financial aid office at 303-871-4020 or 303-871-2341.
University of Florida
The UF Gators women’s volleyball team has won 12 conference tournament championships and 24 regular season championships, with the latter being on consecutive years, 1991-2008, 2014-2017, and 2019. Their members have also won 18 SEC Player of the Year awards and three Scholar-Athlete of the Year awards, an impressive record indeed!
If you’re interested in becoming a UF Gator, you should contact the head coach. You can also contact the University Athletic Association by writing them a letter (P. O. Box 14485, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32604-2485) and ask for the head coach’s name, address, and phone number. You may also call (352) 375-4683 for more information.
The Gators can apply for athletic and academic scholarships. But remember that academic scholarships, including tuition reductions and waivers, are counted as part of the financial aid package released through the Student Financial Affairs (SFA). Be sure to coordinate with the concerned officials, including SFA, the Office of Admissions, and the department about multiple aid awards.
The Office of Admissions, the Office of Overseas Studies, and the colleges and departments also offer separate scholarship and aid packages. The Office of Admissions administers the freshmen-specific scholarships while the Office of Overseas Studies awards aids to UF students matriculating abroad.
The notable UF scholarship programs include:
- Presidential Scholarship ($5,000 per year)
- Presidential Gold Scholarship ($8,000 per year)
- Presidential Platinum Scholarship ($10,000 per year)
- Gator Nation Scholarship (Up to $20,000 per year)
- Sunshine Scholarship (Up to $16,000 per year)
For most in-state and out-of-state scholarship programs, there are no separate application processes and papers. You may also use the online search engine to find other scholarship programs.
Recommended Schools
University of Missouri – Columbia
The UM Tigers women’s volleyball team won the Southeastern Conference championship in 2013, the university’s first since it first joined SEC the year before. With its affordable tuition combined with a generous athletic scholarship program, it’s a magnet for the best high school players.
As a public research university, UM Columbia’s tuition and cost of attendance are among the most reasonable countries. The in-state cost of attendance is $9,972, while the out-of-state cost is $27,042 per student. The room and board cost for on-campus and off-campus students are nearly the same.
These costs can be partly, if not significantly, offset by athletic scholarships. Every varsity sports program, under the watch of its head coach, awards these grants-in-aid. Interested students must then contact the women’s volleyball program’s head coach for relevant information about available scholarships.
Contact Joshua Taylor at 808-386-1085 or send an email to taylorjos@missouri.edu or follow at Twitter joshjtaylor11.
UM first-year students and student-athletes can also apply for automatic scholarships with the eligibility requirements, including full-time enrollment. Take note that MU doesn’t provide financial aid exceeding 100% of the tuition and mandatory fees.
Notable scholarships for in-state first-year students offered include:
- Mizzou Scholars Award ($10,000)
- Chancellor’s Award ($6,500)
- Curators Scholar Award ($4,500)
- Excellence Award ($3,000)
Non-resident first-time student is eligible for these scholarships:
- Mark Twain Non-resident Scholarship (Either $7,000 or full waiver of non-resident tuition depending on standardized test score)
- Black & Gold Scholarship (Either 50% waiver or 100% waiver of non-resident tuition depending on level)
- Border State Scholarship ($2,500 for students residing in states bordering Missouri)
Merit-based scholarships will likely affect the overall financial aid package.
University of San Diego
The San Diego Toreros women’s volleyball team competes in NCAA Division I and are West Coast Conference champions. Since they play a varsity sport, they are eligible for athletic scholarships. Depending on the type, they can enjoy a full ride, including tuition, fees, room, board, or a partial ride.
You can contact the head coach of the women’s volleyball program here for more information about getting a place on the team and a shot at a scholarship. The athletic scholarship will go a long way to decrease the full-time cost of attendance – a total of $34,872 per semester or $69,744 per year for tuition, fees, health insurance, housing, and meal plans. The inter-session and summer terms are separately billed.
The university offers a wide range of merit scholarships, many of which are open for student-athletes. The undergraduate merit scholarships are open to first-year students without a separate application – the admission application is considered the automatic scholarship application. The Office of Undergraduate Admissions determines the recipients and amounts.
These scholarships include the Presidential, Trustee, and Alcala Scholarships with awards ranging from $8,000 to $25,000 per year. They may be renewed for up to four years provided academic requirements are met.
The Dean’s Graduate Merit Award is a need-blind scholarship program where recipients are provided with a one-time award of a specific amount. But previous recipients can apply annually, although the amount will vary; the actual amount will not exceed the cost of tuition and other related expenses when combined with other awards.
Email the One-Stop Student Center at onestop@sandiego.edu or call them at (619) 260-2700 for more information about scholarships and aid.
Rice University
The Rice Owls women’s volleyball team are the recipients of athletic scholarships that are valuable in their continuing success as student-athletes. They also can apply for need-based institutional aid and choose to receive it instead of athletic scholarships. But unlike athletic scholarships, which are typically based on academic record and athletic potential, need-based aid is based on family income, household size, and asset information, among other factors.
The Athletics Department and its head and assistant coaches work together to determine the recipients, and award amounts for athletic scholarships. These amounts are typically based on every student-athlete’s grant-in-aid percentage.
Keep in mind that Rice student-athletes cannot receive athletic scholarships and need-based institutional aid simultaneously. But student-athletes may apply for Federal Direct Loans and Pell Grant, among other federal student aid programs. Be sure to file for FAFSA if you want to be considered for these federal student aid programs.
Rice University has a few endowed scholarships for its student-athletes, such as the Albert P. George Scholarship and the Mamie E. George Scholarship. The eligibility requirements include the recipients must be student-athletes, obviously, and the Director of Athletics selects them.
Contact Elizabeth Bandy, Fund Specialist, at bandye@rice.edu or call at 713-348-8027 for more information.
Recipients of need-based aid will receive their funds once per semester, and the disbursement will only be made upon completion of all requirements.
Marquette University
The Marquette Golden Eagles are eligible for athletic scholarships as well as for academic scholarships. These scholarships result in significant reductions in tuition, fees, and average room and board expenses. For AY 2020-2021, the undergraduate tuition is $44,970, and the fees are at $348; the typical annual room and board are $13,332 per student.
Marquette University has several full-tuition awards, including:
- Burke Scholars Program, a four-year scholarship open to freshmen, full-time undergraduate students with a demonstrated passion for leadership, social justice, and community service. Recipients may also get a living expenses stipend depending on their financial need.
- Opus Scholars Program, which covers the full tuition as well as general student and lab fees. This is a renewable scholarship if the recipient still qualifies for up to four years. The housing and meal plan stipend only applies to the freshman and sophomore years provided academic, and FAFSA requirements are met.
- Herdrich Endowed Scholarship, a full-tuition scholarship program that also covers fees and on-campus room and board. Recipients are selected based on academic merit and financial needs.
The Urban Scholars Program is noteworthy, too, because it covers housing needs. Other special scholarship programs include Diederich Scholarship, Jesuit Half-Tuition Scholarship, and Monroe Scholarships. Be sure to look into ROTC Scholarships, Wisconsin Academic Excellence Awards, and the National Merit Scholarship, too.
Contact Marquette Central for questions about student assistance, tuition and fees, and forms (414) 288-4000.
University of Pittsburgh
The Pittsburgh Panthers women’s volleyball team, known simply as Pitts, are famous for their fierce play and winning streak. They have clinched 14 conference championships in the Big East Conference and three Atlantic Coast Conference championships. Scholarships, either full or partial, finance Their education at the top-ranking university.
These scholarships are significant in their success because of the quite high tuition and education-related expenses. In-state tuition is about $19,000 while out-of-state students pay approximately $32,000; the room and board expenses range from $10,900 to $11,000.
The university offers a vast range of academic scholarships, too, aside from athletic scholarships. Student-athletes are typically eligible for these scholarships, although there will be limitations due to their athletic participation.
Incoming freshmen students are automatically considered for many of these scholarships, too, for as long as they applied to Pitt by December 15. Continuing and transfer students aren’t usually eligible, but they can find numerous scholarship opportunities through the Pitt database.
The academic scholarships have varying amounts and duration. The award amount starts at $2,000 per year, and many programs offering full tuition plus room and board. These scholarships are generally renewable for up to four years and available for eight terms in an undergraduate program.
Notable full-tuition programs include:
- The Chancellor’s Scholarship (full tuition and compulsory fees, average room and board, and Pitt Honors housing guaranteed)
- The Stamps Scholarship (full tuition and fees, room and board, allowance for personal costs, books and supplies, and transportation with a value over $160,000 over four years)
Contact the University of Pittsburgh’s Office of Admissions and Financial Aid at finaid@pitt.edu or call (412) 624-7488.
University of Wisconsin – Madison
The Wisconsin Badgers have requested a $2 million annual fund for students of color, a request coursed through social media and address to the University of Wisconsin and its athletic department. The fund would provide scholarships for tuition, fees, books, room and board, and living costs.
Of course, the university has scholarship programs in place for its student-athletes! You can apply for grants and financial aid, but some consequences must be considered.
For example, scholarship awards can sometimes affect financial aid. This is because need-based financial aid cannot exceed your unique demonstrated financial need. If you already have a partial or full athletic scholarship, your financial aid may have to be reduced.
Every scholarship program has its eligibility requirements from the initial award to the renewal. The Wisconsin Scholarship Hub (WiSH) site is useful for searching for scholarship programs. You can be matched to the programs for which you are eligible.
Among the scholarships include:
- Arndt Family Scholarship (Resident tuition and compulsory fees)
- Kemper K. Knapp Undergraduate Scholarships (Up to $7,500)
- National Merit Scholarship Award (Up to $3,000)
Send email to scholarships@finaid.wisc.edu for general inquiries about the WiSH system and scholarships. You can also send your departmental questions here.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The UNC women’s volleyball team players have unique scholarship agreements, as is usually the case for all student-athletes. The agreement provides details on the scholarship coverage, such as full or partial coverage for tuition, fees and room and board, and the duration. The agreement will also cover the terms and conditions, such as grounds for reduction and cancellation.
Athletic scholarships can be either single-year or multi-year agreements. These scholarships are renewable for up to four years, too, even when they aren’t active anymore, such as the expired athletic ability.
The Department of Athletics administers the Complete Carolina program, which provides financial assistance to returning student-athletes who want to finish their degree at UNC. The financial assistance is usually proportional to the previous athletic scholarship awarded to the student-athlete.
For more information about athletic scholarships and financial aid, email UNC at aidinfo@unc.edu or call them at 919-962-8396.
A few examples of UNC endowed scholarships are the Carolina Covenant Scholarship, Johnston Scholars Program Scholarship, Wood Family Scholars Program, Blue Sky Scholars Program, and Army National Guard Scholarship.
Florida State University
The FSU Seminoles women’s volleyball team is typically provided with athletic scholarships or financial aid as a varsity sport. Like many NCAA Division I schools, FSU directs inquiries about athletic scholarships to the relevant coaching staff, particularly the head coach.
FSU also offers a wide range of academic scholarships, many of which are automatic scholarships. This means that incoming first-year students don’t have to make a separate application to be considered – every first-year student admitted to FSU will be automatically considered for scholarships. Nonetheless, there are eligibility requirements, such as on-time submission of FAFSA, minimum GPA, and residency status.
In most cases, a student can accept only one merit scholarship or institutional aid from the Office of Admission. But students can still apply and be approved for additional financial assistance through FAFSA.
The notable scholarship programs at FSU include:
- National Merit Finalist/Benacquisto Scholarship (Equals cost of attendance with a total value of more than $80,000 over four years)
- Presidential Scholars Program (Also open to first-year students who are recipients of the Benacquisto Scholarship, a University Freshman Scholarship, or a Tuition Reduction Scholarship)
- University Freshman Scholarship (Award amount is $2,400 per year and renewable up to four years)
Email your general questions to the Office of Financial Aid at financialaid@fsu.edu or call them at 850-644-0539.
Georgia Institute of Technology
The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets women’s volleyball team is becoming a force to be reckoned with on the court! They have clinched several ACC tournament and regular-season championships as well as made NCAA tournament appearances. And that’s not all – Georgia Tech is among the world’s top 100 most prestigious universities (#48), ahead of UGA, Dartmouth, and Brown.
Georgia Tech has a fairly generous athletic scholarship program in place for its volleybelles, too. Student-athletes also have the option of applying for institutional aid, including scholarships and grants, such as:
- G. Wayne Clough Tech Promise Program can be combined with other aids, grants, and scholarships to get a full ride.
- Stamps President’s Scholars Program covers all tuition and fees, room and board, personal expenses, books, and travel.
- Provost Scholarship will cover the non-resident tuition for eligible students.
If you don’t have a Georgia Tech account, you can email finaidverification@gatech.edu for financial aid verification or email finaid@gatech.edu for general questions.
College-level women’s volleyball is a challenging sport, as challenging as any of the men’s sports. But there’s also the reward of getting your bachelor’s degree at a discounted rate, if not 100% free, while also enjoying the game – and that’s where scholarships come in.
