NAIA Baseball Scholarships

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), has more than 300 member colleges and universities according to Athletic Scholarships. NAIA institutions are known for using athletics as a big part of the learning process while focusing on academics. In NAIA baseball, colleges and universities have the option of offering scholarships to student athletes that qualify based on academic and athletic merit.

  1. Regulations

    • NAIA schools are allowed to offer a maximum of 12 full scholarships to members of its team. These scholarship monies are usually divided up as full scholarships are rare at this level of competition. Even though the NAIA values academics, it is easier to qualify for a scholarship at an NAIA school than an NCAA school. This is because there is no clearinghouse that must be passed through like the NCAA has.

    Funding

    • Even though an institution is allowed to offer a maximum of 12 full baseball scholarships, many do not. This is because they are not fully funded as an athletic department or as a baseball program. According to High School Baseball Web, even though some schools are not fully funded, the power programs typically have the full allotment of 12 scholarships.

    What Counts

    • Any money a baseball player receives from an institution is considered athletic aid. These monies include the athletic scholarship from the team in addition to any academic scholarships, leadership or performance awards, outside scholarships administered by the institution, or tuition waivers. Any aid in these forms counts against the school's total of 12 scholarships. Any money that is secured by the baseball player that is not influenced by the college--like a scholarship from the American Legion--does not count against the scholarship total.

    Eligibility

    • To be eligible for a baseball scholarship you must have graduated high school. In addition, you must meet meet two out of three additional requirements--scoring at least 860 on your SAT, registering a GPA of 2.0, or finishing in the top half of your high school class.