Partial Scholarship
A partial scholarship is athletic aid that covers a portion of the cost of attendance, common in equivalency sports where coaches divide a limited scholarship pool among multiple athletes. A partial athletic award can be combined with academic and need-based aid.
In equivalency sports, a '25% scholarship' is normal — coaches stack fractions to build a roster within a budget. Families who expect a full ride in an equivalency sport are usually disappointed; families who understand the partial model can evaluate offers realistically.
Families should calculate the total aid package, not just the athletic portion, when evaluating an offer. A 40% athletic scholarship stacked with strong academic aid can cost less than a 60% athletic scholarship with no other aid.
Partial scholarships are renegotiable in some programs — a coach may increase an award in later years based on performance. Families should ask about the program's history of increasing aid for returning players.