D1, FCS, NAIA, JUCO. Families hear these terms used as if they mean the same thing. They don’t, and the difference matters.
College athletics is organized in layers. An association sets the rules. Some associations split into divisions. Division I football splits again into two subdivisions. Schools then compete inside conferences. Where a program sits in those layers decides whether it can offer athletic scholarships, how many, and which eligibility rules you have to meet.
1 The big picture
Three paths, three different things
The National Collegiate Athletic Association. Division I, II, and III are all part of the same association, each with its own rules, school sizes, and level of competition.
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics has about 240 member schools, its own eligibility center, its own conferences, and athletic scholarships.
“JUCO” means junior or community college. Two-year colleges compete under different governing bodies, such as the NJCAA, CCCAA, and NWAC.
2 NCAA
Division I, II, and III
| Division | What it is | Athletic scholarships |
|---|---|---|
| Division I | The highest level of competition, usually at larger schools with bigger budgets | ✓ Available |
| Division II | Competitive athletics, often at mid-sized schools, with a balance of sports and academics | ✓ Available, usually partial |
| Division III | An academics-first model at mostly smaller schools | ✗ None, but academic and need-based aid are common |
“No athletic scholarships” does not mean “no money.” Many Division III schools offer strong academic and need-based packages, so compare the real cost of attendance, not just the label.
3 Football
Division I has two subdivisions
Football Bowl Subdivision
- The highest level of college football
- Larger schools, stadiums, and budgets
- Athletic scholarships available
Example conferences: SEC, Big Ten, ACC, Big 12
Football Championship Subdivision
- Still NCAA Division I
- Generally smaller schools and budgets
- Athletic scholarships at most programs, but not all
Example conferences: Missouri Valley, Southern, CAA, Pioneer
D1 does not always mean FBS, or a scholarship. Both FBS and FCS are Division I, but they have very different resources. Some FCS conferences, including the Pioneer Football League and the Ivy League, award no athletic scholarships for football. Since the 2025 House v. NCAA settlement, the number of scholarships also varies from school to school, so ask each program directly.
Example: Stetson University
- NCAA divisionDivision I
- Football subdivisionFCS
- ConferencePioneer Football League
- Athletic football scholarships✗ No
- Academic and need-based aid✓ Yes
A school can be NCAA Division I and still offer no athletic scholarships in football. That is why “I got a D1 offer” always needs a follow-up question.
4 Junior college
Common JUCO organizations
Junior college athletics is not one league. Each state or region belongs to a governing body with its own rules on football and scholarships.
- The national governing body for two-year colleges in most states
- Includes football
- Athletic scholarships at many programs; the rules depend on the division and sport
- Governs California community colleges
- Includes football
- No athletic scholarships
- Two-year colleges in the Pacific Northwest
- No football program currently
- Athletic aid rules vary by school
- A regional conference within the NJCAA
- Includes football, and is one of the strongest JUCO football regions
- Athletic scholarships available
5 Ask the right questions
What to ask every program
- Which association, division, and conference are you in? If a coach says “D1,” ask whether that means FBS or FCS.
- Do you offer athletic scholarships in my sport? If so, what does a typical package look like for my position?
- What academic and need-based aid could I qualify for? Ask for an estimate of the total cost of attendance.
- How big is the roster, and what is my path to the field?
- Which eligibility center do I register with? NCAA Division I and II use the NCAA Eligibility Center, NAIA schools use the NAIA Eligibility Center, and Division III and junior colleges handle it through the school.
Ready to put this to work? Our Recruiting Roadmap walks athletes and parents through recruiting year by year, from freshman groundwork to signing day.
Free Tools from NBF
National Boosters Foundation helps families and programs nationwide navigate recruiting the right way. Ask us about:
- NBF College Recruiting Guide, which explains official and unofficial visits across NCAA, NAIA, and JUCO
- Recruiting Roadmap, a four-year checklist for athletes and parents
Email us with questions: contact@boostersfoundation.org
Current as of fall 2026. Association, conference, and scholarship rules change, so always confirm with each school and the official sources: ncaa.org, naia.org, and njcaa.org. National Boosters Foundation is the nationwide program of Arizona Boosters Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 39-3080525), and is not affiliated with the NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA, or any association or conference named here.
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