What is a key difference between NCAA Division I and Division III regarding athletic scholarships?

• A. Division I institutions may offer athletic scholarships.
• B. Division III institutions do not award athletic scholarships but may offer other forms of need-based or academic aid.
• C. Division II institutions have identical scholarship policies to Division I.
• D. Division I and Division III have identical athletic scholarship policies.

Answer: (B)

Athletic scholarship policies across NCAA divisions show a clear difference in how aid tied to playing sports is handled. Division I programs can award athletic scholarships to student-athletes, using funds dedicated to sports to recruit and support players. In contrast, Division III institutions do not award athletic scholarships at all; they can still help students with need-based or academic scholarships, but not scholarships based on athletic participation. This distinction is why the statement that Division III does not award athletic scholarships but may offer other forms of need-based or academic aid is the best description of the difference. The other options either describe aspects of Division I that aren’t contrasted with Division III in this question, or assert policies are identical across divisions, which they are not.