Division III schools offer no scholarships solely for athletics, however they offer extensive financial aid and merit scholarships for academics. D-III schools also offer at least five sports for both men and women, including at least two team sports for either sex.
Although Division III sports aren't as intense or as well supported as higher division schools, the de-emphasis on athletics allows students greater flexibility in their university lives. Since there are no scholarships strictly based on athletics, student athletes don't have their placement in the school based upon on-field performance. This is in turn lowers the pressure placed upon the student. As well, student athletes are encouraged to participate in other extracurricular activities in addition to their sport.
There are over 430 schools across 38 states that are Division III. Many of these schools, such as Mills College, Occidental and Ponoma, all in California, are small, private, liberal arts or technical institutions which maintain high academic standards while encouraging students to participate in a variety of collegiate activities.
Although Division III schools offer no scholarships based completely on athletics, they can offer one official, paid campus visit to prospective students. Students may also make unlimited unofficial, unpaid visits to the campus. Coaches may begin meeting with students at off-site locations once their junior year of high school is completed. Prospective D-III student athletes are advised by school officials to perform at their highest capacity both on and off the field prior to applying to the school.