Athletic scholarships, 2026-27

Athletic scholarships
work differently now.

Division I swapped scholarship caps for roster limits in 2025, and a new age-based eligibility clock starts with fall 2027 enrollees. Here's how aid really works today, how recruiting works, and which outside awards are open to athletes.

See what changed Recruiting timeline
Every rule linked to its sourceChecked Nov 7, 2026No paid placements
$4.3B+in athletics scholarships a year from NCAA Divisions I and II (NCAA)
~2%of high school athletes are offered athletics scholarships (NCAA guide)
105football roster limit at Division I schools in the settlement (NCAA)
0athletics scholarships in NCAA Division III and NJCAA Division III (NCAA, NJCAA)
The short version

Three things every recruit should know in 2026

Division I counts roster spots, not scholarships

Since July 1, 2025, Division I schools in the House settlement have no sport-specific scholarship caps. Each sport has a roster limit instead, and a school can fund any number of those spots, fully or partly. NCAA.org

Most athletic aid is still partial

The NCAA says most athletics scholarships are partial, so families usually combine them with academic aid and need-based aid such as Pell Grants. NCAA.org

The eligibility clock is changing

Students who first enroll full time in fall 2027 or later get five years of eligibility under an age-based model, with the clock starting at enrollment or the year after turning 19, whichever comes first. NCAA Eligibility Center

Guides

Start with the question you have

NCAA roster limits by sport

The full Division I table, who it applies to and what a roster spot does and does not guarantee.

Read the guide

How to get recruited

A grade-by-grade timeline, what to put in a recruiting video and how to email coaches.

Read the guide

D1 vs D2 vs D3 vs NAIA vs JUCO

Who can offer athletic aid, how much, and the academic rules for each level.

Read the guide
Outside money

Scholarships open to athletes

Private awards don't count against a team's roster and can be stacked with other aid, subject to the school's rules. Each one below was checked on its official page today.

Golf caddies

Evans Scholarship

Western Golf Association / Evans Scholars Foundation
Who can apply
Caddied regularly and successfully for at least two years; finished junior year of high school with above a B average in college-prep courses; clear financial need; outstanding character, integrity and leadership.
Award
A full tuition and housing college scholarship (per the sponsor's site as of Nov 2026).
Timing
Application goes online in August; the core application is due in late September and financial aid forms in mid-October (2027-28 cycle).
You don't need to play golf competitively. This is about your caddie record, grades and need.
Verified Nov 7, 2026Official page
Golf, women

Women's Western Golf Foundation Scholarship

Women's Western Golf Foundation
Who can apply
Undergraduate women who play golf. The foundation says skill or excellence in the sport is not a criterion. Renewal depends on meeting its academic and financial requirements.
Award
$5,000 a year, renewable for four years (per the sponsor's site as of Nov 2026).
Timing
The page lists the 2026 scholarships and an apply-for-next-year link; it does not show a deadline.
Recreational golfers can apply. Check the next cycle's form for the deadline.
Verified Nov 7, 2026Official page
Baseball

American Legion Baseball Scholarship

The American Legion
Who can apply
American Legion Baseball players. Each state Department Baseball Committee may select one player; department winners are also considered for the All-Academic Team.
Award
$500 for department winners; eight players chosen at the World Series get an extra $2,500, and the most outstanding All-Academic member gets $5,000 (per the sponsor's site as of Nov 2026).
Timing
No deadline is posted on the national page; ask your post or state department. Winners have eight years from graduation to use the award.
Applications go through your state department, not national headquarters.
Verified Nov 7, 2026Official page

See all 8 verified awards

Legit scholarships never charge you to apply

The FTC's warning signs for scholarship scams:

  • A fee to apply, "process" or "redeem" a scholarship
  • A guarantee that you'll win, or a money-back promise
  • "You've been selected" for an award you never applied for
  • Requests for a bank or card number to "hold" an award
  • Paying someone to file your FAFSA, which is free

FTC: How To Avoid Scholarship and Financial Aid Scams. Report scams at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Junior or senior this year?

Use the grade-by-grade checklist so nothing slips past a deadline.

Recruiting timeline
Questions

Common questions

Do athletic scholarships still exist after the House settlement?

Yes. The settlement removed Division I sport-specific scholarship caps at participating schools and replaced them with roster limits. Schools can now offer scholarships to any athlete on the roster, full or partial, but they are not required to fund every spot.

How many athletes get athletic scholarships?

NCAA Divisions I and II give more than $4.3 billion a year to nearly 210,000 athletes, according to the NCAA's 2026-27 college-bound guide. The same guide says only about 2% of high school athletes are offered athletics scholarships.

Which levels can't give athletic scholarships?

NCAA Division III and NJCAA Division III schools do not offer athletics scholarships. Their athletes can still receive academic scholarships and need-based aid.

When is the peak time to start recruiting?

The NCAA says recruiting can start as early as ninth grade but in most cases starts in 11th grade. Fall is a good time to update your video, email coaches and register with the right eligibility center.

Sources (checked Nov 7, 2026)