NCAA Football Scholarships 2025–26: The Parent Guide to Every Pathway

What You’ll Learn in This Resource

• How football scholarships are changing in 2025–26

• The updated roster caps and new equivalency model

• Scholarship numbers by division and pathway options

• The funnel from high school to college football scholarships

• When coaches can contact recruits

• What coaches look for beyond rankings

• The recruiting timeline for both elite and non-5-star athletes

• Full vs. partial scholarships explained

• Common mistakes parents make

• FAQs and trusted resources

What’s New in 2025–26

• Roster Cap Increased: Division I schools opting into the new rules may roster up to 105 players.

• Equivalency for All DI: Even FBS programs can now split scholarships into partials. Full rides are no longer mandatory.

• School Choice Matters: Some programs may stay under the old 85 headcount rule temporarily. Always confirm with compliance offices.

• Good News for Non-5-Stars: Partial scholarships open doors for more athletes who previously would have been overlooked.

Football Scholarships Explained

📌 At FBS, the shift to partial scholarships is the biggest change in decades.

Scholarship Numbers by Level

Pathway Funnel: From High School to College Football

📌 Takeaway: The funnel proves that most scholarship opportunities are not at FBS. Families who target FCS, D2, NAIA, and JUCO have the widest range of realistic options.

When Coaches Can Contact Recruits

What Coaches Look For

• Measurables (height, weight, 40-yard dash, explosiveness)

• Film (highlight reel + full games)

• Multi-sport ability (track, wrestling, basketball help)

• Academics (higher GPAs give coaches more flexibility under equivalency)

• Character (leadership, work ethic, coachability)

Recruiting Timeline for Athletes

📌 For most families, junior year is critical, but senior-year spots remain open at non-FBS levels.

Full vs. Partial Scholarships

• FBS (2025–26): Partial scholarships allowed for the first time.

• FCS, D2, NAIA: Equivalency models with mostly partials.

• D3: No athletic aid, but strong academic/need-based aid.

Example:
$12,000 football aid + $10,000 academic merit + $8,000 need-based = $30,000 covered.

Common Mistakes Parents Make

• Waiting too long to begin outreach

• Only focusing on FBS programs

• Assuming scholarships = full rides

• Parents leading communication instead of athletes

• Neglecting academics, which remain critical under new rules

FAQs

Can my child get a partial scholarship at FBS now?
Yes. Under the 2025–26 rules, schools that opt in may split scholarships at FBS.

What if a school hasn’t opted in yet?
Then the old 85-headcount/full-ride system still applies. Always confirm.

What GPA is required?
2.3 for D1, 2.2 for D2, but most successful recruits are closer to 3.0+.

Do athletes need to be ranked?
No. The majority of NCAA football players were never nationally ranked.

Further Resources

• NCAA FBS Recruiting Calendar PDF

• NCAA FCS Recruiting Calendar PDF

• NCAA Eligibility Center

• Scholarship Stats: Football

• Our Recruiting Timeline Checklist

• How to Contact Coaches

• Football Scholarships by Position: The Real Offer Patterns for QBs, Linemen, Skills and Specialists

  
  

Final Thoughts

College football recruiting has changed — and the families who understand the new rules will win. The 2025–26 shift to 105-player roster caps and equivalency-based scholarships means opportunity has never been more open for smart, prepared athletes. Full rides are rarer, but partial scholarships now reach players who never would’ve been considered in the old 85-headcount era.

The truth: most families overestimate what it takes to play at the next level — and underestimate how much planning, academics, and communication matter. Coaches recruit year-round, and they’re looking for athletes who show discipline, character, and consistent effort, not just size or highlight reels.

👉 Inside the Football Scholarship Playbook, you’ll get:

• 📅 Grade-by-Grade Recruiting Timeline — from freshman year film prep to signing day offers.

• 💰 Scholarship & Roster Breakdown — full vs. partial aid, and what the 2025–26 equivalency rules mean for your athlete.

• 🎥 Highlight Video Blueprint — how to cut a 3-minute reel that earns real coach engagement.

• 📞 Coach Contact Templates — what to say, when to send, and how to follow up without overdoing it.

• 🎓 GPA & Eligibility Tracker — the academic side of recruiting most parents miss.

• 🏫 Campus Visit Guide — how to evaluate facilities, staff, and player fit before committing.

• 🧠 Mindset & Preparation Tools — for standing out in interviews, calls, and game evaluations.

• 🔁 Plan B Pathways — FCS, D2, D3, NAIA, and JUCO routes that keep the dream alive.

🚀 Families who use this system don’t just “wait to be found.” They build their own opportunities — combining athletic, academic, and need-based aid to create packages worth tens of thousands per year.

👉 Download the Football Scholarship Playbook today and give your athlete the step-by-step roadmap to get seen, get recruited, and secure real scholarship money before roster spots disappear.