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

Alt Text for Cover Image: NCAA football recruiting guide for parents — 2025–26 updates on roster limits, scholarship rules, and realistic pathways for non-5-star athletes.

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

✅ Internal Links to Add

• Football Playbook product page

• Recruiting Timeline Checklist

• Video Creation Guide

• Campus Visit Guide

• Coach Contact Templates

Final Thoughts

NCAA fencing scholarships are scarce — but with the 2025–26 roster expansion, opportunities are wider than ever for athletes who prepare early, maintain elite academics, and communicate consistently with coaches. In fencing, preparation and fit matter far more than name recognition.

👉 Download the Fencing Scholarship Playbook for GPA trackers, email templates, event checklists, and negotiation strategies proven to help families succeed.