The NCAA is making historic changes to athletic scholarships starting in the 2025–26 school year, shifting from fixed scholarship limits by sport to a roster-based model that allows schools to offer aid to everyone on the official team roster if budget permits. This landmark update, part of the House v. NCAA settlement, could expand financial aid opportunities for student-athletes across all Division I sports—though understanding the fine print and what it means for your athlete’s recruiting chances is crucial.
What’s Changing — and When?
Starting in 2025–26, the NCAA will shift from fixed scholarship limits by sport to a roster-based model. That means instead of saying, “you can only give 12 scholarships in this sport,” schools will now be allowed to offer aid to everyone on the official roster — if they have the budget.
This change comes from the House v. NCAA settlement, which also paves the way for schools to provide direct NIL-related compensation to athletes.
Effective Date:
July 1, 2025 — Schools must opt in to the new model by June 30, 2025.
What Sports Are Affected?
In short: all NCAA Division I sports.
Previously, most sports had strict scholarship caps — and many were “equivalency sports,” where partial scholarships were split among athletes.
Here are a few examples of how the limits are changing:
Sport | Old Limit (Scholarships) | New Limit (Roster Size) |
|---|---|---|
Women’s Soccer | 14 | ~28 players |
Baseball (M) | 11.7 | ~35 players |
Softball (W) | 12 | ~25 players |
Lacrosse (M/W) | 12.6 / 12 | ~40 / ~35 players |
Women’s Hockey | 18 | 26 players |
Track & Field | 12.6 | Matches typical team size |
Tennis (M/W) | 4.5 / 8 | Matches full rosters |
⚠️ Note: Each sport has its own typical roster size. The NCAA sets limits per sport — not one-size-fits-all.
What This Means for Athletes & Families
1. More Potential Aid Opportunities
With roster-based caps, schools can now spread more aid to more athletes — if they choose to fully fund their rosters.
2. Partial Scholarships Will Still Be Common
This doesn't mean every rostered athlete gets a full ride. Budgets still matter, and many coaches will continue dividing aid among top contributors.
3. Your Fit Still Matters More Than Ever
With expanded rosters, coaches may recruit more broadly — but they’re still looking for impact players, great teammates, and academic qualifiers. A bigger pie doesn’t change who they slice it for.
4. Transparency Will Vary by School
Not all programs will fund the full roster. It’s crucial to ask direct questions when speaking with coaches:
“How many scholarships do you currently offer?”
“Do you plan to fund your full roster under the new model?”
“What are the academic or athletic criteria for aid?”
💬 Final Thoughts
This change is, at its core, a positive shift. It removes arbitrary limits that kept deserving athletes from receiving support. But it's not a guarantee of more aid — or of easier recruiting.
Families should see this as an opportunity to:
Ask smarter questions
Stay eligible academically
Present a complete athlete profile (including video and social media)
If your athlete is focused, coachable, and stands out — this change could absolutely help.
🧰 Bonus: Want Help Making the Most of the Opportunity?
This new scholarship landscape creates exciting possibilities—but missing key recruiting steps or timing can cost your athlete valuable aid opportunities. Our NCAA Recruiting Guides by sport provide essential timelines, contact templates, video strategies, and social media tips to help your family navigate these changes confidently. Don’t risk costly mistakes—purchase your guide today and give your athlete the best chance to maximize scholarship aid in this new era.
The NCAA is making historic changes to athletic scholarships starting in the 2025–26 school year, shifting from fixed scholarship limits by sport to a roster-based model that allows schools to offer aid to everyone on the official team roster if budget permits. This landmark update, part of the House v. NCAA settlement, could expand financial aid opportunities for student-athletes across all Division I sports—though understanding the fine print and what it means for your athlete’s recruiting chances is crucial.
What’s Changing — and When?
Starting in 2025–26, the NCAA will shift from fixed scholarship limits by sport to a roster-based model. That means instead of saying, “you can only give 12 scholarships in this sport,” schools will now be allowed to offer aid to everyone on the official roster — if they have the budget.
This change comes from the House v. NCAA settlement, which also paves the way for schools to provide direct NIL-related compensation to athletes.
Effective Date:
July 1, 2025 — Schools must opt in to the new model by June 30, 2025.
What Sports Are Affected?
In short: all NCAA Division I sports.
Previously, most sports had strict scholarship caps — and many were “equivalency sports,” where partial scholarships were split among athletes.
Here are a few examples of how the limits are changing:
Sport | Old Limit (Scholarships) | New Limit (Roster Size) |
|---|---|---|
Women’s Soccer | 14 | ~28 players |
Baseball (M) | 11.7 | ~35 players |
Softball (W) | 12 | ~25 players |
Lacrosse (M/W) | 12.6 / 12 | ~40 / ~35 players |
Women’s Hockey | 18 | 26 players |
Track & Field | 12.6 | Matches typical team size |
Tennis (M/W) | 4.5 / 8 | Matches full rosters |
⚠️ Note: Each sport has its own typical roster size. The NCAA sets limits per sport — not one-size-fits-all.
What This Means for Athletes & Families
1. More Potential Aid Opportunities
With roster-based caps, schools can now spread more aid to more athletes — if they choose to fully fund their rosters.
2. Partial Scholarships Will Still Be Common
This doesn't mean every rostered athlete gets a full ride. Budgets still matter, and many coaches will continue dividing aid among top contributors.
3. Your Fit Still Matters More Than Ever
With expanded rosters, coaches may recruit more broadly — but they’re still looking for impact players, great teammates, and academic qualifiers. A bigger pie doesn’t change who they slice it for.
4. Transparency Will Vary by School
Not all programs will fund the full roster. It’s crucial to ask direct questions when speaking with coaches:
“How many scholarships do you currently offer?”
“Do you plan to fund your full roster under the new model?”
“What are the academic or athletic criteria for aid?”
💬 Final Thoughts
This change is, at its core, a positive shift. It removes arbitrary limits that kept deserving athletes from receiving support. But it's not a guarantee of more aid — or of easier recruiting.
Families should see this as an opportunity to:
Ask smarter questions
Stay eligible academically
Present a complete athlete profile (including video and social media)
If your athlete is focused, coachable, and stands out — this change could absolutely help.
🧰 Bonus: Want Help Making the Most of the Opportunity?
This new scholarship landscape creates exciting possibilities—but missing key recruiting steps or timing can cost your athlete valuable aid opportunities. Our NCAA Recruiting Guides by sport provide essential timelines, contact templates, video strategies, and social media tips to help your family navigate these changes confidently. Don’t risk costly mistakes—purchase your guide today and give your athlete the best chance to maximize scholarship aid in this new era.
The NCAA is making historic changes to athletic scholarships starting in the 2025–26 school year, shifting from fixed scholarship limits by sport to a roster-based model that allows schools to offer aid to everyone on the official team roster if budget permits. This landmark update, part of the House v. NCAA settlement, could expand financial aid opportunities for student-athletes across all Division I sports—though understanding the fine print and what it means for your athlete’s recruiting chances is crucial.
What’s Changing — and When?
Starting in 2025–26, the NCAA will shift from fixed scholarship limits by sport to a roster-based model. That means instead of saying, “you can only give 12 scholarships in this sport,” schools will now be allowed to offer aid to everyone on the official roster — if they have the budget.
This change comes from the House v. NCAA settlement, which also paves the way for schools to provide direct NIL-related compensation to athletes.
Effective Date:
July 1, 2025 — Schools must opt in to the new model by June 30, 2025.
What Sports Are Affected?
In short: all NCAA Division I sports.
Previously, most sports had strict scholarship caps — and many were “equivalency sports,” where partial scholarships were split among athletes.
Here are a few examples of how the limits are changing:
Sport | Old Limit (Scholarships) | New Limit (Roster Size) |
|---|---|---|
Women’s Soccer | 14 | ~28 players |
Baseball (M) | 11.7 | ~35 players |
Softball (W) | 12 | ~25 players |
Lacrosse (M/W) | 12.6 / 12 | ~40 / ~35 players |
Women’s Hockey | 18 | 26 players |
Track & Field | 12.6 | Matches typical team size |
Tennis (M/W) | 4.5 / 8 | Matches full rosters |
⚠️ Note: Each sport has its own typical roster size. The NCAA sets limits per sport — not one-size-fits-all.
What This Means for Athletes & Families
1. More Potential Aid Opportunities
With roster-based caps, schools can now spread more aid to more athletes — if they choose to fully fund their rosters.
2. Partial Scholarships Will Still Be Common
This doesn't mean every rostered athlete gets a full ride. Budgets still matter, and many coaches will continue dividing aid among top contributors.
3. Your Fit Still Matters More Than Ever
With expanded rosters, coaches may recruit more broadly — but they’re still looking for impact players, great teammates, and academic qualifiers. A bigger pie doesn’t change who they slice it for.
4. Transparency Will Vary by School
Not all programs will fund the full roster. It’s crucial to ask direct questions when speaking with coaches:
“How many scholarships do you currently offer?”
“Do you plan to fund your full roster under the new model?”
“What are the academic or athletic criteria for aid?”
💬 Final Thoughts
This change is, at its core, a positive shift. It removes arbitrary limits that kept deserving athletes from receiving support. But it's not a guarantee of more aid — or of easier recruiting.
Families should see this as an opportunity to:
Ask smarter questions
Stay eligible academically
Present a complete athlete profile (including video and social media)
If your athlete is focused, coachable, and stands out — this change could absolutely help.
🧰 Bonus: Want Help Making the Most of the Opportunity?
This new scholarship landscape creates exciting possibilities—but missing key recruiting steps or timing can cost your athlete valuable aid opportunities. Our NCAA Recruiting Guides by sport provide essential timelines, contact templates, video strategies, and social media tips to help your family navigate these changes confidently. Don’t risk costly mistakes—purchase your guide today and give your athlete the best chance to maximize scholarship aid in this new era.
