Quick‑view: scholarship limits · timelines · performance standards · parent FAQs · sample schools by division—plus detailed checklists, templates, and sport‑specific information in our downloadable Playbook (link at the end).
1. Why This Guide Matters
Swimming & diving are fiercely competitive equivalency sports. Coaches stretch a finite scholarship budget across dozens of athletes, which means partial awards are the norm and early planning is non‑negotiable. Start informed, stay organised, and your athlete keeps doors open across Division I, II, III, NAIA, and NJCAA.
2. Grade‑by‑Grade Recruiting Timeline
Year | Key Actions |
|---|---|
Grade 9 (Freshman) | Solidify academics, join a year‑round club, record verified times/scores |
Grade 10 (Sophomore) | Create a basic highlight reel, research rosters & scholarship policies. Begin reaching out to coaches. |
Grade 11 (Junior) | NCAA Contact Day (June 15)—regularly communicate with coaches, register with Eligibility Center, schedule unofficial visits |
Grade 12 (Senior) | Host & official visits, compare aid packages, commit & sign NLI (or Likely Letter for D3) |
3. Most‑Asked Parent Questions (Quick Answers)
How do we start? Short‑list realistic schools, build a one‑page résumé, email coaches personally.
Required times? Benchmark against current team rosters—D I = state/national cut‑offs, D II/NAIA a touch slower.
Full rides? Rare. Expect partial athletic + academic/need aid bundle.
Coach contact dates? Coaches can respond beginning June 15 after sophomore year (D I & II). You can reach out to coaches anytime.
Non‑scholarship options? D III and Ivy League offer robust academic/need aid packages.
Stand‑out tips? Verified meet results, concise highlight video, punctual communication.
Key coach questions? Scholarship renewal terms, progress tracking, academic support, roster needs.
4. Scholarship Limits by Association
Division / Org | Men | Women | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
NCAA D I | 9.9 → 30 (2025 ceiling) | 14 → 30 (2025) | Roster cap 30 |
NCAA D II | 8.1 | 8.1 | Competitive, D I‑calibre talent |
NCAA D III | 0 | 0 | Academic/need aid only |
NAIA | 8 | 8 | Flexible NAIA rules |
NJCAA | up to 15 full | up to 15 full | Pathway to four‑year schools |
5. Sample Programs Offering Scholarships
List of Schools Offering Swimming & Diving Scholarships (Partial Sample by Division)
Division I (NCAA)
Top Men’s Programs: Texas, Cal (Berkeley), Florida, NC State, Georgia, Alabama, Stanford, Michigan, Indiana, Louisville, Ohio State, Arizona.
Top Women’s Programs: Georgia, Stanford, Cal, Texas A&M, Virginia, USC, Louisville, NC State, Michigan, Missouri, Tennessee, UCLA.
Division II (NCAA)
Notable Programs: Queens (NC), Drury (MO), UC San Diego, Colorado Mesa, University of Indianapolis, Nova Southeastern, Florida Southern, Delta State, Grand Valley State, West Chester.
Division III (NCAA) (No athletic scholarships, but other aid available)
Men: Denison, Kenyon, Emory, Johns Hopkins, MIT, Williams, Tufts, Wash U, NYU, U Chicago.
Women: Emory, Kenyon, Williams, Johns Hopkins, Amherst, Wash U, NYU, MIT, U Chicago, Wheaton (IL).
NAIA
Sample Programs: Keiser (FL), Savannah College of Art and Design, Lindsey Wilson (KY), St. Ambrose (IA), Midland (NE), Olivet Nazarene (IL).
NJCAA (Junior Colleges)
Sample Programs: Indian River State College (FL), Barton Community College (KS), Iowa Central CC, Monroe College (NY), South Georgia State College (GA).
Find the Full List:
For a complete, updated list of all NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA schools with varsity swimming & diving teams, use:
NCSA College Search Tool or SwimCloud.com database.
School/conference websites for the most current scholarship policies.
6. Parent‑Proven Tips
Spreadsheet everything—deadlines, contacts, meet results, GPA updates.
Professional videos—one race/dive per clip, on‑screen time/score, total length < 3 min.
Unofficial visits—observe team culture & academic resources before spending on official trips.
Ready for the Deep Dive?
Download the Get Recruited: Swimming and Diving Scholarship Playbook for detailed checklists, templates, and sport‑specific information—20 % off currently with code LAUNCH20.
Quick‑view: scholarship limits · timelines · performance standards · parent FAQs · sample schools by division—plus detailed checklists, templates, and sport‑specific information in our downloadable Playbook (link at the end).
1. Why This Guide Matters
Swimming & diving are fiercely competitive equivalency sports. Coaches stretch a finite scholarship budget across dozens of athletes, which means partial awards are the norm and early planning is non‑negotiable. Start informed, stay organised, and your athlete keeps doors open across Division I, II, III, NAIA, and NJCAA.
2. Grade‑by‑Grade Recruiting Timeline
Year | Key Actions |
|---|---|
Grade 9 (Freshman) | Solidify academics, join a year‑round club, record verified times/scores |
Grade 10 (Sophomore) | Create a basic highlight reel, research rosters & scholarship policies. Begin reaching out to coaches. |
Grade 11 (Junior) | NCAA Contact Day (June 15)—regularly communicate with coaches, register with Eligibility Center, schedule unofficial visits |
Grade 12 (Senior) | Host & official visits, compare aid packages, commit & sign NLI (or Likely Letter for D3) |
3. Most‑Asked Parent Questions (Quick Answers)
How do we start? Short‑list realistic schools, build a one‑page résumé, email coaches personally.
Required times? Benchmark against current team rosters—D I = state/national cut‑offs, D II/NAIA a touch slower.
Full rides? Rare. Expect partial athletic + academic/need aid bundle.
Coach contact dates? Coaches can respond beginning June 15 after sophomore year (D I & II). You can reach out to coaches anytime.
Non‑scholarship options? D III and Ivy League offer robust academic/need aid packages.
Stand‑out tips? Verified meet results, concise highlight video, punctual communication.
Key coach questions? Scholarship renewal terms, progress tracking, academic support, roster needs.
4. Scholarship Limits by Association
Division / Org | Men | Women | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
NCAA D I | 9.9 → 30 (2025 ceiling) | 14 → 30 (2025) | Roster cap 30 |
NCAA D II | 8.1 | 8.1 | Competitive, D I‑calibre talent |
NCAA D III | 0 | 0 | Academic/need aid only |
NAIA | 8 | 8 | Flexible NAIA rules |
NJCAA | up to 15 full | up to 15 full | Pathway to four‑year schools |
5. Sample Programs Offering Scholarships
List of Schools Offering Swimming & Diving Scholarships (Partial Sample by Division)
Division I (NCAA)
Top Men’s Programs: Texas, Cal (Berkeley), Florida, NC State, Georgia, Alabama, Stanford, Michigan, Indiana, Louisville, Ohio State, Arizona.
Top Women’s Programs: Georgia, Stanford, Cal, Texas A&M, Virginia, USC, Louisville, NC State, Michigan, Missouri, Tennessee, UCLA.
Division II (NCAA)
Notable Programs: Queens (NC), Drury (MO), UC San Diego, Colorado Mesa, University of Indianapolis, Nova Southeastern, Florida Southern, Delta State, Grand Valley State, West Chester.
Division III (NCAA) (No athletic scholarships, but other aid available)
Men: Denison, Kenyon, Emory, Johns Hopkins, MIT, Williams, Tufts, Wash U, NYU, U Chicago.
Women: Emory, Kenyon, Williams, Johns Hopkins, Amherst, Wash U, NYU, MIT, U Chicago, Wheaton (IL).
NAIA
Sample Programs: Keiser (FL), Savannah College of Art and Design, Lindsey Wilson (KY), St. Ambrose (IA), Midland (NE), Olivet Nazarene (IL).
NJCAA (Junior Colleges)
Sample Programs: Indian River State College (FL), Barton Community College (KS), Iowa Central CC, Monroe College (NY), South Georgia State College (GA).
Find the Full List:
For a complete, updated list of all NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA schools with varsity swimming & diving teams, use:
NCSA College Search Tool or SwimCloud.com database.
School/conference websites for the most current scholarship policies.
6. Parent‑Proven Tips
Spreadsheet everything—deadlines, contacts, meet results, GPA updates.
Professional videos—one race/dive per clip, on‑screen time/score, total length < 3 min.
Unofficial visits—observe team culture & academic resources before spending on official trips.
Ready for the Deep Dive?
Download the Get Recruited: Swimming and Diving Scholarship Playbook for detailed checklists, templates, and sport‑specific information—20 % off currently with code LAUNCH20.
Quick‑view: scholarship limits · timelines · performance standards · parent FAQs · sample schools by division—plus detailed checklists, templates, and sport‑specific information in our downloadable Playbook (link at the end).
1. Why This Guide Matters
Swimming & diving are fiercely competitive equivalency sports. Coaches stretch a finite scholarship budget across dozens of athletes, which means partial awards are the norm and early planning is non‑negotiable. Start informed, stay organised, and your athlete keeps doors open across Division I, II, III, NAIA, and NJCAA.
2. Grade‑by‑Grade Recruiting Timeline
Year | Key Actions |
|---|---|
Grade 9 (Freshman) | Solidify academics, join a year‑round club, record verified times/scores |
Grade 10 (Sophomore) | Create a basic highlight reel, research rosters & scholarship policies. Begin reaching out to coaches. |
Grade 11 (Junior) | NCAA Contact Day (June 15)—regularly communicate with coaches, register with Eligibility Center, schedule unofficial visits |
Grade 12 (Senior) | Host & official visits, compare aid packages, commit & sign NLI (or Likely Letter for D3) |
3. Most‑Asked Parent Questions (Quick Answers)
How do we start? Short‑list realistic schools, build a one‑page résumé, email coaches personally.
Required times? Benchmark against current team rosters—D I = state/national cut‑offs, D II/NAIA a touch slower.
Full rides? Rare. Expect partial athletic + academic/need aid bundle.
Coach contact dates? Coaches can respond beginning June 15 after sophomore year (D I & II). You can reach out to coaches anytime.
Non‑scholarship options? D III and Ivy League offer robust academic/need aid packages.
Stand‑out tips? Verified meet results, concise highlight video, punctual communication.
Key coach questions? Scholarship renewal terms, progress tracking, academic support, roster needs.
4. Scholarship Limits by Association
Division / Org | Men | Women | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
NCAA D I | 9.9 → 30 (2025 ceiling) | 14 → 30 (2025) | Roster cap 30 |
NCAA D II | 8.1 | 8.1 | Competitive, D I‑calibre talent |
NCAA D III | 0 | 0 | Academic/need aid only |
NAIA | 8 | 8 | Flexible NAIA rules |
NJCAA | up to 15 full | up to 15 full | Pathway to four‑year schools |
5. Sample Programs Offering Scholarships
List of Schools Offering Swimming & Diving Scholarships (Partial Sample by Division)
Division I (NCAA)
Top Men’s Programs: Texas, Cal (Berkeley), Florida, NC State, Georgia, Alabama, Stanford, Michigan, Indiana, Louisville, Ohio State, Arizona.
Top Women’s Programs: Georgia, Stanford, Cal, Texas A&M, Virginia, USC, Louisville, NC State, Michigan, Missouri, Tennessee, UCLA.
Division II (NCAA)
Notable Programs: Queens (NC), Drury (MO), UC San Diego, Colorado Mesa, University of Indianapolis, Nova Southeastern, Florida Southern, Delta State, Grand Valley State, West Chester.
Division III (NCAA) (No athletic scholarships, but other aid available)
Men: Denison, Kenyon, Emory, Johns Hopkins, MIT, Williams, Tufts, Wash U, NYU, U Chicago.
Women: Emory, Kenyon, Williams, Johns Hopkins, Amherst, Wash U, NYU, MIT, U Chicago, Wheaton (IL).
NAIA
Sample Programs: Keiser (FL), Savannah College of Art and Design, Lindsey Wilson (KY), St. Ambrose (IA), Midland (NE), Olivet Nazarene (IL).
NJCAA (Junior Colleges)
Sample Programs: Indian River State College (FL), Barton Community College (KS), Iowa Central CC, Monroe College (NY), South Georgia State College (GA).
Find the Full List:
For a complete, updated list of all NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA schools with varsity swimming & diving teams, use:
NCSA College Search Tool or SwimCloud.com database.
School/conference websites for the most current scholarship policies.
6. Parent‑Proven Tips
Spreadsheet everything—deadlines, contacts, meet results, GPA updates.
Professional videos—one race/dive per clip, on‑screen time/score, total length < 3 min.
Unofficial visits—observe team culture & academic resources before spending on official trips.
Ready for the Deep Dive?
Download the Get Recruited: Swimming and Diving Scholarship Playbook for detailed checklists, templates, and sport‑specific information—20 % off currently with code LAUNCH20.