Preferred Recruit · Track StandardsHow many track and field scholarships are there
NCAA Division II allows 12.6 full scholarship equivalencies each for men's and women's cross country and track, and the NAIA allows 12 for track and field. D1 schools in the House settlement have no scholarship cap, only a 45-athlete roster limit. Coaches split this money, so most track athletes get partial scholarships.
Updated 2026-10-16 · Preferred Recruit · rules checked against official NCAA and NAIA sources, marks from 1,143 college programs' standards
How many scholarships does each division allow?
| Division | Men's track | Women's track | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCAA D1 (settlement schools, 2025-26 on) | No scholarship cap, 45-athlete roster limit (indoor and outdoor each) | No scholarship cap, 45-athlete roster limit (indoor and outdoor each) | NCAA D1 Bylaw 17.2 |
| NCAA D1 (old limit, before July 2025) | 12.6 | 18 | College Sports Commission |
| NCAA D2 | 12.6 (cross country and track combined) | 12.6 (cross country and track combined) | NCAA Division II |
| NCAA D3 | None (no athletics scholarships) | None (no athletics scholarships) | NCAA |
| NAIA | 12 (indoor and outdoor track), cross country 5 | 12 (indoor and outdoor track), cross country 5 | NAIA Handbook 2026-27 |
| NJCAA | Set by the NJCAA | Set by the NJCAA | NJCAA |
D1 cross country has its own roster limit of 17 per team. D1 schools that did not opt into the settlement follow different rules, so ask the school.
What is the difference between equivalency and headcount scholarships?
In a headcount sport every scholarship is a full ride. The NCAA lists the D1 headcount sports as football, basketball, tennis, volleyball and gymnastics. Track and field is not on that list, so it has worked as an equivalency sport, where a school has a set number of full-scholarship equivalencies to divide among athletes (NCAA: Scholarships and financial aid).
The NAIA explains equivalencies with baseball: 12 full grant equivalencies can be spread across any number of athletes, such as one full grant, 10 half grants and 24 quarter grants (NAIA: Financial aid). Track works the same way with its own limit.
Why are full rides rare in track?
The NCAA says most student-athletes receive partial aid rather than a full ride, and that most Division II athletes receive partial scholarships (NCAA: Scholarships and financial aid). Equivalency limits let coaches divide a set budget among several athletes, as the NCAA and NAIA both describe. Settlement schools in D1 can now fund more athletes, but each school still sets its own budget.
How does track scholarship money get split?
Coaches decide who gets aid, how much and whether it is renewed, and the amount depends on the sport, division and school (NCAA: Scholarships and financial aid). Division II coaches may divide scholarship funds across multiple athletes and combine them with academic scholarships and grants (NCAA: Division II athletics scholarships and equivalency limits). In the NAIA, aid to academically gifted students can be exempt from the sport's limit if the student meets NAIA academic criteria (NAIA: Financial aid).
When you compare offers, look at the full cost after all aid, not only the athletic number. At D1 and D2, a school that plans to reduce or not renew your scholarship must tell you in writing by July 1 and give you the right to appeal (NCAA: Scholarships and financial aid).
Where do your marks fit?
Aid offers usually follow marks. Check the typical D1 scholarship times, compare D2 and D3 standards, and search your mark on the standards finder to see which programs it fits.
Common questions
How many scholarships does a D1 track team have now?
Settlement schools have no scholarship cap. They can offer aid to athletes within a 45-athlete roster limit for each men's and women's indoor and outdoor track team (NCAA Division I Manual 2026-27 (Bylaws 13 and 17), via NCAA legislation and policy).
How many scholarships does D2 track and field have?
12.6 equivalencies for men's cross country and track combined, and 12.6 for women's (NCAA: Division II athletics scholarships and equivalency limits).
How many scholarships does NAIA track and field have?
The NAIA Handbook sets an upper limit of 12 for indoor and outdoor track and field and 5 for cross country (NAIA Official Handbook 2026-27).
What is the average track scholarship amount?
No official source publishes one for track. Ask each coach for the full aid package and compare the cost after all aid.
Related
Sources
- NCAA Division I Manual 2026-27 (Bylaws 13 and 17), via NCAA legislation and policy
- College Sports Commission: roster limits (old scholarship limits vs new roster limits)
- NCAA: DI Board of Directors adopts roster limits (June 23, 2025)
- NCAA: Division II athletics scholarships and equivalency limits
- NCAA: Scholarships and financial aid
- NAIA: Financial aid
- NAIA Official Handbook 2026-27
- NJCAA (official site)
Rules change every year. Confirm dates and limits with the governing body and the school before you plan around them.