Women’s College Track and Field Scholarship Standards

Women’s track scholarships are available at the NCAA Division 1 and Division 2 levels, NAIA schools and junior colleges. This guide explains the women’s track and field scholarship standards, including what college track times coaches look for when awarding scholarships, and division-specific scholarship limits. Families can use these track times and marks  to help them build a realistic target list and reach out to college coaches at programs where they can be a favored recruit.

New NCAA Women’s Track and Field Scholarship Limits by Division Level

Starting in the 2025-2026 academic year, the NCAA will eliminate D1 scholarship limits if a proposed settlement is approved, enabling all sports to distribute scholarships more flexibly among athletes. This change is expected to have a significant impact on women’s track and field recruiting. More details and the latest updates here.

These changes would impact women’s track and field recruits in the following ways:

• Division 1 women’s track programs may now offer up to 45 scholarships, an increase from the previous cap of 18, should they choose to do so.
• The maximum roster size for Division 1 women’s track teams will be capped at 45 athletes.
• As an equivalency sport, Division 1 track and field will continue to provide both partial and full scholarships to its recruits.

Note: While these are the NCAA’s maximum limits for scholarships and roster sizes, schools are not obligated to reach these maximums.

NCAA Women’s track and field scholarship limits by division level

Here’s a breakdown of the current and 2025-26 NCAA track and field scholarship and roster limits, along with the NAIA and NJCAA division levels for both indoor track and field and outdoor track and field:

Women’s indoor track and field scholarship limits by division level

Women’s outdoor track and field scholarship limits by division level

*Scholarship limits per team: This number represents the maximum number of scholarships a program is allowed to award each year. Because not all programs are fully funded, the true number of women’s track and field scholarships available varies from college to college. Ivy League schools do not award athletic scholarships but provide financial aid through academic scholarships. 

**Equivalency scholarship: Women’s track and field is an equivalency sport at both the NCAA Division 1 and Division 2 levels, which means coaches can divide scholarships up among several athletes as partial scholarships. For example, a D1 coach can split the 18 scholarships among 33 qualified athletes, offering a mix of partial and full scholarships depending on the recruit. The only limit is that the total of partial and full scholarships must be under the max scholarships per team limits.

Division 1 women’s track and field recruiting standards

Find more Division 1 track and field standards here:

• University of Maryland
• Harvard University
• University of Pennsylvania
• Columbia University
• University of Alabama
• Florida State University
• University of Michigan
• Dartmouth College
• University of Southern California

Division 2 women’s track and field recruiting standards

Find more Division 2 track and field standards here:

• Malone University
• University of Tampa
• Saginaw Valley State University
• California Polytechnic State University 
• University of Texas – Tyler

Division 3 women’s track and field recruiting standards

Find more Division 3 track and field standards here:

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Goucher College

NAIA women’s track and field scholarship standards

Find more NAIA track and field standards here:

• NAIA National Championships Qualifying Standards 
• Xavier University of Louisiana

College track and field recruiting standards 

Coaches set benchmarks for recruits, known as track and field scholarship standards, which represent the general baseline that student-athletes need to meet in order to obtain a track and field scholarship. Of course, there are many other factors that coaches take into consideration, such as academic standing. But as coaches make scholarship decisions; they verify the recruit can meet or exceed the scholarship standard of their program. Remember, the more points that an athlete can earn at meets, the more likely they are to earn a scholarship. 

Keep in mind, though, that scholarship standards aren’t universal across divisions, and each school has its own set of standards. For example, the University of North Carolina and Harvard University are both NCAA Division 1 programs, but their benchmarks differ slightly. Take the 100-meter dash: North Carolina lists 11.75 seconds, while Harvard looks for recruits who can run it in 12.20 seconds.  

Recruits should use these standards to better understand where they can make an impact and help them create their list of target schools. Coaches award scholarships to athletes who can earn points right from the get-go, so families should research scholarship standards for every school on their target list. 

How will NCAA track roster limits impact walk-ons?

Walk-ons have historically been a big part of D1 programs because of current NCAA scholarship limitations. But with the new NCAA scholarship rules and roster limits starting in the 2025-26 school year, coaches will need to rethink how they manage scholarships and roster spots.

The exact impact on walk-ons are unknown at this time and will vary across different sports and schools, depending on their size and budget.

To understand how roster limits might affect you, we recommend staying in touch with coaches. Ask them about their plans for walk-ons, as this can vary widely between programs.

Track and field walk-on standards

Walk-on standards define the minimum performance levels coaches expect from athletes. There are two types: preferred and non-recruited. Preferred walk-ons are recruited by the coach, securing a roster spot without athletic aid. Non-recruited walk-ons try out for the team and don’t receive scholarships.

Walk-on standards vary at each program, much like the recruiting and scholarship standards. Many programs that list their recruiting standards online also include their walk-on standards and which factors go into them.

It’s best to visit each school’s athletic website and see what criteria the coaches are looking for in their walk-on athletes.

Athletes may consider walking on at a program because the academics and school-size better match their preference, or they want to compete at the highest level possible.

How to get a track and field scholarship

College coaches prioritize scholarships for recruits who can make an impact right away and score points at meets. Student-athletes need to target divisions where their scores don’t just align with the standards, but where they stand out.

For example, a student-athlete’s times might meet the standards of a NCAA Division 1 school, but they can potentially earn more scholarship money at the Division 2 level where they might make a bigger impact. Of course, this depends on the school’s recruiting budget. So, the best way to understand a coach’s recruiting needs is to establish a relationship with them and learn more about their recruiting standards.

Additionally, there are steps all recruits can take to secure track and field scholarships:

• Post athletic profiles online. It’s important for recruits to provide coaches with organized records of their times, statistics, academic information and track and field recruiting videos.
• Excel academically. The NCAA Eligibility Center determines the academic eligibility and amateur status for all NCAA Division 1 and Division 2 athletes.
• Be proactive. Start by sending an introductory email that includes your online profile, best times, academic information, and personal interest in the program. NCAA Division 1 and 2 coaches can’t reach out personally until June 15 after an athlete’s sophomore year, but they’re reviewing online profiles and evaluating athletes before this time.

How do colleges use track and field scholarships?

Women’s track and field is an equivalency sport, which means coaches divide their allotted number of scholarships per team among any number of athletes.

Coaches tend to award scholarship money to athletes who hit recruiting or scholarship standards in multiple events—for instance, a sprinter who is also a hurdler—or to athletes who compete in certain events.

Some schools focus on specialty athletes, such as pole vaulters, while others highly value a distance runner who can also compete in cross country.

Outside of athletics, coaches will also consider whether a potential recruit can meet the academic requirements for admission and their capacity to remain academically eligible once in school and graduate within a certain time-frame.

In general, the best way to learn more about a college’s recruiting needs is to establish a relationship with the coach and study the team’s roster.

How do college coaches decide which recruits will get a scholarship?

Coaches tend to give athletic scholarships based on a recruit’s performance in individual or multiple events:

• Sprinters who can do well in several events are often the first to get athletic scholarships. Coaches value speed and are willing to help athletes improve their technique if they’re fast.
• Middle-distance runners with good running form and speed should be ready to try different events in college, including possibly running cross country.
• Distance runners are chosen based on how well their running style fits with a school’s training program. These athletes are important for indoor and outdoor track and cross-country.
• Throwers with a good combination of size, strength, and potential are a great addition to any team. Remember, college equipment is heavier than in high school. Coaches look for strong shot put or discus throwers who can score points and are willing to try new events like hammer throw or javelin.
• Jumpers who can score points right away are very valuable. Coaches look for athletes who have proven they can achieve good results and will keep improving with regular training.

 The number of scholarships at a given program depends on a few factors, including how many athletes are committed to the current roster, whether the school is fully funded and how the coach prefers to disperse their scholarship money.

Can You Earn a Track Scholarship?

Absolutely! Earning a track scholarship is within your reach if you focus on surpassing the performance benchmarks set by college coaches, maintain a strong academic record, and proactively connect with programs that align with your skills. Showing dedication both on and off the track will help you shine among other recruits.

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