Your Complete Guide to Men’s Lacrosse College Scholarships

If you’re looking to secure a men’s lacrosse scholarship, you’re probably wondering how to get ahead of the competition. Knowing the right steps and understanding how lacrosse scholarships work can make all the difference. This guide will help you understand everything you need to know about men’s lacrosse scholarships, from how many are out there each year to strategies on how to get a men’s lacrosse scholarship. We’ll also share practical tips to boost your chances and make your dreams a reality.

NEW NCAA MEN’S LACROSSE scholarship limits

Beginning in 2025-2026, the NCAA will remove D1 scholarship restrictions if a judge approves a proposed settlement, allowing all sports to divide scholarships among athletes, significantly impacting college lacrosse recruiting. More details on the proposed changes here.

These proposed changes will impact men’s lacrosse recruits in the following ways:

• D1 men’s lacrosse programs will be allowed to offer 48 scholarships, up from the current limit of 12.6.
• D1 men’s lacrosse will have a maximum roster limit of 48.
• D1 lacrosse is already an equivalency sport and will continue to offer both partial and full scholarships to recruits. 

Note: These are the maximum scholarship and roster limits set by the NCAA, but schools aren’t required to meet these maximums.

Number of NCAA lacrosse scholarships 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 lacrosse scholarships available varies from college to college. Ivy League schools do not award athletic scholarships but provide financial aid through academic scholarships.

Equivalency scholarship: Lacrosse is an equivalency sport, which means each program is given a pool of scholarship money, depending on funds available, to divide up and award recruits and current roster players. As a result, full-ride scholarships are very hard to come by and student-athletes who do receive a scholarship are most likely to receive partial funding.

The NCAA D1 Council now lets student-athletes get need-based aid and academic scholarships without them counting against athletic scholarship limits in equivalency sports like lacrosse. Athletes can receive as much aid as they qualify for, which helps programs provide more financial support, especially at private schools with higher costs.

How to get a men’s lacrosse scholarship 

When awarding lacrosse scholarships, coaches typically prioritize goalies, followed by their top recruiting interest on down.

1. Maintain good grades: The best way to get a scholarship is maintaining a good GPA and high academic standing in high school. The majority of NCAA lacrosse programs are offered at schools with high academic standards. While a full ride is unlikely, student-athletes can combine a partial athletic scholarship with an academic scholarship to make up the difference.
2. Do your research: Student-athletes gunning for an athletic scholarship should begin by researching what programs actually offer scholarships. Academic scholarships are offered at the NCAA Division 1 and 2 level, as well as the NAIA.
3. Be open-minded: Division 1 scholarships are highly sought after, yet very few are available. If cost is a big factor in selecting a school, student-athletes shouldn’t overlook programs like the NAIA. The NAIA may not have the same prestige and notoriety as the NCAA, but it does offer athletic scholarships and the opportunity for student-athletes to pursue college lacrosse.
4. Identify alternatives: Athletic scholarships aren’t the only form of aid available to student-athletes. Be sure to ask about grants, work study and other alternatives offered by the school to cover costs.

What are the chances of getting a lacrosse scholarship?

With about 15,200 men’s college lacrosse players across 440 programs, competition is tough. In the two NCAA divisions that offer athletic scholarships, nearly 5,800 players are competing for a limited number of opportunities. This means earning a lacrosse scholarship can be challenging, but it is achievable.

Starting in the 2025-26 season, a new rule could increase the D1 scholarship limit for men’s lacrosse from 12.6 to 48, if a judge approves the proposed settlement. This could lead to more opportunities for players, but the actual impact will depend on how schools decide to use the new rule, their program’s funding and their team’s needs. No matter what, connecting with coaches and consistently showing your skills is key to improving your chances.

How many lacrosse scholarships are given each year?

• Total # of men’s lacrosse teams: 440
• D1 men’s lacrosse scholarships: 48 (Starting in 2025-26, if a judge approves the proposed settlement)
• D2 men’s lacrosse scholarships: 10.8
• JUCO men’s lacrosse scholarships: 24

It’s important to note that the numbers above are not directly indicative of how many scholarships are available each year. These numbers represent the maximum scholarships allowed per program at each division level, but the reality is that many programs are not fully funded and don’t offer the maximum number of scholarships. Lacrosse is also an equivalency sport, which means scholarship money is awarded according to the coach’s preference.

How much scholarship money do men’s lacrosse players get? 

There is no way to truly know how much scholarship money men’s lacrosse players receive. Every college is different in terms of funding and how a college program uses scholarship money. Because lacrosse is an equivalency sport, college coaches are free to divide the pool of scholarship money in the way that best suits their needs each year. For example, the coach could divide up the scholarship money evenly amongst the entire roster to ensure each athlete has some financial aid.

Because full-rides in lacrosse are very uncommon, student-athletes will need to rely on more than just athletic scholarship money to cover costs. To maximize financial aid opportunities, student-athletes will need to do well in school, maintain a high GPA and explore other forms of financial aid, such as grants.

How many Division 1 men’s lacrosse scholarships are there?

• Total # of D1 men’s lacrosse teams: 73
• Maximum scholarships available per team: 48 (Starting in 2025-26, if a judge approves the proposed settlement)

NCAA D1 men’s lacrosse teams could offer up to 48 scholarships, up from 12.6, if a judge approves the new rule. Coaches can use these scholarships as full or partial awards. However, not every team will use all 48 scholarships, so some players may still need to pay for part of their college costs. It’s important to look into all your financial aid options.

Division 2 men’s lacrosse scholarships

• Total # of D2 men’s lacrosse teams: 84
• Maximum scholarships available per team: 10.8 

NCAA D2 men’s lacrosse is also an equivalency sport. Partial scholarships can cover tuition, room and board, books and other fees. To cover the rest of their college expenses, student-athletes can use academic scholarships, apply for student loans and use job earnings.

Division 3 men’s lacrosse scholarships

• Total # of D3 men’s lacrosse teams: 236
• Maximum scholarships available per team: 0

NCAA D3 schools may not offer athletic scholarships, but 82 percent of all D3 student-athletes receive some form of financial aid through academic scholarship, grants and other forms of aid. In some cases, D3 schools are able to offer better aid packages than D1 and D2 schools. This is a great option for athletes who are strong academically and rely on scholarship money to finance college costs.

NAIA lacrosse scholarships

• Total # of NAIA men’s lacrosse teams: 31
• Maximum scholarships available per team: 0 

The NAIA does not set scholarship limits per team. That said, based on our experts’ feedback and communication with the NAIA, it is safe to assume the scholarship opportunities are similar to the NCAA level. Each team is going to be different in terms of the number of scholarships they have and how that coach divides them up.

Junior college men’s lacrosse scholarships

• Total # of JUCO men’s lacrosse teams: 16
• Maximum scholarships available per team: 24

Student-athletes have the opportunity to receive a full scholarship at a junior college. The NJCAA offers 16 men’s lacrosse programs a maximum of 24 full-ride scholarships per team. Coaches are free to divide up the 20 scholarships however they like, which means partial scholarships can be given to athletes. Student-athletes who plan to transfer to a four-year NCAA college should keep in mind that the GPA and standardized test score requirement to transfer might be stricter.

What are the best colleges for lacrosse scholarships?

Below is a list of the best colleges for lacrosse scholarships across all three NCAA divisions. Student-athletes looking to play at these top programs should research athletes on the current roster to learn at what level they played in high school and determine where these coaches look for recruits.

NCAA DI: North Carolina, Virginia, Duke, Michigan, Maryland, John Hopkins, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Georgetown, Colgate

NCAA DII: Bentley, Rockhurst, Le Moyne, Rollins, Molloy, Tampa, Florida Southern, Wingate, Assumption, Indianapolis

NCAA DIII: Amherst, Tufts, Williams, Wesleyan, MIT, Washington & Lee, Middlebury, Franklin & Marshall, Haverford, Swarthmore

Can you get a full ride scholarship for lacrosse?

Full-ride scholarships for lacrosse are rare due to limited funding compared to other sports, so coaches often distribute scholarships among multiple players. The good news is, you can still cover a significant portion, or even all, of your college costs by combining a partial athletic scholarship with academic scholarships. Meeting the NCAA’s academic requirements is key, so keeping your grades strong is a great way to maximize your opportunities.

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