Men’s College Track and Field Scholarship Standards

Men’s track scholarships are available at the NCAA Division 1 and Division 2 levels, NAIA schools and junior colleges. Understanding the process of earning track and field scholarships and what it takes to secure them is crucial.

This guide offers a detailed overview of track and field recruiting standards, including men’s track and field scholarship standards, division-specific scholarship limits, and the track recruiting times that college coaches consider when awarding scholarships, along with strategies to boost your chances of securing a scholarship offer.

New NCAA 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 college track and field recruiting. More details and the latest updates here.

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

• D1 men’s track programs will be allowed to offer 45 scholarships, up from the current limit of 12.6.
• D1 men’s track will have a maximum roster limit of 45.
• D1 track 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.

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:

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

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

Scholarship limits: 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 men’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: Men’s track and field is an equivalency sport at both the NCAA D1 and D2 levels. This means coaches can divide scholarships among several athletes, offering a mix of partial and full scholarships based on the needs of the recruits. The only restriction is that the combined total of partial and full scholarships must not exceed the maximum scholarship limit for the team.

Division 1 track and field recruiting standards

Find more Division 1 track and field standards here:

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

Division 2 track and field recruiting standards

Find more Division 2 track and field standards here:

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

Division 3 track and field recruiting standards

Find more Division 3 track and field standards here:

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Goucher College

NAIA track and field scholarship standards

Find more NAIA track and field standards here:

• Xavier University of Louisiana
• NAIA National Championships Qualifying Standards

College track and field recruiting standards

Track and field recruiting standards are the general baseline student-athletes need to meet to get recruited by a track and field program. These standards vary depending on the level of competition you wish to pursue.

Recruiting standards also differ from college to college, even within each division level.

A men’s sprinter in good academic standing with personal bests of 10.8 seconds in the 100-meter dash and 21.7 seconds in the 200m has a good chance of meeting the recruiting standards for the University of Pennsylvania but may need to improve their times to 10.5 and 21.5 seconds to land a roster spot at the University of Michigan—both D1 programs.

The best way to get a sense of each school’s individual recruiting standards is by asking the track and field coach, but you should also look at current rosters for individual stats or find a program’s specific recruiting standards on their website.

The tables above provide general outlines for the times, heights or distances needed to meet the recruiting and scholarship standards for schools across all division levels. 

Track and field walk-on standards

Recruited walk-on standards are the minimum times, heights, or distances coaches expect athletes to have. There are two types of walk-ons at the college level: recruited and non-recruited.

• Recruited Walk-Ons: These athletes are guaranteed a roster spot by the coach if they get admitted to the school and maintain or improve their stats. Though they don’t receive athletic aid, their place on the team is secured.
• Non-Recruited Walk-Ons: These athletes might be invited by the coach to try out for the team after they apply and get admitted. However, they are not guaranteed a roster spot.

With the new NCAA scholarship rules and roster limits starting in 2025-2026, the exact impact on walk-ons is uncertain and will vary across different sports and schools. To understand how these changes might affect you, stay in touch with coaches and ask about their plans for walk-ons, as this can differ significantly between programs.

How do you get a track and field scholarship? 

College coaches decide how to award track and field scholarships based on their recruiting standards, coaching philosophy, and available funds. The amount of scholarship money each recruit receives can vary.

To maximize scholarship potential, men’s track and field athletes should target the right division level for their needs. Meeting D1 standards is great, but sometimes you can make a bigger impact, or potentially receive more scholarship dollars, at a D2 or NAIA school.

• Full-Ride Track Scholarships: Coaches will offer full athletic scholarships to either the most elite recruits, or to recruits who have the ability to make a huge impact on the team by competing and scoring in multiple events. Full-rides cover tuition, room and board and any additional fees.
• Partial Track Scholarships: These are more common, as many coaches like to split up total scholarships across multiple athletes. However, this doesn’t mean all partial scholarships are equal. Certain recruits may receive more athletic aid than others depending on whether they hit scholarship standards or how many events they’re likely to score in. 

How do colleges use track and field scholarships?

Colleges allocate track and field scholarships based on their overall strategy and NCAA policies. Men’s track and field, classified as an equivalency sport at the D1 and D2 levels, allows coaches to divide scholarships among multiple athletes. Starting in 2025-2026, D1 programs can offer up to 45 scholarships within a roster limit of 45 athletes if a proposed NCAA settlement is approved.

The number of scholarships at each school depends on factors like current roster commitments, funding level, and the coach’s strategy for distributing funds.

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

Men’s track and field coaches consider several key factors when deciding who gets athletic scholarships. They look at athletic and academic performance, potential for growth, and how well the recruit fits with the team.

Here’s a closer look at how college track and field coaches decide on scholarships:

Athletic Performance

• Sprinters: Fast athletes who can compete in multiple events are often prioritized for athletic aid. Coaches are willing to work on technique and form if the recruit has speed.
• Middle Distance Runners: Runners with good form and speed who are comfortable trying different events at the college level. Recruits should be willing to step up their distances and might even be asked to run cross country.
• Distance Runners: Recruits are chosen based on how well their running style fits with the school’s training program. They are assets in both indoor/outdoor programs and cross country.
• Throwers: Athletes with good size, athleticism, and room to improve are valuable. College weights are heavier than high school, so strong shot or discus throwers who can put up high scores at meets are sought after. Trying new events like hammer and javelin is also beneficial.
• Jumpers: Athletes who can join a team and score points right away are invaluable. Coaches look for those who have proven they can land good marks and will improve with year-round training.

Versatility and Special Events

Coaches often give more scholarships to athletes who excel in multiple events. For instance, a sprinter who is also a hurdler or athletes who compete in specialized events like pole vaulting are highly sought after.

Academic Performance

Good grades matter too! Coaches want recruits who meet academic requirements for admission, can stay eligible throughout college and graduate on time.

Potential for Improvement

Coaches look for athletes who have the potential to get better and make a big impact at major meets like conference, regional and national competitions.

All in all, men’s track and field coaches decide who gets scholarships by looking at an athlete’s performance, versatility, potential for growth and academic standing. This helps them build a strong and competitive team that excels in various events and meets academic standards.

How many track scholarships are given each year?

Each year, over 29,000 track and field scholarships are available across NCAA Division I, Division II, and NAIA institutions. These scholarships are spread across both men’s and women’s programs. (Scholarship Stats.com)

It’s important to note that most of these scholarships are partial, meaning they cover only part of the student-athlete’s expenses.

How hard is it to get a track scholarship?

Getting a track and field scholarship is very competitive due to limited availability, high athletic standards, and strict academic and amateurism requirements. Most scholarships are partial, and only the top-performing athletes typically secure full awards.

Can you get a track scholarship?

Yes, you can get a track scholarship if you focus on meeting or exceeding the performance standards set by college coaches, maintain strong academic performance, and actively reach out to programs where you are a good fit. Demonstrating your commitment on and off the track will also help you stand out.

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