New NCAA Men’s Tennis Scholarship Limits

Starting in the 2025-2026 academic year, the NCAA will allow D1 men’s tennis programs to offer up to 10 scholarships per team, a significant increase from the current limit of 4.5. The roster cap will be set at 10 players, providing greater scholarship flexibility. Division 1 tennis will continue to be an equivalency sport, allowing coaches to split scholarships among recruits as either partial or full awards. It’s important to remember that not all schools will be fully funded, and these limits represent the maximum scholarship allocations per team.

Men’s Tennis Scholarships by Division Level

Here’s a breakdown of scholarship availability across different collegiate levels:

• NCAA Division 1: 236 teams, 2,395 athletes, with an average team size of 10.1. Starting in 2025-26, programs will have a cap of 10 scholarships and 10 roster spots.
• NCAA Division 2: 153 teams, 1,670 athletes, average team size of 10.9, offering up to 4.5 scholarships per team.
• NCAA Division 3: 302 teams, 3,434 athletes, average team size of 11.4. D3 programs do not offer athletic scholarships but provide academic and merit-based aid.
• NAIA: 87 teams, 1,007 athletes, average team size of 10, with 5 scholarships per team.
• NJCAA: 58 teams, 526 athletes, average team size of 9, offering up to 9 scholarships per team.

How to Get a Scholarship for Men’s Tennis

Securing a men’s tennis scholarship is a competitive journey that requires both academic and athletic achievement. To maximize your chances, follow these steps:

1. Build a Comprehensive Profile: Use Athlete Pipeline to showcase your athletic stats, academic achievements, and highlight videos for coaches to view.
2. Create an Impressive Recruiting Video: Include match highlights, stroke techniques, and any skills that demonstrate your strengths and versatility on the court.
3. Attend Tennis Camps and Tournaments: Increase your exposure by participating in camps where college coaches are present. Tournaments can also elevate your ranking and visibility.
4. Reach Out to Coaches: Send introductory emails to coaches, expressing your interest in their programs and providing links to your Athlete Pipeline profile.

How Hard Is It to Get a Scholarship for Men’s Tennis?

Men’s tennis scholarships are highly competitive, especially with a strong international presence—international players make up approximately 61% of D1 rosters. Coaches tend to split scholarships across the roster, making partial scholarships more common than full scholarships, except for top-ranked recruits. To boost your chances, maintain strong academic performance and build relationships with coaches, demonstrating your commitment and potential contribution to their team.

Division Breakdown of Men’s Tennis Scholarships

• Division 1: Up to 10 scholarships per team (starting 2025-26) with 236 teams, typically offering partial awards due to the highly competitive nature of the sport.
• Division 2: Each team has a maximum of 4.5 scholarships with 153 teams; teams generally look for academically solid recruits who can contribute to both singles and doubles matches.
• Division 3: No athletic scholarships are offered; however, 302 teams provide extensive academic and merit-based aid options.
• NAIA: Up to 5 scholarships per team with 87 teams, providing a balance between athletic and academic demands.
• NJCAA: Up to 9 scholarships per team with 58 teams, offering a strong pathway for athletes aiming to transfer to higher divisions.

Tennis Scholarship Requirements

To compete at the college level, athletes must meet NCAA Eligibility Center standards, which verify academic achievements and amateur status. These requirements help maintain eligibility, ensuring recruits are academically and athletically prepared for collegiate competition.

Top Colleges for Men’s Tennis Scholarships

Here are some standout colleges offering scholarships across divisions:

• Top D1 Programs: Princeton, Harvard, Stanford, UCLA, Yale, University of North Carolina, Duke, University of Florida
• Top D2 Programs: University of California-San Diego, Bentley University, Point Loma Nazarene, Hillsdale College, Grand Valley State
• Top D3 Programs: MIT, Amherst College, Pomona-Pitzer, Emory University, University of Chicago, Tufts University
• Top NAIA Programs: Asbury University, Taylor University, Indiana Wesleyan, Loyola University New Orleans, Bethel University

Using Athlete Pipeline to organize your recruiting process, stay connected with coaches, and showcase your athletic and academic strengths will enhance your visibility, helping you secure the best scholarship opportunities across various levels of college tennis.