NAVIGATING WOMEN’S SWIMMING SCHOLARSHIPS IN COLLEGE

In NCAA Division 1, Division 2, and NAIA programs, scholarships for women’s swimming are awarded through the equivalency scholarship model. This flexible system allows coaches to distribute scholarships across multiple athletes. For example, a coach might give a full scholarship to one swimmer, while offering partial scholarships to others to cover costs like tuition, housing, or books.

Many athletes also explore the junior college route, where scholarship opportunities exist in the NJCAA and CCCAA programs. Junior colleges provide a pathway to further financial support if athletes transfer to an NCAA Division 1, Division 2, or NAIA school after two years. This option allows swimmers to prove their academic and athletic abilities, making them more attractive to four-year institutions.

Although Division 3 schools don’t offer athletic scholarships for women’s swimming, they often provide academic grants and other forms of financial aid. This can significantly lower the cost of attending a school without the need for an athletic scholarship.

For a deeper dive into swimming scholarships and potential opportunities, read further below.

NCAA SCHOLARSHIP CHANGES IN 2025-2026

Beginning with the 2025-2026 academic year, the NCAA plans to remove scholarship limits for Division 1 programs in all sports, including swimming. This change, pending settlement approval, will introduce greater flexibility in how scholarships are awarded, significantly impacting the recruiting landscape.

KEY IMPACTS FOR SWIMMING RECRUITS:

• Roster Size Limit: Division 1 teams will be capped at 30 athletes. Since the average roster size previously hovered around 30.7 athletes, this change will have minimal effects on existing team sizes.
• Increased Scholarships: Division 1 programs will now be able to offer scholarships to all 30 athletes, expanding the previous cap of 14 scholarships.

For the latest updates and how these changes may impact your recruiting journey, stay tuned.

CAN YOU EARN A SWIMMING SCHOLARSHIP?

Yes, earning a swimming scholarship is very possible, but it requires careful planning and a strategic approach. Scholarships are competitive, and swimmers must start the process early by researching programs that align with their strengths. Contacting college coaches and demonstrating how you can help their team score points at conference and national levels is critical to securing a spot.

Being proactive, improving swim performance, and maintaining high standardized test scores can greatly increase the likelihood of receiving a scholarship.

DIVISION 1 SWIMMING SCHOLARSHIPS

• Total Women’s Teams: 191
• Maximum Scholarships: 30 (pending 2025 settlement approval)

Each Division 1 school has the freedom to allocate these 30 scholarships however they see fit. Be sure to consider whether a school’s swimming program is fully funded, as some schools may offer fewer scholarships than the NCAA maximum. Swimmers aiming to compete at this level should strive to meet the times required for Futures Championships.

DIVISION 2 SWIMMING SCHOLARSHIPS

• Total Women’s Teams: 105
• Maximum Scholarships: 8.1

While Division 2 schools are more flexible with times, competition remains tough. Many Division 2 swimmers are capable of competing at the Division 1 level but opt for Division 2 schools due to larger scholarship opportunities or a better academic fit.

DIVISION 3 SWIMMING SCHOLARSHIPS

• Total Women’s Teams: 258
• Maximum Scholarships: N/A

Division 3 schools don’t offer athletic scholarships, but athletes can still qualify for financial aid through academic awards. Maintaining a strong GPA and high ACT/SAT scores can significantly reduce the overall cost of attending college. With nearly 250 programs, Division 3 offers plenty of opportunities for swimmers who wish to compete at the collegiate level.

NAIA SWIMMING SCHOLARSHIPS

• Total Women’s Teams: 41
• Maximum Scholarships: 8

Like the NCAA, NAIA programs follow the equivalency scholarship model, where coaches can split their scholarships across multiple athletes. With an average roster size of 11, competition for these scholarships is fierce, and not all schools fully fund their swimming programs.

JUNIOR COLLEGE SWIMMING SCHOLARSHIPS

• Total Women’s Teams: 77
• Maximum Scholarships: 15

Junior colleges provide an excellent pathway for swimmers looking to build their academic and athletic resumes. Many NJCAA and CCCAA programs offer full scholarships, giving student-athletes a chance to compete at the collegiate level. Junior colleges are often a stepping stone to transferring into NCAA or NAIA programs after two years.

HOW TO GET A SWIMMING SCHOLARSHIP

To earn a swimming scholarship, athletes must identify programs where their skills will make a significant contribution to the team. Coaches seek recruits who can help their team score points at dual meets and championships. Here are some key tips for securing a scholarship:

• Do Your Research: Investigate programs where your swim times will have an impact. For instance, schools like NC State and California are strong in sprinting events, while Georgia is known for its distance swimmers.
• Stay Academically Strong: Coaches value well-rounded athletes who can excel academically. Be sure to register with the NCAA Eligibility Center and aim to achieve the best possible SAT/ACT scores.
• Understand Division Levels: Explore all divisions to find the best fit for your talent level and academic goals.

WHEN TO START THE COLLEGE RECRUITING PROCESS

Swimmers should start the recruiting process as soon as they know they want to compete in college. According to an NCAA survey, most swimming recruitment begins during a recruit’s junior year. However, Division 1 and 2 coaches can officially contact swimmers after June 15 of sophomore year. To maximize recruitment opportunities, student-athletes should reach out to schools early and work on improving their swim times.

HOW TO GET RECRUITED FOR WOMEN’S SWIMMING

To increase scholarship interest, swimmers need to demonstrate that they can help a team win points at conference and dual meets. Here are steps to follow for recruitment success:

1. Research Programs: Build a list of schools where your event times could make a difference. Include safety, target, and reach schools.
2. Attend Camps: Participate in swimming camps to enhance skills and gain visibility with college coaches.
3. Reach Out to Coaches: Start building relationships with coaches by reaching out directly with your stats and performance updates.
4. Work with Your Club Coach: Many club coaches have connections with college recruiters and can advocate for you.

MAKING A GREAT SWIMMING RECRUITMENT VIDEO

A well-crafted recruitment video can be a powerful tool in showcasing your strengths to college coaches. While coaches focus on swim times, a video can highlight additional skills like technique and athleticism. Keep your video clean, with simple edits, and emphasize your best performances.

WHEN CAN YOU CONTACT COLLEGE COACHES?

For Division 1 and 2 programs, coaches cannot initiate contact with swimmers until June 15 of sophomore year. However, swimmers can still reach out to coaches before this date to get on their radar. While coaches may not be able to respond, they can still track athletes’ performance and progress.

By staying proactive, maintaining strong academics, and showcasing your skills, swimmers can greatly enhance their chances of getting recruited and securing a college swimming scholarship.