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Scholarships and roster in American Football: D1 / D2 / NAIA / JUCO
How equivalency scholarships work after the House settlement, the numbers by division, and what's realistic for a European.
Guidance only — not legal advice nor an eligibility guarantee. Binding decisions rest with the NCAA Eligibility Center and US authorities.
American football is no longer a headcount sport (full rides only). After the House settlement (effective July 1, 2025), D1 schools that opt in move to equivalency: they can split full or partial scholarships across the whole roster, with no per-sport scholarship cap.
The headline change is the 105-player D1 roster limit, replacing the old 85-scholarship cap. All 105 may receive aid. A Designated Student-Athletes clause protects current players who'd lose a spot. Verify per school whether it opted in: those that didn't keep 85 (FBS) / 63 (FCS).
| Division | Scholarships (approx.) | Model |
|---|---|---|
| D1 FBS (opt-in) | up to 105 (roster) | equivalency |
| D1 FCS | 63 (or conference cap) | equivalency |
| D2 | up to 36 | equivalency |
| NAIA | ~24 (verify) | equivalency |
| NJCAA DI/DII | yes (DIII no) | equivalency |
It's a men's sport in NCAA/NAIA/NJCAA (no NCAA women's football). For a European: the walk-on pool shrinks under the 105 cap, so D2, NAIA and JUCO are the most realistic routes, often on partial aid. JUCO gives a development and academic year before the NCAA.
Sources
- NCAA.org — DI Board adopts changes to roster limits (June 23, 2025)
- NCSA — New NCAA Scholarship and Roster Limits for 2025-26
- HERO Sports — House Settlement Impact on FCS Scholarship Limits
- ScholarshipStats — College Athletic Scholarship Limits
Last reviewed: June 2026
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