House v. NCAA: from scholarship caps to roster limits, what changes for an international athlete

Published October 31, 2026

Since the 2025-26 season, under the House v. NCAA settlement, Division I replaced scholarship caps with roster limits and each university decides how much to offer. Here are the numbers each sport uses and what it means for someone searching from abroad.

What changed in Division I

Before, each sport had a cap on scholarships per team. Now there is a limit on players per roster and each university decides how much money to offer and how to split it. In theory a program can give full scholarships to more players than before, or spread less among more, so offers no longer follow a common rule.

Division I roster limits

What stays the same in Division II and III

Division II keeps the equivalency system, which the coach splits into portions: for example, 9 in men's soccer and 9.9 in women's, 10 in basketball, 7.2 in softball, 6.3 in field hockey, 8 in women's volleyball and 4.5 in men's volleyball. Division III still gives no athletic scholarships, only academic or need-based aid. The NAIA and the NJCAA have their own rules.

What it means for an international athlete

There is no formula: each program defines its own offer. That is why you should always ask in writing for the amount, the duration and the renewal, and look at the total cost. Good grades still add up: academic scholarships and university aid combine with the athletic one, and international students do not get federal aid. More in how much an athletic scholarship covers.

These figures come from published information about the settlement and each division's rules, and the rules keep being adjusted: confirm them on the official NCAA websites before deciding.

Frequently asked questions

What is House v. NCAA?

It is the settlement that, since 2025-26, let Division I universities share revenue with athletes and replaced scholarship caps with roster limits.

Did anything change in Division II and III?

Division II keeps scholarship equivalencies by sport and Division III still gives no athletic scholarships.

Does it affect international students?

Yes, in how each university builds its offer. What does not change is that international students get no federal aid and that you should ask for everything in writing.

Where do I confirm current rules?

On the official NCAA and NAIA websites; rules change often.