Postgraduate Scholarships for Student Athletes

The NCAA has awarded $10,000 postgraduate scholarships to 42 exceptional student-athletes as part of the 2025-26 NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship program. These recipients, who represent fall sports across all three NCAA divisions, were selected based on their demonstrated athletic excellence, outstanding academic achievements, and leadership within their respective communities.

The announcement, made on March 11, 2026, highlights the Association’s ongoing commitment to supporting student-athletes as they transition from collegiate athletics to advanced academic pursuits. The scholarships are designed to provide crucial financial assistance to offset the costs associated with pursuing professional or graduate degrees.

Program Structure and Eligibility

Established in 1964, the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship program was created to promote and encourage graduate education by rewarding the most accomplished student-athletes. Unlike athletic scholarships used for competition at the graduate level, this is a one-time, non-renewable academic scholarship based on the individual’s overall career as an undergraduate student-athlete.

The program operates on a seasonal basis, awarding scholarships during the fall, winter, and spring seasons. In total, the NCAA awards up to 126 scholarships annually, with 63 designated for men and 63 for women.

Funds from the scholarship must be used in an accredited professional school or graduate degree program. Common paths for recipients include advanced studies in medicine, dentistry, law, business, academia, and public service.

Eligible Sports and Opportunities

Postgraduate scholarships are available to student-athletes across a variety of sports, including:

• Soccer
• Basketball
• Football
• Volleyball
• Lacrosse
• Field Hockey
• Golf
• Tennis

Beyond domestic options, these postgraduate opportunities may include paths for student-athletes to study overseas, including opportunities in the United Kingdom.

Academic and Athletic Integration

The scholarship program underscores the core NCAA value of the student-athlete, emphasizing that high-level athletic performance and academic distinction are not mutually exclusive. By honoring those who have performed with distinction in both the classroom and their sport, the NCAA seeks to celebrate a holistic collegiate experience.

Recipients of the award join an elite group of alumni who have leveraged the funding to launch professional careers in various high-impact fields, further extending the influence of their collegiate training into professional practice.