Track & Field College Athletic Scholarships for Women

Track & field is unique in the world of collegiate sports because there’s no “typical” recruiting process. Rules vary based on where you live as well as where the school you want to compete at is located. In addition, every track event is scouted differently. For example, a distance runner will be evaluated on different criteria than a sprinter or hurdler will.

Knowing how to navigate the track-and-field recruiting process may give you an advantage over other student athletes who are not as familiar with its requirements and eccentricities. That’s what this webpage is for–a resource for you to use during your college planning and placement process that will help you learn how to get noticed, meet deadlines and achieve your goal.

Never forget, in track & field—as in all collegiate sports—you need to take charge of your own recruiting. Narrow down the schools you’d like to attend and compete for. Then, take responsibility for introducing yourself to your sport’s decision-makers at these schools. Keep yourself in front of them in a professional, respectful way with regular emails or phone calls. Work hard to improve your athletic performance while also keeping an eye on your academics.

Women’s Collegiate Track & Field – Indoor and Outdoor Divisions

Women’s Track & Field at the collegiate level is divided into both indoor and outdoor seasons, with each having distinct events. These programs are organized across different divisions under the NCAA and NAIA. Here’s a breakdown of how these divisions work.

NCAA Divisions

Division I

• Indoor Track & Field
  The indoor season typically runs from December to March, leading up to the NCAA Indoor Championships. Events include sprints, middle and long-distance races, hurdles, relays, jumps, pole vault, shot put and the pentathlon.
• Outdoor Track & Field
  The outdoor season usually follows the indoor season, starting in late March and culminating in the NCAA Outdoor Championships in June. Outdoor events include sprints, middle and long-distance races, hurdles, relays, jumps, pole vault, throws (including javelin, hammer, discus) and the heptathlon.

Division II

• Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field
  Division II programs also compete in both indoor and outdoor seasons, with similar event structures as Division I.

Division III

• Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field
  Division III schools compete in the same range of events, but they do not offer athletic scholarships. Instead, student-athletes may receive financial aid based on academic merit, leadership or other factors.

NAIA Divisions

• Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field
  The NAIA also offers competitive indoor and outdoor seasons, similar to the NCAA’s. The events and seasons are comparable to those in NCAA divisions.

Women’s Collegiate Track & Field–By the Numbers

• At any given time, there are more than 488,000 female track-and-field high school student athletes competing across the country. Only 2.7 percent go on to compete at the NCAA Division I level, 1.5 percent at Division II and 1.9 percent at Division III. Track-and-field programs also recruit internationally. About 9.0 percent of all international student-athletes compete in NCAA Division I women’s Track & Field, making up about 2 percent of Division I rosters.
• These numbers should demonstrate that the female high school track-and-field athlete who wants to continue competing at the college level is about to enter a very competitive field of like-minded aspirants. Earning a spot on a collegiate track-and field-roster—and being awarded athletic scholarship money–isn’t easy. It takes time, discipline, and persistence, but it’s doable.

What Does It Take to Become an NCAA Track-and-Field Athlete?

For starters, it doesn’t hurt if you have some of the best times in the country, but there are other ways to get the attention of a coach or scout. As an example, how do you respond to adversity? Can you keep your head when you’re behind the field? How do you manage stress or pressure? Remember, recruiters are looking at the big picture, the total athlete.
Getting recruited also takes name recognition. In almost all instances, you need to let coaches know you’re interested in getting into their track-and-field programs.

• Take every opportunity to learn from top track-and-field coaches in your area so you can improve your times and distances. Volunteer at your local Boys and Girls club, or mentor a younger student athlete.
• Participate in track-and-field camps and showcases. This is a good way to catch the eye of the coaching staff at the college, university or other organization sponsoring the event. Track-and-field staff from nearby schools often lend a hand at these camps and showcases, so they’ll be watching, too.
• Overall, these events are a great way to build connections, improve your physical performance and mental toughness and get an idea of what kinds of coaches and programs you respond to best. Many of these sessions will also create a video of your performance, which will prove invaluable as a way of putting yourself in front of coaches whose programs interest you.
• In that note, if you don’t have one already, create a good quality video that shows you competing in each of your events that highlights your form, and—if you’re a distance runner—your strategy.

When Can Colleges Start Recruiting for Women’s Track-and-Field Programs?

• The NCAA dictates when and how college coaches can contact potential recruits.
• For NCAA DI and DII coaches, contact is essentially off-limits until June 15 after the recruit’s sophomore year in high school. College coaches at the DIII and NAIA levels, however, don’t have the same restrictions on when they can reach out to recruits, i.e., they can reach out to anyone they’re interested in at any time.
• In creating these rules, the NCAA was trying to make sure elite recruits didn’t get overwhelmed by constant contact from coaches. But the same rules mean it can be tough for track-and-field families to know when to expect contact from college coaches.

Women’s Top Collegiate Track-and-Field Programs

Next College Student Athlete (NCSA) offers power rankings of the country’s best four-year colleges with women’s track-and-field programs. The list includes colleges that offer Track & Field and cross country, only Track & Field and only cross country. Use it as a starting point in your search for a college-level track-and-field program you’d like to be accepted into.

NCAA Division I

1. Stanford University
2. Princeton University
3. University of Florida
4. Harvard University
5. Columbia University
6. Yale University
7. University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
8. University of Pennsylvania
9. University of California, Berkeley
10. University of Michigan

NCAA Division II

1. Colorado School of Mines
2. Hillsdale College
3. West Chester University of Pennsylvania
4. Bentley University
5. Florida Southern College
6. Grand Valley State University
7. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
8. Truman State University
9. Nova Southeastern University
10. Adelphi University

NCAA Division III

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
2. Johns Hopkins University
3. University of Chicago
4. Emory University
5. Tufts University
6. Amherst College
7. Washington University in St. Louis
8. Carnegie Mellon University
9. Williams College
10. University of Rochester

NAIA

1. Dordt University
2. Indiana Wesleyan University
3. University of California, Merced
4. Soka University
5. Oklahoma City University
6. University of Michigan, Dearborn
7. Marian University, Indiana
8. Madonna University
9. Southeastern University
10. Northwestern College, Iowa

Women’s Collegiate Track & Field – Scholarships

Women’s track-and-field scholarships are available at the NCAA Division I and Division II levels and NAIA schools. These scholarships can cover a range of expenses, including tuition, room and board, books, and sometimes additional fees related to attending college.

Understanding the process of earning Track & Field scholarships and what it takes to secure them is crucial. Here’s an overview.

• Division I
  The highest level of college athletics. Schools in this division offer the most athletic scholarships. Women’s track-and-field programs can offer up to 18 scholarships, which can be full or partial scholarships.
• Division II
  DII schools offer fewer scholarships compared to Division I, with a limit of 12.6 scholarships for women’s Track & Field. These are also often partial scholarships.
• Division III
  DIII schools don’t offer athletic scholarships, but student-athletes may receive academic or need-based financial aid.
• NAIA
  The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) also offers scholarships for women’s Track & Field, with their own specific limits and regulations.

Scholarship Distribution

Scholarships can be divided among multiple athletes. For example, a coach might offer several partial scholarships instead of a few full scholarships to build a stronger team.

Recruiting Process

The recruiting process for scholarships typically begins in high school, with athletes reaching out to college coaches, attending track-and field-camps and participating in competitions where college scouts may be present.

Academic Requirements

To qualify for a scholarship, student-athletes must meet certain academic standards, including a minimum GPA and standardized test scores, as set by the NCAA, NAIA or other governing bodies.

Importance of Performance

Performance in high school Track & Field events is critical. Coaches look for athletes who excel in specific events and have the potential to contribute to the team at the collegiate level.

Walk-On Opportunities

Even if a student-athlete doesn’t receive a scholarship initially, they can join a team as a “walk-on” and potentially earn a scholarship later based on their performance.

Women’s track-and-field scholarships are highly competitive, and securing one requires a combination of athletic talent, academic achievement, and strategic planning throughout high school.

Athletes interested in collegiate track-and-field scholarships should start the recruitment process early, maintain strong academic performance, and actively reach out to coaches to express interest and share their athletic achievements.

Women’s Collegiate Track-and-Field Recruiting Standards

Women’s collegiate track-and-field recruiting standards refer to the performance benchmarks that college coaches use to evaluate potential recruits. These standards vary depending on the division (NCAA Division I, II, III, NAIA) and the specific college or university.

Key Aspects of Recruiting Standards

Event-Specific Performance

Different track-and-field events have different recruiting standards. For example, the required times for sprints (e.g., 100m, 200m, 400m) or distances for jumps (e.g., long jump, triple jump) will vary. Each college program may have specific marks that they expect potential recruits to meet or exceed.

Division Differences

• Division I
  The highest standards, with many programs expecting recruits to have elite performances that place them among the top high school athletes in the country. For example, a recruit might need to run the 100m in under 12 seconds or clear 5.5 meters in the long jump.
• Division II
  Competitive but slightly lower standards than Division I. Athletes might be expected to run the 100m in around 12.3 seconds or jump about 5.3 meters in the long jump.
• Division III
  These schools do not offer athletic scholarships, but the competition is still strong. Standards can vary widely depending on the institution, but they generally fall below Division I and II standards.
• NAIA
  Standards can vary significantly, with some programs comparable to NCAA Division II, while others may have more lenient benchmarks.

Additional Considerations

• Versatility
  Coaches often value athletes who can perform well in multiple events, as this versatility can contribute more significantly to a team overall. For example, a sprinter who can also compete in the long jump or relay events may be more desirable.
• Academic and Athletic Balance
  While athletic performance is crucial, academic performance is equally important, especially in NCAA Division III, where academic scholarships are more common. Athletes must maintain a strong academic record to be considered for recruitment.
• Progression and Potential
  Coaches often look for athletes who have shown steady improvement over their high school careers or who have the potential to grow and develop further in college. A coach may prioritize an athlete who shows promise, even if their current marks are slightly below the program’s typical recruiting standards.

Examples of Performance Benchmarks (approximate times/distances)

100m Sprint

• Division I: < 12.0 seconds
• Division II: ~12.2-12.5 seconds
• Division III: ~12.5-12.8 seconds

400m Sprint

• Division I: < 56.0 seconds
• Division II: ~57.5-59.0 seconds
• Division III: ~59.0-61.0 seconds

Long Jump

• Division I: > 5.8 meters (19 feet)
• Division II: ~5.5-5.7 meters (18-18.7 feet)
• Division III: ~5.3-5.5 meters (17.5-18 feet)

High Jump

• Division I: > 1.75 meters (5’9″)
• Division II: ~1.65-1.75 meters (5’5″-5’9″)
• Division III: ~1.60-1.70 meters (5’3″-5’7″)

These standards are general guidelines and can vary depending on the specific program and its needs. Coaches may recruit athletes who fall slightly below these standards if they see potential for development.

How Do Women’s Collegiate Track-and-Field Coaches Decide Who Gets a Scholarship?

Coaches tend to give athletic scholarships based on a recruit’s performance in individual or multiple events. Typically, they prioritize scholarships for recruits who can make an impact right away and put big scores on the board at meets.

Consider targeting divisions and programs where your scores not only meet the standards but really stand out. You may be able to meet the standards of a DI school, but you may earn more scholarship money at the DII levels, where you can potentially make a bigger impact.

Try to get to know the coaches who run the programs at your schools of choice so you can understand what their recruiting needs are. This will help you position yourself in the best way possible to fill a gap on the team roster.

• Jumpers with proven records of good marks who can score points immediately will catch a coach’s eye, but solid performers who show room for improvement and a motivation to participate in year-round training are also invaluable.
• Throwers who are athletic and strong are valuable additions to any track-and-field team. Willingness to try specialty events like hammer and javelin, that were perhaps not as popular at the high school level, is also a plus. Keep in mind that college weights are heavier than in high school, so coaches are always particularly on the lookout for strong discus or shot throwers.
• Sprinters who show an ability to compete and score across multiple events are moved to the top of the list of potential recruits. As long as the sprinter is fast, most coaches will work with them on technique and form.
• Middle-distance runners who have outstanding speed, solid biomechanics, and a willingness to try different events such as cross country at the college level get noticed.
• Distance runners are recruited based on how well their running style fits within the college’s training program.