Head-Count vs. Equivalency Sports: STACK Magazine - Exercises, Training, Nutrition, High School Athletes

You always thought receiving a scholarship meant “full ride,” but you’ve just been told that your scholly is a partial one. Confused? The NCAA divides sports into two categories: headcount and equivalency.

Head count sports have a set number of scholarships, and they are all full. If your sport offers 15 scholarships and a college gives you one, it has only 14 left to offer.

Equivalency sports have a set number of scholarships, but each one can be divided among two or more student-athletes. Say a sport has three scholarships available. A school could award a full scholarship to one athlete, split the second between two athletes, and divide the third among three or more athletes.

Men’s Sports

Head-count Sports	Team Limits
Basketball	13
Football I-A	85

Equivalency Sports	Team Limits
Baseball	11.7
XC	5
XC/T&F	12.6
Fencing	4.5
Football I-AA	63
Golf	4.5
Gymnastics	6.3
Ice Hockey	18
Lacrosse	12.6
Rifle	3.6
Skiing	6.3
Soccer	9.9
Swimming	9.9
Tennis	4.5
Volleyball	4.5
Water Polo	4.5
Wrestling	9.9

Women’s Sports

Head-count Sports	Team Limits
Basketball	15
Gymnastics	12
Tennis	8
Volleyball	12

Equivalency Sports	Team Limits
Bowling	5
XC	6
XC/T&F	18
Fencing	5
Field Hockey	12
Golf	6
Ice Hockey	18
Lacrosse	12
Rowing	20
Skiing	7
Soccer	12
Softball	12
Swimming	14
Water Polo	8