Important Dates
Fall application dates:
- Application opens: April 1, 2025
- Application closes: June 15, 2025 at 5 p.m. EST.
Winter, Spring & Summer application dates:
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- Application opens: August 1, 2025
- Application closes: October 15, 2025 at 5 p.m. EST.<
The NCAA is committed to helping Division I student-athletes complete their undergraduate education, even after their athletics eligibility has been exhausted. The Division I Degree Completion Award Program provides financial assistance to former student-athletes who return to campus to finish their degrees.
Former NCAA Division I student-athletes who received athletically related financial aid, have exhausted their athletics eligibility and are within 30 semester hours of completing their first undergraduate degree.
Applications submitted through the student-athlete’s Division I institution’s athletics compliance office. Self-applications and direct submissions to the NCAA are not accepted.
Funding is provided for up to one academic year or until degree requirements are met, within a 10-semester or 15-quarter eligibility window.
Covers tuition and required fees up to $15,000, or the cost of tuition for remaining credits — whichever is less.
Why Apply?
Finish the undergraduate degree you started, with tuition and required fees covered for your remaining coursework.
Return to your campus and your academic goals after exhausting your athletics eligibility, with the financial support to make it possible.
Complete your degree within a flexible 10-semester or 15-quarter window, including summer terms if needed.
Achieve the graduation milestone the NCAA is committed to helping every Division I student-athlete reach.
The NCAA Division I Degree Completion Award Program reflects the NCAA’s commitment to helping student-athletes finish what they started — recognizing that the path to a degree doesn’t always end on schedule, and providing the financial support to make graduation possible.
Eligibility
- Former NCAA Division I student-athlete
- Received athletically related financial aid as a headcount sport athlete (full aid) or in any sport with partial aid
- Exhausted all athletics eligibility
- Within 30 semester hours of completing the first undergraduate degree
- In good academic standing before leaving school
- Demonstrated character, leadership and service
Resources
Former men’s and women’s basketball student-athletes may be eligible for additional degree completion programs designed specifically for those sports.