NCAA Division II Degree Completion Award Grant

NCAA Division II Degree Completion Award Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: National Collegiate Athletic Association
Amount: Up to US $15,000
Last Updated: January 04, 2026

Summary

The NCAA Division II Degree Completion Award provides financial assistance to student-athletes who have exhausted their athletics eligibility, enabling them to complete their first undergraduate degree. Since its inception in 2001, nearly $9 million has supported approximately 1,875 athletes, with a remarkable 90 percent graduation rate among recipients. The award covers tuition costs up to $15,000 for remaining credits and may be used in the summer term or short terms surrounding the final undergraduate year.

Overview

NOTE: A nomination is due at the deadline. Nomination can be initiated by the Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR), Athletics Director (AD), Senior Woman Administrator (SWA) or other designee. NCAA Division II Degree Completion Award The NCAA established the Division II Degree Completion Award Program in 2001 to provide deserving student-athletes financial assistance for them to complete their first undergraduate degree. Candidates will be students who have exhausted their athletics eligibility. To date, nearly $9,000,000 has been given to approximately 1,875 deserving student-athletes. Of those student-athletes who have received the award since its inception, approximately 90 percent have earned their undergraduate degree using this program. The approval rate for those who meet the requirements of the award and complete the application in its entirety has been extremely high in the past few years. The following criteria applies to the award: The Division II Degree Completion Award value is the lesser of: Tuition for his or her remaining credits toward completing an undergraduate degree; or Up to $15,000. The Division II Degree Completion Award may be used for the summer term and other short terms immediately preceding or following the final undergraduate term/year, provided it is within the student-athlete’s 10 semesters (15 quarters). An institution is limited to nominating a maximum of three student-athletes for the Division II Degree Completion Award. The committee will rank all applicants who have completed applications and will reach out to alternates as awarding dollars become available.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Requirements for the Award:Applicant shall be a student-athlete who has completed athletics eligibility at an active NCAA Division II institution. Applicant must be within 40 semester hours (60 quarter hours) of completion of an undergraduate degree. Please note that only those credits for completion of a first baccalaureate degree should be counted. The degree must be completed within 10 semesters (15 quarters). Applicant must be meeting the institution’s standard for good academic standing.Applicant must use the award to complete the first undergraduate degree requirements from the institution where the student-athlete exhausted his or her athletics eligibility.

Ineligibility

Applicant cannot concurrently receive any athletics aid from the institution.