College Ice Hockey Scholarships & Requirements

Which Colleges Offer Ice Hockey Scholarships?

Explore ice hockey programs across NCAA Division I, Division II, NAIA and junior colleges that can offer athletic scholarships. Division III schools don't award them but may offer academic and need-based aid.

NCAA Division I Ice Hockey Scholarships

NCAA Division I ice hockey can offer scholarships. Opted-in schools use a roster limit of 26 instead of a scholarship cap.

Get Recruited

Roster limit: 26Set by the NCAA for opted-in Division I schools. NCAA source

Any player, any amountOpted-in schools can give partial or full awards to anyone on the roster.

Not every school opted inSchools outside the settlement follow other rules. Ask each coach.

How Ice Hockey Athletes Are Getting Scholarships From College Coaches

See how ice hockey athletes are connecting with college coaches through AthleticScholar. Real coach replies can open the door to recruiting conversations and athletic scholarship opportunities.

How Do College Ice Hockey Scholarships Work?

College ice hockey scholarships help student-athletes pay for college based on their athletic ability. Learn how full and partial scholarships work, which NCAA and NAIA schools offer ice hockey aid, and what you need to qualify for a ice hockey scholarship.

90+ice hockey programs at levels that can offer athletic aid

An athletic scholarship is financial aid a college gives an athlete to compete for its ice hockey team. The college decides who receives one and how much, usually through the coaching staff. NCAA Division I and II schools, NAIA schools and some junior colleges can offer them. NCAA Division III schools cannot.

Schools to look at

What Ice Hockey Coaches Evaluate

What coaches check for each position, and what to send when you ask about aid.

PositionWhat coaches checkWhat to send

Goalies

What coaches check

Save percentage and goals against average
Positioning and rebound control
Size and athleticism

What to send

Game video of full periods
Save percentage and goals against average
Your league, team and age group

Defensemen

What coaches check

Skating, gap control and puck moving
Defensive reads and physical play
Size and reach

What to send

Shift clips from recent games
Points, plus and minus, and minutes
Your league, team and age group

Forwards

What coaches check

Skating speed and edgework
Hockey sense and finishing
Two-way play

What to send

Shift clips from recent games
Goals, assists and points per game
Your league, team and age group

College Ice Hockey Programs by Level and Team

Division III has the most college ice hockey programs we list (117 of 229). The most are in New York, Massachusetts and Minnesota. We list 500+ ice hockey coaches you can contact.

Division I51

Men's 49 · Women's 45

Men's programs Women's programs

Division II34

Men's 34 · Women's 26

Men's programs Women's programs

Division III117

Men's 115 · Women's 104

Men's programs Women's programs

NAIA13

Men's 13 · Women's 9

Men's programs Women's programs

Junior college10

Men's 10 · Women's 9

Men's programs Women's programs

How Do You Get a Ice Hockey Scholarship?

Get answers about ice hockey scholarship requirements, NCAA divisions, scholarship amounts, and how to get recruited by college ice hockey coaches.

Does the league I play in matter for college hockey?

Yes. Coaches recruit from high school, prep and junior leagues, and the level of your league tells them who you compete against. Tell each coach your league, team and age group. Find ice hockey coaches.

How much can a Division II ice hockey team give?

Division II men's teams share 13.5 scholarship equivalencies and women's teams share 18. A coach divides them among the roster, so partial awards are common.

Do hockey coaches want game video or highlights?

Game video, ideally shift clips. They want to see skating, decisions and defensive habits over a full shift, which highlights can hide.

Can I get a hockey scholarship at a Division III school?

No athletic scholarship, because Division III cannot award them. Many Division III programs are competitive, and academic and need-based aid can still help.

How many scholarships can a ice hockey team give?

At Division I schools that opted into the House settlement, ice hockey uses a roster limit of 26 in place of a scholarship cap. Division II ice hockey teams share 13.5 men's, 18 women's scholarship equivalencies. NAIA and NJCAA set their own limits, so confirm the current figures with each college.

Are men's and women's ice hockey scholarships different?

The NCAA's Division I roster limit is 26 for both teams. Division II ice hockey teams share 13.5 men's, 18 women's scholarship equivalencies. AthleticScholar lists more than 200 men's and 100 women's college ice hockey programs, and each college decides what aid each team offers. Browse ice hockey colleges.

What are the requirements for a ice hockey scholarship?

There are two parts. To compete in NCAA Division I or II you register with the NCAA Eligibility Center, complete 16 core courses and reach a minimum core GPA, currently 2.3 for Division I and 2.2 for Division II, and standardized test scores are no longer required for initial eligibility. Then a coach decides on an offer from roster needs, budget and what they see in you, starting with your position, height and weight, league and season stats. NAIA and NJCAA have their own rules. NCAA Eligibility Center.

Do Division III ice hockey programs offer scholarships?

No. Division III schools cannot award athletic scholarships, and AthleticScholar lists 117 Division III ice hockey programs. Many offer academic merit and need-based aid, and their coaches still recruit ice hockey athletes. Ask each program about aid and talk to the college's financial aid office. Find ice hockey coaches.

Does AthleticScholar give out scholarships?

No. AthleticScholar does not award scholarships or verify which colleges currently have scholarships available. It helps you find college programs and email their coaches so you can ask directly.

Athletic Scholarships in Other Sports

See how scholarships work and which colleges offer them in another sport.

Getting sent isn't enough
Getting seen is what matters

Built on cutting-edge delivery technology, giving your ice hockey recruiting emails the highest chance of being seen

Chris Harper9:25 AM

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Jordan Mitchell12:25 PM

2027 defenseman | University of Wisconsin, Madison interestHi Coach Mitchell, I'm a 2027 defenseman interested in your ice hockey program and would love to learn more about recruiting and what you look for in athletes.Landed in Promotions

Chris Harper9:25 AM

2027 defenseman | Ohio State University interestHi Coach Harper, I'm a 2027 defenseman interested in your ice hockey program and would love to learn more about recruiting and what you look for in athletes.Landed in Spam

Dana Bennett10:25 AM

2027 defenseman | University of Michigan interestHi Coach Bennett, I'm a 2027 defenseman interested in your ice hockey program and would love to learn more about recruiting and what you look for in athletes.Landed in Promotions

Sam Rivera11:25 AM

2027 defenseman | University of Notre Dame interestHi Coach Rivera, I'm a 2027 defenseman interested in your ice hockey program and would love to learn more about recruiting and what you look for in athletes.Landed in Spam

Jordan Mitchell12:25 PM

2027 defenseman | University of Wisconsin, Madison interestHi Coach Mitchell, I'm a 2027 defenseman interested in your ice hockey program and would love to learn more about recruiting and what you look for in athletes.Landed in Promotions

Other platforms don't careThey say your message was sent, but it often lands in spam or goes unopened.

Taylor Brooks9:25 AM

2027 D · 6'1" 185 · 32 points | Michigan State UniversityHi Coach Brooks, I'm a 2027 defenseman. I put up 32 points in 40 games as a defenseman in a Tier 1 league this season. I'd like to ask what athletic aid is typically available for ice hockey recruits.Opened

Casey Morgan10:25 AM

2027 D · 6'1" 185 · 32 points | Arizona State UniversityHi Coach Morgan, I'm a 2027 defenseman. I put up 32 points in 40 games as a defenseman in a Tier 1 league this season. I'd like to ask what athletic aid is typically available for ice hockey recruits.New reply

Riley Foster11:25 AM

2027 D · 6'1" 185 · 32 points | Pennsylvania State UniversityHi Coach Foster, I'm a 2027 defenseman. I put up 32 points in 40 games as a defenseman in a Tier 1 league this season. I'd like to ask what athletic aid is typically available for ice hockey recruits.Opened

Avery Collins12:25 PM

2027 D · 6'1" 185 · 32 points | University of Minnesota, Twin CitiesHi Coach Collins, I'm a 2027 defenseman. I put up 32 points in 40 games as a defenseman in a Tier 1 league this season. I'd like to ask what athletic aid is typically available for ice hockey recruits.New reply

Taylor Brooks9:25 AM

2027 D · 6'1" 185 · 32 points | Michigan State UniversityHi Coach Brooks, I'm a 2027 defenseman. I put up 32 points in 40 games as a defenseman in a Tier 1 league this season. I'd like to ask what athletic aid is typically available for ice hockey recruits.Opened

Casey Morgan10:25 AM

2027 D · 6'1" 185 · 32 points | Arizona State UniversityHi Coach Morgan, I'm a 2027 defenseman. I put up 32 points in 40 games as a defenseman in a Tier 1 league this season. I'd like to ask what athletic aid is typically available for ice hockey recruits.New reply

Riley Foster11:25 AM

2027 D · 6'1" 185 · 32 points | Pennsylvania State UniversityHi Coach Foster, I'm a 2027 defenseman. I put up 32 points in 40 games as a defenseman in a Tier 1 league this season. I'd like to ask what athletic aid is typically available for ice hockey recruits.Opened

Avery Collins12:25 PM

2027 D · 6'1" 185 · 32 points | University of Minnesota, Twin CitiesHi Coach Collins, I'm a 2027 defenseman. I put up 32 points in 40 games as a defenseman in a Tier 1 league this season. I'd like to ask what athletic aid is typically available for ice hockey recruits.New reply

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While others stop at one message, we send ice hockey follow-ups automatically so coaches don't forget you

Coach MitchellMichigan State University · Women's Ice Hockey

Sent from your GmailDay 1

2027 defenseman asking about ice hockey scholarshipsHi Coach Mitchell, I'm Jordan Reyes, a 2027 defenseman. I put up 32 points in 40 games as a defenseman in a Tier 1 league this season. I'd like to ask what athletic aid is typically available for ice hockey recruits.

Automatic follow-upDay 4

Checking in about 2027 ice hockey recruitingHi Coach Mitchell, I wanted to follow up on my last message and share my continued interest in your program. I can send shift clips from recent games or answer any questions.

Coach repliedDay 6

Re: 2027 ice hockey recruitingThanks for reaching out, Jordan. I appreciate your interest and would be happy to learn more. Send over shift clips from recent games and your schedule when you get a chance.

One message isn't enoughReplies rarely come instantly. Consistent follow-ups are what move athletes forward.