Flag Football Scholarships
Flag football is rapidly emerging as one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States, offering an exciting and accessible pathway for talented athletes to pursue a college education. Flag football is gaining significant momentum within the collegiate athletic landscape, aligned to the sport's recent inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. Its growing presence at NCAA level offers real opportunities for aspiring flag footballers to combine academic excellence with athletic prowess,
While the professional landscape for flag football is still developing, the college circuit is where future stars will hone their skills and gain invaluable experience. The standard of play is competitive, with programs continually seeking athletes who can make an immediate impact. As flag football moves towards officially sanctioned NCAA championship status – particularly within the Emerging Sports for Women program – the number of institutions offering varsity programs and, crucially, scholarships, is set to increase. Already, numerous colleges across various divisions (NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA) feature flag football within their athletic departments, with scholarship opportunities available to support student-athletes.
Coaches seek players who not only demonstrate exceptional on-field skills – including speed, agility, strategic understanding, and precise flag-pulling techniques – but also possess strong academic records. If you're ready to seize the opportunity to play flag football at the next level and secure your pathway to a US college education, explore how FirstPoint USA can help you achieve your ambitions.
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To date, we've sent over 35,000 young men and women to the US. Securing over $400 million in scholarship awards and finding a place for every single qualifying applicant.
Every year, thousands of student-athletes and their families come face-to-face with the difficult challenge of securing a scholarship to an American university. What they often discover is that navigating university options is stressful enough, and adding sports into the mix brings it to a whole new level.
Even for those who do a little recruiting homework, they are often left with more questions, very few simple answers and an uneasy feeling they are somehow falling behind.
At FirstPoint, we understand what you’re going through. Many of us have experienced first-hand what the scholarship recruiting experience is like—as players and as coaches. And that experience, combined with our advanced online technology, expansive college coach network and proven recruiting methods, helps thousands of student-athletes and their families take control of their recruiting experience.
Whether you are a first-year high school student or a national ranked athlete, FirstPoint helps take the stress of uncertainty out of your scholarship journey by putting a plan in place to help you find your best university options in the USA.
How to get a Flag Football Scholarship
Testimonials
Honestly, it was the best decision of my life. I am so happy I took that leap of faith. FirstPoint USA were amazing at guiding me through the whole process of becoming a student athlete in the states.
Zack Beazley
From the start of the process through to the end, FirstPoint USA’s service was first class and I’m so grateful for the work they did in securing me a place at Wisconsin, one of the leading teams in the country. The team are so knowledgeable, and the Talent Management team did a brilliant job in connecting me with some great coaches. They watched me play, they’re very proactive and it felt very personalised to what I needed.
Julian Kuhr
In a very short space of time he’s had his first offer of interest. FirstPoint USA have been brilliant - no waffle, straight talking about the reality of what happens and quick to act when we’ve had any queries.
Hilary Bolton
Frequently Asked Questions
The number of Flag Football scholarships is growing as the sport expands across US colleges. While it's still an emerging sport, particularly at the NCAA level, the opportunities are increasing.
- NAIA: The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has been a leader in establishing varsity Flag Football. As of the 2024-25 academic year, there are at least 17 NAIA schools sponsoring varsity Flag Football teams, with an average roster size of 20 players. NAIA limits teams to 12 full scholarships.
- NCAA: While not yet a championship sport, Flag Football is gaining significant momentum within the NCAA. There are at least 65 NCAA schools sponsoring women's Flag Football at either the club or varsity levels, with more expected to join. Projections suggest that by 2028, we could see over 100 colleges with varsity Flag Football programs and around 2,000 scholarship opportunities for female athletes.
It's important to note that scholarships can vary in value, from partial aid covering a portion of tuition to full-ride scholarships, though full rides are generally less common.
Securing a Flag Football scholarship requires a combination of strong athletic ability, academic dedication, and proactive engagement in the recruitment process.
Athletes are encouraged to: develop their elite skills, including throwing accuracy, catching, route running, flag pulling, agility, and defensive strategies; create a high-quality recruiting video; maintain an excellent academic standing, and be proactive with your communication to coaches. Joining a competitive team is also beneficial, allowing you to compete at a good level and increase your exposure to coaches.
College Flag Football coaches actively scout talent through various channels, including Talent ID camps, High School and Club matches and tournaments, recruiting videos, and your online profile, which you can create through FirstPoint USA. Coaches can also be contacted through direct communication.
To significantly boost your scholarship prospects in Flag Football, it is important to keep developing athletically working on your speed, agility and strength, prioritize your academics and attain a high GPA, build a robust athletic profile with a compelling recruiting video, and network effectively through your school and/or club.
You should also start the recruitment process early in your high school career. The sooner you begin, the more time you have to develop relationships with coaches and showcase your abilities.
We also recommend being realistic and open-minded with your college options: while a full scholarship might be the dream, explore opportunities at all levels (NCAA D2, D3, NAIA, NJCAA) where you might find a better fit and more playing time.
And finally, show passion and dedication - coaches want athletes who are genuinely committed to their sport and to their academic pursuits.
While specific requirements vary by institution and division, generally, to be eligible for an athletic scholarship in Flag Football, you will need to meet:
- NCAA Eligibility Standards (if applicable): If Flag Football becomes a fully sanctioned NCAA sport with its own championships, you'll need to meet core course requirements, GPA minimums, and SAT/ACT score thresholds set by the NCAA (and potentially by the specific division – D1, D2, D3). For emerging sports, this often means following the general academic eligibility for student-athletes.
- NAIA Eligibility Standards: For NAIA, there are specific academic requirements regarding GPA, test scores, and coursework.
- Institutional Admission Requirements: Every college has its own academic admission standards. You must meet these to be accepted into the university, regardless of athletic scholarships.
- Minimum GPA: A common expectation across most collegiate levels is a minimum GPA, often around a 2.0 or higher. However, a much higher GPA will make you a more attractive candidate and open more doors.
It is crucial to consult with the admissions and athletic departments of the specific colleges you are interested in for their exact academic eligibility requirements.
While the number of NCAA D1 programs specifically for Flag Football is still relatively small, the competition for spots at any D1 school is inherently high. Athletes at this level are typically highly skilled and dedicate significant time to their sport. As Flag Football continues its growth toward championship status, the overall level of play and competition at all NCAA divisions will continue to intensify.
NCAA D2 offers a growing number of Flag Football programs. This division often provides a strong balance between athletic competition and academic pursuits. Competition for roster spots and scholarships is significant.
NCAA D3 Flag Football programs are also expanding. While Division III schools do not offer athletic scholarships, they can provide other forms of financial aid based on academic merit or financial need. The competition for roster spots remains high, as athletes are drawn to the competitive opportunities and strong academic environments.
Yes, Flag Football has received recommendation to join the NCAA Emerging Sports for Women program across Divisions I, II, and III. This means the NCAA is actively supporting its development with the goal of it becoming a fully recognized championship sport. This status helps schools provide more athletics opportunities for women and expand their sport-sponsorship options. Flag Football has also been added as a sport for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, further boosting its profile and growth.
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