The NCAA has awarded Accelerating Academic Success Program grants worth a total of more than $1.7 million to 19 colleges and universities. The grants are awarded to eligible Division I schools to increase student-athlete academic success and strengthen efforts designed to increase student-athlete graduation.
The 19 colleges and universities that earned AASP grants for 2025-26 are:
- Alcorn State.
- Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
- Austin Peay.
- Coppin State.
- Delaware State.
- Grambling.
- Houston Christian.
- La Salle.
- Long Beach State.
- Morehead State.
- Norfolk State.
- North Carolina A&T.
- Northwestern State.
- Saint Peter's.
- University of South Carolina Upstate.
- Southern University.
- Tennessee State.
- Texas Southern.
- Western Illinois.
"On behalf of the NCAA, I want to congratulate each of the 19 schools that were awarded a single-year Accelerating Academic Success Program grant for the 2025-26 academic year," said Felicia Martin, NCAA senior vice president of inclusion, education and community engagement. "We are pleased that grant recipients can address the needs of and fill the gaps that impact the student-athlete experience with creative solutions and initiatives, innovative tools and resources that influence academic success and graduation outcomes. The NCAA remains resolute when affirming the importance of academic achievement and remains committed to AASP, as it provides a service and offers resources for our membership."
AASP grants help limited-resource schools with infrastructure, staffing, programming, developmental training and other initiatives, including those focused on well-being and nutrition.
The grants also empower schools to build sustainable programs that promote academic achievement, improve Academic Progress Rate outcomes and graduation rates and strengthen the collaboration between staff members in athletics and academics.
AASP grants are awarded annually, and schools that are selected may receive up to $100,000.
Funds have been used in a variety of ways, including needs around technology, tutoring, the professional development of staff and student-athletes, academic equipment and supplies, facility needs and mental health programs for student-athletes.
An AASP Summit, which will be held Sept. 28-Oct. 1 at the NCAA national office in Indianapolis, will provide the schools with additional resources, tools and information on ways to enhance their campus academic programs and the overall student-athlete experience. The NCAA also recognized four student-athletes with the AASP Student-Athlete Career Development Award earlier this year. The award provides them with access to NCAA professional development programming.