What does “scholarship limits” refer to in NCAA regulations?

In NCAA regulations, "scholarship limits" specifically refers to the maximum number of athletic scholarships that a program can offer to student-athletes. This regulation is in place to ensure a level playing field among institutions and to protect the integrity of collegiate sports by preventing programs from overspending on scholarships to attract talent. Each sport has its own designated limit based on NCAA classifications, which helps maintain competitive balance in college athletics.

For instance, if a particular sport has a cap on the number of scholarships, it means that a program cannot exceed that limit, fostering a more equitable recruiting environment. This helps promote fairness and ensures that resources are distributed in a way that supports the entire athletic department and its student-athletes.