Each year, NCAA Division I and II schools provide more than $4 billion in athletic scholarships to over 197,000 student-athletes. Since 2001, the number of ISAs receiving scholarships has nearly tripled, from approximately 8,945 to roughly 25,000 today. Only about 2 percent of American high school athletes receive an athletic scholarship. In several Division I sports, ISAs account for more than a third of participants, with some exceeding 60 percent. For every scholarship that goes to an ISA, an American student-athlete must find another way to finance higher education.
“American colleges and universities should first and foremost provide opportunities for American students,”said Chairman Walberg.“College athletics provides a pathway to world-class education and opportunities that last a lifetime. This bill restores balance by protecting roster spots for American student-athletes.America has built the strongest collegiate athletic system in the world, and we should make sure it continues to develop the next generation of American students and American Olympians.”
“As Congress considers the future of NIL and college sports, protecting opportunities for American student-athletes must come first,”said Senator Husted.“American colleges and universities are increasingly giving scholarships and limited roster spots to foreign athletes, and the growth of NIL money only creates more incentive for foreign athletes to cash in on the American system. If the U.S. Congress is being asked to ‘save college sports’ we should save it for American student-athletes.”
H.R. 10351, TEAM USA Act:
Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require colleges and universities participating in Title IV federal student aid programs to limit ISA participation to no more than 20 percent of each varsity team’s roster. Schools would also be required to report ISA participation on each team annually to the Department of Education and the applicable athletic association.
Aims to strengthen the American Olympic development pipeline. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, 65 percent of Team USA were current, former, or incoming NCAA student-athletes. However, of the 1,036 NCAA-affiliated athletes who competed in Paris, only 385 represented the United States, with the other 63 percent competing for other nations.
Takes effect beginning with the 2029–2030 academic year, giving schools and athletic programs time to adjust recruiting practices.
