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Scholastic All-America (SAA) Program Information

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  • adamA

    Updated: September 4, 2025 – all requirements and links reflect the 2024–2025 SAA cycle.

    The Scholastic All-America (SAA) program, managed by USA Swimming, recognizes outstanding high school swimmers who excel both academically and athletically.
    For the 2024–2025 SAA cycle, requirements and the application process have been updated.

    Key Requirements:

    1. Academic Criteria:

      • Applicants must have completed grades 9–12 during 2025.
      • A minimum 3.5 GPA is required, using the SAA calculation (A=4, B=3, C=2; no rounding, grades to one decimal place).
      • Only academic subjects count (English, math, sciences, social studies, foreign language, academic arts, computer science). Honors/AP/IB/dual credit get +0.2.
      • Any grade below "C" results in automatic ineligibility.
      • Transcript: Must upload a complete transcript for the 2024–2025 academic year; report cards are not accepted.

    2. Swimming Criteria:

    3. Open Water Criteria:

      • Must achieve a qualifying distance freestyle time (800/1000/1500/1650 free) during the qualifying period and participate in the 2025 Open Water National Championships (Open Water Junior Nationals do not count).

    Application Process:

    • Application Window: Opens June 1, 2025 and closes September 30, 2025 (midnight UTC)
    • How to Apply: Applications must be submitted online via SWIMS (hub.usaswimming.org). No other method is accepted.
    • Documents Required: Complete transcript for the 2024–2025 academic year, and proof of current USA Swimming membership (for both the qualifying swim and the application period).
    • No late applications will be accepted or considered.

    Athletes meeting all criteria receive a commemorative bag tag and certificate. Special recognition is given to National Champions with a 4.0 GPA and to seniors who have qualified multiple years.

    Check If You Qualify

    To see if you qualify, visit the Scholastic All-America Times page—our tool makes it easy to check your times against the current standards.

    References

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