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Scholarships
Top 106 Athletic Scholarships🏅 for Students in September 2024
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Higher education has never been more confusing or expensive. Our goal is to help you navigate the very big decisions related to higher ed with objective information and expert advice. Each piece of content on the site is original, based on extensive research, and reviewed by multiple editors, including a subject matter expert. This ensures that all of our content is up-to-date, useful, accurate, and thorough.
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Will Geiger is the co-founder of Scholarships360 and has a decade of experience in college admissions and financial aid. He is a former Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at Kenyon College where he personally reviewed 10,000 admissions applications and essays. Will also managed the Kenyon College merit scholarship program and served on the financial aid appeals committee. He has also worked as an Associate Director of College Counseling at a high school in New Haven, Connecticut.Will earned his master’s in education from the University of Pennsylvania and received his undergraduate degree in history from Wake Forest University. Full Bio Learn about our editorial policies
Written byWill Geiger
Updated: September 4th, 2024
Sports are an important part of the high school experience. Practice, games, matches, and lots of hard work are put into your sport(s). Whether you are a football player, a tennis player, or a cross country runner, you will also have to think about how you willpay for collegewhen the time comes. For athletes, athletic scholarships are one of the best ways to use your talent on the field to win money for college!
While many Division 1 and Division 3 colleges offer athletic scholarships to the top athletes on their varsity teams, many students are not able to going to be star varsity athletes in college. But don’t worry–there are tons of great athletics scholarship opportunities available for other students who do not intend to play sports in college. Keep on reading to learn more!
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The Scholarships360 Research Team reviews all scholarships individually and strives to exclude any scholarship where any of the below applies:
- The scholarship requires a fee to apply
- The scholarship provider’s privacy policy allows for the misuse of student data
- The scholarship requires paid membership in an organization (with certain exceptions for reputable trade organizations and others)
- Student are required to sign up for a site or service to apply*
- The scholarship seems primarily used for lead generation** or idea harvesting purposes***
- The scholarship website has many grammatical errors and/or advertisem*nts
- The scholarship or scholarship providing organization seem untrustworthy
- There is no evidence the scholarship was previously awarded
- The scholarship has not been awarded in the past 12 months
- There is no available contact information
If you believe a scholarship has been published in error, please reach out to [emailprotected] and we’ll take a look!
* There are certain exceptions to this, for example if the sponsoring organization is a major corporation or nonprofit with its own scholarship application system.
** Lead generation scholarships will require students to sign up for an app or website and require minimal (if any) application requirements.
***Idea harvesting scholarships will require students to submit blog posts or other materials that companies may use for marketing purposes.
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108 scholarships
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Foot Locker Scholar Athletes Program
Offered by Foot Locker
20 awards worth $20,000
Expired deadlineJanuary 2024
Grade LevelHigh School Senior
Get Started
Offered by Foot Locker
The Foot Locker Scholar Athletes Program is funded by the Foot Locker Foundation, an organization that helps “phenomenal student-athletes pursue their goals of attending and…Show More
The Foot Locker Scholar Athletes Program is funded by the Foot Locker Foundation, an organization that helps “phenomenal student-athletes pursue their goals of attending and…Show More
The Foot Locker Scholar Athletes Program is funded by the Foot Locker Foundation, an organization that helps “phenomenal student-athletes pursue their goals of attending and excelling at a two-year or four-year community college or four-year school.” Each year, Foot Locker awards $20,000 to twenty students to help them fund their education. If this scholarship sounds like a fit for you, keep on reading for more application details.Editor’s Note: As of 2023, the Foot Locker Scholar Athletes Program appears to be no longer available. If this is incorrect, please reach out to us at [emailprotected] and we will update this page accordingly.Show Less
20 awards worth $20,000
Expired deadlineJanuary 2024
Grade LevelHigh School Senior
Get Started
James W. McLamore WHOPPER® Scholarship
Offered by Burger King Foundation
Multiple awards worth up to $60,000
Expected deadlineDecember 2024
Grade LevelHigh School Senior
Get Started
Offered by Burger King Foundation
The James W. McLamore WHOPPER® Scholarship is looking for exceptional, incoming four-year university students who are citizens of the United States or Canada. High school…Show More
The James W. McLamore WHOPPER® Scholarship is looking for exceptional, incoming four-year university students who are citizens of the United States or Canada. High school…Show More
The James W. McLamore WHOPPER® Scholarship is looking for exceptional, incoming four-year university students who are citizens of the United States or Canada. High school seniors or home schooled students from the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam, or Canada are eligible to apply. Applicants must be current high school seniors applying to attend a four-year accredited college or university in the United States or Canada on a full-time basis. To qualify, students must have a cumulative unweighted GPA of at least 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale or the equivalent. The scholarship committee is also looking for students who have demonstrated leadership in community service, athletics, and/or similar co-curricular activities. Additionally, students who have substantial work experience and financial need will be given preference. If this sounds like a good opportunity for you, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more.Show Less
Multiple awards worth up to $60,000
Expected deadlineDecember 2024
Grade LevelHigh School Senior
Get Started
American Legion Baseball Scholarship
Offered by American Legion
Multiple awards worth $500 - $5,000
Expected deadlineJuly 2025
Grade LevelHigh School Senior
Offered by American Legion
The American Legion Baseball Scholarship is a fantastic opportunity for deserving baseball players to receive between $500 and $5,000 in scholarships each year. Each Department…Show More
The American Legion Baseball Scholarship is a fantastic opportunity for deserving baseball players to receive between $500 and $5,000 in scholarships each year. Each Department…Show More
The American Legion Baseball Scholarship is a fantastic opportunity for deserving baseball players to receive between $500 and $5,000 in scholarships each year. Each Department Baseball Committee may select a player from its department to receive this scholarship. While Department Baseball Scholarship Winners receive $500, eight players selected by a scholarship selection committee at The American Legion World Series will receive an additional $2,500 scholarship. One other player, selected as the most outstanding member of the All-Academic Team, will be awarded an additional $5,000 scholarship. Scholarship recipients can receive their scholarships immediately upon graduation from an accredited high school and must utilize the total award within eight (8) years of their graduation date, excluding active military time. Don't miss out on this incredible chance to further your education and love of baseball!Show Less
Multiple awards worth $500 - $5,000
Expected deadlineJuly 2025
Grade LevelHigh School Senior
Get Started
$10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.
Offered by Scholarships360
Exclusive
1 award worth $10,000
DeadlineJun 30, 2025
Grade LevelAll Grade Levels
Apply
Offered by Scholarships360
Exclusive
The Scholarships360 $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship is open to all students who want some extra help paying for their education. Whether you are a high…Show More
The Scholarships360 $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship is open to all students who want some extra help paying for their education. Whether you are a high…Show More
The Scholarships360 $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship is open to all students who want some extra help paying for their education. Whether you are a high school student who hopes to go to college, a graduate student who’s in a master’s program, or an adult learner who wants to return to school, you are eligible for our no essay scholarship.This scholarship will be awarded to students who get the most out of Scholarships360 scholarships and content. You will be a strong applicant if you apply to scholarships with the Scholarships360 platform. Finalists for this scholarship will be interviewed about their process for funding their education.Show Less
1 award worth $10,000
DeadlineJun 30, 2025
Grade LevelAll Grade Levels
Apply
$2,000 Sallie Mae Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.
Offered by Sallie Mae
Sponsored
1 award worth $2,000
DeadlineSep 30, 2024
Grade LevelHS Upperclassmen, College & Graduate Students
Apply
Offered by Sallie Mae
Sponsored
Sallie Mae will award $2,000 each month to eligible entrants. No essay or account sign-ups, just a simple scholarship for those seeking help paying for…
Sallie Mae will award $2,000 each month to eligible entrants. No essay or account sign-ups, just a simple scholarship for those seeking help paying for…
Sallie Mae will award $2,000 each month to eligible entrants. No essay or account sign-ups, just a simple scholarship for those seeking help paying for school.
1 award worth $2,000
DeadlineSep 30, 2024
Grade LevelHS Upperclassmen, College & Graduate Students
Apply
NSHSS Student Athlete Scholarships
Offered by National Society of High School Scholars
10 awards worth $2,000
DeadlineSep 19, 2024
Grade LevelHigh School Sophom*ore, High School Junior, High School Senior & College Freshman
Get Started
Offered by National Society of High School Scholars
Are you an NSHSS (National Society of High School Scholars) high school member who will be graduating sometime in the next three years, or a…Show More
Are you an NSHSS (National Society of High School Scholars) high school member who will be graduating sometime in the next three years, or a…Show More
Are you an NSHSS (National Society of High School Scholars) high school member who will be graduating sometime in the next three years, or a recently graduated high school senior? Further, are you a student-athlete? If so, the NSHSS Student Athlete Scholarships may be a great opportunity for you! Each year, the scholarship awards $2,000 to ten (10) dedicated student-athletes who are passionate about and excel in their respective sports. Applicants must be NSHSS members past their first year in high school or recently graduated high school seniors. Athletes of all genders and of all sports are encouraged to apply. Although optional, applicants may submit pictures, videos, or media showing their leadership in action.If you're a passionate student-athlete currently enrolled in or recently graduated from high school, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more.Show Less
10 awards worth $2,000
DeadlineSep 19, 2024
Grade LevelHigh School Sophom*ore, High School Junior, High School Senior & College Freshman
Get Started
BigFuture $40k Essay-Free Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.
Offered by The College Board
Sponsored
1 award worth $40,000
DeadlineOct 31, 2024
Grade LevelHigh School Senior
Offered by The College Board
Sponsored
Open to US-Based high school students in the class of 2025 — no essay, minimum GPA, test score, or citizenship requirements.
Open to US-Based high school students in the class of 2025 — no essay, minimum GPA, test score, or citizenship requirements.
Open to US-Based high school students in the class of 2025 — no essay, minimum GPA, test score, or citizenship requirements.
1 award worth $40,000
DeadlineOct 31, 2024
Grade LevelHigh School Senior
TrophyCentral Sportsmanship Scholarship Award This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.
Offered by TrophyCentral
1 award worth $1,000
DeadlineSep 30, 2024
Grade LevelHigh School Senior
Get Started
Offered by TrophyCentral
Are you a college-bound high school senior in the U.S.? Further, do you play a sport and actively demonstrate sportsmanship, kindness, or compassion while doing…Show More
Are you a college-bound high school senior in the U.S.? Further, do you play a sport and actively demonstrate sportsmanship, kindness, or compassion while doing…Show More
Are you a college-bound high school senior in the U.S.? Further, do you play a sport and actively demonstrate sportsmanship, kindness, or compassion while doing so? If so, consider applying for the TrophyCentral Sportsmanship Scholarship Award! Each year, the award offers $1,000 to an eligible high school senior who submits a written statement (500 words or less) about their sportsmanship or acts of compassion, in addition to other required application materials. The scholarship is offered by TrophyCentral, an online platform specializing in creating and selling trophies, medals, plaques, and the works. With that said, if you fit the criteria, consider applying and let TrophyCentral reward you for your kindness!Show Less
1 award worth $1,000
DeadlineSep 30, 2024
Grade LevelHigh School Senior
Get Started
Niche $25,000 “No Essay” Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.
Offered by Niche
Sponsored
1 award worth $25,000
DeadlineSep 30, 2024
Grade LevelAll Grade Levels
Easy scholarship open to all high school and college students, as well as anyone looking to attend college or graduate school in the next year!
Easy scholarship open to all high school and college students, as well as anyone looking to attend college or graduate school in the next year!
Easy scholarship open to all high school and college students, as well as anyone looking to attend college or graduate school in the next year!
1 award worth $25,000
DeadlineSep 30, 2024
Grade LevelAll Grade Levels
Joan Myers Brown Equity Scholarship
Offered by Francisco Gella Dance Works
Multiple awards worth Varies
DeadlineOct 15, 2024
Grade LevelHigh School & College Students
Get Started
Offered by Francisco Gella Dance Works
Are you a prospective college student who's an intermediate or advanced dancer? If so, you may be interested in applying for the Joan Myers Brown…Show More
Are you a prospective college student who's an intermediate or advanced dancer? If so, you may be interested in applying for the Joan Myers Brown…Show More
Are you a prospective college student who's an intermediate or advanced dancer? If so, you may be interested in applying for the Joan Myers Brown Equity Scholarship! The scholarship is open to college-bound, intermediate and advanced dancers between 7 and 22 years of age. It is offered by the Francisco Gella Dance Works with the intention to teach young dancers and support them on their dance journey, and was created in honor of Joan Myers Brown. Joan was a famed entrepreneur, artist, and visionary, who believed that every motivated student can succeed when given the right opportunities. Thus, the scholarship allows young and passionate applicants to earn awards in varying amounts (up to 100% of their tuition) to help them fulfill their dance and educational dreams. If you are a dancer looking for a way to fund your dancing education, we encourage you to apply!Show Less
Multiple awards worth Varies
DeadlineOct 15, 2024
Grade LevelHigh School & College Students
Get Started
Ethnic Minority and Women’s Enhancement Graduate Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.
Offered by National Collegiate Athletic Association
26 awards worth $10,000
DeadlineFeb 3, 2025
Grade LevelGraduate Students
Get Started
Offered by National Collegiate Athletic Association
This Ethnic Minority and Women’s Enhancement Graduate Scholarship is for students and student-athletes who earned an undergraduate degree from an NCAA member school. The NCAA…Show More
This Ethnic Minority and Women’s Enhancement Graduate Scholarship is for students and student-athletes who earned an undergraduate degree from an NCAA member school. The NCAA…Show More
This Ethnic Minority and Women’s Enhancement Graduate Scholarship is for students and student-athletes who earned an undergraduate degree from an NCAA member school. The NCAA awards $10,000 to 13 ethnic minorities and 13 female college graduates entering a sports administration or program that will help the applicant obtain a career in intercollegiate athletics. Each applicant must have an overall undergraduate minimum GPA of 3.2 based on a 4.0 scale.Show Less
26 awards worth $10,000
DeadlineFeb 3, 2025
Grade LevelGraduate Students
Get Started
$10,000 CollegeXpress Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.
Offered by CollegeXpress
Sponsored
1 award worth $10,000
DeadlineMay 1, 2025
Grade LevelHigh School Students
Offered by CollegeXpress
Sponsored
Annual $10k scholarship from CollegeXpress open to all high school freshmen, sophom*ores, juniors and seniors.
Annual $10k scholarship from CollegeXpress open to all high school freshmen, sophom*ores, juniors and seniors.
Annual $10k scholarship from CollegeXpress open to all high school freshmen, sophom*ores, juniors and seniors.
1 award worth $10,000
DeadlineMay 1, 2025
Grade LevelHigh School Students
Earl Campbell Tyler Rose High School Scholarship
Offered by East Texas Communities Foundation
1 award worth up to $5,000
DeadlineMar 1, 2025
Grade LevelHigh School Senior
Get Started
Offered by East Texas Communities Foundation
The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose High School Scholarship is available to graduating seniors from a Smith County, Texas high school or homeschool. Students who have…Show More
The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose High School Scholarship is available to graduating seniors from a Smith County, Texas high school or homeschool. Students who have…Show More
The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose High School Scholarship is available to graduating seniors from a Smith County, Texas high school or homeschool. Students who have participated in varsity athletics and are seeking an associate or bachelor's degree are welcome to apply.Show Less
1 award worth up to $5,000
DeadlineMar 1, 2025
Grade LevelHigh School Senior
Get Started
Braly SOCO Any Athlete Scholarship
Offered by Longmont Community Foundation
1 award worth up to $5,000
DeadlineMar 17, 2025
Grade LevelHigh School Senior
Get Started
Offered by Longmont Community Foundation
The Braly SOCO Any Athlete Scholarship is offered to graduating seniors attending Branson Undivided or Las Animas high schools in Colorado. Athletes are encouraged to…Show More
The Braly SOCO Any Athlete Scholarship is offered to graduating seniors attending Branson Undivided or Las Animas high schools in Colorado. Athletes are encouraged to…Show More
The Braly SOCO Any Athlete Scholarship is offered to graduating seniors attending Branson Undivided or Las Animas high schools in Colorado. Athletes are encouraged to apply.Show Less
1 award worth up to $5,000
DeadlineMar 17, 2025
Grade LevelHigh School Senior
Get Started
$1,000 Appily Easy College Money Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.
Offered by Appily
Sponsored
Monthly awards worth $1,000
DeadlineSep 30, 2024
Grade LevelHigh School Students & College Underclassmen
Apply
Offered by Appily
Sponsored
This easy scholarship from Appily is open to U.S. high school students (Class of 2025, 2026, 2027) and college transfer students. One scholarship will be…Show More
This easy scholarship from Appily is open to U.S. high school students (Class of 2025, 2026, 2027) and college transfer students. One scholarship will be…Show More
This easy scholarship from Appily is open to U.S. high school students (Class of 2025, 2026, 2027) and college transfer students. One scholarship will be awarded each month.Show Less
Monthly awards worth $1,000
DeadlineSep 30, 2024
Grade LevelHigh School Students & College Underclassmen
Apply
Blue Water Scholarship
Offered by Blue Water Scholarship Fund
1 award worth $250 - $10,000
DeadlineMar 24, 2025
Grade LevelHigh School Seniors & College Students
Get Started
Offered by Blue Water Scholarship Fund
The Blue Water Scholarship provides financial assistance to students interested in attending one of the five state maritime academies. Undergraduate students pursuing a USCG license…Show More
The Blue Water Scholarship provides financial assistance to students interested in attending one of the five state maritime academies. Undergraduate students pursuing a USCG license…Show More
The Blue Water Scholarship provides financial assistance to students interested in attending one of the five state maritime academies. Undergraduate students pursuing a USCG license program are welcome to apply. Recipients are chosen for their demonstration of financial need, involvement in extracurricular activities, community, and work.Show Less
1 award worth $250 - $10,000
DeadlineMar 24, 2025
Grade LevelHigh School Seniors & College Students
Get Started
The Turner Maurice Gauntt, Jr. Exemplary Citizen Award
Offered by Constituting America
1 award worth $4,540
DeadlineApr 4, 2025
Grade LevelHigh School Senior
Get Started
Offered by Constituting America
Do you know a college-bound high school senior who demonstrates the qualities of academic excellence, leadership, athletic excellence, and community service? If so, The Turner…Show More
Do you know a college-bound high school senior who demonstrates the qualities of academic excellence, leadership, athletic excellence, and community service? If so, The Turner…Show More
Do you know a college-bound high school senior who demonstrates the qualities of academic excellence, leadership, athletic excellence, and community service? If so, The Turner Maurice Gauntt, Jr. Exemplary Citizen Award may be a great opportunity for them! Established in honor of Turner Maurice Gauntt, Jr., an impressive West Point graduate, Student Body President, and Air Force Member, the scholarship annually awards $4,540 to one (1) college-bound high school senior who also demonstrates Turner's academic and athletic prowess, leadership abilities, and passion for helping others. To be considered for the scholarship, students must be nominated by a member of school staff or faculty. If you have a student in mind who would be a great candidate for this scholarship, we encourage you to submit a nomination! Keep on reading to learn more.Show Less
1 award worth $4,540
DeadlineApr 4, 2025
Grade LevelHigh School Senior
Get Started
$25k “Be Bold” No-Essay Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.
Offered by Bold.org
Sponsored
1 award worth $25,000
DeadlineOct 1, 2024
Grade LevelAll Grade Levels
Offered by Bold.org
Sponsored
Open to high school students, college students, community college students, and graduate students.
Open to high school students, college students, community college students, and graduate students.
Open to high school students, college students, community college students, and graduate students.
1 award worth $25,000
DeadlineOct 1, 2024
Grade LevelAll Grade Levels
American Legion Department of Nebraska Jim Hurlbert Memorial Baseball Scholarship
Offered by American Legion Department of Nebraska
Multiple awards worth up to $500
DeadlineJun 15, 2025
Grade LevelHigh School Senior
Get Started
Offered by American Legion Department of Nebraska
The American Legion Department of Nebraska is proud to offer the Jim Hurlbert Memorial Baseball Scholarship to a talented Nebraska American Legion Baseball player in…Show More
The American Legion Department of Nebraska is proud to offer the Jim Hurlbert Memorial Baseball Scholarship to a talented Nebraska American Legion Baseball player in…Show More
The American Legion Department of Nebraska is proud to offer the Jim Hurlbert Memorial Baseball Scholarship to a talented Nebraska American Legion Baseball player in their final year of eligibility or a graduating senior. Each Senior American Legion Baseball team can nominate one applicant. The recipient must attend a postsecondary educational institution within the state of Nebraska and have maintained a GPA in the upper half of their graduating class. Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity to further your education and showcase your baseball skills!Show Less
Multiple awards worth up to $500
DeadlineJun 15, 2025
Grade LevelHigh School Senior
Get Started
Arabian Horse Youth Association Youth of the Year
Offered by Arabian Horse Association
1 award worth up to $5,000
DeadlineSep 1, 2025
Grade LevelHS Sophom*ores, Juniors, Seniors & College Students
Get Started
Offered by Arabian Horse Association
Arabian Horse Youth Association Youth of the Year recognizes and rewards, with college scholarships, youth members of the Arabian Horse Association (AHA) who are selected…Show More
Arabian Horse Youth Association Youth of the Year recognizes and rewards, with college scholarships, youth members of the Arabian Horse Association (AHA) who are selected…Show More
Arabian Horse Youth Association Youth of the Year recognizes and rewards, with college scholarships, youth members of the Arabian Horse Association (AHA) who are selected as Youth of the Year.Show Less
1 award worth up to $5,000
DeadlineSep 1, 2025
Grade LevelHS Sophom*ores, Juniors, Seniors & College Students
Get Started
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Jump ahead to:
- How to win athletic scholarships
- Resources for student athletes
- Frequently asked questions about winning athletic scholarships
- Explore additional scholarship categories
How to win a college athletic scholarship
College scholarships for student athletes are available for students playing college sports at the Division 1 and Division 2 level. These scholarships can range from a partial scholarship to a full ride. Being a scholarship varsity athlete is a bit like having a full time job, which is why these scholarships can be so generous.
The catch is that in order to receive an athletic scholarship at a Division 1 or Division 2 college, you must be recruited to play. The recruitment process tends to be very competitive and can be quite complex.
Related:What is NCSA Athletic Recruiting?
If you are interested in this or wondering if you may be good enough to be recruited, we suggest that you talk to your high school coach for more information. Chances are that they have coached a student or two who has gone through the process and will be able to provide some insight to you.
Also, the National College Athletic Association has rules about eligibility for potential varsity student athletes. Students will need to meet the eligibility requirements, which include specific academic standards.
Related: Top sports related careers
Resources for college athletes
National Collegiate Athletic Association
In the United States, college athletics are pretty much synonymous with the NCAA. This organization runs all the major collegiate sports leagues in the country. They also offer scholarships and engage in a whole host of community initiatives! Make sure to check out all that the organization has to offer that supports student athletes.
Also see: What you need to know about the Big 10 Schools
Athlete Ally
Athlete Ally is a national organization which is working to end transphobia and hom*ophobia in sports. Whether you are a member of the LGBTQ+ community or not, this could be a good resource to make sure you are a conscious athlete.
Women’s Sports Foundation
This national organization pushes for equal representation for women in sports. They offer athlete ambassador programs, sports programs for girls, and more. Subscribe to their newsletter to keep up to date!
Also see: What schools make up the Southeastern Athletic Conference?
Frequently asked questions about athletic scholarships
What sports give out full scholarships?
Theoretically, students could earn a full scholarship for any sport. There are no specific rules as to which sports qualify students for a full scholarship. That being said, there are certain sports that schools tend to allocate more resources to. These sports, such as football, soccer, hockey, and baseball, might be the ones that offer the highest number of full scholarships.
But you should also note that these more popular sports also have the toughest competition. You’ll be one of many talented student athletes vying for a limited number of spots. So, don’t make your sporting decisions purely based on the sports that give the highest scholarships!
Head-count vs Equivalency scholarships
Some D1 sports have rules as to how their teams can spend scholarship money. Some mandate that all teams offer full rides to each player, but only offer a certain number of full rides. These are called head-count sports. Others mandate that schools only offer a certain amount of scholarship money, but they can divide it however they want. This means that they may have a larger spread of players who don’t all get full rides.
To read more about how this works and which category your sport falls under, you can check out Athletic Scholarships’ article on the topic.
Related: What does being a D1, D2, or D3 athlete mean?
Which sports are good for getting scholarships?
According to RecruitRef, lacrosse, ice hockey, and baseball are the easiest sports to get a scholarship in. This is a complicated question, however, as the sports that often have the most money for scholarships are also the most competitive. So, you might have a better shot at a partial scholarship at a more obscure sport, but if you try to earn a scholarship in a more popular sport, you could end up with a more substantial aid package — even a full ride!
Ultimately, you’ll always have the best shot at a scholarship in the sport that you are best at and most passionate about. Sports scholarships are far from a sure thing, and if you devote yourself to a sport, you should do it because of your interest in the sport rather than a scholarship payoff. You’ll be a better player, enjoy yourself more, and have a better shot of earning a scholarship if you make your choice based on your interest and abilities.
Do student-athletes qualify for need-based financial aid?
Yes, student-athletes do qualify for need-based financial aid! You’ll have the same need-based aid opportunities as any other student. Any student athletes should ensure to fill out the FAFSA, and the CSS Profile (if your school requires it). If you show financial need, you should qualify for the Pell Grant, subsidized student loans, and other opportunities.
Furthermore, student-athletes can apply for external need-based scholarships through other organizations. In addition to the scholarships on our list, you should check out our scholarship search tool. It’ll custom-match you to vetted scholarship opportunities and auto-update as deadlines close and re-open.
Do Division 3 athletes get scholarships?
Division athletes might get scholarships connected to their athletic potential, but it won’t function the same as D1 or D2 athletes. They will typically be a lower award, but they will also come with more flexibility. The student won’t be obligated to continue playing the sport through their college education. That means that you can earn a scholarship for your athletic achievements in high school, and should you decide not to continue the sport in college, you won’t be under financial stress to do so.
Also see: How to get soccer scholarships
What GPA do you need for an athletic scholarship?
The answer to this question can depend on a lot of different factors. If you are looking at D1 and D2 athletic scholarships, the schools will probably be less concerned with your grades; you’ll want to have maintained a passing average, but if your main selling point is your athletics, your GPA won’t be the deciding factor. That being said, a high GPA is always a plus when applying for schools.
If you are hoping to play as a D3 athlete, your GPA will be very important in determining whether you receive a scholarship. When you’re applying to a D3 school, your athletic achievements are just a demonstration of your well-rounded potential and versatility as a student. They are not the main selling point, and even if you are a good athlete, you probably won’t have a good shot at a D3 athletic scholarship if you don’t keep a high GPA.
Also see: Do colleges use weighted or unweighted GPA?
Do Ivy League colleges give scholarships?
Ivy League colleges give strong need-based scholarships but do not award merit or athletic scholarships. This applies as a rule to each school that is a member of the Ivy League. However, they have committed to meet 100% of accepted students’ financial need.
Although the term “Ivy League” as acquired a colloquial meaning for any prestigious college, these rules only apply to the actual Ivy League in the technical sense of the term. These schools are as follows:
- Brown University (Providence, RI)
- Columbia University (New York, NY)
- Cornell University (Ithaca, NY)
- Dartmouth College (Hanover, NH)
- Harvard University (Cambridge, MA)
- University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA)
- Princeton University (Princeton, NJ)
- Yale University (New Haven, CT)
Related: Ivy League Scholarships: What you need to know
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