Martial Arts Scholarships
While you’re probably not going to receive much martial arts scholarship funding
from your college because school-sponsored martial arts programs are so rare, the
field is full of options outside of college-based awards for athletes interested
in the martial arts. Local martial arts schools understand the lack of funding for
the sport on the college level, and often hand out annual awards to their college-bound
students. While these awards often require a minimum GPA, the competition for local
scholarships will be much less fierce than that of college-based scholarships for
more high profile sports.
If you’re serious about continuing your martial arts career in college and finding
ways to participate in competitions while you’re there, consider colleges that either
have a history in the sport or that have relationships with nearby martial arts
schools. Many schools also have martial arts clubs for different disciplines like
judo or karate, or even intramural teams that have an established connection to
nearby schools and gyms. Once you’ve narrowed down your college choices, start contacting
martial arts schools near your intended college to determine whether they have a
scholarship program for students attending that nearby school.
Check out some examples of where to find martial arts scholarships below. For additional
information about awards based on different criteria, try conducting a free college
scholarship search at Scholarships.com.
College-Based Scholarships
If you plan on pursuing martial arts in college, your intended college could have
funds and endowments set up by alumni who have participated in the sport before
you ever set foot on that campus or in honor of relatives and important figures
to your school. San Jose State University,
for example, has the Swain Scholarship, the first major judo scholarship in the
United States. Applicants must have at least started the application process to
attend San Jose State University, and be outstanding athletes in judo. Make sure
you do your research, and talk to your financial aid office and athletic departments
about local and college-based awards you could be eligible for.
Kick 4 College Karate Scholarships
If you’re good at martial arts and have participated in a number of competitions,
consider the Kick 4
College tournaments. While they do target competitors as young as 14, the
organization also sponsors martial artists in the older age groups who may have
advanced belts. (At each tournament, the top three winners in the 14-15 and 16-17
year old advanced belt boys and girls continuous sparring divisions will be awarded
one college scholarship each.) When the students are ready to attend the school
of their choice, Kick 4 College will send the amount of tuition directly to the
school each semester until the full scholarship amount is met. The dollar amount
will depend on the number of competitors per discipline, but most will receive at
least $1,000.
Walter Byers Postgraduate Scholarship Program
Application Deadlines:
January 27, Annually
In 1988, the National Collegiate Athletic Association established the Walter Byers Postgraduate Scholarship Program as a means of recognizing the contributions of the former executive director through encouraging excellence in academic performance by student-athletes. Under this program, one male and one female student-athlete annually will be awarded a postgraduate scholarship in recognition of [...] More
American Taekwondo Association H. U. Lee Scholarship
Application Deadlines:
February 15, Annually
The American Taekwondo Association established the H. U. Lee Scholarship Foundation in 1992 to honor its founder, Eternal Grand Master H.U. Lee. Applicants will be considered for a scholarship between $1,000 and $3,000 if they are current high school seniors who:
- Will graduate from an accredited high school with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Have received a letter of acceptance form [...] More
Scholar Athlete Milk Mustache of the Year (SAMMY) Awards
Application Deadlines:
March 09, Annually
The SAMMY Awards recognize 25 outstanding high school senior student athletes who represent excellence in academics, athletics, community service and leadership who make the most of their days by grabbing nutrient rich milk with breakfast.
Milk Mustache celebrity judges will help select 25 winners from across the country who will receive a $7,500 college scholarship, an awards ceremony at Walt [...] More
USA Judo Life Membership Scholarship Grants
Application Deadlines:
Varies
The USA Judo Life Member Scholarship Grants are intended to help defray athlete’s tuition and education costs. The scholarships are awarded in amounts up to $2,000 per semester and are for tuition, mandatory fees, books, room and board, and required transportation. Athletes who are high performance athletes and potential elite athletes, and who are, or will be, enrolled in an accredited degree or [...] More
Kyle R. Magoto Scholarship Fund
Application Deadlines:
March 22, Annually
To be eligible for an award from the Kyle R. Magoto Scholarship Fund, applicant must be a Russia High School (Shelby Co., Ohio) graduating senior who is pursuing an associate's or a bachelor's degree as a full-time student at an acredited educational institution, have a high school GPA not less than 3.0 on a 4.0 grading scale and must have participated in no less than five (5) athletic seasons [...] More
Davis Law Group Scholar Athlete Program™
Application Deadlines:
Varies
Whether you are a dedicated student athlete or an individual looking to recognize one, we welcome you to the Davis Law Group Scholar Athlete Program. Anyone can nominate a Scholar Athlete; peers, parents, coaches, teammates, teachers or administrators.
The Davis Law Group started the DLG Scholar Athlete Program to recognize outstanding senior-class student athletes who perform both on the field [...] More