Athletic Scholarships

With the grueling practice schedule and frequent games that comprise the life of a student athlete, figuring out how to pay for school is probably the last thing you want to worry about. Unfortunately, though, the problem of how to find money for college can be even more challenging for student athletes. Federal financial aid can help cover your tuition, but you probably want to avoid student loans, since earning a steady income from athletics can be a difficult task. Working your way through college while playing a sport can be nearly impossible, unless you’ve discovered a way to attain a college degree without actually devoting any time to coursework. And unfortunately, not everyone who plays sports is lucky enough to land a starting position on the team of a top university or to receive the generous scholarship award that comes with such an honor.

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However, this doesn’t mean that student athletes need to give up on the prospect of winning scholarships to do what they love to do. Student athlete scholarships are available from a wide variety of sources, ranging from the university you choose to attend to numerous private funds. Both national and local scholarships for student athletes can be found, funded by anyone from the local Dollars for Scholars to multinational corporations. Additionally, you don’t have to be on your college’s official team to win a student athlete scholarship. Several scholarship opportunities are given to students who have played sports in high school, or who otherwise show a commitment to athletics.

University Scholarships for Student Athletes

The most common student athlete scholarships are awards given to players by colleges and universities. These may cover all or part of tuition and can even include a stipend, since being a student athlete is often a full-time job. Students hoping to be recruited by coaches shouldn’t just sit back and hope their dream school finds them. Rather, you should be proactive in conducting a college search to find schools you’d like to attend and teams you’d like to play on, then contact coaches yourself to see if they might be interested in getting you to play on their team and possibly landing you a student athlete scholarship.

Other Student Athlete Scholarships

For students who are looking for other sources of scholarship money instead of or in addition to university athletic scholarships, private scholarship funds do exist. Below is a list of a few popular student athlete scholarships available in our database. For a more comprehensive list, as well as information on other college scholarships for which you may qualify based on your background and interests, conduct a free college scholarship search and go for scholarship gold.

University of Cincinnati Balanced Man Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 6/30/2023
  • Amount: $3,000
  • The University of Cincinnati Balanced Man Scholarship is based upon the Balanced Man ideals upon which Sigma Phi was founded. At the University of Cincinnati, our chapter awards scholarships to incoming freshman that have proven to be scholars, athletes, leaders, and balanced men throughout high school. The scholarship process consists of three simple steps: filling out the following application, [...] More

BioMatrix Scholarships for the Bleeding Disorders Community

  • Application Deadline: 8/1/2023
  • Amount: $1,000
  • BioMatrix offers six (6) $1,000 scholarships assisting individuals in the bleeding disorders community seeking higher education. Each opportunity is offered exclusively to several demographics within the bleeding disorder community including women, men, inhibitor patients and immediate family members. Our streamlined application process allows interested parties to complete one simple application [...] More

Joyce Komperda Athlete Support Fund

  • Application Deadline: 8/31/2023
  • Amount: Varies
  • The Joyce Komperda Athlete Support Fund fund is intended to provide financial assistance for intermediate, novice and junior-level athletes who demonstrate financial need. Applicants can be singles, pairs or ice dancing competitor at the intermediate through junior levels and must be a current member of U.S. Figure Skating. A 250-word essay is required as [...] More

Cameron Impact Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 9/8/2023
  • Amount: $160,000
  • The Cameron Impact Scholarship is a four-year, full-tuition, impact-driven undergraduate scholarship awarded annually to 10-15 exceptional high school students who have demonstrated excellence in leadership, community service, extracurricular activities, and academics. The Cameron Impact Scholar is unique among their peers in their desire to directly impact their communities and in the world at [...] More

Woodrow Wilson Dissertation Fellowship in Women’s Studies

  • Application Deadline: 10/13/2023
  • Amount: $5,000
  • The Woodrow Wilson Dissertation Fellowship in Women's Studies encourages original and significant research about women that crosses disciplinary, regional, or cultural boundaries, and supports the final year of dissertation writing for Ph.D. candidates in the humanities and social sciences whose work addresses topics of women and gender in interdisciplinary and original ways. Previous Fellows [...] More

VFW "Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarship"

  • Application Deadline: 11/15/2023
  • Amount: $5,000
  • Since 1899, the VFW has been the nation’s leading veterans service organization in the fight to better the lives of all those who’ve worn the uniform of the United States military. Today's veterans can face any number of obstacles while furthering their education. Taking advantage of all the benefits you've earned and DESERVE shouldn't be one of them! This is why we have teamed up with Student [...] More

Burger King Scholars

  • Application Deadline: 12/15/2023
  • Amount: $50,000
  • Recipients will be chosen from both the BURGER KING® General High School Senior Track and BURGER KING® Employee-Based Track applicants based upon the following criteria. Recipients must be citizens of the United States or Canada who who are seniors at a high school or home school in the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam or Canada. Must be applying as a full time freshman to a four-year accredited, [...] More

Buster Lindsay Memorial Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 2/1/2024
  • Amount: Varies
  • The Buster Lindsay Memorial Scholarship provides educational resources to student athletes from Jefferson High School to assist them in college. Applicant must be a graduating senior from Jefferson High school, have participated in high school sports for a minimum of 3 years (including senior year), have a minimum GPA of 2.5 and plan to attend a two- or four- year college or university. [...] More

Billy Smith Memorial Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 2/1/2024
  • Amount: Varies
  • The Billy Smith Memorial Scholarship is intended to provide educational resources for graduating high school baseball or softball players who intend to pursue a sports-related college degree. Applicants must answer the essay prompt: "Taking into consideration the background and criteria of this scholarship, why are you the best candidate to receive it?" You may want to discuss your past academic [...] More

Deborah Jean Rydberg Memorial Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 2/1/2024
  • Amount: Varies
  • The Deborah Jean Rydberg Memorial Scholarship provides educational resources for Guilford High School students to pursue their dreams through higher education. Deborah Jean Rydberg was a coach, friend and mentor to the girls she coached in softball, basketball and volleyball at Guilford High School. Deb knew from an early age that she wanted to get a teaching degree, and she knew just how she was [...] More

Heather Mayes Memorial Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 2/10/2024
  • Amount: Varies
  • Education is vital to the growth and future of every community. Because of this, the Saginaw Community Founda­tion administers a variety of scholarship programs for high school, community college, university and vocational stu­dents. Since awarding our first $500 scholarship in 1987, the Saginaw Community Foundation has awarded more than $8 million in scholarships. Learn more about all of our [...] More

Saginaw County Sports Hall of Fame Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 2/10/2024
  • Amount: Varies
  • Since awarding our first $500 scholarship in 1987, the Saginaw Community Foundation has awarded more than $8 million in scholarships. Learn more about all of our 235+ scholarships by using our scholarship directory. The Saginaw County Sports Hall of Fame Scholarship was established to assist Saginaw County student-athletes who are continuing their academic and athletic career.

    Eligible [...] More

Glenn Mayer Memorial Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 2/10/2024
  • Amount: Varies
  • Education is vital to the growth and future of every community. Because of this, the Saginaw Community Founda­tion administers a variety of scholarship programs for high school, community college, university and vocational stu­dents. Since awarding our first $500 scholarship in 1987, the Saginaw Community Foundation has awarded more than $8 million in scholarships. Learn more about all of our [...] More

Can-Amera Games Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 2/10/2024
  • Amount: Varies
  • Education is vital to the growth and future of every community. Because of this, the Saginaw Community Founda­tion administers a variety of scholarship programs for high school, community college, university and vocational stu­dents. Since awarding our first $500 scholarship in 1987, the Saginaw Community Foundation has awarded more than $8 million in scholarships. Learn more about all of our [...] More

Iles Family Conservation Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 2/10/2024
  • Amount: Varies
  • Education is vital to the growth and future of every community. Because of this, the Saginaw Community Founda­tion administers a variety of scholarship programs for high school, community college, university and vocational stu­dents. Since awarding our first $500 scholarship in 1987, the Saginaw Community Foundation has awarded more than $8 million in scholarships. Learn more about all of our [...] More

Brandon Walker "BW" Memorial Scholarships - Athletic Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 2/10/2024
  • Amount: Varies
  • Education is vital to the growth and future of every community. Because of this, the Saginaw Community Founda­tion administers a variety of scholarship programs for high school, community college, university and vocational stu­dents. Since awarding our first $500 scholarship in 1987, the Saginaw Community Foundation has awarded more than $8 million in scholarships. Learn more about all of our [...] More

Scott Durand Memorial Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 2/10/2024
  • Amount: Varies
  • The Scott Durand Memorial Scholarship, established in 2000, is dedicated to the memory of Terry “Scott” Durand II. The purpose of this scholarship is to help other young scholar-athletes. Applicants must: Have a minimum 3.25 GPA on a 4.0 scale; Be a Swan Valley High School senior who lettered in a varsity sport at Swan Valley High School; Be accepted to or enrolled in college part-time or [...] More

Stuart Schweigert Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 2/10/2024
  • Amount: Varies
  • Education is vital to the growth and future of every community. Because of this, the Saginaw Community Founda­tion administers a variety of scholarship programs for high school, community college, university and vocational stu­dents. Since awarding our first $500 scholarship in 1987, the Saginaw Community Foundation has awarded more than $8 million in scholarships. Learn more about all of our [...] More

Larry Laeding Memorial Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 2/10/2024
  • Amount: Varies
  • Education is vital to the growth and future of every community. Because of this, the Saginaw Community Founda­tion administers a variety of scholarship programs for high school, community college, university and vocational stu­dents. Since awarding our first $500 scholarship in 1987, the Saginaw Community Foundation has awarded more than $8 million in scholarships. Learn more about all of our [...] More

Jordan M. Draper Memorial Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 2/10/2024
  • Amount: Varies
  • Education is vital to the growth and future of every community. Because of this, the Saginaw Community Founda­tion administers a variety of scholarship programs for high school, community college, university and vocational stu­dents. Since awarding our first $500 scholarship in 1987, the Saginaw Community Foundation has awarded more than $8 million in scholarships. Learn more about all of our [...] More

Edward and Marion Petzko Athlete Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 2/10/2024
  • Amount: Varies
  • Education is vital to the growth and future of every community. Because of this, the Saginaw Community Founda­tion administers a variety of scholarship programs for high school, community college, university and vocational stu­dents. Since awarding our first $500 scholarship in 1987, the Saginaw Community Foundation has awarded more than $8 million in scholarships. Learn more about all of our [...] More

Jake Jones Memorial Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 2/10/2024
  • Amount: Varies
  • The Jake Jones Memorial Scholarship is given to graduating high school seniors from the 26 northernmost counties of the Texas Panhandle. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 to be eligible to apply. They must exhibit integrity, ambition, good moral character and a strong desire to achieve a higher level of education. Students must demonstrate the ability to overcome obstacles caused by their [...] More

CWGGF Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 3/4/2024
  • Amount: $8,000
  • The board of the California Wine Grape Growers Foundation will award the scholarships. Selection is based upon financial need, demonstrated scholastic ability, community involvement and leadership and/or work history and determination to succeed. Community involvement, leadership, and/or work history is a broad category that assumes one or a combination of the following: Community service; [...] More

Women's Western Golf Foundation Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 3/4/2024
  • Amount: $20,000
  • The Women's Western Golf Foundation is committed to increasing participation of women in golf and dedicated to providing Women's Western Golf Foundation scholarships to worthy and deserving undergraduate women. Since its inception, the Women's Western Golf Foundation has awarded over $4.7 million in scholarships to more than 720 young women across the country. The Women's Western Golf Foundation [...] More

Alabama Golf Association Women's Scholarship Fund

  • Application Deadline: 3/7/2024
  • Amount: $20,000
  • Alabama Golf Association Women's Scholarship Fund recipients must attend an accredited college or university and must be enrolled as full-time students carrying a class load of no less than twelve (12) hours per academic semester or quarter unless written permission is obtained from the AGAWSF prior to the commencement of the semester or quarter. Scholarship recipients must maintain a minimum of [...] More

The John F. & Edith L. Wilsterman Foundation Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 3/15/2024
  • Amount: $20,000
  • Applications for Wilsterman Scholarships may be submitted by students who have graduated from a high school located within Genesee County, Michigan. Applications may be submitted in any of the six years following the year of graduation from high school. Unlike typical scholarships, GPA is not a controlling factor. The Wilsterman Foundation is interested first and foremost in finding students who [...] More

Harold Colby/Ray Barton NH Association of Septage Haulers Memorial Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 3/29/2024
  • Amount: $500
  • The Harold Colby/Ray Barton NHASH Memorial Scholarship is open to high school students interested in pursuing a degree in any environmental science field. Special consideration will be given to applicants with immediate family members who are NHASH members or with immediate family members who are involved in an industry related business or organization which
    meets the criteria for membership as [...] More

Team Type 1 Global Ambassador Scholarship Program

  • Application Deadline: 3/31/2024
  • Amount: $10,000
  • The Team Type 1 Global Ambassador Scholarship Program funds college scholarships of up to $10,000 to help young, talented athletes with type 1 diabetes off-set the cost of diabetes care so they can focus on what matters…their health and their college education. Awards recognize athletes who demonstrate an ability to balance both academic and sporting commitments, promote healthy living with [...] More

CCU Athletics Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 4/1/2024
  • Amount: Varies
  • The Athletics Scholarship is available to student-athletes in CCU's College of Undergraduate Studies who are recommended for scholarship consideration by the CCU Athletics Department. Recipients must maintain satisfactory academic progress, unless otherwise noted by the Athletics Department. Scholarship amounts vary. Prospective student athletes should contact their specific coach for further [...] More

Brian Pearson Memorial Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 4/3/2024
  • Amount: $1,000
  • The Brian Pearson Memorial Scholarship recognizes outstanding athletes from Iowa. One $1,000 scholarship annually will be awarded to one male and one female Iowan. Throughout the selection process, the degree of participation in the Iowa Games will be given consideration, as well as the applicant’s display of character. Eligible recipients for the scholarship are those students who will be in [...] More

Lee E. Schauer Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 4/7/2024
  • Amount: $48,000
  • The Lee E. Schauer Scholarship is intended to reach students who may not qualify for other scholarships - "average" students who are involved in their community and in school activities, who are leaders and display character traits like caring, honesty, respect and responsibility, but whose GPA may eliminate them from consideration for other scholarships. The criteria for the scholarship are: [...] More

Scott and Kim Verplank Foundation Scholarships

  • Application Deadline: 4/15/2024
  • Amount: $10,000
  • The Scott and Kim Verplank Foundation provides annually, renewable college scholarships to students beginning their undergraduate studies of up to $10,000 to be used toward tuition, student fees, and books. Scholarships are renewable for up to a maximum of four years for any one recipient based on completing the renewal requirements. Recipients are selected from a pool of applicants meeting the [...] More

Bob Johnson Memorial Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 4/28/2024
  • Amount: $5,000
  • The Pittsburgh Penguins awards an annual Bob Johnson Memorial Scholarship to a Western Pennsylvania high school senior who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, good citizenship, and school/community involvement. The student should demonstrate an intense love for the game of hockey personified by on-ice hustle, achievement beyond his/her talent level, leadership, sportsmanship and [...] More

FMC Ice Sports Skaters Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 5/1/2024
  • Amount: Varies
  • The FMC Skaters Scholarship program was developed to provide financial assistance to ice sports participants and recreational ice skaters that demonstrate personal excellence on and off the ice. The scholarships are awarded to ice hockey, figure skating and recreational skaters. All applicants must be New England residents, high school seniors, and skate at FMC arenas. Besides completing the [...] More

Pittsburgh Promise Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 5/1/2024
  • Amount: $20,000
  • To receive the Pittsburgh Promise Scholarship, The Promise requires that you live in the City of Pittsburgh, continuously, without interruption, for at least the four years of high school; attend Pittsburgh Public Schools, continuously, without interruption, from at least the beginning of 9th grade, and through to graduation; graduate with a cumulative 2.5 GPA or better; maintain an attendance [...] More

Massachusetts Youth Soccer Student Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 6/1/2024
  • Amount: $1,000
  • The Massachusetts Youth Soccer Scholarship Program is for high school seniors who plan to attend a post-secondary educational institution. To be eligible for this scholarship, the student-athlete must have been associated with Massachusetts Youth Soccer for at least the past two years. The scholarship will be paid to each recipient after they have completed a full semester and it will be paid by [...] More

Gene and John Athletic Fund Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: Varies
  • Amount: Varies
  • The Stonewall Community Foundation strengthens the LGBTQ community and movement by making smart, values-driven investments in dynamic organizations, projects, and leaders. We take education seriously, knowing that it has the power to help LGBTQ people overcome complex social and economic barriers. For nearly 15 years, we have partnered with donors to create scholarships that provide unique [...] More

SABR Scholarships

  • Application Deadline: Varies
  • Amount: Varies
  • SABR Scholarships are designed to provide opportunities for students to learn, grow, and succeed through the award of monetary grants or participation in SABR events, such as the Analytics Conference, Annual Convention, Jerry Malloy Negro League Conference, Frederick Ivor-Campbell 19th Century Base Ball Conference, and the Women in Baseball Conference. There are numerous different SABR [...] More

Augustana University Athletic Grant

  • Application Deadline: Varies
  • Amount: Varies
  • A nationally recognized university located in Sioux Falls, Augustana is home to students who aspire to become the change-makers and problem-solvers of tomorrow. We believe life is about the journey — the places you see, the experiences you have, the knowledge you gain and the people you meet along the way. It's what being a Viking is all about, and it's why we're proud to partner with families to [...] More

Friends of MCC Foundation Scholarships

  • Application Deadline: Varies
  • Amount: Varies
  • See the many Friends of MCC Foundation academic and merit-based scholarships available to MCC students, as well as external scholarships that can help you offset your college-related costs. The generosity of our donors allows MCC to provide numerous scholarships to students who exhibit academic, merit, financial need, strong leadership, and service to their communities. Scholarship applications [...] More

Winston Churchill Foundation of the USA Scholarship Program

  • Application Deadline: Varies
  • Amount: Varies
  • The prestigious Churchill Scholarship offers American students the opportunity to attend, for one year of study, the University of Cambridge for one of two Master’s degrees: the MPhil (Master of Philosophy) or MASt (Master of Advanced Study). An applicant for the Churchill Scholarship must be a citizen of the United States, either native born or naturalized, and must be a senior who is enrolled [...] More

DeSales University Merit Scholarships

  • Application Deadline: Varies
  • Amount: $24,000
  • Don't let the financial aid process overwhelm you. DeSales' Office of Financial Aid is here to assist. Not only will we help you understand the process but we'll also identify and maximize everything you qualify for. The Office of Financial Aid can help ease the stress that comes from all of the questions surrounding how to finance your DeSales education. While it is your responsibility (or your [...] More
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Athletic Scholarships

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