Niche $25,000 No Essay Scholarship
Alyssa Schulz Image Written By: Alyssa Schulz | Edited By: Cara Goldstone | Updated: June 2, 2026

Athletic Scholarships

Key takeaways:

  • Athletic scholarships may be offered by colleges or universities on the condition that students play on that school’s sports team.
  • Some athletic scholarships are open to any student athlete while others are specific to factors such as a student’s location, gender, GPA, or leadership abilities.
  • Students may be eligible for athletic scholarships even if they do not plan to play a sport competitively for their college or university.

Around 8 million students participate in high school athletics each year. However, of those students, only about 6% will compete at the collegiate level. Luckily, athletic scholarships are not just for students who play sports in college; they can also be available to students who have played sports in the past, even if they do not intend to continue.

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The 25 Best Athletic Scholarships with Approaching Deadlines in 2026

  • 1

  • Tony Regalado Memorial Scholarship

  • Amount$8,000
  • DeadlineJuly 13, 2026

The Tony Regalado Memorial Scholarship honors the extraordinary life of Tony Regalado—a proud Dexter, NM native whose life was deeply and passionately rooted in athletics. Scholarship Details Awarded to New Mexico high school student-athletes Emphasis on students who embody Tony Regalado's spirit of dedication and community service Financial need considered as a secondary

  • 2

  • American Legion Baseball Scholarship

  • Amount$5,000
  • DeadlineJuly 15, 2026

The American Legion awards between $22,000 and $25,000 in scholarships to deserving baseball players each year. Each Department Baseball Committee may select a player from its department to receive this scholarship. The American Legion will award several scholarships each year depending on the number of applicants and interest earned from the trust fund. Scholarship Details Eight

  • 3

  • Metro Youth Football Association Scholarships

  • Amount$1,500
  • DeadlineAugust 16, 2026

The MYFA Scholarship was established as a means to expresses the importance of education to the players, parents and coaches of Metro Football. The Legacy Scholarships will be awarded to students who participated in the MYFA Tackle Program and are still participating in football at the varsity level. The John Pierce Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to a student graduating next spring who may

  • 4

  • Pacific Academy Foundation Talent Scholarship

  • Amount$5,000
  • DeadlineJanuary 31, 2027

The Pacific Academy Foundation is proud to offer the Talent Scholarship of up-to $5,000, a prestigious award that supports the development of exceptional youth who have an outstanding talent in arts or sports, and a passion for excellence in their academic pursuits. The Pacific Academy Foundation is seeking intellectually curious, driven, and passionate students who are committed to using their

  • 5

  • Elizabeth Horvath Swimming Scholarship Fund

  • Amount$1,000
  • DeadlineFebruary 1, 2027

The Elizabeth Horvath Swimming Scholarship Fund will provide scholarships to seniors graduating from Berks County high schools who intend to further their education after high school in pursuit of a bachelor's degree, who swam on a high school or club swim team in at least their senior year of high school, and are intending to swim on the college team or the college club team. Scholarship

  • 6

  • Billy Smith Memorial Scholarship

  • AmountVaries
  • DeadlineFebruary 1, 2027

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

  • 7

  • LPGA Chevron Dinah Shore Scholarship

  • Amount$10,000
  • DeadlineFebruary 1, 2027

The Chevron Dinah Shore Scholarship, established by the LPGA Foundation, honors Dinah Shore’s legacy as an advocate for women’s golf. This scholarship supports female high school seniors pursuing higher education who are passionate about women’s golf but will not be playing at the collegiate level. Each recipient receives a renewable $2,500 per year, totaling $10,000 over four years. Scholarship

  • 8

  • Edward and Marion Petzko Athlete Scholarship

  • AmountVaries
  • DeadlineFebruary 13, 2027

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 235+

  • 9

  • Get To® Foundation Scholarship

  • Amount$2,000
  • DeadlineFebruary 15, 2027

The Get To® Foundation Scholarship was created to support and identify talented high school seniors across the state of Michigan who demonstrate tremendous character, dedication to their studies, commitment to their teammates, leadership amongst their peers, service to their community, and a "Get To" attitude in every aspect of their life. Scholarship Details Annual scholarship awards of

  • 10

  • Carolina Panthers Graduate Scholarship

  • Amount$1,000
  • DeadlineFebruary 27, 2027

The Carolina Panthers Graduate Scholarship provides graduate level scholarships to athletes in North and South Carolina on the basis of leadership, citizenship and academic merit. Eligibility Requirements: Have earned an intercollegiate varsity letter in college. Female athletes may letter in any sport; male athletes must letter in football; Be a graduating senior athlete at an accredited North

  • 11

  • Driven at Heart Scholarship Contest

  • Amount$7,500
  • DeadlineFebruary 28, 2027

The Driven at Heart Scholarship Contest, presented by Cousins Subs in partnership with Donald Driver, awards scholarships to Wisconsin high school senior athletes who excel in academics, sports leadership, and community involvement. Scholarship Details First Place Prize: $7,500 scholarship awarded to one male and one female athlete Runner-Up Prize: $2,500 scholarship awarded to one

  • 12

  • Wenatchee Women's Bowling Association Opal Wickland Scholarship

  • AmountVaries
  • DeadlineMarch 1, 2027

The Wenatchee Women's Bowling Association hopes to enable some lucky students to pursue their dreams of a college education and thus a future career. The Opal Wickland Scholarship is open to youth bowlers in the Wenatchee Valley. They might be members of our youth association, active bowlers in the high school programs, or family members of our WVUSBC members. Eligible applicants must be high

  • 13

  • Grow the Dream Foundation Scholarship

  • Amount$40,000
  • DeadlineMarch 1, 2027

The Grow the Dream scholarship is designed to help dedicated high school senior athletes continue unlocking their potential on and off the field at the next level. Start turning your dreams into reality and paving the path to academic excellence by applying today. Scholarship Details Scholarship funding for two student-athletes per high school graduating class $10,000 per year, renewable

  • 14

  • Ambassador of Aloha Scholarships

  • Amount$4,000
  • DeadlineMarch 1, 2027

The Ambassador of Aloha Scholarships is for full-time, undergraduates attending an accredited college or high school seniors demonstrating financial need. Applicant must be a resident of Hawaii and a U.S. citizen; must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0; and must participate in canoeing, surfing, kayaking, swimming, diving, water polo, sailing, or volleyball, with a record of

  • 15

  • Wenatchee Bowling Association Scholarship

  • AmountVaries
  • DeadlineMarch 1, 2027

The Wenatchee Bowling Association Scholarship was established through the Wenatchee Men’s Bowling Association in 2006. The Bowling Association wanted a way to recognize and reward the youth bowlers in the Wenatchee Valley. Each year, the committee looks at leadership, citizenship, scholastic achievements as well as bowling achievements of applicants from North Central Washington. Renewal is

  • 16

  • Women's Western Golf Foundation Scholarship

  • Amount$20,000
  • DeadlineMarch 7, 2027

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

  • 17

  • Alabama Golf Association Women's Scholarship Fund

  • Amount$24,000
  • DeadlineMarch 11, 2027

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 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 a C+ (2.4

  • 18

  • MGA Foundation Women's Scholarship

  • Amount$12,000
  • DeadlineMarch 13, 2027

Each scholarship is for the amount of $3,000 per year, renewable for four consecutive years (a $12,000 maximum) and is made available to high school senior girls who intend to enroll in college the year they submit this application. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and domiciled in the state of Minnesota. Scholarship funds may be applied toward tuition, books, room and board. A scholarship

  • 19

  • Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation DEI Scholarship

  • Amount$10,000
  • DeadlineMarch 15, 2027

The Doak Walker Scholarship Award was established in memory of 1948 Heisman Trophy winner Doak Walker, a three-time All-American, former Detroit Lion, and a member of both the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame. As a long-time resident of Steamboat Springs, Walker embodied citizenship, leadership, sportsmanship, and academic excellence. This scholarship honors student-athletes who exemplify

  • 20

  • Bucks County Roadrunners Great Strides Scholarship

  • Amount$2,500
  • DeadlineMarch 15, 2027

The BCRR Great Strides Scholarship, offered by the Bucks County Road Runners (BCRR), is an annual scholarship program for graduating seniors. The awards have been increased to $2,500 each recipients. Scholarship Details BCRR Great Strides Scholarship $2,500 awards for four recipients Recognizing students who apply running traits to overcome challenges and contribute to

  • 21

  • USTA Foundation Scholarships

  • Amount$80,000
  • DeadlineMarch 15, 2027

The U.S. Tennis Association Foundation focuses on serving under-resourced youth. The USTA Foundation awards scholarships to high school seniors who participate in organized youth tennis programs, demonstrate significant financial need, perform community/volunteer service, and who have a minimum 3.0 GPA. Scholarship Details Recipient Requirements: High school seniors involved in organized

  • 22

  • Lady Legacy Scholarship

  • Amount$16,000
  • DeadlineMarch 15, 2027

Lady Legacy awards one four-year scholarship each year to a deserving female high school senior, with an interest in golf, who will be attending college in the state of Alabama (The scholarship winner does not have to play golf in college). To be eligible for the Lady Legacy Scholarship, applicants must: be an amateur golfer who is a resident of the counties of Blount, Jefferson, Shelby, St.

  • 23

  • JCF Gail Karp Orgell Scholarship

  • Amount$5,000
  • DeadlineMarch 15, 2027

Scholarships are available to support undergraduate or graduate studies at accredited nonprofit colleges and universities. The program offers 15 distinct scholarships, each with specific eligibility criteria and requirements. Scholarship Details Supports first-year undergraduate study at a four-year college or university in California One of 15 scholarships available through the overall

  • 24

  • Charlottesville Track Club Skip Kinnier Scholarship

  • Amount$1,000
  • DeadlineMarch 27, 2027

The scholarship is awarded annually by the Charlottesville Track Club to high school seniors. The applicant must live in eligible counties or the cities within these counties. The applicant must express an interest in running by either being a member of their local high school cross country or track teams or participate in a Charlottesville Track Club event within the past year.

  • 25

  • Greentown Athletic Club J. Carl Brosch Scholarship

  • AmountVaries
  • DeadlineApril 1, 2027

The Greentown Athletic Club J Carl Brosch Scholarship is open to any undergraduate or graduate college student that participated in GAC programs (Softball, Baseball, Cheerleading or Football) while living within the Greentown Fire District. It is also open to students who attended Greentown elementary school and/or had with a home address that fell within the Greentown fire district during their

What are athletic scholarships?

There are 2 kinds of athletic scholarships. The first type are scholarships that are offered by colleges and universities on the condition that the student plays for that institution’s sports team. These scholarships are awarded by D1 or D2 schools and may be partial or full-tuition scholarships.

The other type of scholarships are provided by organizations to students who may or may not continue to play their sport in college. These scholarships can be highly specific— depending on sport, gender, or location— or open to any student that has been involved in athletics.

D1 vs. D2 vs. D3 athletic scholarships: what’s the difference?

When it comes to college sports, all are divided into 3 divisions under the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Each division has its own requirements, benefits, and drawbacks.

Division I schools are the highest level of collegiate sports in the United States. These schools are home to extremely competitive teams with intense training schedules. D1 athletics receive the most funding out of all the divisions, which is why they often have premium-grade training facilities and are able to provide high-value athletic scholarships.

A common myth about D1 student athletes is that every one receives a scholarship; however, that is not the case. In fact, only around 57% of D1 student athletes are awarded scholarships.

Division II schools are the second highest level of competition in college sports. Although the smallest of the divisions, there are still about 300 institutions with D2 programs. Teams at these types of schools have a self-described higher percentage of D2 student athletes receive athletic scholarships than D1 athletes. However, the amount of scholarship money each D2 athlete receives is typically less than D1.

Division III schools are generally considered the least competitive division in the NCAA. However, D3 student athletes still compete on a high level, represent their school, and train often. This makes D3 the perfect choice for students who want to continue to play their sport competitively, but want their main focus to be on academics.

Unlike D1 and D2 schools, D3 schools do not offer athletic scholarships. However, these student athletes can still receive other types of aid; in fact, about 80% of D3 student athletes receive scholarships based on academic merit or financial need.

How to apply for athletic scholarships

How you will apply to athletic scholarships depends on what kind of scholarship you are looking for. If you are planning on earning a scholarship by playing a sport competitively for a school, you will likely have to be recruited. For more information on how to receive athletic scholarships from D1 and D2 schools, visit the NCAA’s guide on recruiting.

However, as only 2% of high school athletes receive athletic scholarships to play at colleges or universities, applying for athletic scholarships from organizations might be the best choice for many students. If you’re looking for these types of athletic scholarships, Scholarships.com is a great place to start.

When you sign up for a free account on our website and fill out your basic information, you will be automatically matched with all of the athletic scholarships that apply to you, as well as any other scholarships you are eligible for. You can also use our scholarship directory to look at all of the athletic scholarships we offer, or refine your search even more by looking at scholarships for the specific sportyou play.

Many athletic scholarships, especially those that consider financial need, require you to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If you don’t fill out the FAFSA before applying, you might not qualify for these types of awards.

What are the best athletic scholarships?

The best athletic scholarships for you will depend on whether or not you want to play sports competitively for a college or university. If competitive play is the path you would like to take, talk with your high school coach or reach out to a recruiter at the college or university you are interested in playing for to find out what scholarships are available.

It is important to keep an open mind when you are looking for these types of athletic scholarships. Some students might think that D1 schools always provide higher value scholarships than D2 schools; however, that is not always the case. For instance, if a student athlete is a lower-level D1 recruit, they might be offered better scholarship amounts at the D2 level, as they would likely be considered a higher-level recruit there.

When it comes to athletic scholarships that are provided by organizations, the best scholarship for you will vary much more based on your location, gender, what sport you play, what kind of school you want to attend, and whether or not you will continue to play a sport in college.

Some of these awards can be highly specific. For example, to qualify for the Team Type 1 Global Ambassador Scholarship, students must have type 1 diabetes, play a sport at an NCAA or NAIA school, maintain a GPA of at least 3.0, and aim to use their athletic platform to inspire others with diabetes.

Other athletic scholarships have more general criteria. For instance, students only need to plan to play intercollegiate sports at a college or university to qualify for the Grow the Dream Foundation Scholarship. Applying to a mix of scholarships with general and specific criteria can help increase your chances of winning an award.

Frequently asked questions about athletic scholarships

Can I receive an athletic scholarship if I play at the club level at my college or university?

Club sports are a great choice for students who might want to continue to play their sport competitively, but also want their main focus to be on academics. While scholarships for club-level students are rare, it is possible to receive one of these awards.

If you do receive a club scholarship, it will typically be from an organization, not the college or university you will attend. One example of this is the Elizabeth Horvath Swimming Scholarship which is an award open to seniors that attend a high school in Berks County, PA, were on a swim team during high school, and plan to swim on their college team or club team.

Do I have to continue to play a sport at my college or university to qualify for athletic scholarships?

When people think of athletic scholarships, they usually assume that they are only for students who plan to play their sport in college. However, many athletic scholarships only require students to play sports during high school.

For instance, the Get To® Foundation Scholarship is open to any high school senior from Michigan who has participated in a sport for at least 3 years. Many athletic scholarships like this one focus on a student’s leadership in sports as opposed to their actual athletic abilities.

Are there athletic scholarships available for minority students?

There are many athletic scholarships for minority student athletes available, especially in college sports that tend to have high amounts of certain demographics. For example, over half of all collegiate golf players in the NCAA are white men. To encourage more diversity in the sport, some organizations offer scholarships to women of color.

One of these is the LPGA Phyllis G. Meekins Scholarship, which is a $5,000 award available to women minority students who plan to play collegiate golf. Applicants must also be high school seniors and have strong academics and community service involvement.

Can I apply for athletic scholarships from organizations if I have already received one from my college or university?

Whether or not you can receive a scholarship on top of your institutional scholarship is dependent on multiple factors. In general, if you have received an athletic scholarship to play at their college or university, you can apply to outside athletic scholarships as long as you meet certain requirements.

First, you must be able to use the scholarship at any institution. Additionally, the outside scholarship organization cannot have a connection to the institution you will be playing for. The final requirement is that you may not receive a scholarship from a different team or organization for which you played competitively.

For more information on NCAA official rules regarding athletic financial aid from outside organizations, read Bylaw 15.2.6.4 or look through the Financial Aid section of the most recent version of the NCAA Division I or II Manual.

As these rules can vary by sport or institution, it is also a good idea to reach out directly to your college’s or university’s athletic department to confirm their specific requirements.

Am I eligible for athletic scholarships if I am a graduate student?

Although the vast majority of athletic scholarships are for high school seniors, there are some scholarships available for other ages. While not specifically for graduate students, the Pacific Academy Foundation Talent Scholarship is available to students who are between the ages of 7 and 24 and have received an award as a top-three finalist at the state or international level in the arts or athletics.