Niche College Scholarship

Martial Arts Scholarships

The history of martial arts dates back millennia and the true roots of the sport are still hard to piece together. Despite its antiquity, it has remained a popular sport of mock combat - not only in Jet Li, Bruce Lee, or Jackie Chan films - but as a club and competitive sport. Finding a martial arts scholarship may be a bit more challenging than landing a basketball or football scholarship, but certainly isn't as difficult as earning a black belt. Of course, the higher your skill level, the more scholarship money you may earn. 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.

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While martial arts scholarships are rare, majoring in it is even more so. Nonetheless, the University of Bridgeport is the first American institution of higher education to offer a B.A. in martial arts studies. It teaches the historical background and philosophical roots of the martial arts, the languages, and cultures of the societies in which the martial arts originated and developed, an in-depth study of at least one of the martial arts, and explores the psychosocial dimensions of the martial arts and their impact on personality and society. If you not only love to participate in the sport but also want to study the art of "mind over body," check out the university's website for detailed information.

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 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, conduct 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. 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.

Foot Locker Scholar Athletes Program

  • Amount $20,000
  • Deadline January 30, 2024

The Foot Locker Scholar Athletes program honors student-athletes who demonstrate exceptional academic ability and strong leadership skills in sports, in their schools, and within their communities. Whether you're the lead scorer or the most spirited team player, we want to hear how you have taken the skills you've cultivated in the locker room and used them to create a powerful, positive impact ... Read more

SJCF Stockton Student Athletes Scholarship Fund

  • Amount $6,000
  • Deadline February 3, 2024

The Stockton Student Athletes Scholarship Fund was originally established as the Jester’s Club Athletic Scholarship Fund in 2015 at the Community Foundation of San Joaquin. The fund was renamed the Stockton Student Athletes Scholarship Fund in 2020. Two renewable scholarships in the amount of $1,500 each will be awarded this cycle, which means you could receive up to $6,000 over four ... Read more

Kylie Murray Memorial Flight Training Scholarship

  • Amount $10,000
  • Deadline April 1, 2024

This endowed flight training scholarship is administered through the EAA chapter network, and was created in Kylie Murray's name to honor her legacy. The recipient of the Kylie Murray Memorial Flight Training Scholarship will have the following characteristics similar to Kylie: Woman ages 16 – 19. Committed interest to earning an aviation-oriented college degree including, but not limited to, ... Read more

Texas A&M Judo Scholarship

  • Amount Varies
  • Deadline May 31, 2024

Applicants are eligible to receive a scholarship from the Texas A&M Judo Club if the meet the criteria as outlined below. Applicant must be currently enrolled at Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, as a full-time student, or an incoming student who has gained admittance to Texas A&M. If the recipient is meeting the requirements for graduation, fewer hours may be taken that semester. ... Read more

Helen Gee Chin Scholarship

  • Amount $3,000
  • Deadline June 15, 2024

To be eligible for the Helen Gee Chin Scholarship, applicants must: be a United States citizen or permanent resident; have a "B" average grade or better; plan to enroll full-time as an undergraduate at an accredited United States four-year college or university for the entire academic year; and have studied one or more of the Chinese Martial Arts – Kung Fu, Wu Shu, or Tai Chi – for a minimum of ... Read more

Adam Charles Ports Foundation Scholarship

  • Amount $1,000
  • Deadline July 31, 2024

To be eligible for the ACP Foundation College Scholarship, you must have completed at least one year of training in any style of Martial Arts and be a resident of the State of Ohio or an undergraduate with a permanent address in Ohio. Evaluation criteria will include: Academic Achievements; Leadership Qualities; Extra Curricular Activities; Community Involvement; Martial Arts Accomplishments; ... Read more

VBKA College Scholarship Program

  • Amount $3,000
  • Deadline Varies

Academic success is a high priority at the Vero Beach Karate Association. Students are encouraged to work for academic excellence. Three achievement programs sponsored by VBKA highlight and focus on excellence in school: the Academic Achievers Program, Student Excellence Award and College Scholarship Program. The pinnacle of VBKA’s support for academics is the College Scholarship Program. ... Read more

Last Reviewed: November 2023