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.
Helen Gee Chin Scholarship Foundation
Application Deadlines:
June 15, Annually
Helen Gee Chin, wife of Master Calvin Chin, was the administrator at CCMAA for 15 years and a proponent of preserving the history and promoting the practice of traditional Chinese martial arts. The Helen Gee Chin Scholarship Foundation is a tribute to her life’s passion.
The Foundation offers college scholarships to encourage academic achievement and motivate individuals to become serious [...] More
Walter Byers Postgraduate Scholarship Program
Application Deadlines:
January 15, 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
Davis Law Group Scholar Athlete Program™
Application Deadlines:
Varies
Scholar Athlete Program recognizes exceptional student athletes that are performing well in the classroom and on the field. To register for the scholarship, students need to apply online or be nominated by a coach, teacher, parent or friend. Students must be a senior in high school, currently attend a Washington State High School, have a 3.0 GPA or higher and participate in a sport. Students can [...] 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 [...] More
Kyle R. Magoto Scholarship Fund
Application Deadlines:
March 13, 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 or a bachelor's degree as a full-time student at an accredited 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