Niche College Scholarship
Updated: April 2, 2024

Swimming/Diving Scholarships

You don't have to be the next Michael Phelps to land a swimming scholarship, nor do you have to dive a perfect 10 - but in order to receive a generous scholarship, especially in top program universities and colleges, you definitely must have an impressive track record and statistics. In high-visibility NCAA conferences like the Big Ten, fast times and scores are crucial. College coaches start recruiting prospective team members while they are still in their junior or senior year of high school. Therefore, getting a scholarship is largely dependent on personal performance in the water - but progress and potential are just as crucial. Coaches scout for not only the most talented athletes but also the ones who show the most promise and potential for growth at the collegiate level.

Continue reading the article below the scholarship list.

25 Swimming/Diving Scholarships with Approaching Deadlines

  • 1

  • Charles B. Staats Memorial Scholarship

  • Amount$12,000
  • DeadlineMay 27, 2024

The Charles B. Staats Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually to a graduating high school senior who is also a swim coach. To be eligible, applicants must: have a 3.0 GPA; have swim coach experience for at least two years (must be a swim coach the summer following high school graduation); submit one swimming reference letter (from a swim coach or leader in community-no family members), as well

  • 2

  • Greensboro Community Swim Association Scholarship

  • AmountVaries
  • DeadlineJuly 5, 2024

Greensboro Community Swim Association Scholarship applicants shall be current CSA swimmers who are in their final year of eligibility with CSA, have been on a CSA team for a minimum of 2 years and reside in Guilford County. They must be accepted into an accredited institution of higher education. The scholarship is a single grant, not a recurring annual scholarship. It will be paid directly to

  • 3

  • Ambassador of Aloha Scholarships

  • Amount$3,500
  • DeadlineMarch 1, 2025

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

  • 4

  • Elizabeth Horvath Swimming Scholarship Fund

  • Amount$1,000
  • DeadlineMarch 1, 2025

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. Applicants must

  • 5

  • SJCF Stockton Student Athletes Scholarship Fund

  • Amount$6,000
  • DeadlineMarch 31, 2025

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

  • 6

  • Kylie Murray Memorial Flight Training Scholarship

  • Amount$11,000
  • DeadlineApril 1, 2025

The Kylie Murray Memorial Flight Training Scholarship is dedicated to honoring Kylie Murray's legacy by providing flight training opportunities to deserving individuals. Scholarship Details This endowed scholarship is administered through the EAA chapter network. It is available to women between the ages of 16 and 19 who are committed to earning an aviation-oriented college degree.

  • 7

  • Niagara University Athletic Scholarship

  • AmountVaries
  • DeadlineVaries

Niagara University provides students with a world-class, prestigious educational experience that delivers a very strong return on investment. Affordability is central to the institution's mission, which is why NU regularly appears in U.S. News and World Report's annual rankings of best regional universities and best value schools. 98% of Niagara's students receive financial assistance, which

  • 8

  • Augustana University Athletic Grant

  • AmountVaries
  • DeadlineVaries

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

  • 9

  • Gator Bowl Charities Award of Excellence Scholarship

  • Amount$2,500
  • DeadlineVaries

The TaxSlayer Gator Bowl’s mission is to provide Northeast Florida with the very best in college athletics and related activities in order to maximize positive impact on the area’s economy, national image and community pride. Throughout their generosity, TaxSlayer is offering the Gator Bowl Charities Award of Excellence Scholarship. The Gator Bowl Charities Award of Excellence Scholarship

In addition to fast times and solid dive scores, coaches are interested in swimmers who are very diverse and versatile in their strokes. Often, collegiate swimmers change up their stroke or yardage in college, depending on the team's demographic and need. If a coach needs to strengthen a certain aspect of the team - say, the distance group - they may move their swimmers into different events. Coaches of course still value the strength and performance of a swimmer who excels in their primary stroke. Likewise, divers who try and execute higher-difficulty dives are valued. They key to success and increasing scholarship opportunities is consistency and improvement. Swimmers who are routinely dropping their times and improving their scores are more valuable that those who can only perform well once or twice throughout the season.

Swimming/diving scholarships are not only reserved for Division I or Big Ten athletes, so don't rule out smaller programs when applying for scholarships. You could be a big fish in a little pond, or a little fish in a big pond. Typically, the better the swim team, the harder it is to get a spot on the team, and the less funding you'll receive if you are not one of the top-performing athletes. Coaches are looking to attract the best team possible rather than spending a good portion of their funding on one athlete. Coaches in top-tier programs will grant the largest scholarship dollars to the best swimmer/divers, but athletes whose performance improves throughout their collegiate career may be eligible to receive more scholarship money. Scholarships can be full-rides or partial scholarships and even if you are not the strongest swimmer on the team but still wish to compete, you can tryout and serve as a walk-on. Based on your season performance, you may be eligible to receive more scholarship money.

Scholarships will be regulated by associations such as the NCAA or NAIA, depending on your school, so be sure to check the recruiting rules that govern your school of interest, or talk to the university's or college's head coach. Remember that athletic performance alone will not guarantee scholarship nor will it be the only criteria necessary to receive a scholarship. Schools and coaches look for strong GPA and academic records when recruiting - it shows them that their prospective athletes will be able to manage the academic rigor of the school in addition to competing. In fact, certain programs require a minimum GPA while being on the team, in order to continue participation - you may lose your scholarship if you fail to uphold that standard.

For additional information about swimming/diving scholarships and awards based on different criteria, try conducting a free college scholarship search at Scholarships.com.