All To Know About Sports Scholarships And How To Easily Get Them

Beyond being physically active and enjoying the excitement of competition, sports participation has many other advantages.

Participating in sports as a high school student can lead to opportunities for sports scholarships, which can help pay for college. It provides an opportunity to compete at a higher level and maybe turn professional, as well as helping to lower the cost of tuition.

For many student-athletes, winning an athletic scholarship to participate at the collegiate level is the ultimate aim. On the other hand, there are several myths regarding the nature of scholarship offers and the real amount of funding that student-athletes get.

All To Know About Sports Scholarships

It’s crucial to comprehend the specifics of this procedure step if you want to reduce the cost of education. See here for our comprehensive guide to Sports scholarships.

Who gives out athletic scholarships?

Numerous colleges offer athletic scholarships at the NCAA D1, D2, NAIA, and NJCAA levels combined. Athletic scholarships are usually one-year agreements between a student-athlete and the college.

Do D2 schools give athletic scholarships?

YES! D2 universities do offer athletic scholarships. Partial scholarships predominate among D2 scholarships. Although rare, full scholarships are still available to D2 students.

What do athletic scholarships cover?

A percentage of the price of tuition and fees, books for the courses, lodging, and board, and occasionally living expenses are covered by athletic scholarships. Whether or not the offer is for a full or half scholarship will determine how much is covered.

Do you have to get a scholarship to compete in college sports?

No! Your chances of receiving a scholarship are not necessarily lost. Student-athletes can try out for teams without being awarded a scholarship by walking onto them.

Athletes are referred to as “preferred walk-ons” when they are asked to proceed. Depending on your perceived worth, you might also walk onto a team without a scholarship one year and receive one the next.

How do you know if you are eligible for an athletic scholarship?

For student-athletes to be eligible for a scholarship to an NCAA D1 or D2 program, they have to fulfill specific standards. You have to be deemed an amateur athlete and fulfill a minimal academic requirement.

It does not, however, guarantee that you will be awarded a scholarship simply because you fulfill the minimal standards of the university you wish to attend. The stronger your academic record, the higher your chances of receiving an offer.

Are full-ride scholarships for all 4 years?

No, although some are multi-year contracts, full-ride athletic scholarships are normally one-year agreements between the athlete and the college.

A breakdown of the amount of scholarships given out by athletic associations can be found in the table below.

Athletic Association	Number of Schools	Number of Athletes	Maximum Number of Scholarships
NCAA Division 1	350	139,063	74,243
NCAA Division 2	310	85,385	36,343
NCAA Division 3	438	144,062	0
NAIA	260	56,354	25,778
NJCAA	464	53,248	41,195
Other	276	39,737	N/A
Total	2,058	517,849	177,559

How much scholarship money can you get?

less than 2% of high school student-athletes, yet there is money available, more than $2.7 billion in D1 and D2 scholarships alone are awarded each year. Your sport’s headcount or equivalency structure will determine how much you are offered.

It’s crucial to realize that the majority of athletic scholarships are not full rides.

1. Head count sports are always full rides: However, they only include revenue sports: D1 basketball, tennis, volleyball, and gymnastics are included for women, and D1 basketball and D1-A football are included for men.

2. Equivalency sports usually hand out partial scholarships: The coach is in charge of allocating the athletes’ scholarship funds. That could indicate that they distribute the funding among several athletes, which is far more typical, or it could indicate that they grant a full scholarship to one very elite recruit, though that is uncommon.

D1 men’s equivalent sports include fencing, swimming, tennis, ice hockey, water polo, lacrosse, volleyball, rifle, skiing, cross-country, track and field, baseball, fencing, swimming, tennis, gymnastics, and volleyball.

Sports including bowling, lacrosse, rowing, cross-country, track and field, skiing, fencing, soccer, field hockey, softball, golf, swimming, ice hockey, and water polo are equivalent for D1 women. Equivalency sports are those offered by D2 and NAIA.

Can an athletic scholarship be taken away?

For some college student-athletes, the regrettable truth is that they may lose their athletic scholarship. This could happen in a few distinct circumstances:

1. If you are injured: In this case, your scholarship may be withdrawn, depending on the institution you attend and if it occurred during practice or a game.

2. Coaches can decide not to renew your scholarship: Though many student-athlete contracts are short for a year, this isn’t a case of the scholarship being “taken away,” but it can still catch them off guard. Non-renewals can occur for several reasons, such as the hiring of a new coach, problems on or off the field, subpar play, etc.

3. Poor academics: A coach is unlikely to retain you on scholarship if you are not in good standing with the school, or ineligible to participate, etc.

The student-athlete may, in most cases, never have received the scholarship in the first place. Verbal agreements are not legally enforceable and do not ensure you a scholarship or a seat on the team. It’s possible that your agreement will not contain scholarship funding even after you’ve signed your National Letter of Intent.

How do you get a full-ride athletic scholarship?

Just 1% of student-athletes are awarded a full-ride scholarship. The majority do not. Even yet, many athletes aim for full-ride scholarships because they usually pay for living expenses as well as books, supplies, housing and board, and tuition.

A full ride is assured if you are awarded a scholarship for a D1 headcount sport. There are just six headcount sports, though. Participating in an equivalent sport can boost your chances of receiving a larger scholarship.

For instance, you’ll probably get a bigger offer if you play a crucial and specialized position on the team, like a pitcher for softball or baseball.

Additionally, you can utilize the pressure of receiving numerous recruiting offers to persuade coaches to raise their offer to you. Sometimes, all it takes to increase your income is to move down a division level. At the D2 level, a lower-level recruit for D1 can be awarded a bigger scholarship.

Do Ivy League schools give athletic scholarships?

No, Ivy League Schools only offer need-based financial help; they do not offer athletic scholarships. While coaches can assist their potential athletes in obtaining financial aid, they are not able to provide scholarship funds.

Ivy League universities frequently cover the majority of the cost of tuition; at most, families earning less than $65,000 per year contribute nothing to the education of their student-athlete, while families earning between $65 and $180,000 per year are expected to pay between 10 and 18% of the total cost.

What happens if you get a verbal scholarship offer?

A verbal scholarship offer may be made at different stages of the recruiting process by a coach. Nevertheless, as these are informal verbal agreements between a coach and an athlete, they are not legally binding. Until the student-athlete signs their national letter of intent, nothing is final.

Student-athletes are free to accept an offer orally at any time. But be aware that if your student-athlete changes their mind about a program later, an early commitment may penalize them.

The coach should be thanked first if they do receive an offer. Acceptance of the offer by the student-athlete is regarded as a verbal agreement that is not legally enforceable. Requesting additional time to make the decision is also appropriate.

 

Other kinds of scholarships you can get?

Aside from full-ride scholarships, which are awarded to only a small percentage of college athletes, it is wise to investigate the possibility of receiving an academic scholarship as an additional source of funding.

Each college and university has its minimum academic requirements that student-athletes must fulfill to be eligible for an academic scholarship; keep in mind that D3 schools only provide non-athletic scholarships, such as academic scholarships.

Outside of the institution, there are additional scholarship options accessible, such as government, corporate, nonprofit, and private provider scholarships.

The Reality of Full Scholarships

It is important to realize that full scholarships for athletics are not common. In actuality, very few student-athletes win full scholarships, even though they are frequently exalted in the media. For instance, there are only 85 full scholarships available to Division I football clubs. There are even fewer options for other sports.

“Only about two percent of high school athletes are awarded athletics scholarships to compete in college,” said the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

Usually, tuition, lodging, board, and other costs are covered by these complete scholarships. The majority of sports scholarships are partial scholarships, meaning they only pay for a portion of these expenses.

To pay for the remaining costs of college, parents should explore alternative forms of financial aid and have reasonable expectations for their child’s chances of receiving a scholarship.

Types of Scholarships

There are several types of sports scholarships, and it’s critical to know the differences between them. Check out the following distinctions:

1. Full Scholarships: A complete scholarship pays for books, fees, room & board, tuition, and most other educational expenses.

2. Partial Scholarships: They only cover a percentage of the costs, and the percentage can differ significantly.

3. Walk-On Opportunities: Athletes may first sign as walk-ons without scholarships to a collegiate sports team. On the other hand, based on their success over time, they might get a scholarship.

4. Academic and athletic scholarships combined: Some student-athletes may qualify for academic scholarships in addition to athletic scholarships depending on their academic performance. To improve their chances of being awarded financial help, encourage your child to achieve academic excellence.

 Renewal of Scholarships

Although receiving a sports scholarship is the initial stage, there are further steps involved. Parents may be unaware that scholarships often require an annual renewal. Whether to give it to you again is up to the coaches and the college/university.

To determine if you may keep the scholarship, they consider your skill level, your level of dedication, and whether you abide by the team’s regulations.

To ensure that their scholarship is renewed, encourage your child to continue both their academic and athletic achievements. Parents and student-athletes must comprehend the terms and circumstances associated with their scholarship offers, as well as the expectations surrounding renewal.

The Recruiting Process

One of the most important steps in getting a sports scholarship is getting recruited by colleges. And for your child to achieve that, they need to be more focused on these strategies.

What you should know is as follows:

1. Start Early: Getting your child recognized by colleges typically begins in the first few years of high school, and maybe even earlier. To get noticed by universities, encourage your child to participate in tournaments, showcase events, and club teams.

2. Make a Highlight Film: Coaches frequently view player prospects’ films to gauge their potential. Make a film showcasing your child’s greatest moments, abilities, and gaming prowess.

3. Go to College Camps: Sports camps are held at several institutions, giving coaches an up-close look at your athletic prowess. Attend these camps if you are able.

4. Talking to the coaches: Urge your youngster to communicate with college coaches to show interest and provide accomplishments and performance updates.

5. Visits, Both Formal and Informal: Student-athletes are permitted to visit colleges on official trips, which are covered by the institution. Unofficial visits give your child a sense of the campus and program; they are self-funded.

Registering with the NCAA

A vital first step for anyone hoping to play collegiate sports, particularly Division I or Division II, is registering with the NCAA Eligibility Center. A student-athlete’s eligibility to participate in NCAA sports is determined by the NCAA Eligibility Center based on an assessment of their academic standing and amateur status.

What you should know is as follows:

(a) Conditions for Eligibility: To participate in NCAA sports, student-athletes must fulfill specific academic and amateurism requirements. A minimal GPA, passing the necessary high school courses, and abiding by amateurism regulations are some of these prerequisites.

(b) Register ahead of time: To make sure all requirements are fulfilled, students should register with the NCAA Eligibility Center during their sophomore year of high school.

(c) Remain Aware: To avoid any potential traps, stay informed about the most recent NCAA laws and regulations about recruitment, eligibility, and scholarships.

The Importance of Balance

Encourage your kids to pursue hobbies outside of athletics and to keep academics and athletics in a good balance. When your child applies for a sports scholarship, it’s critical to stress the value of balance. Success in sports is vital, but it shouldn’t come at the price of a well-rounded education and personal growth.

How To Easily Get Sports Scholarships

There are several advantages to being a collegiate athlete, including getting an athletic scholarship, playing at the highest level in your sport, and showcasing your abilities in front of hundreds or even thousands of spectators.

However, getting an athletic scholarship may be a difficult and drawn-out process. Receiving an athletic scholarship can help student-athletes who are wondering how they will pay for college. However, obtaining a sports scholarship might involve intense competition.

With the fact that scholarship offers are extended to less than 2% of student-athletes in high school, knowing how to acquire an athletic scholarship demands a well-thought-out strategy, especially with those kinds of odds.

1. Start Early

Always keep in mind that the early bird gets the worm when it comes to researching sports scholarships. The key question, though, is how soon you should start looking.

High school is the ideal time to concentrate and become more skilled at the sport of your choosing. It gives you the chance to be noticed by college recruiters as you advance from your freshman to senior year of competition.

College recruiters visit high schools regularly to look for new talent. You will have even more opportunities to demonstrate your abilities to a recruiter if you join a travel team that competes in regional or national competitions.

2. Gather all the information you need

Gather the following details for your athletic resume before contacting college coaches:

1. A skills or highlight video, if your sport requires one.
2. Sports statistics.
3. Transcripts from academic institutions.
4. Scores from the SAT, ACT, or both, if you’ve taken them.

Then the next step is to gather the email addresses of the recruiting coordinators, assistant coaches, and head coaches at the institutions with phone numbers on your first shortlist of top choices.

Check all of your social media profiles throughout this stage of the hiring process to make sure there are no offensive posts. Admissions officers and coaches alike will peruse your entire social media presence!

3. Determine which Division level best suits your skill set, then begin your college search

Knowing what division level is ideal for you is one of the trickiest aspects of the hiring process. Not everyone is suited for NCAA Division I athletics; in fact, relatively few athletes attend D-I schools! Get assessed by a third party to gain a better understanding of your position, or attend camps that draw players headed to college to compare yourself with other participants.

Start looking into schools you’re interested in once you have a clearer idea of which division levels are best for you.

The Next College Student Athlete (NCSA) and similar organizations usually advise creating a first list of approximately fifty institutions, which you will whittle down over the recruiting process.

When compiling your list of colleges, take into account the academics, athletics, campus culture, and location of each school.

4. Make Coaching Connections

whether coaches aren’t aware of you, it doesn’t matter whether you’re an all-star on the field or court. Getting noticed by a coach is one of the most important first steps in the recruitment process.

See the whole NCAA recruiting regulations before reaching out to any college coaches. Although they are intricate, understanding them is crucial. You might want to ask your high school coach for advice as well.

The NSCA advises starting your outreach with an email to coaches. Recall that coaches receive hundreds of emails per week, therefore to catch their attention, yours must stand out:

1. Make sure your email has all the details found on your athletic resume, particularly the link to your abilities video or highlights. In this manner, the coach can watch your tape and perform a preliminary assessment.
2. Name, position, grade level, and a crucial statistic (e.g., “Khalid Rice, High School Pennsylvania, Pitcher, 90 MPH fastball”) should all be included in the subject line.
3. Refrain from composing a bulk email that contains the contact details of every coach. Rather, personalize every email you send, and if at all possible, include a brief explanation of your interest in the program.

Call the coach after roughly two weeks to let them know you’re interested in their program: Refrain from composing a bulk email that contains the contact details of every coach.

Rather, personalize each email and, if at all possible, include a statement about your interest in the program. Make sure you prepare ahead of time so you will know what to say if the coach calls or if you get their voicemail.

5. Keep studying hard and never give up

Academics have a role in granting an athletic scholarship as well as athletic ability. To compete in their first year, Division I athletes must have a minimum GPA of 2.3, according to the NCAA. After that, to remain eligible to play, you must maintain a minimum GPA each year that is determined by the total amount of credit hours you have achieved.

Consider your current academic standing and how it compares to the requirements that the institutions on your shortlist have for student-athletes. This can help you gain some important perspective on your chances of being funded for both academic and sports scholarships.

6. Choose the Right Program to build a Sports Portfolio

When it comes to receiving an athletic scholarship, where you play may be just as crucial as how good you play. Identify and partner with educational or travel initiatives that have previously placed children on collegiate athletic teams.

These programs might already have relationships with coaches, which could offer you an advantage in the hiring process. Colleges are looking for athletes who fit their program well and have a strong work ethic in addition to their athletic abilities.

In addition to showcasing their physical prowess, parents can assist their children in developing a sports portfolio that highlights their commitment and character. Here are a few strategies for developing a potent sports portfolio:

1. Showcasing Athletic Highlights: Maintain a file on your child’s sporting accomplishments, including statistics, records, and awards.
2. Add recommendation letters: Urge mentors, teachers, and coaches to submit recommendation letters that highlight your child’s character, commitment, and work ethic.
3. Continue to Have a Great Academic Record: Academically gifted student-athletes are frequently given preference by colleges. Make sure your kid stays in excellent standing academically throughout high school.
4. Community Service: Participating in volunteer work in the community shows leadership and integrity. Keep track of any voluntary work your child does.
5. Write a Personal Statement: Ask your kid to compose a statement outlining their objectives, why they love their sport, and what they can offer a college team.

7. Evaluate your athletic scholarship offers

Compare the financial aid packages offered by each school that has made you an offer to receive your best offer. When you’re deciding on a final scholarship, be sure not to rule out alternative options.

Scholarships that are merit-based, intellectual, or other are frequently used by programs to try to make up the difference when funding permits for a large athletic scholarship. You’re almost ready to accept an offer and haggle over the scholarship amount at this stage of the hiring process.

Keep in mind that every student-athlete has a unique recruiting process as you proceed through each of these processes. College athlete recruitment network Next College Student Athlete (NCSA) provides services that can be helpful if you need one-on-one guidance from a recruiting professional.

How to apply for a sports scholarship

Understanding Eligibility Criteria

Knowing the requirements for qualifying established by the school or organization giving the grant is crucial when applying for a sports scholarship. The particular conditions of each program and the type of scholarship determine which criteria apply.

When determining your eligibility for a sports scholarship, keep the following important elements in mind:

(a) Academic Requirements: A common requirement for receiving a sports scholarship is continuing to meet a particular standard of academic achievement.

This could entail taking particular classes, maintaining a minimum GPA, or accumulating a predetermined amount of credits each semester. To be eligible for a scholarship, student-athletes must often meet both athletic and academic requirements from their respective institutions.

(b) Athletic Performance: Sports scholarships are primarily intended to assist gifted athletes who can make significant contributions to their teams.

Because of this, universities frequently have tight guidelines when it comes to athletic ability and performance. This could include reaching specific goals or records, playing at a high level in your preferred sport, or getting acknowledgment from respectable groups like state or national teams.

(c) Financial Need: A portion of scholarships are also given out based on financial need, particularly to individuals who are from low-income families or are attending colleges with more expensive tuition. In this instance, applications might need to be accompanied by financial documents, including tax records or FAFSA forms.

(d) Status of Citizenship and Residence: Restrictions related to citizenship or residency status may also apply to scholarships. Certain programs might be restricted to nationals or legal permanent residents of a particular nation, while others might be open to students from other countries. Before applying, it’s crucial to carefully read over these prerequisites.

Grade Level and Age: Undergraduate students are often eligible for sports scholarships, while graduate or professional students may also be considered for some of them. Furthermore, age restrictions may apply to certain scholarships, especially for younger students who are just beginning their academic careers.

(e) Other Requirements: Before applying, make sure you have carefully read and comprehended the requirements for each scholarship you are considering. Verify that you fulfill all the prerequisites and provide any required paperwork with your application.

Ask the scholarship source any questions you may have to get the answers you need to know regarding eligibility. Applications may need to fulfill additional requirements to be considered, such as maintaining good standing with the school (no disciplinary actions) or having a specific amount of years left to be eligible for their sport.

International Sports Scholarship Programs

1. Foundation Sports Scholarship for International Students at the University of Nottingham, UK

Applications are being accepted for the Foundation Sports Scholarship at the University of Nottingham. High-achieving athletes from both domestic and international competitions are eligible for support. The winners that are chosen will get a £2,500 scholarship.

2. University of Strathclyde Business School Postgraduate Taught Performance Sport Scholarship in the UK

To help students reach their full potential in both academics and athletics, the University of Strathclyde is now offering Postgraduate Taught Performance Sport Scholarships.

Academic flexibility, top-notch sports science and medical support, and financial aid for competition and training expenses will all be extended to program participants. situated in Glasgow, Scotland’s downtown.

3. The University of Nottingham Foundation Sports Scholarship for International Students in the UK

With the help of the University of Nottingham’s highly advantageous Sports Scholarship, students can now maximize their athletic potential while enrolled in UK universities. This $2,000 scholarship package is accessible to top-tier players in any sport, both domestically and internationally.

4. IUKL Sports Excellence Scholarship for International Students in Malaysia, 2020

The Sports Excellence Scholarship in Malaysia is open to exceptional athletes, according to Infrastructure University Kuala Lumpur.

Scholarship applicants must be Malaysian citizens or foreign students only. Three years previous to entering IUKL, exceptional students who have competed for their state or nation in any sporting event are eligible for this honor.

5. Sports Scholarship for International Students at Macquarie University, Australia

For the academic year 2021–2022, Macquarie University is offering the Sports Scholarship to assist exceptional overseas applicants.

International applicants who want to study for a bachelor’s degree at an Australian institution can enroll in the program. Located in Sydney, Australia, Macquarie Institution is a public research institution that was established in 1964.

6. International Sports Scholarships at the University of the West of England, UK

You should look into the International Sports Scholarships program offered by the University of the West of England in the UK if you wish to start your academic career there. High-achieving international athletes are eligible for the educational award, which is intended to assist them.

7. Geelong Grammar School Sports Scholarships for Australian and New Zealand Citizens

With great pleasure, Geelong Grammar School can provide many Sports Scholarships to incoming students who will enroll in Years 10 or 11 in 2020. Talented athletes who have extraordinary sporting promise at an elite level are eligible to apply for the program.

8. University of Chester International Sports Scholarships in the UK, 2021

Students who play sports develop discipline, self-worth, and positive habits. To provide certain sports facilities in the UK, the University of Chester is giving the Sports Scholarships program. Students who can show that they are actively represented at the national or international level are eligible to apply for the Sports Awards programs.

9. Massey University Academy of Sport Scholarships in New Zealand, 2022

Massey University is seeking exceptional athletes to be considered for the Academy of Sport Scholarships program, which aims to provide them with the chance to pursue higher education in New Zealand.

All athletes from New Zealand and abroad who have a track record of exceptional performance in sports are eligible to apply for the educational prize.

10. Sports Scholarships Scheme for International Students at Sussex University in the UK, 2021

Everyone has read the saying, “When talent doesn’t work hard, hard work wins.” Therefore, the University of Sussex in the UK is offering the Sports Scholarships Scheme to any students who are prepared to put in a lot of work. These bursaries, which are generously offered to candidates from the UK, EU, and outside, are intended to assist athletes who excel.

11. Swansea University Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) in the UK

A talented athlete scholarship program is available from Swansea University to candidates who have an interest in sports and hope to pursue a career in this well-liked industry. For those students who wish to attend Swansea University and are presently enrolled, there is a sports educational award.

12. Deng Yaping Sports Scholarship for Chinese Students in the UK, 2020

Are you an avid player of badminton or table tennis for the Chinese national team? With great pleasure, the University of Nottingham is offering the 2020–2021 Deng Yaping Sports Scholarship.

Students who are citizens of China may apply for the program, which offers a chance to connect with an international education at a worldwide institution in the UK.

Summary

It’s a big thing, but getting a sports scholarship isn’t always simple. Parents can support their child’s academic and athletic endeavors by being realistic, understanding about the various scholarship options, and offering encouragement.

Being aware and participating can have a significant impact on your child’s chances of succeeding in sports and college. Visit scholarships.com to look through thousands of possibilities. You can also be eligible for federal aid in the form of loans, grants, and work-study money by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Your eligibility for a particular amount of scholarship money is crucial, but it’s not the sole factor. Verify that the curriculum, campus, team, location, and school are all a good fit for you.

While applying for a sports scholarship can be challenging, you can improve your chances of being accepted if you keep these pointers in mind.

Don’t forget to do your homework, focus on the appropriate scholarships, highlight your athletic prowess and accomplishments, keep up your grades, connect with coaches and recruiters, and prepare a compelling application.

FAQs

The easiest sports to get a scholarship