Athletic College Scholarships

Many people look to scholarships to help them pay their way through college. While students who excel academically, especially in certain areas of study, will typically pursue scholarship options related to academic achievement, the athletic scholarship is still one of the most commonly sought-after monetary aids in the country. Because of how competitive athletic scholarships are, it can be difficult to be successful in winning such scholarships.

You must start by excelling at a sport that has open scholarships, having the drive to follow-up and pursue any opportunities, and agreeing to perform well both academically and athletically once you are accepted on campus. The NCAA is the governing body over most college sports and remains the most popular way to receive an athletic scholarship, although it is also the most competitive.

Colleges are separated into three divisions regarding sports, and the NCAA doesn't give out scholarships for Division III schools, which are smaller and, while still competitive, have fewer sports teams and a smaller student body. The NCAA separates its wide variety of scholarships into categories like Undergraduate, Post-Graduate, and Division. You may also receive scholarships directly offered through recruiters from individual colleges, if they have taken note of your ability in the sport in question. Last but not least, various charitable organizations and foundations dedicated to certain sports also give out athletic scholarships.

List of Athletic Scholarships

  • Our World Underwater Scholarship Society — Up to $25,000 awarded each year to an experienced North American scuba diver between the ages of 21 and 26 who is considering a career in an underwater-related discipline. Unique program includes travels to a variety of underwater experiences. See eligibility requirements here.

  • Pro Bowlers Association — $1,000 awarded each year to one undergraduate student who is an amateur bowler and maintains a certain GPA.

  • STPGA Scholarships — The Southern Texas Section of the Professional Golfers Association awards multiple scholarships each year ranging from $1,000 to $6,000 to graduating seniors who plan to enroll in college, as well as full-time college students in the geographic boundaries of the Southern Texas PGA Section with interest in golf who meet all other requirements.

  • United States Bowling Congress Youth Scholarships — USBC Youth members are eligible each year for national bowling-related scholarships. Scholarships include the Dexter All-American Scholarship ($1,000), USBC Chuck Hall Star of Tomorrow ($6,000), USBC Annual Zeb Scholarship ($2,500), USBC Alberta E. Crowe Star of Tomorrow ($6,000), and many more.

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Paying for school is not easy, but we are here to help. OEDb's student finance section will help you find the money you need to pay your tuition and other college expenses. We cover scholarships, college grants, and student loans. Scholarships and grants are both forms of "free money", meaning they don't need to be paid back. Scholarships are typically awarded by businesses or individuals, with the money being earmarked specifically for tuition. They can be awarded based on a student's location or by religious affiliation, such as Catholicism or Islam. Grants are typically awarded by governments or non-profit organizations and the money often can be applied to several different expenses a student may incur, not solely tuition. They can be awarded based on location or ethnicity, for instance African American or Hispanic. Loans are not considered "free money", because unlike scholarships and grants, they do need to be paid back after graduation. Common federal loans include Perkins and Stafford. Loans are also available by location.