Athletic Scholarships for College

Many high school athletes dream of getting a full-ride scholarship from a top-tier college. Unfortunately, these scholarships aren’t as common as you may think, and even elite athletes find themselves looking for scholarships from outside sources to help pay for school.

The good news is, there are tons of scholarships out there for athletes, and many of them are not reserved for the “best of the best,” but are open to all participants in a variety of sports and activities. These may not be full-ride scholarships, but they will definitely help pay for college.

Here are some of the common and not so common scholarships for athletes.

Scholarships for Athletes

Augustana Athletic Grant

This grant is available for outstanding Augustana University student athletes who compete within the NCAA Division II, Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. Getting in contact with the head coach in your sport is required for consideration.

Scholarship Amount: Varies

Gator Bowl Charities Award of Excellence Scholarship

To be eligible for this particular scholarship, high school seniors have to maintain a 3.0 GPA from an accredited high school within Florida’s First Coast area, as well as participate in a varsity or junior varsity sport. Simultaneously, students must participate in extra-curricular activities through school, church, and the community as well as vow to remain drug-free, alcohol-free, and tobacco-free. Therefore, applicants should present themselves as a strong role model for their peers.

Scholarship Amount: $2,500

Niagara University Athletic Scholarship

The NUA Athletic Scholarship is available for a variety of sports including soccer, basketball, swimming, tennis, cross-country, ice hockey, golf, baseball, lacrosse, softball, and volleyball. Students must have exceptional athletic ability in their sport and meet the qualifications and guidelines for the NCAA and proper athletic department.

Scholarship Amount: Varies

Sports Unlimited Scholarship

Sports Unlimited offers $1,000 to an athlete whom influences them the most through an essay. The only requirement is an awesome, well-written essay based of the prompt chosen that year. You must also be a graduating high school senior, college freshman, or college sophomore.

Scholarship Amount: $1,000

Triple Impact Competitor Scholarship

A scholarship award of $500-$2000 (based on locality) to high school athletes based off of answers applicable to how they meet the merit outlined in Elevating Your Game: Becoming a Triple Impact Competitor by the PCA founder Jim Thompson. This award pertains to any high school junior in the US whom plays a high school or club sport, and maintains a 2.5 or higher GPA.

Scholarship Amount: $500 - $2,000

BigSun Scholarship

The BigSun Organization provides an annual scholarship to a student athlete who is a high school senior or attending a post-secondary institute. This award applies to all sports and is country-wide. An applicant must submit an essay about the influence of sports on their life. The number of awards vary each year.

Scholarship Amount: $500

Mike Lozano Scholarship

One senior student-athlete from the northernmost 26 counties of the Texas Panhandle will be awarded $2,500 from this scholarship created by the friends and family of Coach Lozano. Applicants must be graduating high school senior athletes interested in obtaining an education or coaching degree to teach or coach at the high school level following graduating from college.

Scholarship Amount: $2,500

CSUB Albert Holloway Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship commemorates Albert Holloway who served in Academic Support, Athletics, Nominating, and Student Support Committees of the Foundation. Applicants must be a student athlete at California State University, Bakersfield.

Scholarship Amount: Varies

Golf Scholarships

Chick Evans Scholarship for Caddies

This scholarship was started by the well-known Charles “Chick” Evans Jr. who learned the game of golf as a caddie and went on to win the 1910 Western Open and become known worldwide in 1916. Applicants must present outstanding character and have a strong caddie record—meaning, they must have caddied for a minimum of two years and caddie and/or work at their sponsoring club when they apply for the scholarship. Applicants must have completed their junior year of high school and achieved about a B average for college prep courses. Applicants are also required to take the ACT and/or SAT.

Scholarship Amount: Varies

GCSAA Scholars Competition

The GCSAA Scholars Competition was created to recognize exceptional students planning careers within golf course management. The winner receives a $6000 scholarship and is awarded and honored the MendenHall Award Winner. There are more awards given out to the second and runner-up students as well as students from other countries. Applicants must me an undergrad and currently enrolled in a two-year or higher accredited program in relation to golf course management. They must also have completed 24 credits their first year in a golf course management related program. Lastly, applicants must be GCSAA members planning a career closely within the realm.

Scholarship Amount: $500 to $6000

Women’s Western Golf Foundation Scholarship

This scholarship was established in 1971 to increase women’s involvement in golf. To date, the foundation has awarded more than $3.5 million in scholarships to over 650 women throughout the country. Applicants must actively participate in golf, have a 3.5 or above GPA, and demonstrate exceptional character, integrity and leadership. Lastly, applicants must require financial assistance to attend a four year university in the US.

Scholarship Amount: $10,000

Fencing Scholarships

Absolute Fencing Gear All-Academic Team Scholarship

This scholarship was founded through the joining of USA Fencing and Absolute Fencing Gear to honor young fencers who have excelled in school with All-Academic Team honors. Student athletes who have a minimum GPA of 3.85 or higher and are within the top 25% of their class are eligible for the All-Academic First Team selection. Students with a GPA between 3.4-3.84 are eligible for the All-American Second Team. GPA and essay will be used to select one female and one male applicant for the $4,000 award, whereas the essay alone will be used to determine the two applicants who will receive the $1,000 award.

Scholarship Amount: $1,000 or $4,000

Rugby Scholarships

UCF Alumni Rugby Scholarship

This scholarship is for students who plan to play for the University of Central Florida’s men’s or women’s rugby team in the upcoming year. Criteria for applying include maintaining a 2.0 GPA, previous rugby experience (as well as verification of being or becoming a member of the UCF Rugby Club), maintaining eligibility, and being full-time undergraduate pursuing first bachelor’s degree at UCF.

Scholarship Amount: Varies

Are you interested in more scholarship opportunities?

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