I’ve started researching this topic and have been inundated with information from dozens of websites and recruiting agencies offering to help me find athletic scholarships. Should I accept their services or continue searching for information on my own?
- You might find the process of applying for athletic scholarships rather daunting, at times overloaded with information and occasionally confusing. It will require a significant time investment—communicating with American universities, reading through hundreds of pages of relevant information, and putting in substantial effort to prepare application documents. Some students manage to navigate this process independently and succeed. One of our upcoming publications will focus on specific steps for finding scholarships and applying for them. Working with recruiting agencies is also an option, but for ethical reasons, we can’t recommend any specific agency. It’s worth noting that such organizations often consist of former coaches and athletes who charge fees for their services.
I was a bit confused when I came across various athletic scholarships during my internet search. The most challenging part was understanding the difference between “on-campus” and “off-campus” sports.
On-campus sports refer to amateur sports organized by a specific educational institution. The goal of on-campus sports programs is to provide every US student with the opportunity to actively and regularly participate in some form of competitive sport according to their interests, abilities, and time availability. It’s unlikely that you’ll receive an athletic scholarship if you’re only participating in sports for leisure.
Off-campus, intercollegiate, or collegiate sports are those in which a student represents their school in competitions against other colleges and universities at a higher level. Some universities in the US offer grants in the form of partial or full tuition coverage if a student demonstrates athletic achievements in a specific sport and plans to compete for the university team.
What amount does a university typically provide to a student as an athletic scholarship? Is the scholarship provided for 4 years or does it need to be renewed each academic period?
It all depends on the university’s scholarship policy. The amount of an athletic scholarship varies depending on the sport you play, ranging from a few thousand dollars to full tuition coverage for one academic year. There are “headcount” sports where a student is likely to receive a full scholarship or a “full ride.”
These opportunities are available for athletes in the following sports:
- American football
- Men’s basketball
- Women’s basketball
- Women’s gymnastics
- Volleyball
- Tennis
In "equivalency" sports, on the other hand, the coach is more likely to divide a certain number of scholarships among several athletes. You're more likely to receive partial funding if your sport is:
- Baseball
- Rowing
- Cross-country
- Fencing
- Golf
- Men’s gymnastics
- Indoor track
- Lacrosse
- Skiing
- Soccer
- Softball
- Swimming and diving
- Track cycling
- Water polo
- Women’s field hockey
- Wrestling (although there may be exceptions)
The scholarship is awarded on a yearly basis. You need to perform well academically and athletically to continue receiving the scholarship. An athletic scholarship cannot be guaranteed for four years. At the end of each year, athletic scholarships may be canceled or reduced for any reason. Additionally, during the university selection process, it’s advisable to contact the sports department of your university regarding the scholarship retention and loss policy in case of injury or change of coach.
I’ve heard about the important role of the coach in the scholarship allocation process. Is the coach the first person I should contact when applying? What organizations should I know about?
The coach plays an incredibly important role in deciding on your scholarship, but they’re not the only person or organization involved in the process. You definitely need to contact the admissions office and learn more about your university’s requirements. You also need to check the SAT score rules, the average GPA, and high school program requirements set by the athletic association your university belongs to. The athletic director, as well as staff in the athletic department, can assist you with many questions regarding scholarship eligibility and retention conditions.
Does my academic performance throughout my studies in the US matter for a sports scholarship? Can I just focus on playing in my team and not worry about studying? I’m confident my coach will assist me in case of academic issues since I’m earning a degree in sports.
Balancing sports and academics can indeed be challenging, but it’s your responsibility to maintain an acceptable level of performance (e.g., GPA, course load, etc.) to retain your scholarship. You’re working toward earning a bachelor’s degree. In theory, you can choose any field of study offered by your school, but in practice, your heavy involvement in sports (which can amount to up to 40 hours per week) may limit your choice of majors, leading you to pursue less demanding ones. You should also remember that there’s no “Bachelor of Science in Sports,” but there are sports-related fields such as exercise science, physical therapy, etc.
Useful resources for students:
- NAIA Eligibility Center: Similar to the NCAA, the NAIA also has its own eligibility center for student-athletes looking to compete in NAIA-affiliated colleges and universities. NAIA Eligibility Center Fastweb: Fastweb is a scholarship search engine that allows students to find scholarships based on various criteria, including athletic scholarships.
- NCAA Eligibility Center: This is the organization responsible for determining the eligibility of athletes to compete in Division I and II college sports. Their website provides information on eligibility requirements and the registration process. NCAA Eligibility Center
- College Board: The College Board website offers resources for students planning to attend college in the US, including information on standardized tests like the SAT and ACT, which are often required for admission and scholarship consideration.
- NCAA Guide for College-Bound Student-Athletes: This guide provides comprehensive information on the recruiting process, academic eligibility, and other important aspects of being a student-athlete in the NCAA. .
