Athletic scholarships reward student-athletes who excel both on the field and in the classroom. Offered by colleges, universities, and private organizations, these awards help students pursue higher education while continuing to compete in their sport. Athletic scholarships are available across a wide range of sports—from football, basketball, and soccer to track, swimming, and golf—and often recognize leadership, discipline, and teamwork.
Whether you’re aiming for a collegiate athletic program or competing at the intramural level, the following athletic scholarships can help you balance academics and athletics while funding your education and advancing your athletic career.
Yes, scholarships for student-athletes are widely available, especially through NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA colleges and universities. These athletic scholarships help cover the cost of tuition, housing, and other college expenses while allowing students to compete in their chosen sport at the collegiate level.
Scholarships are offered in a wide range of sports—not just football and basketball. Student-athletes may receive aid for sports like soccer, tennis, gymnastics, golf, baseball, softball, track and field, swimming, and more.
Types of athletic scholarships include:
To qualify, student-athletes should:
While athletic scholarships can be generous, they are competitive. Combining them with academic and need-based aid can help cover the full cost of college.
Fact: Full-ride athletic scholarships are rare. While they exist, especially in NCAA Division I “headcount” sports like football (FBS) and men’s/women’s basketball, the vast majority of student-athletes receive partial scholarships that cover only a portion of their college expenses.
In “equivalency sports”—which include baseball, soccer, track and field, swimming, golf, and others—coaches have a set number of scholarship dollars they can divide among the team. This means a single scholarship may be split across multiple athletes based on need, talent, or team priorities.
Examples of full-ride sports (Division I only):
All other sports are considered equivalency sports, where partial scholarships are more common. Athletes may receive help with tuition, books, housing, or a combination of costs, depending on their athletic and academic profile.
Key takeaway: A strong academic record, leadership, and proactive communication with coaches can help student-athletes secure a better scholarship package—even in sports that don’t offer full rides.
NCAA Division I Athletic Scholarships are awarded to student-athletes who compete at the highest level of collegiate sports in the United States. These scholarships help cover tuition, room and board, books, and other college expenses. While some Division I sports offer full scholarships, others provide partial aid depending on the sport and the student-athlete’s performance and potential.
To be eligible for a Division I athletic scholarship, students must:
Full-Ride vs. Partial Scholarships:
Division I sports are categorized as either headcount sports or equivalency sports:
These sports offer full scholarships to each athlete on scholarship—no splitting allowed.
Coaches in these sports have a limited pool of scholarship dollars that they can divide among team members.
Because full-ride scholarships are limited, student-athletes should aim to strengthen both their athletic and academic profiles. Many Division I schools also offer academic and need-based aid that can be combined with athletic awards.
Here are some important statistics about athletic scholarships:
The NAIA Athletic Scholarship Program provides funding for athletes competing in NAIA schools. Key details include:
Fact: While elite athletes are more likely to receive athletic scholarships, many programs look for students with strong academic performance, leadership skills, and dedication to their sport. Smaller colleges and less prominent sports often provide opportunities for student-athletes who may not be competing at the national level.
Yes, there are many scholarships specifically for female athletes, such as:
These scholarships aim to promote gender equity in collegiate sports.
Scholarships aren’t limited to high-profile sports. Here are some lesser-known sports with scholarship opportunities:
These niche scholarships provide unique opportunities for student-athletes.
The NJCAA Scholarship provides funding for student-athletes competing at junior colleges. Key details include:
Fact: Scholarships are available at all levels of college sports, including Division II, Division III (academic merit scholarships for athletes), NAIA, and NJCAA schools. Smaller programs often provide opportunities for athletes who may not qualify for scholarships at larger schools.
To apply for athletic scholarships:
Yes, some programs provide scholarships for athletes who sustained injuries, such as:
These scholarships highlight resilience and adaptability in the face of challenges.
While athletic scholarships are highly competitive, they provide valuable opportunities for student-athletes to fund their education. By understanding the myths and facts, exploring lesser-known programs, and focusing on both academics and athletics, students can maximize their chances of receiving scholarship funding.
Reviewed by CollegeWhale Editorial Team on November, 2025. Content is updated regularly to reflect current scholarship deadlines and verified data from official sources.
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The PGA WORKS Golf Management Scholarship supports students from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds who are pursuing a career in the golf industry through a PGA Golf Management University Program. The scholarship is designed to create pathways into the business of
Award: Varies Deadline: April Est. Time: Med (~78 min)
The Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) offers several scholarship opportunities designed to support the professional development and education of individuals involved in women’s basketball. These scholarships help aspiring coaches, graduate students, and professionals further their skills, pursue advanced degrees, and
Award: Varies Deadline: February Est. Time: Med (~88 min)
The U.S. Figure Skating Memorial Fund Scholarship supports competitive figure skaters who demonstrate exceptional dedication to the sport while pursuing their academic goals. Created in honor of the skaters, coaches and officials who perished in the 1961 Sabena Flight 548
Award: Varies Deadline: January Est. Time: Med (~78 min)
The USBC Youth Scholarships, offered through the United States Bowling Congress, recognize youth bowlers for their academic achievement, leadership, character and involvement in the sport of bowling. These scholarships support students who have demonstrated dedication both on and off the
Award: Varies Deadline: December Est. Time: Med (~78 min)
The Race Entry “Race to Inspire” Scholarship, offered by Race Entry, an online race registration company, supports students who value self-improvement and enhanced health through race preparation and participation. This annual essay contest awards $500 to a college student who
Award: $500 Deadline: August Est. Time: Med (~51 min)
The Florida Dairy Farmers Academic All-State Team, in partnership with the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA), honors 24 graduating high school seniors across Florida who excel both academically and athletically. This prestigious recognition celebrates student-athletes who demonstrate a strong
Award: $1,700 Deadline: January Est. Time: Med (~40 min)
The Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation Scholarship supports Hawaii students who embody the spirit of Duke Kahanamoku through academic achievement, athletic excellence, and commitment to serving the community. This scholarship is aimed at students pursuing higher education while engaging in water
Award: $1,000 Deadline: March Est. Time: Med (~78 min)
The Marc Decker Memorial Scholarship is awarded to students who have participated in formal tennis activities within the Foundation’s 21-town service area. This scholarship supports students who demonstrate a passion for tennis and academic success. Eligibility Requirements: Residency: Must reside
Award: Varies Deadline: March Est. Time: Med (~88 min)
This scholarship is for students attending any college or university who have either played golf in West Virginia as an amateur for recreation or competition, or have been employed in West Virginia as a caddie, groundskeeper, bag boy, or similar
Award: $1,800 Deadline: February Est. Time: Med (~55 min)
The Michael Moody Fitness Scholarship aims to support students committed to promoting health, wellness, and fitness. This scholarship is designed for individuals passionate about making a positive impact in the health and fitness industry, whether through personal training, physical therapy,
Award: $1,500 Deadline: Rolling Est. Time: Med (~71 min)
The Chick Evans Caddie Scholarship is designed for students who have served as caddies at a participating golf club and demonstrate financial need. This scholarship is unique in that it not only covers tuition costs but also provides housing assistance
Award: $10,000 Deadline: February Est. Time: Med (~33 min)This comprehensive collection of Athletic scholarships and grants for the 2026 - 2027 school years, curated from our regularly updated databases. To explore all available scholarship matches, visit our Scholarship Database and Grant Database, which both offer easy-to-use filters, current deadlines, and detailed eligibility information to help you discover the best Athletic scholarship opportunities.
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