Every year, millions of parents pay to put their kids in youth sports programs in the hopes that their kids will one day learn the skills they need to get a highly sought-after sporting scholarship that pays for college. The NCAA has some bad news for those parents: only 1.3% of high school players get full or partial sports scholarships. That’s just over 1% of all players.
Also, and this is very important, those grants are not guaranteed for four years. That is, if your kid joined a youth sports club with 100 other kids, only one of them would likely be eligible for an athletic grant.
Most likely, the other 99 percent will spend enough on food, lodging, training, clothes, gear, registration fees, and other small costs to make four years at any public university well-paid. To put it another way, parents who put money into a 529 plan monthly have a much better chance of being able to pay for their child’s college than parents who give money to sports teams, coaches, or academies in the hopes of getting a grant.
It is important to know that NCAA rules say college athletes can only practice their sport for 20 hours a week. The players, on the other hand, say they work 34–39 hours a week. That’s 34–39 hours a week of practicing and playing a sport, on top of having social and school responsibilities outside of games.
Scholarships for “Head Count” vs. Scholarships for “Equivalency”
As per the NCAA, a full grant covers housing, board, course-related books, and tuition. However, not many college athletes get all of that. There are only six Division I sports where everyone gets to go to college for free. Some of the “head count” games are football, basketball for men and women, volleyball, gymnastics, and tennis. If a Division I school gives you a grant for a “head count” sport, you can go for free. For the other sports, there are competitions for “equivalency” or half scholarships. Each sport has a set number of scholarships available, and those scholarships can only cover a certain number of players on the team.
So, 18 grants can be given out in men’s hockey, 11.7 in baseball, and 12.6 in track and lacrosse. Track and field had an average of 40 players, lacrosse had 45, and baseball had 35. Simple math shows that most hockey players are on partial scholarships since the sport has 18 scholarships that are split between 28 players. It is very rare for one athlete in these sports to get a full grant.
There is no difference between “equivalency” games for men and women. For example, 18 scholarships are given to a women’s hockey team with an average of 24 players. 12 scholarships are given to the 21 softball players on the team, 12 scholarships are given to the thirty-two women on the lacrosse team, and 18 scholarships are given to the 40 athletes on the track and field team.
Students who get a partial sports scholarship must use grants, academic scholarships, personal funds, student loans, and/or work-study programs to pay for the rest of their school costs. When you hear a youth sports club coach or administrator brag about how many scholarship players they have on their teams, keep in mind that most of them are probably only getting 50% or less of what a full scholarship gives them. In most cases, they get paid enough to cover all of their costs. For example, they might get paid for their books, room and board, and fees.
These are the 14 best sports scholarships in the world.
1. The Heisman Scholarship at Wendy’s High School
How much: between $1,000 and $5,000
Seniors in high school with a GPA of 3.0 or higher who have played at least one school-sanctioned sport are eligible. High School Heisman Scholarships, which are backed by the famous fast food chain Wendy’s, are meant to find the best players in the country. This grant is given to students who are smart, good leaders, and good at sports. Wendy’s wants to honor and reward kids who do well in school, and sports, and are good leaders. Winners are chosen based on how well they’ve done in the past and how well they could do in the future.
2. Program for Scholar Athletes at Foot Locker
Twenty thousand dollars altogether.
Seniors in high school who are involved in sports, leadership, and charity work are eligible. To apply, you need two references and a personal essay. Foot Locker has been helping people who want to be athletes for a long time and is now the biggest store in the world for sportswear and shoes. Their Scholar Athletes Program shows how much they care about making the next generation of leaders. Foot Locker knows that sports build character and leadership. People who are good at sports and also do well in school and their community are given this award.
3. Scholarship for Triple-Impact Competitors from Positive Coaching Alliance
Amount: between $1,000 and $2,000
Juniors in US high schools with a GPA of at least 2.5 are qualified. To apply, you need to write an essay showing how the Triple-Impact Competitor approach works. The Triple-Impact Competitor Scholarship is for people who really want to make the world a better place.
Students are rewarded for working hard to get better at the sport or game, themselves, and their friends. This is possible for students who want to use sports to have a good effect on their whole lives. The goal of the Positive Coaching Alliance is to make school sports into a “Development Zone®” where the main goal is to improve players and coaches.
4. Scholarship from BigSun:
Sum: $500
No matter what sport they play, all high school athletes are qualified. To apply, you have to write an essay about how sports have affected your academic and personal success. With this scholarship, the BigSun Organization shows how sports can teach you important things in life. They believe that the focus, teamwork, and leadership skills a person learns can have a big impact on their future. BigSun wants its athletes to do well in school and in their daily lives. It’s because they want to help players and know how hard it is for them.
5. Scholarship for Michael Moody Fitness
Sum: $1,500
Who can enter? Current college students and high school juniors who want to major in a health or fitness-related field are welcome. To apply, you need to answer three essay questions, send in your transcript, and get a letter of reference. You can get a $1,500 Michael Moody Fitness Scholarship if you are a high school senior, an undergraduate, or a graduate student who has shown great success, interest, and leadership in extracurricular activities and work experience.
The point of this award is to honor students who do well in school and in their community work as well as being good athletes. Its main goal is to assist these exceptional students so that they can improve their grades and get ready for well-paying jobs in the health and fitness industry.
6. Play Scholarships
The amount is unknown.
High school athletes with a GPA of at least 2.5 are qualified. An essay, a letter of reference, and an online application are all needed to apply. Play Scholarships are offered for students who do very well in both school and sports. They stress that both studies and sports are good for each other. The Play Scholarships are all about making study and sports work together. They think that focusing and working as a team can change things.
7. The Scholarship from Team Type 1 Foundation
The amount is unknown.
Teenagers and adults with Type 1 diabetes can compete. A personal essay, two letters of reference, and an official transcript are all needed to apply. If you are a school athlete with Type 1 diabetes, the Team Type 1 Foundation Scholarship can help you. The Team Type 1 Foundation wants to help students with Type 1 diabetes reach their academic and sports goals, even though they have to deal with extra problems. It shows persistence, willpower, and the desire to get past problems.
8. Scholarship for Dixie Boys Baseball
Sum: $1,250
It’s open to high school seniors who have played Dixie Boys Baseball. You have to write a personal essay and fill out an online application to apply. The Dixie Boys Baseball Scholarship wants to help the next generation of baseball fans and has a long history of helping young athletes get better. This award recognizes how hard young baseball players work and love the game.
9. The USTA Foundation College Scholarship
Sum: $10,000
Seniors in high school who have played tennis in an organized program are qualified. A personal essay, two letters of reference, and an official transcript are all needed to apply. Changing lives through tennis and instruction is what the United States Tennis Association (USTA) Foundation tries to do. The USTA Foundation looks for more than just tennis skills. They also want students to do well in school and help their community.
10. Association for the Bill Dickey Scholarship:
The amount is unknown.
This is for high school students from a minority group who have played golf in junior golf programs. A personal essay, a school transcript, and an online application are all needed to apply. Students in college and high school players can both get scholarships from the Bill Dickey Scholarship Association (BDSA).
With this money, you can finish college and get your degree. It is a first step toward making the golf community more diverse that this award is named after the famous golfer Bill Dickey. This fellowship helps kids from underrepresented groups so that golf is more open and diverse.
11. The Hamman Prize from the George and Mary Josephine Foundation
Twenty thousand dollars altogether.
Required skills: High school grads in the Houston area To apply, you need two references, a copy of your transcript, and a web application. The Hamman Foundation has been an important source of help for Houston’s youth for a long time. Their scholarship program shows that they want to help the next group of leaders in the Houston area. With a focus on whole-person growth, the Hamman Foundation sees this scholarship as an investment in the future of Houston. The foundation sees this grant as an investment in the future of Houston and the growth of each person.
12. The Scholarship for John A. and Helen McCluskey
Sum: $1000
High school athletes in the Cincinnati area in their final year are eligible. You have to write a personal essay and fill out an online application to apply. Young athletes in Cincinnati can get help and inspiration from this grant, which is named after John and Helen McCluskey. The McCluskey family believed that sports could control and shape people. This award, which is meant to help Cincinnati kids pay less for college, recognizes hard work and dedication in both school and sports.
13. The Scholarship for “Play Like a Girl”
Sum: $5,000
Students must be US citizens, a senior in high school, identify as female, and have a total GPA of 3.0 or higher to be eligible. You need to submit an online application, a cover letter, a resume, a transcript, and a two-page personal statement that explains your school and career goals.
The Play Like a Girl Scholarship program gives money to five young women from backgrounds that aren’t usually represented in STEM fields or medicine. These women are going to historically black schools or universities to get their degrees. The Play Like a Girl Scholarship is a great chance for young women from underserved groups who want to get a degree in medicine or STEM+ at a historically black college or university. The goal of this grant is to support ambitious women in these fields’ educational goals and give them the tools they need to become leaders.
When you think about it, high school athlete grants are a great way for students to continue their education and play their favorite sport. By actively looking for and applying for scholarships, young players can make going to college less expensive. Always remember that your hard work pays off and that your commitment to school and sports can open up more doors for you in the future.
14. The Carl Fricks Sportsmanship Award
Amount: $5,000 to $10,000
High school seniors in the St. Louis area can apply. A personal essay, two references, and an online application are all needed to apply. In honor of Carl Fricks, the St. Louis Sports Commission created this scholarship. It shows how committed they are to supporting good sportsmanship.
Along with athletic skill, this award recognizes good manners and moral character. Carl Fricks’s actions as a sportsman Scholarships are given out based on character traits like honesty, respect, and good behavior, not just physical strength. It knows that good sportsmanship is more than just keeping score and backs those who have shown kindness in both wins and losses.