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Scholarships
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Top athletic scholarships
Find scholarships for athletes that can help you pay for college.
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Athletic scholarships
Paul Flaherty Athletic Scholarship
Due: 7/15/26
|No min. GPA Required
$250
The Paul Flaherty Athletic Scholarship is made possible through memorials in memory of Paul and contributions of the Flaherty family. Paul's love for athletics, his love for young people, and his desire to help them get a good chance in life prompted him to donate funds to create this scholarship. This scholarship is open to any boy or girl who has participated in high school athletics. The applicant must be an average or better student scholastically. Only high school seniors and college level freshmen or sophomores who are enrolled or intend to enroll in an approved college or institution will be considered. Three letters of recommendation are required, one must be from a former coach. Applications must be received in the American Legion Department of Kansas headquarters. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.
Shape Plus Fitness Scholarship
Due: 8/1/26
|No essay
|No Recommendations Required
|No min. GPA Required
|No Transcripts Required
$1,500
The Shape Plus Scholarship may be awarded to a high school senior, undergraduate, or graduate student who has shown exceptional achievement, active participation, and leadership in school and work activities, with an interest in pursuing a career in health and fitness. The program will begin accepting scholarship applications on August 1, 2024, and will continue until either 1,000 applications are received or August 1, 2025, whichever comes first. To be considered, your application must be one of the first 1,000 submitted by the deadline. Applicants must demonstrate ambition and self-motivation through notable achievements, active participation, and leadership in school activities and work experience. Applicants must also demonstrate interest in pursuing a career and enrolled in at least one of the following majors or another health-related major: Health Policy, Health Sciences, Biology, Psychology, Behavioral Sciences, Athletic Training, Personal Training, Kinesiology, Exercise Science, Physical Therapy, Health and Physical Fitness, Physical Education Teaching and Coaching, Sports and Recreation Management, Nursing, Dentistry. Students should gather the following information needed for the application process: current high school or university cumulative GPA; details of outstanding achievement in school; list of involvement in school and community activities; and list of work experience. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.
John & Barbara Gracki Football Degree Completion Scholarship
Due: 8/1/26
|No essay
|No Recommendations Required
|No Transcripts Required
Varies
The John & Barbara Gracki Football Degree Completion Scholarship is available to a current or former Laker Football athlete who has exhausted their athletic eligibility and has not completed their undergraduate education. Former players who have attended GVSU and have come back to finish their undergraduate degree are also eligible. Scholarship is awarded based on a nomination from a coach. Students may visit the scholarship's website or contact the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships.
Michael Moody Fitness Scholarship
Due: 8/1/26
|No Recommendations Required
|No min. GPA Required
|No Transcripts Required
$1,500
The Michael Moody Fitness Scholarship is a college scholarship awarded to a high school senior, undergraduate, or graduate student who has demonstrated outstanding achievement, participation, and leadership in school activities and work experience and interest in pursuing a career in the health and fitness-related fields. The 2026 program will accept scholarship applications from August 1st 2025, until 1,000 scholarship applications are submitted or August 1st, 2026, whichever comes first. Applicants must be a United States citizen or legal resident living or claiming residency in one of the 50 states, Washington, D.C., or Puerto Rico. They must be planning to enroll or be enrolled in an accredited college or university in the United States for the entire 2026-2027 academic year. Applicants must also demonstrate ambition and self-drive as evidenced by outstanding achievement, participation, and leadership in school activities and work experience. They must demonstrate interest in pursuing a career and enrolled in the following majors: Athletic Training, Health Policy, Psychology, Biology, Kinesiology, Nursing, General Medicine, Dentistry, Behavioral Sciences, Personal Training, Physical Education Teaching and Coaching, Health and Physical Fitness, Exercise Science, Sports and Recreation Management, Health Sciences, Physical Therapist, or another health-related major. Primary consideration will be given to the applicant's outstanding non-academic and academic achievements and the answers to the essay questions on the online scholarship application. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.
Sports Gear Swag $1,000 Scholarship
Due: 10/1/26
|No Recommendations Required
|No min. GPA Required
|No Transcripts Required
$1,000
The Sports Gear Swag scholarship offers a one-time prize which can cover various education-related costs such as tuition, books, computers, accommodation, and other necessary expenses. There are no GPA requirements and no application forms. It's Sports Gear Swag's way of giving back and supporting individuals who want to pursue their dreams through education. Applicants must be currently enrolled in or accepted to an undergraduate or graduate program in an accredited U.S. university, college, or school; and must be a legal resident of the United States or hold a valid student visa. Essays must be submitted as an attached PDF file with the applicant's full name, address, major, phone number, school name, and date of birth. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.
Massachusetts Amateur Sports Foundation Future Leaders Scholarship
Due: 10/8/26
|No min. GPA Required
$1,000
The Future Leaders Scholarship aims to identify young men and women who will be tomorrow's leaders. Bay State Games is proud to award these scholarships to deserving Bay State Games student-athletes. Applicants must be a member of the class of 2026. They may be a resident of Massachusetts and/or student at a secondary school in Massachusetts. Past participation in the Bay State Winter or Summer Games is not required but recommended. Interviews will take place on three different days, one for each of the three following regions of the state: Region 1: Metro/Northeast; Region 2: Southeast/Coastal; and Region 3: Central/West. Regions will be determined by the location of the student's permanent residence. If a student resides out-of-state, their region will be determined by the location of the educational institution that they attend. Two letters of recommendation are also required from the applicant, one must be from a guidance counselor, teacher, or principal; and one must be from a coach or athletic director. Recommendations should address the applicant's demonstrated leadership abilities and achievements. It should give a clear sense of what qualities make the applicant unique and deserving of the Future Leaders Scholarship. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.
Paul Zwaska Scholarship
Due: 10/15/26
|No Recommendations Required
|No Transcripts Required
$2,500
The Paul Zwaska Scholarship, presented by Beacon Athletics, promotes diversity within the profession through an annual scholarship program for students from groups underrepresented in SFMA. The scholarship award recognizes and encourages students pursuing a career in the Sports Field Management profession. Applicants must be enrolled or enrolling as a student at a U.S. accredited educational institution. Candidates must be individuals from groups underrepresented in SFMA. Individuals from the...
NSHSS Student Athlete Scholarship
Due: 10/8/26
|No min. GPA Required
$2,000
NSHSS has created the NSHSS Student Athlete Scholarship dedicated to student athletes who are passionate about and excel within their respective sports. Athletes of all genders and of all sports are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be NSHSS high school members graduating in 2025, 2026, 2027, or 2028. Applicants must submit an educator recommendation letter. It is optional but students may submit pictures, videos or media showing their leadership in action. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the National Society of High School Scholars for more information.
Jerry Martin Memorial Scholarship
Due: 10/15/26
|No min. GPA Required
$2,000
Jerry Martin (1956-2015) was a lifelong strength and conditioning coach. Coach Martin was known by his students and colleagues as a hard-working, devoted strength and conditioning professional with a love for teaching and applying the science of strength and conditioning. To honor his legacy, a fund was established in his name. The Jerry Martin Memorial Scholarship is designed for the specific purpose of providing tuition assistance to students planning careers as strength coaches, and majori...
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Key takeaways about athletic scholarships
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Athletic scholarships can be full or partial, and many students combine them with other aid.
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Scholarship rules and availability vary by NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA programs.
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Coaches recruit athletes, but academic eligibility still matters.
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Recruiting often starts earlier than students expect—planning ahead helps.
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Many private scholarships for athletes can be found using Scholly Scholarships.
Getting recruited can feel like a full-time job on top of classes, training, and competition. The good news: athletic scholarships are just one part of a smart college funding plan—you don’t have to rely on a single offer.
This guide explains how athletic scholarships work, when recruiting typically starts, and how to find private athletic scholarships you can combine with other aid.
What are athletic scholarships?
Athletic scholarships are financial awards colleges offer to student-athletes based on athletic ability and team needs. They’re usually administered through a school’s athletics department and may be available at two-year and four-year colleges.
Not every school—or every sport—offers athletic scholarships. Even when they do, funding is often limited, which is why many athletes receive partial athletic scholarships rather than full rides.
How athletic scholarships work
Most athletic scholarships are tied to participation on a college team and are often awarded on a year-to-year basis, depending on school and program policies. The process typically looks like this:
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Coaches evaluate athletes and build recruiting lists.
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You share highlights, stats, schedules, and academic information.
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Programs determine roster needs and scholarship availability.
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You confirm academic and eligibility requirements.
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You accept an offer and enroll, if it’s the right fit.
Because athletic aid doesn’t always cover everything, many student-athletes combine athletic scholarships with private scholarships for athletes, merit scholarships, and need-based aid to reduce their total cost.
Where to find private scholarships for athletes
Even if you don’t receive a large athletic scholarship—or any athletic aid at all—you can still build a strong scholarship plan.
Many student-athletes apply for private scholarships for athletes, which are funded by organizations, companies, and foundations. These awards aren’t tied to a specific college team, and they can often be used at a wide range of schools.
A fast way to get started is by using Scholly Scholarships, which lets you search and apply for many athletic-focused private scholarships in one place. This makes it easier to find opportunities that match your sport, background, and goals—and to stack multiple awards over time.
Pro tip: Treat applying for private scholarships like recruitment. Apply consistently, track deadlines, and keep key materials—like highlights, stats, and a short personal pitch—ready to reuse.
Scholly Scholarships
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Find scholarships that are right for you
Easily search through thousands of college scholarships based on your background, major, state you live in, and more.
Hot tip! Smaller scholarships may have less competition, increasing your odds of winning.
When does athletic recruiting typically start?
Athletic recruiting often begins earlier than many students expect, though timelines vary by sport, division, and association.
Coaches may start evaluating athletes as early as freshman or sophomore year through club teams, tournaments, showcases, and online profiles—even if direct contact is limited. Recruiting activity usually increases during sophomore and junior year, when athletes attend camps, take unofficial visits, and begin hearing more from coaches.
By junior and senior year, scholarship conversations often become more concrete, with offers and commitments happening on different timelines depending on the sport and school.
Because rules vary, the best approach is to start preparing early—build highlight materials, stay academically eligible, and stay organized so you’re ready when opportunities open up.
Full vs. partial athletic scholarships
Full-ride athletic scholarships get the most attention, but many student-athletes make college affordable with partial athletic aid combined with other scholarships.
Full athletic scholarships may cover (varies by school and association):
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Tuition and fees
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Room and board
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Books and supplies
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Sometimes additional cost-of-attendance items
Partial athletic scholarships may cover:
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A portion of tuition or fees
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A fixed dollar amount per semester or year
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Specific expenses, such as housing or books
If your athletic scholarship doesn’t cover everything, be sure to apply for additional types of scholarships. Even stacking smaller awards can help lower what you’ll pay for school.
NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA eligibility requirements
Eligibility rules depend on where you’re being recruited.
NCAA
Many Division I and II programs offer NCAA athletic scholarships and require athletes to meet academic standards and complete eligibility steps related to academics and amateurism through the NCAA process.
NAIA
NAIA schools follow different eligibility rules and may have more flexible recruiting timelines, depending on the athlete’s background.
NJCAA
Two-year colleges can offer athletic scholarships. For some students, this can be a cost-effective way to compete, gain experience, and transfer later.
No matter what the association, having strong academics can give you more options and help unlock additional merit aid.
How to apply for athletic scholarships
There isn’t one universal application, but there is a reliable game plan:
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Build your school list based on athletics, academics, and total cost.
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Create your athlete profile with highlight film, stats, schedules, and academic basics.
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Start outreach early by emailing coaches and completing recruiting questionnaires.
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Stay eligible by keeping grades strong and tracking requirements.
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Apply beyond athletics by adding private scholarships for athletes to your plan.
To expand your options, search athletic-focused scholarships through Scholly Scholarships, and look for time-saving opportunities with Scholly Easy Apply Scholarships.
Tips to boost your chances
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Be proactive and follow up respectfully
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Keep highlight film short, clear, and updated
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Share your competition schedule regularly
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Respond quickly and professionally to coaches
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Strengthen your academics
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Stack athletic aid with private scholarships for athletes whenever possible
To find schools where your athletic goals and budget align, try Scout College Search.
Next step: Apply for the $2,000 No Essay Scholarship.
Additional resources for student-athletes
Athletic scholarships are just one way to pay for college. Many student-athletes reduce their total cost by applying for additional scholarships based on major, background, or interests. Explore these options to keep building your scholarship plan:
- Scholarships by major - Find scholarships tailored to your field of study, whether it’s music, arts, STEM, business, or education.
- Scholarships for high school seniors - Perfect if you're starting your college journey. Many deadlines fall during senior year, so be ready to apply.
- Scholarships for college students - Apply for scholarships throughout college to lower your education costs. New opportunities open up every year.
- Scholarships for first generation students - If you’re the first in your family to attend college, these scholarships are designed to support you.
- Scholarships for adults - Returning to school? These scholarships help adult learners fund their education.
- Scholarships for women - Empowering scholarships for women, including awards specifically for Black women.
- LGBTQ+ scholarships - Scholarships that support students navigating both racial and LGBTQ+ identities.
- Scholarships by state - Find scholarships offered by your state government, as well as local scholarships that usually have fewer applicants, increasing your chances.
Athletic scholarships can make a big difference—but they’re rarely the only way to pay for school. Start early, stay organized, and stack athletic aid with private scholarships when you can.
To jumpstart your private scholarship search, enter our easy $2,000 No Essay Scholarship and browse athletic scholarships on Scholly Scholarships.
Frequently asked questions
These tips can help as you get ready to apply for athletic scholarships.
When are scholarship application deadlines?
There’s no standard deadline for scholarship applications. Each scholarship has its own deadline, so be sure to keep track of dates and make sure you don’t miss any deadlines of scholarships that you want to apply to.
Do you need to know which college you’re attending?
You don’t need to know which college you’re going to attend before applying for most scholarships. However, once you’re awarded scholarships, some of them may ask for eligibility verification—which can include proof of college enrollment.
Is there a limit on how many scholarships you can apply for?
Absolutely not, so apply for as many as you can to increase your chances of winning free money. Want to find more types of scholarships? There are so many, check them out!
Pro tip: Apply for scholarships each year you’re in college.
Does every scholarship application require an essay?
Not every scholarship will ask you to submit an essay—different scholarships have different requirements. If you’re applying for a scholarship with an essay and need help writing yours, get tips for writing scholarship essays.
Need more money for college?
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More resources to explore
Tips for writing scholarship essays
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