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Scholarships
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Top athletic scholarships
Find scholarships for athletes that can help you pay for college.
Here’s a scholarship you can apply for in minutes.
Athletic scholarships
Amber Goheen-Harlan Memorial Scholarship
Due: 4/15/26
|No Recommendations Required
|No min. GPA Required
$3,500
The Amber Goheen-Harlan Scholarship Fund was created to memorialize Amber's life and her love of athletics, especially tennis. The student selected to receive the scholarship award must be a graduating senior from a high school in Clark County; must be a member of their school tennis team; and must have demonstrated good citizenship in high school. Applicants may submit one letter of recommendation from a high school coach and/or from a USPTA Tennis Teaching Professional, listing any student body or noteworthy positions or accomplishments. Letters from immediate or extended family members will not be accepted. This letter is not required, but is strongly recommended. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington for more information.
Ty R. Vlaming Memorial Scholarship
Due: 4/15/26
|No Recommendations Required
Varies
Ty Robert Vlaming passed away very unexpectedly, and his parents believe that Ty would have wanted something positive and beneficial to result from his (far too) early departure from earth. In his memory, this fund has been established so that deserving student athletes at Desert Vista High School and Santa Cruz Valley Union High School are not precluded from taking the next step in their education and/or training. He would want his legacy to be assisting others in achieving their dreams. Applicants must be a student athlete in a high school sponsored athletic program (past or present) in the Desert Vista High School, Phoenix or Santa Cruz Valley Union High School, Eloy. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Arizona Community Foundation for more information.
Coach Mike Wallace Memorial Scholarship
Due: 4/15/26
|No Recommendations Required
|No Transcripts Required
$1,500
The Coach Mike Wallace Memorial Scholarship Fund was established to honor Coach Mike Wallace's legacy by assisting a student/track & field athlete who attended Olathe East High School. Applicants must be a high school senior. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation for more information.
Stockton Student Athletes Scholarship Fund
Due: 4/17/26
|No min. GPA Required
|No Transcripts Required
$6,000
The Stockton Student Athletes Scholarship Fund was established to support students who will be playing on college sports teams. These are renewable scholarships, which means students could receive the scholarship for over four years. Applicants must be a high school senior at any school located in the City of Stockton. They must pursue an undergraduate degree in any major at an accredited college or university. Applicants must also plan to play collegiate level sports (in any sport). Applicants must provide a letter verifying they have been accepted to play sports at the college/university level and a current letter of recommendation from a coach or teacher at their high school. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the San Joaquin Community Foundation for more information.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Foundation Girls in Football Scholarship
Due: 4/18/26
$5,000
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers Foundation has established a scholarship program to assist female high school seniors participating in a form of football (touch, flag, tackle, etc.) who plan to continue their education in college. Applicants must plan to enroll in an undergraduate study at an accredited four-year college or university for the entire upcoming academic year. Past recipients may not reapply. Awards are for undergraduate study only. One online recommendation form must be submitted on the applicant's behalf no later than April 21, 2025. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.
Neil and Emily Rose Scholarship
Due: 4/27/26
|No essay
|No Recommendations Required
|No min. GPA Required
|No Transcripts Required
Varies
The Neil and Emily Rose Scholarship is open to intercollegiate student-athletes, with first preference given to eligible members of the men's basketball team or men's golf team. The selection of applicants is done by the Department of Athletics in May. Recipients will be chosen in the spring for the following academic year.
Joseph J. LeMark Memorial Scholarship Fund
Due: 4/29/26
|No essay
|No Transcripts Required
$5,000
The Joseph J. LeMark Memorial Scholarship Fund aims to honor the character, integrity, respect and love for the game of golf that Joseph expressed by assisting a student with a love also for the game, with a scholarship. Applicants must be high school seniors or current college students in the Kansas City area, who play golf. Applicants must provide a link to their video application. Students are encouraged to be creative, use music, personal videos, photos or any form of media that completes the application questions and helps define their personality. Applicants must submit a letter of recommendation from a coach, teacher, administrator, mentor or workplace manager; and another letter of recommendation from a teammate, friend or neighbor. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation for more information.
Chuck Pezzano Scholarships
Due: 4/30/26
$5,000
The International Bowling Media Association (IBMA) may annually award scholarships to students attending college or graduating high school seniors planning on attending college. The scholarship is named in memory of IBMA, USBC and PBA Halls of Fame journalist Chuck Pezzano. To be eligible, applicants must be interested in writing about bowling either as a volunteer, part- or full-time media. They must participate in the sport of bowling, although bowling skills are not a requisite. Applicants must not have exceeded their 25th birthday during the calendar year of the award. The first step to apply is to fill out the online pre-application. Once this is received and the information the applicant has provided meets the application qualifications, they will receive a full application to fill out and submit. The full application must be accompanied by at least one reference letter and a short essay. Finalists will be asked to provide a copy of their school transcripts. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.
Keep the Spark Alive Scholarship Fund
Due: 4/30/26
|No Recommendations Required
|No Transcripts Required
$1,500
The Keep the Spark Alive Scholarship Fund was created for students who are members of the BV Eastside Lacrosse Team. Applicants must be high school seniors. Consideration to academic achievement, community service and other extracurricular activities. This scholarship will be awarded in full prior to the fall semester of the year they are awarded. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation for more information.
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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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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
Get tips for writing scholarship essays. Learn what makes a good scholarship essay.
Find scholarship resources
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