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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
6 days left!
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Stockton Student Athletes Scholarship Fund
Due: 3/31/26
|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 up to $6,000 over four years. Applicants must be a high school senior at any school located in the City of Stockton and pursue an undergraduate degree in any major. Applicants must plan to play collegiate level sports in any sport. Applicants must provide a letter verifying that they have been accepted to play sports at the college or university level. They must also provide a current letter of recommendation from a coach or teacher at their high school. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.
6 days left!
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Fred K. Lane Scholarship Fund
Due: 3/31/26
|No Recommendations Required
|No min. GPA Required
$3,000
The Fred K. Lane Scholarship Fund will support graduating high school seniors who are past or current members (individual or family) or employees of the Orchards Golf Course in South Hadley or residents of South Hadley with a preference for a graduating senior who has played golf or a sport. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts for more information.
6 days left!
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Dinn Brothers Student Athlete Award Fund
Due: 3/31/26
|No Recommendations Required
|No min. GPA Required
$3,000
The Dinn Brothers Student Athlete Award Fund will be given to one male and one female scholar athlete from western Massachusetts. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts for more information.
6 days left!
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Eric Clayton Hockey Memorial Scholarship Fund
Due: 3/31/26
|No Recommendations Required
|No min. GPA Required
$3,000
The Eric Clayton Hockey Memorial Scholarship Fund will be awarded to graduating high school seniors from Easthampton, Holyoke, Southampton, or Westhampton; with preference to those with ice hockey involvement. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts for more information.
7 days left!
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Mark D'Angelo Memorial Scholarship Fund
Due: 4/1/26
|No essay
|No min. GPA Required
|No Transcripts Required
Varies
The Mark D'Angelo Memorial Scholarship Fund is open to Mount Carmel Area High School graduating seniors. Applicants must have attended Mt. Carmel Area High School for a minimum of three years. Applicants must have attained at least 2 varsity letters in the sport of wrestling. Applicants must have demonstrated qualities of good character and integrity. Additional consideration will be given to students that have been involved in extra-curricular activities and clubs. Students will be considered through a nomination process by the coach. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania for more information.
7 days left!
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Jordan M. Bower Memorial Scholarship Fund
Due: 4/1/26
|No essay
|No Recommendations Required
|No min. GPA Required
|No Transcripts Required
Varies
The Jordan M. Bower Memorial Scholarship Fund is open to Montoursville Area High School graduating seniors. Applicants must have demonstrated interest in track. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania for more information.
7 days left!
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Steve Grogan Scholarship Fund
Due: 4/1/26
|No Recommendations Required
|No min. GPA Required
|No Transcripts Required
Varies
The Steve Grogan Scholarship Fund was established to provide scholarships to graduating seniors from high schools located in Franklin County, Kansas. Preference will be given to those students attending Ottawa High School in Ottawa, Kansas. Applicants must have participated in some form of high school athletics and have a GPA that ranks in the top one-third of their graduating class. Recipients may reapply for the scholarship. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation for more information.
7 days left!
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Jersey Shore High School Class of 1960 Scholarship Fund
Due: 4/1/26
|No essay
|No Recommendations Required
|No min. GPA Required
|No Transcripts Required
Varies
The Jersey Shore High School Class of 1960 Scholarship Fund is open to Jersey Shore Area High School graduating seniors. Applicants must attend an accredited institution of higher education in the Fall after graduation and will be in the top half of the graduating class. Applicants must have shown evidence of leadership ability in school, athletics, and extracurricular activities; and have paid work experience and performed community or volunteer services. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania for more information.
7 days left!
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Kenneth and Sandra Gardner Leadership Scholarship Fund
Due: 4/1/26
|No essay
|No Recommendations Required
|No min. GPA Required
|No Transcripts Required
Varies
The Kenneth and Sandra Gardner Leadership Scholarship Fund is open to Muncy Jr/Sr High School graduating seniors. Applicants must attend an accredited college or university to pursue a degree in engineering, nursing, or pre-medical. Applicants must be academically in the top 25 percent of their senior class. Applicants must also be good citizens who show leadership qualities and have good moral character. Applicants must show leadership qualities by meeting two of the following three criteria: (1) Captain or co-captain of a recognized varsity sport. (2) An officer of a high school sanctioned organization or club. (3) An Eagle Boy Scout or a Gold Award Girl Scout. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania 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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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.
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