Athletic Scholarships – Page 2 – Sportscholarships.us

Snowboarding and Skiing Scholarships

Snowboarding and skiing scholarships are relatively few and far between. The National Collegiate Athletic Association does give out some ski scholarships.

Snowboarding and skiing scholarships are relatively few and far between. While the National Collegiate Athletic Association does give out some ski scholarships, there are fewer programs available for students interested in snowboarding. Across the United States there are numerous alternatives to the NCAA, but overall the number of independent skiing and snowboarding scholarships are lacking. With a relative stranglehold over athletic scholarships, it is no surprise that when the NCAA is involved that there are fewer independent programs available, as they often make up the bulk of awards which can be given out in a given year.

Fortunately there are alternatives that exist, so students who are interested in snowboarding or skiing scholarships do have other options. At the national level, there are very few scholarship granting organizations outside of the NCAA and students will find much better luck looking at the regional or local levels. This will mean talking to coaches or local clubs while searching for skiing and snowboarding scholarships, or joining regional organizations if they offer similar programs themselves. Students will also find decent luck looking for snowboarding and skiing scholarships at specific colleges or universities they are interested in going to. Since the NCAA seems to give out only a very limited number of awards in these categories every year, colleges in some areas have been known to help bridge the gap by making their own programs available.

There is one really great national snowboarding or skiing scholarship available from the Kelly Clark Foundation which is an organization that works actively to support young athletes. This particular opportunity is more targeted at snowboarding scholarships, which tends to receive less attention than skiing with regards to financial aid. It gives out awards totaling $11,500 to students attending mountain schools in the United States. Students interested in this program should be planning to or attending a mountain school somewhere in the US, be actively engaged in snowboarding or snowboarding teams, and have a strong academic history. All applicants will also need to show a sincere financial need. Application materials should be turned in no later than June 30.

The Jackson Hole Ski Club provides a regional scholarship that students should be fairly interested in. This particular program is designed to help students be able to afford the costs of skiing and entering into athletics. While this may not necessarily help them afford the cost of college, it will help them maintain active participation in a collegiate program while not having to worry about additional costs. Students who are interested in this program will need to have at least a 3.0 grade point average, an active membership in the Jackson Hole Ski Club, clear indicators of leadership, and an interest in continuing to participate in the program. All financial awards will be given out based on need. The program’s deadline is November 15.

Another regional program, specifically aimed at college students, is the Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage. The program gives out awards totaling $9,000 to a varying number of students. In 2010 the number of awards given out was seven. Students interested in the program will need to be active members of the NSAA, be actively committed to the sport, be active members in community services and have a strong academic record. Applications are due April 12 and the 2012 cycle will begin towards the end of 2011.

snowboard-scholarships — Snowboarding Scholarships

Colleges are generally an outstanding source of additional financial aid for specific programs like snowboarding and skiing scholarships. Students who are attending Sierra Nevada College, for example, will have access to a skiing and snowboarding scholarship, one of the few programs which award both. Applicants will need to be active members of the ski and snowboard team. Those who would like to apply to the program should contact the team’s coach. It cannot be denied that the NCAA does not give enough skiing and snowboard scholarships to interested students, so savvy students will find their financial aid through clubs, regional associations or the colleges they are attending.

College Rowing Scholarships

College rowing scholarships have been becoming more common place in North America since the late 1990s especially in places which have never hosted rowing teams.

College rowing scholarships have slowly been becoming more common place in North America since the late 1990s, especially in places which have never before hosted rowing teams. Despite the rising popularity of the sport, scholarships for rowing are still relatively rare when compared to other athletic scholarships. Most college rowing scholarships are available either through specific colleges or through rowing clubs, also known in some areas as boathouses. Students who are interested in rowing scholarships will want to look very carefully through available programs, as there are many funding options available but not necessarily for college.

Quite a few rowing scholarships exist specifically to help people get into the sport through local boathouses and are not available for college funding. Students interested in collegiate rowing scholarships will find their best sources are either through National Collegiate Athletic Association funding programs. Colleges which host effective rowing scholarship programs are few and far between while also generally focused on women rowers. Those looking for rowing scholarships would also be advised to check sources very carefully – with the rise in the popularity of rowing, many different programs have popped up only to disappear within couple of years. Colleges and the NCAA provide the most stable rowing scholarship opportunities, and students would be smart to check in with these sources first and foremost. The Rowers Almanac, now very much out of date, still provides some useful links for students to make use of, so checking there as a secondary source is never a bad idea.

Regional organizations have been known to provide limited athletic scholarships for rowing to members or outstanding athletes. The Merrimac River Rowing Association is one such group giving out two different rowing scholarships of $250 every year. This athletic scholarship is non-renewable and all applicants will need to be members of the MRRA. Eligibility for the program requires that applicants be accepted to college and be nominated by a coach or MRRA officer. Application materials must be turned in no later than March 15 in order to be considered. This rowing scholarship is one example of the very few regional associations which provide athletic scholarships. Students interested in regional awards should consult with organizations in which they have membership to find out whether or not their association has a program of their own.

Much more common than regional program many boathouses or rowing clubs provide college rowing scholarships. The Occoquan Boat Club is a good example of an organization which provides rowing scholarships more locally. OBC provides the Julia Shaw Memorial Rowing Scholarship to students who are members of the club and row on the Occoquan Reservoir. In order to be eligible for the program students will need to be current students at a high school in Sandy Run, Bull Run or Oxford House and be active in their school’s rowing program. The awards given out are between $250 and $500. Varying numbers of students are given awards each year and in 2011 sixteen different students received financial aid. Application materials must be turned in no later than December 3, 2011.

Another great example of an organization which gives out a rowing scholarship comes from the Toledo Community Foundation which gives out the Toledo Rowing/Anderton L. Bentley, Jr. Memorial Scholarship. This program awards a varying amount every year to an unspecified number of students which can be used to help pay for tuition, books, rooming or other college related fees. Students interested in this program will need to be members of the Toledo Rowing Club, be United States citizens, be active rowing participants for at least on year, have a 3.5 grade point average and have strong scores on the ACT or SAT. All application materials are due no later than May 27.

College rowing scholarships can sometimes be difficult to come by and students should always consult with their coaches or local boathouses for information regarding financial assistance. Particularly strong rowing athletes should always pick up a recruiting service and make an attempt for an NCAA rowing scholarship which typically provides at least half of a school’s tuition costs, but often makes available full rides to a very limited number of students.

Rodeo Scholarships

College rodeo scholarships for students who not only have an interest in college but also enjoy the thrill of participating in the rodeos held across the US.

College rodeo scholarships are available for those students who not only have an interest in college but also enjoy the thrill of participating in the various rodeos held across the United States. A relatively popular sport, especially in the southern and Midwestern portions of the US, there are many organizations which give out financial awards. These college rodeo scholarships are available from national organizations such as the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association or even regional groups like the Texas Tech Rodeo Association. Colleges around the country who maintain active rodeo teams often provide athletic scholarshipsto students who join the team or participate in various events. When it comes right down to it, students who are interested in a rodeo scholarship have a number of opportunities available to them, especially if they are planning to attend school in the south or Midwest.

The National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association offers multiple scholarships for rodeo every year to students interested in going off to college. Eligibility for each of these six different programs varies depending on the athletic scholarship. The John J. Smith Graduate Program rodeo scholarship is the first of these programs and gives out $2,000 awards to varying number of students. Applicants will need to be currently enrolled in a graduate program and be members of the NIRA. Applications must be turned in no later than June 1.

Another NIRA rodeo scholarship is the Harry Vold Duke of the Chutes Scholarship program which gives out a single $2,500 award. Applicants will need to be NIRA members, be working actively towards a degree, be able to show real passion for the rodeo and display some level of personal characteristics similar to Harry Vold. Applications must be turned in no later than May 30.

A direct rodeo scholarship from the NIRA is also available every year as well which gives out multiple $1,500 awards. Applicants will need to have at least a 3.0 grade point average, be able to demonstrate financial need, be members of the NIRA, and be active in rodeo activities. The deadline for this program is May 30.

Fourth in the list of athletic scholarships for rodeo is the Nothing’ But Try award. This program gives out a single $2,500 rodeo scholarship along with three additional $500 amounts. Applicants will need to be currently active in the rodeo scene and be members of the NIRA. All materials are due by May 9.

Looking now to yet another NIRA rodeo scholarship, the Rawhide Rodeo Athletes on Wellness program gives out two $500 awards every year. Applicants to this program will need to be active in the NIRA, have a strong academic history, display a history of exceptional personal characteristics, be involved in community service and always be interested in doing their best at the rodeo. Applications to the Rawhide Rodeo Athletes on Wellness program will need to have their materials turned in no later May 30.

The sixth and final NIRA rodeo scholarship given out is the ProRodeo Hall of Fame program which gives out a varying number of $1,000 awards every year. Students will need to be associated with a college which participates actively in agricultural or rodeo programs and the applicants should have their education focused on agricultural learning. All applications will need to be turned in by November 1.

Colleges in the south or Midwestern United States are a great place to look for college rodeo scholarships. Texas Tech University offers eight different athletic scholarships for rodeo of unspecified amounts every year. Few details are available publicly, and students will only need to fill out a single application in order to apply for the available programs. All assigned winners will be selected based on financial need, academic merit, and their work in the Tech Rodeo. While the deadlines for these programs have pass for 2011, students should watch for 2012 for new applications.

Colorado State University’s Rodeo Team also provides rodeo scholarships through the Mike Cervi Memorial Scholarship Fund. This program awards four to five $3-4,000 rodeo scholarships every year to students who are attending CSU and are part of the rodeo team. Application materials must be turned in no later than March 1 every year.

Ice Hockey Scholarships

College ice hockey scholarships from the National Collegiate Athletic Association and other national organizations which offer athletic scholarships.

College ice hockey scholarships are not as common as one would expect outside of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. There are very few national organizations which offer athletic scholarships for hockey and the majority of such programs are given out at more local levels around the United States and Canada. Students interested in finding ice hockey college scholarships outside of the NCAA should check in first and foremost with the colleges they are applying to as a general rule, but follow that up closely by looking for financial assistance which may be available from local or regional ice hockey associations. While not necessarily the most reliable source for ice hockey scholarships, there are certainly a good number which exist at this level and can be applied to by students who are locally considered exceptional athletes.

Apart from looking at local organizations which may offer ice hockey scholarships, students would also be well advised to expand the scope of their search to more general athletic scholarships. There are many different athletic scholarships available at the more broad level which athletes from across the sports spectrum will be applying to as well. This sort of scholarship, while not specific to those who play ice hockey, are available in a decent enough quantity that they should in all hopes help exceptional athletes bridge any gaps remaining in the funding they still need.

One of the few nationally available scholarships for hockey comes from the Ronald G. Repka Foundation Youth Hockey program. This program is very vague in its various requirements, and no posted due date is available on the website. However, the posted information does tell us that this ice hockey college scholarship is built up around individual players who believe that given their history of play are deserving of an award. As the foundation does seem to want to see a grade history for each student and emphasis their interest in students with strong academic histories, this is clearly an important factor as well. Students who are interested in receiving athletic scholarships for hockey through this program should contact the foundation directly.

Regional ice hockey scholarships are amongst the most common programs available. A group known as Minnesota Hockey provides five different $1,000 scholarships every year to students. Students interested in the program will need to be graduating from high school and registered to play ice hockey in the state of Minnesota on either a Junior Gold or girls’ team. Application deadline details are normally in April. In 2011 this deadline fell on the 10th of April, so students should keep their eyes peeled for more information a few months before that date.

Another regional scholarship for ice hockey comes from Little Caeser’s AAA hockey program. This particular program gives out (10) $2,500 ice hockey scholarships to students who win an award. In order to be eligible, students will need to be participants in the Little Caesar’s AAA hockey program or amateur team, be a graduating high school senior, have at least a 3.0 grade point average, and be currently accepted into a college of their choosing. All application materials will need to be turned in no later than April 15.

The Wisconsin Amateur Hockey Association provides multiple college hockey scholarships every year varying in number depending on the organization’s ability to give charitably. Students will need to be in the top 20 of players at their high school and and be an active participant in the Senior Class Tournament in order to be considered for one of the various $1,000 awards given out. Application materials must be submitted no later than April 22.

A more local program, an ice hockey college scholarship is available through the Summit Hockey association. This organization maintains the Michael Henthorne Award which gives out a single $1,000 hockey scholarship every year. Students who want to apply for this scholarship will need to be actively participating in a Summit County, Colorado hockey league that shows strong interest in teamwork. Students should contact Anna Klaude for further information.

Athletic Scholarships for Softball

Athletic scholarships for softball come in a few different forms, but the most common softball scholarships are available come from the NCAA and the NJCAA.

Athletic scholarships for softball come in a few different forms, but the most common ones available come from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association (NJCAA). Apart from these two organizations, the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) also provides a limited number of softball scholarships every year and other regional or local programs have been known to provide financial assistance as well. Some of these programs are much more competitive than others with some local programs seeming to be the best for any softball player to be able to get access to.

Most commonly softball scholarships are available for women who are going off to college and want to play in a college league, though there are certainly many programs available for men as well though they are found less often in leagues around the United States.

The more nationally oriented softball scholarships given out by the NCAA, NJCAA and NAIA often require some level of ground work by interested applicants wherein they contact recruiters and attempt to get themselves placed onto a team. While it is the case that some players have been able to find their way into a college softball scholarship without the assistance of a recruiting organization, this is becoming substantially less common as groups such as the National Collegiate Scouting Association (NCSA) become more dominant in the field.

It is important to know that there is substantially more than just the NCAA with regards to college softball scholarships. The NJCAA and the NAIA are also big funders when it comes to getting financial aid to need college athletes. While the NCAA does in fact represent the vast majority of colleges participating in collegiate softball, the NAIA represents at least 209 different institutions with the NCJAA representing another 358. NAIA schools have 10 different athletic scholarships for football which they can distribute to recruit new players. Meanwhile the NJCAA gives out 24 softball scholarships per college at the Division 1 level and 24 for those in Division 2. NAIA softball scholarships tend to be partial rides and NJCAA awards tend to be full rides. Important to note here is that students do not have to worry about restricting themselves purely to NCAA schools as, if they do not get into a program, they will still have alternatives remaining to them. Of course recruiting is still an issue and, as time has gone on, colleges have been putting fewer scouts out to look for talent. In their stead multiple “recruiting services” have risen to help students seeking softball scholarships get noticed and, in all hopes, access to an award. Though it is certainly possible to get into a program without the assistance of these programs, colleges have come to so rely upon them that players who do not use recruiters and get into a program regardless are the exception, not the rule.

Outside of the three major players in softball scholarships, there are local and even regional programs students will have available to them. One such example comes from the Babe Ruth League which gives out two different athletic scholarships for softball every year. The Babe Ruth Scholarship gives out $1,000 to various numbers of students. Applicants interested in this program will need to be graduating high school seniors who actively participate in the Babe Ruth League. Having high ACT scores, a good grade point average and strong athletic abilities will help a student get access to this program. The deadline is July 1. Another Babe Ruth League softball scholarship comes from the Jaime Horn Memorial program. This softball scholarship gives out an unspecified amount of aid to a single student and has the same requirements as the Babe Ruth Scholarship except that the deadline is September 1.

Another great example of local softball scholarships comes from the Protect Our Nation’s Youth program in Pennsylvania. Students who have graduated from one of the PONY leagues are eligible to apply and must have all of their materials turned in no later than May 1. Amounts of the award will vary from person to person.

Athletic Scholarships for Football

Scholarships for football are one of the most common athletic scholarships available in the United States given out by the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

Scholarships for football are one of the most common athletic scholarships available in the United States, especially with regards to awards given out by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Outside of NCAA awards, however, other football scholarships readily exist at various levels for students interested in getting additional financial aid. While there are some college football scholarships available through national and regional organizations, most programs available outside of the NCAA are going to be found at specific colleges attempting to bolster their football program. It is here that football scholarships exist in decent enough quantity to be considered by students.

Tips on How to get Football Scholarships
An athlete graduating from high school looking to attend college should certainly consider what football scholarships their target school is offering. Some schools will rely very heavily on NCAA programs but, and especially, at schools where the football program is not really big or where the program is relatively new, football scholarships will generally be available. Unless a student is planning to be a star athlete on a major NCAA school, finding one of these newer programs or even those college football departments that are relatively small but well supported, will very often show great promise with regards to getting financial aid.

Across the United States, the National Football Foundation operates various chapters, many of which give out scholarships for football every year. The Seattle/King County chapter of the NFF is a good example of exactly this, as they offer multiple football scholarships to students who participate in the sport in the area. Two different $2,000 football scholarships are available to players in the back and lineman positions, along with six additional $500 awards to finalists. In order to be eligible for this program students will need to be graduating seniors at one of the 64 high schools covered by the Seattle/King County NFF Chapter and be nominated by their team’s coach at the end of the football season. Students interested in this program should consult with the coach of their team for more details.

Another great example of NFF Chapter football scholarships comes from the Utah wing of the organization. The Utah NFF Chapter provides the Utah High School Scholar-Athlete Award every year, giving out $1,000 to a varying number of students. Students must be nominated for the athletic scholarship, be a part of the All-State Football program, maintain a 3.5 grade point average, and have a strong history of community volunteerism. Nomination forms and all submission materials are due no later than January 31.

East Central University provides at least two different football scholarships outside of the NCAA to students. The ECU Football Alumni Scholarship program gives out an unspecified amount of money to students who are going to graduate in at least two semesters and have maintained at least a 2.0 grade point average. A second football scholarship of a varying amount is given out through the Joe B. Milam award based on a nomination from the ECU football staff.

The University of Nebraska Kearny has established numerous college football scholarships for students coming to their institution. Like many other college athletic scholarships, these programs give out amounts based on various criteria including financial need and educational merit. Amongst the various football scholarships at this school are the Alvin Brown Memorial program, specifically reserved for students in the varsity football or basketball programs, and the Gary G. Johnson Memorial fund which is designed for sophomores, juniors, or senior participating only in the football program. The Johnson Memorial Fund is a nomination only program, so interested students should speak with their coach regarding that football scholarship.

The Bloomsburg University Foundation kicked off their First and Goal program in 2011 in an effort to help revamp a previously lagging program with new football scholarships. While currently this future scholarship for football is not giving out awards, it is building up a $2 million dollar endowment for athletic scholarships to be given out starting spring of 2012. Students who are interested in attending Bloomsburg University and joining the football program should keep an eye on the First and Goal program for their 2012 application announcement.

Athletic Scholarships for Fencing

Athletic scholarships for fencing can be difficult to find in the United States outside of the National Collegiate Athletics Association.

fencing scholarships — Scholarships for Fencing

When it comes right down to it, athletic scholarships for fencing can be difficult to find in the United States outside of the National Collegiate Athletics Association. Unlike other sports which receive some amount of funding from local clubs or regional organizations, fencing is a field that is sparsely populated with players and does not receive nearly as much attention as other athletically competitive fields. While this may seem like bad news, fact of the matter is that with a smaller player pool and the amount of available programs, students have a substantially higher chance of scoring a fencing scholarship as compared to other athletic scholarships. Using the NCAA as point of comparison, students going for football, baseball, or other big athletic fields have roughly a six percent chance of getting access to a program as compared to fencers who have around a 50% chance of winning an award. Additional fencing scholarships outside of the NCAA make finding financial aid a little easier, especially for top level athletes. Those students interested in athletic scholarships for fencing are going to find their best bet in the colleges they are planning to apply to. This is where a majority of non-NCAA funding seems to appear, through university fencing programs which seek good candidates for their club.

The Herbert Gee Fencing Scholarship is available to students who are graduating from a San Francisco public high school that is also a participant in the “Rusty Blade” organization. Two different college fencing scholarships are available through this fund, one for a male and another for a female athlete. It gives out $1,000 to each student to be used at the school they intend to attend. Applicants will need to have strong academic histories, actively participate in fencing competitions and be able to submit an essay to the organization. Awards are generally given out after the end of the fencing season and students interested in further information should contact the Rusty Blades directly.

A national fencing scholarship is available through the Eric Wang Memorial Fund in the form of the FIT Scholarship. This program requires that students have fencing experience, be a high school senior or freshmen to juniors in college, and be enrolled as an undergraduate. Students will have the opportunity to win one of two different $500 awards. In 2009 and up into 2010 the awards went as high as $750, but seem to have come back down to $500 in 2011. Students should keep an eye on the reward amounts as they may go up again in the future.

Students who are attending Columbia College may be interested to know that a non-NCAA fencing college scholarship is available for them through the Herbert C. Spiselman Endowment. This program awards various numbers of grants every year to students involved in the Columbia fencing program with financial awards to help them pay for their education.

Reed College is another university which provides fencing scholarships. The Douglas Williams Scholarship Fencing Tournament is held every year. A truly competitive program, this athletic fencing scholarship will be awarded to the top players at the tournament. A total purse of $10,000 is shared by the top three students who are actually eligible for financial aid, meaning that they will need to show financial need.

Considering the various program available to students, the best bet for a fencing scholarship remains the NCAA divisions across the country. While only roughly 38% of NCAA placers will receive full ride scholarships, there are still a number of partial ride programs available. Women fencers have even better chances of picking up an NCAA fencing scholarship, coming in at 48% of the awards. Apart from trying to find an NCAA fencing scholarship or using one of the listed alternatives, students should consult with their collegiate fencing team, consult with their fencing coaches, or talk fencing clubs they may be a member of. Certainly it is true that none of these sources are guaranteed to pull a university fencing scholarship out of their hats, they are the best sources of information or potential programs.

NJCAA Scholarships

NJCAA Scholarships are offered through grants from the National Junior College Athletic Association and are then used to support athletic scholars.

NJCAA Scholarships are offered through grants from the National Junior College Athletic Association and are then used to support athletic scholars who have shown not only exceptional abilities relating to sports but also to their academic progress. Grants which are given out to individual community colleges are typically handled at the local level, though specific restrictions are in place which limits the number of awards which can be given out at colleges around the country. Beyond that, individual institutions maintain the rights to set their own standards of academic development and athletic achievement.

Many NJCAA scholarships are full ride programs, providing the entirety of a student’s funding while they are attending school and maintaining appropriate levels of academic achievement. While not as big as other college athletic associations such as the NCAA, the NJCAA covers an immense amount of programs including the big ones like baseball, basketball, football and cross country. Golf, lacrosse, softball, soccer, swimming, tennis, bowling and other athletic programs are also covered. Basically, if a student is an athlete and heading off to college, they will likely be able to find support through an NJCAA scholarship.

Students should know that NJCAA scholarships are not like those given out by the NCAA and the rules of play are quite different. Recruitment is not as common – students will need to make their presence known to coaches at NJCAA member schools and convince them that they are worth the investment. Because coaches are junior colleges have very small budgets for recruitment, they will often know very little about students who are attempting to apply into their programs. As a result of this it can be difficult to make recommendations without information to back it up. Students interested in NJCAA junior college athletic scholarships should come prepared to show what they can do on the field and for the team.

As NJCAA scholarships are limited to only 24 per school, only those athletes capable of making a strong case will have the chances of winning access to an award. With so many different sports programs being supported at some schools, students will need to make sure they are representing themselves in the best light.

This is of course only part of the process. All student applicants who have an interest in NJCAA scholarships will need to have submitted to the eligibility requirements of the association in order to even get a chance at an award. Students will need to determine which junior colleges in their area are members of the NJCAA and submit to eligibility screening through their specific program. All applicants will need to either have a GED or be a high school graduate. Students who do not meet these standards may achieve basic eligibility by attending college for at least 12 credits while maintaining at least a 1.75 grade point average. Individual institutions may maintain more stringent requirements, but students will only know what those are by contacting the school’s NJCAA director.

NJCAA scholarships are very generous in what they cover. Not only do they normally cover basic tuition costs but very often cover lodging, books, and various other fees related to school. Some schools may split these programs up, covering more students but less with regards to cost to attendance, but students will need to check with their school to find out if this is the case where they have chosen to attend.

Before going on and selecting a school, students should be aware of a couple of things. NJCAA scholarships are available only for a limited time to students attending a community college and the expectation is that a student will go on to a four year university. Students who have not done well in school, or are not entirely sure where they want to go professionally after graduation should take the junior college route in order to buff up their grades and select a career path. Getting an NJCAA scholarship is a really great way for young athletes to attend school. However, all interested students should be aware that NJCAA scholarships are only available at Division I and Division II schools.

NCAA Scholarships for Sports

NCAA scholarships for sports students are available for those who have been actively involved in their school’s athletic program and show a dedication to education.

NCAA scholarships for sports students are available for those who have been actively involved in their school’s athletic program and show a dedication to education. The National Collegiate Athletic Association offers several NCAA college scholarships itself giving funding at different levels from full rides to smaller programs designed to simply help offset the general cost of college. Regardless of the size of the award, students who are active athletes and involved in a school which is a member of the NCAA should sincerely consider a NCAA scholarship as any amount of aid is better than none. The smallest NCAA athletic scholarship award is $6,000 meaning that, while not as big as other programs, the assistance is still going to be high. Students who are not athletes themselves but are interested in working in a field which deals with athletes as part of its primary duties will also be eligible for at least one of the NCAA sports scholarships. Beyond the regular NCAA scholarships offered the organization also has two different programs available to students who have otherwise exhausted the extent of financial assistance. The mix of awards available, the number of applicants selected every year and the amount of money given out make these programs extremely attractive.

Undergraduate NCAA scholarships are given out every year to students from Division I and II schools. These programs are oriented towards athletics and while academics are important, they will not be the primary focus of the awards. In order to be eligible for an undergraduate NCAA college scholarship students are going to need to be able to become an athlete at a member school. The NCAA website has a list of applicable schools and as they are too numerous to list here students should check directly at the website. Eligibility for becoming an athlete who is eligible for undergraduate scholarships, students will need to have graduated from high school, complete 16 credits at a Division I school or 14 at a Division II, maintain a qualifying grade point average, have received a decent score on the ACT and become certified through the organization. Once these basic qualifications have been passed students will be able to apply for athletic NCAA scholarships. There are many such programs available through individual schools and students should apply carefully.

Those students who are not going for a direct athletic NCAA scholarship will be able to apply for a number of various programs including the Jim McKay Scholarship Program which focuses on sports journalism. In order to be eligible for this program students will need to have a 3.5 minimum grade point average, have competed in athletic varsity groups at NCAA schools, be enrolled at a NCAA member school, have an interest in a degree relating to communications and have operated in leadership roles. This NCAA scholarship gives out multiple $10,000 awards every year. The deadline for this program is January 28 of every year.

The Walter Byers Postgraduate NCAA Scholarship Program provides $24,000 a year to two new students on a two year basis which is renewable should their post graduate education continue. All applicants to this NCAA scholarship will need to have at least a 3.5 grade point average, have competed in intercollegiate athletics at an NCAA school, be a graduating senior from a NCAA member school, be applying to a graduate program, be able to show leadership qualities and be willing to attend full time. Applicants must be nominated by a faculty representative of the NCAA and all materials must be turned in no later than January 28 of every year.

The Ethnic Minority and Women’s Enhancement Postgraduate NCAA College Scholarship provides financial assistance to minorities and women who are interested in entering a profession which works with athletes. This NCAA scholarship provides (23) $6,000 scholarships every year to winners of the award. In order to be eligible for this program, students will need to be seeking admission in a post graduate program which will directly help them in finding a job in intercollegiate athletics, be United States citizens, and have received distinctive honors at their undergraduate institution. The deadline for this program is December 2 of every year.

Dance Scholarships for Dancing

Like other sports scholarships there are many awards offered in the area of dance but there are general dance scholarships, as well as dancing scholarships.

Like other sports scholarships there are many awards offered in the area of dance, however, dance has many forms and there are general dance scholarships, as well as dancing scholarships specific to a certain area of dance or institute of study. Dance is also different from other sports (unlike baseball or soccer) in that students often will major or earn a degree in the study. Scholarships for dance are given for a vast variety of reasons from need to talent to region to demographics and are funded by an equally large pool of individuals and businesses, etc. Several specific scholarships for dancing are listed here and then two sources which do a lot of research on dance scholarships and have information on a huge variety of them follow.

A dance scholarship program was established in 1999 by American Harlequin for students in any performing arts area, including dance. Ten scholarships for dancing totaling $25,000 will be awarded. This scholarship is the easiest one available; it is all online and does not even require a signature on your part but a basic rationale as to why you are pursuing this career. The other unique thing about this substantial dance scholarship is that your odds of winning are equal to any other applicants. The reason being is that scholarship winners are randomly drawn from all applicants, because American Harlequin does not feel equipped to judge applicants’ talent or financial situation. Applications are due by November 1, 2011 and winners will be notified shortly after.

The Jesse Karat Dance Scholarship was established in honor of its namesake who was killed in a car accident at the age of 13. Because she loved all dance forms, individuals specializing in any dance form are eligible for this $500 scholarship. Financial need is not a consideration for this dancing scholarship as applicants will be judged on merit alone. The committee wants to know about the applicant’s dreams, training, program of study, etc. in order to determine recipients. Application materials become available in April every year and are due by June 30. The recipient(s) are notified mid-August of the award.

Grace Kelly became Princess Grace of Monaco and worked with her husband, Prince Rainier III to support new artists in honing their skills and supporting them as they attempted to reach their goals. Upon her death, the Prince created the Princess Grace Foundation-USA in honor of her dreams and legacy. The Princess Grace Awards recognize the talent of individual artists in theater, dance, and film and seek to work with schools to provide with scholarships, apprenticeships, and fellowships which not only give financial help but also opportunity and encouragement to grow and succeed. Awards are disbursed to the organizational body which then disburses funds to the individual. There is no specific grant or monetary average for assistance, as applicants request the amount they need. These requests should be verifiable. Many requests are honored, although not always in the full amount requested and awards generally fall into the range of $5,000-$25,000. Dance scholarships for students at non-profit schools and fellowships for dancers at non-profit companies are available and the deadline for application is April 30, 2011.

If you have a particular school in mind to study dance, you may want to consider looking at the Dance Magazine Scholarship Guide which is published annually in August. This guide lists the largest scholarships for dance by dollar amount and also clearly identifies the school or area associated with the award. You can look up the schools you are most interested in to find the scholarships or narrow down your school choices by those which have the largest opportunities for receiving funds.

Another excellent source for searching for a wide variety of dance scholarships is the NextStudent website. Search for dance scholarships and literally four pages of specific scholarships pop up. It will take time to look through this list to find dancing scholarships for which you are eligible, as many of these are awarded to individuals specializing in a certain aspect of dance or attending a certain school. However, the time will be well worth it, as this and the Dance Magazine lists are the most comprehensive to be found.