20 College Scholarships for High School Athletes in 2023
What’s Covered:
When people think of athletic scholarships, it’s common for minds to wander to the awards many Division 1 and Division 2 colleges use to entice high school sports stars to their schools. While the majority of athletic scholarships are awarded by the schools themselves, there are numerous sports-related scholarships provided by other organizations encompassing a broad range of activities—from niche pursuits like bowling and fencing to more mainstream sports like tennis and golf.
Keep reading to learn about some excellent scholarship opportunities available to high school athletes.
20 College Scholarships for High School Athletes
1. Foot Locker Scholar Athletes Program
Amount: $20,000
Deadline: January 30, 2023
Eligibility:
- Graduating high school senior
- Planning to pursue an undergraduate degree at a two- or four-year college
- Involved in high school sports, intramural sports, or community-based sports
- U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident
Application Requirements:
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Two essays
- Recommendation letter
The Foot Locker Scholar Athletes Program awards twenty $20,000 scholarships to graduating student-athletes planning to pursue an undergraduate degree. This award values participation in athletics, but it doesn’t require prowess on the field, court, or diamond. Rather, the award is given to leaders on sports teams, in the classroom, and in the community.
Foot Locker athletes are highly motivated, proactive, inspiring, charismatic, honest, trustworthy, genuine, strong, and courageous.
2. National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) Student Athlete Scholarships
Amount: $2,000
Deadline: October 27, 2023
Eligibility: Grades 9-12
Application Requirements:
- Minimum 3.5 GPA
- Transcript
- Essay
- Recommendation letter
- Headshot
The NSHSS awards ten $2,000 awards to high schoolers who are passionate about sports. Applicants must compose an essay responding to prompts about what attracts them to the sports they care about and about the challenges of balancing academic and athletic pursuits. Student-athletes of all genders and athletic endeavors are encouraged to apply.
3. BigSun Athletics Scholarship
Amount: $2,000
Deadline: June 19, 2023
Eligibility:
- Graduating high school senior
- Planning on attending a postsecondary institution
Application Requirements: Essay
This scholarship, provided by the BigSun Organization, aims to support student-athletes in their academic pursuits. Applicants must submit a short essay responding to prompts about the influence athletics has had on their high school experience, career goals, and family life. Student-athletes are encouraged to apply regardless of the sport they play or the capacity in which they participate.
4. Paul Bernot Memorial Foundation Scholarship
Amount: $3,000
Deadline: May 15, 2023
Eligibility:
- Completing or completed high school
- Enrolling or enrolled in an accredited college, university, or trade school
- Legal U.S. resident
Application Requirements:
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Transcript
- Essay
- Recommendation letter
- Physician diagnosis verification
The Paul Bernot Foundation Scholarship provides financial support to students with a passion for sports and fitness who are currently, or have previously been, diagnosed with/treated for cancer. Past scholarship recipients have included trail runners, gymnasts, soccer players, swimmers, ultimate frisbee players, and even a D1 volleyball player.
5. Girl Up Sports for a Purpose Scholarship
Amount: $2,500
Deadline: April 3, 2023
Eligibility:
- Between 13 and 24 years old
- Enrolling or enrolled full-time in a college, university, or technical school
- Studying or pursuing a sports-related field
- Contributing to sports- or athletics-related events in the community
Application Requirements: Three short essays
The Girl Up Sports for a Purpose Scholarship aims to provide support in spaces where girls and women are underrepresented, such as sports. Recipients of the award are changemakers who work to create more equitable spaces for everyone.
They are selected based on their leadership, community involvement, educational goals/aspirations, background, and commitment to global gender justice.
6. USTA Martin Mulligan Sr. Spirit of Tennis Scholarship
Amount: $15,000 (over four years)
Deadline: May 1, 2023
Eligibility:
- High school senior
- Planning on entering a four-year college or university
- Participation in National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) programs
- Demonstrated financial need
Application Requirements:
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Two letters of recommendation
- Student Aid Report (SAR)
- Recent photo
The Martin Mulligan Sr. Spirit of Tennis Scholarship is one of the numerous scholarships provided by the USTA Foundation. This particular award is given to high school seniors who’ve participated in NJTL programs, excelled academically, and demonstrated good character, community leadership, and sportsmanship.
The scholarship is distributed over four years and recipients can use it to cover the costs of tuition, room and board, and educational materials.
7. PGA WORKS John & Tamara Lundgren Scholars Program
Amount: $8,000
Deadline: February 9, 2023
Eligibility:
- High school seniors, high school graduates, and undergraduates
- Plan to pursue a PGA Golf Management degree from one of the 17 accredited PGA Golf Management Universities
Application Requirements:
- Transcript
- Personal statement
- Recommendation letter
- Three scorecards from rounds of golf played in the past six months or a golf verification form
This scholarship seeks to assist students interested in pursuing PGA of America Membership and to increase the participation of students from diverse and historically underrepresented backgrounds—consequently, preference is given to women and people of color.
Recipients are selected based on several factors, including their academic record, community service, work experience, and participation in the sport of golf.
8. The Sara Scholarship
Amount: $2,000
Deadline: April 30, 2023
Eligibility:
- Female
- Graduating high school senior
- Planning on enrolling in an accredited college or university
- Demonstrated financial need
- Involvement with the sport of golf
Application Requirements:
- Minimum 3.3 GPA
- Transcript
- Essay
- Letter of recommendation
- Student Aid Report (SAR)
Female high school seniors who enjoy hitting the links will want to check out the Sara Scholarship. A skillful golf game isn’t required to earn an award, but recipients do demonstrate academic achievement, excellent character, and financial need. A minimum of twelve $2,000 scholarships will be awarded in 2023.
9. National Strength and Conditioning Association Foundation (NSCAF) High School Scholarship
Amount: $2,000
Deadline: October 15, 2023
Eligibility:
- Graduating high school senior
- NSCAF membership
- Planning on enrolling in college and majoring in a conditioning-related field
Application Requirements:
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Transcript
- Three letters of recommendation
This scholarship, provided by the NSCAF, provides financial support to high school seniors planning to pursue degrees in conditioning-related fields, which include everything from anatomy to exercise science to sports and fitness administration.
Recipients are chosen based on their college and career aspirations as well as their track record of community service.
10. Absolute Fencing Gear All-Academic Team
Amount: $4,000
Deadline: June 5, 2023
Eligibility:
- Grades 9-12
- Participation in fencing
Application Requirements:
- Minimum 3.4 GPA
- Transcript
- Essay
- Letter of recommendation
Absolute Fencing Gear provides applicants to its All-Academic Team with four scholarships—each of two $4,000 awards is given to one male and one female applicant, and each of two $1,000 awards is given to one male and one female applicant.
To qualify for the All-Academic First Team, students must possess a minimum 3.85 GPA. To qualify for the All-Academic Second Team, students must possess a GPA between 3.4 and 3.84. Only traditional core classes are considered when evaluating transcripts. Scholarship recipients are chosen based on their essays.
11. National Gymnastics Foundation (NGF) Men’s Foundation Academic Scholarship
Amount: Varies
Deadline: May 15, 2023
Eligibility:
- Active USAG Men’s Program competitive athlete
- Planning to pursue college or postsecondary education and continue training and competing in gymnastics
- U.S. citizen
Application Requirements:
- Minimum C average
- Transcript
- Three letters of recommendation
Provided by the NGF, this scholarship aims to increase the participation and pursuit of excellence in gymnastics. Since 1999, the organization has provided almost one million dollars in scholarships to more than 200 athletes.
Recipients are chosen based on numerous factors, including past performances and accomplishments, current level of competition, competitive goals, and academic performance.
12. U.S. Equestrian Foundation Higher Education Equestrian Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: July 31, 2023
Eligibility:
- Graduating high school senior
- Planning on enrolling in college
- United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) member
- Involved in equestrian-related activities
Application Requirements: Essay and letter of recommendation
The USEF awards five $1,000 scholarships to graduating high school seniors who have participated in equestrian-related experiences—for example, through degree programs or classes, participation in an equestrian team or club, or an equestrian-related internship, job, or volunteer work.
Applicants are required to complete an essay about several things—how their involvement in equestrian sport has helped shape them, the skills they’ve acquired through their involvement with horses, the impact this scholarship will have on them, and their career plans and goals.
13. U.S. Bowling Congress (USBC) Dexter High School All-American Team
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: April 30, 2023
Eligibility:
- Grades 9-12
- USBC members who participate on recognized interscholastic high school teams with a varsity or club classification
Application Requirements:
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Essay
- Two letters of recommendation
- Resume of bowling accomplishments
- Photo
The USBC selects ten students (five male students and five female students) annually for its High School All-American Team. Each athlete selected is awarded a $1,000 scholarship. Additionally, one of the ten All-Americans is named team captain and receives the Bud Clapsaddle Team Captain Award and an additional $500.
All-Americans are selected based on academic performance, recommendations, extracurriculars, and community involvement.
14. Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) Scholarships
Amount: $1,000-$5,000
Deadline: March 31, 2023
Eligibility:
- Graduating high school senior
- Accepted to a university, college, or trade school leading to a diploma or trade certification
- U.S. citizen
- Demonstrated marksmanship competition experience
Application Requirements:
- Transcript
- Personal statement
- Letter of recommendation
- Proof of marksmanship activity
The CMP offers scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 to graduating high school seniors who excel in marksmanship—including four $5,000 scholarships that can be renewed for four years, adding to a total of $20,000.
15. Scott & Kim Verplank Foundation Scholarship
Amount: Up to $10,000
Deadline: April 15, 2023
Eligibility:
- High school senior
- Childhood diagnosis of type 1 diabetes
- Participation in an organized athletic team
- U.S. citizen
Application Requirements: Minimum 3.0 GPA and a short essay
Scott and Kim Verplank Foundation scholarships are awarded annually to high school seniors who were diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as children and who participate in organized athletics. Awards are renewable for up to four years and can be used toward tuition, student fees, and books.
16. Atlantic Amateur Hockey Association (AAHA) Daniel Triano Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: April 1, 2023
Eligibility:
- High school seniors
- USA Hockey registered official for a minimum of two seasons
Application Requirements:
- Transcript
- Two teacher letters of recommendation
- Officiating assignor or supervisor letter of recommendation
- Standardized test scores
- Essay
This non-renewable award is open to high school seniors who are registered/active AAHA officials planning on pursuing a postsecondary education. Applicants are required to compose an essay about the influence officiating hockey has had on their personal development.
17. New York Ramblers Scholarship
Amount: $2,500
Deadline: May 1, 2023
Eligibility:
- Between the ages of 15 and 22
- Graduating high school senior
- Planning on attending an undergraduate college or university
- An open and self-identified lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or intersex person (LGBTQI); or a demonstrated and committed ally
Application Requirements:
- Transcript
- Five short essays
- Two letters of recommendation
The New York Ramblers—the world’s first organized openly gay soccer club—provides two $2,500 one-time scholarships annually to graduating high schoolers who self-identify as a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or intersex person. The scholarship is also open to demonstrated and committed allies of the LGBTQI community.
Ideal scholarship recipients will have shown leadership in academics, extracurriculars, and/or athletics, have been involved in extracurricular communities, can articulate their future goals, and have a demonstrated financial need.
18. U.S. Figure Skating Buch Family Academic Scholarship
Amount: N/A
Deadline: Aug. 31, 2023
Eligibility:
- At least 16 years old
- U.S. Figure Skating members active in amateur singles, pairs, or ice dance
- Have competed in a U.S. Figure Skating qualifying competition at the novice, junior or senior level during the past two competitive seasons or equivalent
- Graduating high school seniors planning on attending an institution of higher learning, undergraduates, and graduate students
- Demonstrated financial need
Application Requirements: Minimum 3.4 GPA
In 2023, U.S. Figure Skating will distribute more than three quarters of a million dollars in scholarships to qualifying athletes through awards like The Buch Family Academic Scholarship.
Established in 2013, The Buch Family Academic Scholarship recognizes active amateur skaters who pursue excellence in all their pursuits. Because the scholarship aims to fairly support students who have shown excellence in both academics and athletics, recipients are selected based on their scholastic performance and financial need.
19. FMC Skaters Scholarship
Amount: N/A
Deadline: May 1, 2023
Eligibility:
- High school seniors
- New England residents who skate in FMC arenas
Application Requirements:
- Transcript
- Essay
- Standardized test scores
- Letter of recommendation
Hockey players, as well as figure skaters and recreational skaters, will want to check out this award provided by FMC Ice Sports. The scholarship is open to New England high school seniors who skate in any of FMC’s arenas.
Scholarship recipients are selected based on their academic performance, extracurriculars, accomplishments, and leadership shown on the ice. Applicants must compose an essay about the effects of skating on their lives and personal development.
20. United Bank Scholarship Program
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: April 30, 2023
Eligibility:
- College-bound District of Columbia athletes
- Earned a letter in a varsity sport for at least two years
Application Requirements:
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Transcript
- Teacher recommendation
- Coach recommendation
Washington, D.C. varsity student-athletes will want to consider applying for this scholarship, which distributes five $5,000 awards. The scholarship recognizes the academic performance, leadership, and accomplishments of its recipients and the positive influence athletics has had on their lives.
Recipients can use scholarships for tuition, room and board, and books at accredited colleges, universities, and trade schools.
21 (Bonus). CollegeVine Scholarships
Amount: $2,000
Deadline: Quarterly
Eligibility: high school student and US resident
Application Requirements: create a free CollegeVine account or fill out chancing profile if you already have an account.
CollegeVine provides a quarterly, no-essay scholarship of $2,000. All you have to do is sign up for a free account, which allows you to see your chances of acceptance at 1,600+ schools, get your essays reviewed by a peer, ask questions in our community forum, and more. If you already have an account, just make sure your chancing profile is filled out.
Awards will be paid out directly to students to help them cover any educational costs. Learn more about the CollegeVine scholarships.
Tips for Applying for Scholarships
Apply for Niche Awards
Scholarships focused on smaller geographic areas or unique pursuits may not have the prestige and large financial awards that broader national programs have, but they generally have fewer applicants. Consequently, there’s less competition and a better chance of winning. Being named a USBC Dexter High School All-American won’t pay for all of college, but the $1,000 award will go a long way toward covering expenses like room and board, books, and other costs.
Consider Time-Consuming Scholarships
A common belief about scholarships is that the more awards you apply for, the better your odds of winning one are. While there is some truth to this, the fact is that the less work it takes to apply for a scholarship, the more applicants it will attract. Conversely, the more work it takes to apply for a scholarship, the less competition there will be—increasing your odds of winning an award.
Apply for Awards that Match Your Unique Traits
There are scholarships available for seemingly everything—from athletics, as mentioned above, to art to being a twin. The closer your interests match the intent of the scholarships you apply for, the more your passion will resonate, and the better your chances of winning an award will become.
