By Lisa Freedland

Lisa Freedland is a Scholarships360 writer with personal experience in psychological research and content writing. She has written content for an online fact-checking organization and has conducted research at the University of Southern California as well as the University of California, Irvine. Lisa will be graduating from the University of Southern California in Fall 2021 with a degree in Psychology.

Posted: September 21st, 2021

Cheerleaders are an impressive bunch, making their stunts, backflips, and tumbles look easy, all while smiling! If you’re a cheerleader and are looking to continue cheering through college, you’re in luck – there are many cheerleading scholarships available for you.

Get pepped and keep on reading to find out about the top cheerleading scholarships! Just remember: you’ll probably have the best luck finding cheerleading scholarships at the college you plan on attending.

Read more: Top athletic scholarships

Jump ahead to:

• Top cheerleading scholarships
• Frequently asked questions
• Summary of scholarships for cheerleaders
• Upcoming scholarships

Top cheerleading scholarships: University-specific scholarships

University of Kansas

• Eligibility: All cheerleaders on the University of Kansas cheer team
• Amount: $600/year (+$100 if students have a minimum 3.0 GPA)
• Deadline: November 1 (Freshmen Priority Deadline), February 1 (Freshmen Fall Enrollment deadline), May 1 (Transfer Fall Enrollment deadline)

Texas Tech University

• Eligibility: Texas Tech University Cheer Squad members
• Amount: $1,000 leadership scholarship + out of state tuition waiver + more!
• Deadline: January 2022 (Cheer Squad tryout application deadline)

Iowa Cheerleading Coaches’ Association Scholarship

• Eligibility: High school senior cheerleaders whose coaches are ICCA members. Applicants must have a minimum 3.5 GPA by the end of their junior year
• Amount: $500
• Deadline: February 15, 2022

University of Hawaii

• Eligibility: University of Hawaii cheerleaders
• Amount: Full-tuition (in-state and out-of-state); half of tuition (WUE Scholarship)
• Deadline: Varies by scholarship; WUE can be applied for when you apply to UH

Angelo State University

• Eligibility: Cheerleaders at Angelo State University
• Amount: Up to $1,000/year
• Deadline: None! (scholarships automatically awarded if eligible)

University of Florida

• Eligibility: Members of the Orange or Blue Teams on the University of Florida cheer team
• Amount: Varies (based on years of participation, academic achievement, financial need)
• Deadline: None! (scholarships automatically awarded if eligible)

Georgia Tech

• Eligibility: Georgia Tech cheerleaders 
• Amount: Up to $2,000/year (depends on years of participation)
• Deadline: None! (scholarships automatically awarded if eligible)

Fort Hays State University

• Eligibility: Fort Hays State University cheerleaders (specific requirements vary by scholarship)
• Amount: $1,600/year (on-campus students); $500 stipend/semester (off-campus students)
• Deadline: None! (scholarships automatically awarded if eligible)

University of Kentucky

• Eligibility: University of Kentucky cheerleaders on the Blue or White squad (scholarship opportunities vary by squad)
• Amount: Scholarship equivalent to in-state tuition (Blue Squad only); $100 – $300 for members with a minimum 3.0 GPA (any squad)
• Deadline: None! (scholarships automatically awarded if eligible)

Louisiana State University

• Eligibility: Louisiana State University cheerleaders with a minimum 2.3 GPA
• Amount: $1,000/yr. (second-years); $1,500/yr. (third-years); $2,000/yr. (fourth-years)
• Deadline: None! (scholarships automatically awarded if eligible)

University of South Carolina

• Eligibility: University of South Carolina cheerleaders (specific requirements vary by award)
• Amount: Varies
  • First-years: $250/semester 
  • Veteran cheerleaders: $500/semester 
  • Out-of-state cheerleaders with a minimum 3.0 GPA or transfers with a 3.5 GPA from previous institution: Reduced tuition + $250/semester 
• Deadline: None! (scholarships automatically awarded if eligible)

Frequently asked questions about cheerleading scholarships

Can you get recruited for cheerleading?

Cheerleading in college works somewhat differently from sports like football or basketball; most universities have no recruiting process for cheerleaders. Instead, cheerleaders typically choose a school they would like to attend (after going through the typical college application process), then contact the cheerleading coach once they’ve arrived at the college. From there, they can try out for the team, and hopefully will make it in.

What colleges have the best cheer teams?

Great question! If you’re looking to cheer in college, there’s a bunch of great universities to choose from – spread out all over the country. Some of these include the University of Kentucky, the University of Hawaii, University of Minnesota, and the University of Southern California.

Summary of scholarships for cheerleaders

1. University of Kansas
2. Texas Tech University
3. Iowa Cheerleading Coaches’ Association Scholarship
4. University of Hawaii
5. Angelo State University
6. University of Florida
7. Georgia Tech
8. Fort Hays State University
9. University of Kentucky
10. Louisiana State University
11. University of South Carolina

Upcoming cheerleading scholarships

Wisconsin Association of Cheer/Pom Coaches Scholarship

• Eligibility: High school seniors who are involved in cheer or dance and have a minimum 3.25 GPA. Applicants’ coaches must be WACPC members 
• Amount: $1,000

Competitive Cheer Coaches Association of Michigan Scholarship

• Eligibility: High school senior members of a current MHSSA Competitive Cheer team with a minimum 3.5 GPA by the end of their junior year. Each applicant’s coash must also be a CCAM member and their team must compete in the annual Scholarship Invitational
• Amount: TBD (determined annually)