College passes by faster than you might think, especially if you’re a student athlete! As a result, you may be thinking about your future and what you plan on doing once you graduate.
Fortunately, the NCAA gives student-athletes more time to decide with their postgraduate program. Participating in it gives athletes access to NCAA postgraduate scholarships to put toward continuing their education after graduation.
To learn more about this competitive program, keep reading below!
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What is the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship Program?
While the NCAA is usually known as the main governing body within the world of collegiate sports, the organization aims to support and ensure the athletic and academic success of student-athletes throughout the U.S. Therefore, this program incentivizes student-athletes to get a postgraduate degree by making it more affordable.
Through the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship Program, 126 scholarships are given out annually to student-athletes that show promise in both their performance in and outside of the classroom. Students attending any college can be nominated, and everyone is considered equally for the award, regardless of when you finished undergrad.
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How much is the NCAA award?
In fall, winter and spring, the NCAA awards $10,000 scholarships to 21 women and 21 men. The nominees are first reviewed by a regional committee before being sent to the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship Committee.
Winners are able to use the funding toward educational expenses such as research, tuition, and room and board. The award can also be used for colleges outside of the country, and even if you transfer after winning, you’re still entitled to your award.
How can I be nominated for a NCAA Scholarship?
In order to be considered for this scholarship, you must be nominated by a Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR) or a FAR designee. However, only ten student-athletes can be nominated (five women and five men) by a college or university per season.
The FAR or FAR designee determines your eligibility and submit the nominations to the online portal for consideration. There are deadlines for each season, so be sure to start talking about your nomination early on.
How do I qualify for the program?
In order to qualify for the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship Program, students must:
- Be seniors in college or have received your bachelor’s degree and intend on enrolling into a graduate degree program
- Have an overall GPA of 3.2 or higher
- Be in the final season for NCAA athletic eligibility or completed it
Frequently asked questions about the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship Program
Who can nominate me for the NCAA Scholarship Program?
Can I apply/be nominated more than once?
When is the best time to apply/be nominated for a NCAA Scholarship?