Sports are an important part of the high school experience. Practice, games, matches, and lots of hard work are put into your sport(s). Whether you are a football player, a tennis player, or a cross country runner, you will also have to think about how you will pay for college when the time comes. For athletes, athletic scholarships are one of the best ways to use your talent on the field to win money for college!

Jump ahead to:

• Top athletic scholarships in 2021
• How to win a college athletic scholarship
• Summary of top scholarships for athletic students
• Expired scholarships

While many Division 1 and Division 3 colleges offer athletic scholarships to the top athletes on their varsity teams, many students are not able to going to be star varsity athletes in college. But don’t worry–there are tons of great athletics scholarship opportunities available for other students who do not intend to play sports in college. Keep on reading to learn more!

Top athletic scholarships to apply for in 2021:

$1,000 FieldLevel Athletic Recruiting No-Essay Scholarship

• Eligibility: Open to high school students who create a free FieldLevel profile and connect with their coaches
• Amount: $1,000
• Deadline: April 30, 2021

$1,000 Next College Athlete No-Essay Scholarship

• Eligibility: All high school student athletes
• Amount: $1,000
• Deadline: April 30, 2021

$500 Mechanism Fitness Matters Scholarship

• Eligibility: All undergraduate college students who share about how they stay fit
• Amount: $500
• Deadline: April 30, 2021

Triple-Impact Competitor Scholarships

• Eligibility: High school juniors (class of 2022) residing in the USAS who play a high school or club sport (must maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher)
• Amount: $1,000 (over 100 awarded!)
• Deadline: May 31, 2021

Sara Scholarship

• Eligibility: Female golfers who are high school seniors.
• Amount: $2,000
• Deadline: April 30, 2021

Fitness and Education Scholarship

• Eligibility: Incoming college freshman with a 3.0 GPA entering a fitness related major at a four year university
• Amount: $2,000
• Deadline: June 1, 2021

Big Sun Scholarship

• Eligibility: Student athletes who are high school seniors or in college
• Amount: $500
• Deadline: June 19, 2021

Billy Welu Scholarship

• Eligibility: College students who combine outstanding bowling talents with academic excellence
• Amount: $1,000
• Deadline: June 21, 2021

Michael Moody Fitness Scholarship

• Eligibility: High seniors, college students, and graduate students interested in pursuing a career in health, wellness, or fitness
• Amount: $1,500
• Deadline: August 1, 2021

United States Bowling Congress Scholarships

• Eligibility: Various criteria for high school and college students. All applicants must have USBC Youth membership
•  Amount: Varies
• Deadline: Varies

How to win a college athletic scholarship

College scholarships for student athletes are available for students playing college sports at the Division 1 and Division 2 level. These scholarships can range from a partial scholarship to a full ride. Being a scholarship varsity athlete is a bit like having a full time job, which is why these scholarships can be so generous.

The catch is that in order to receive an athletic scholarship at a Division 1 or Division 2 college, you must be recruited to play. The recruitment process tends to be very competitive and can be quite complex.

If you are interested in this or wondering if you may be good enough to be recruited, we suggest that you talk to your high school coach for more information. Chances are that they have coached a student or two who has gone through the process and will be able to provide some insight to you.

Also, the National College Athletic Association has rules about eligilbity for potential varsity student athletes. Students will need to meet the eligilbity requirements, which include specific academic standards.

Summary of top scholarships for athletic students:

1. $1,000 FieldLevel Athletic Recruiting No-Essay Scholarship
2. $1,000 Next College Athlete No-Essay Scholarship
3. $500 Mechanism Fitness Matters Scholarship
4. Triple-Impact Competitor Scholarships
5. Sara Scholarship
6. Fitness and Education Scholarship
7. Big Sun Scholarship
8. Billy Welu Scholarship
9. Michael Moody Fitness Scholarship
10. United States Bowling Congress Scholarships

Expired scholarships

Burger King Scholars

• Eligibility: High school seniors or college students who are leaders in community service, athletics, or another extracurricular activity.
• Amount: Up to $50,000
• Deadline: December 15, 2020

Donald De La Haye “No Regrets” Scholarship

• Eligibility: Open to high school senior athletes who intend to pursue a career in sports. Creation of a one-minute video describing who you are and why you deserve the scholarship is required. 
• Amount: $5,000
• Deadline: March 31, 2021

Grow the Game Volleyball Scholarship

• Eligibility: Open to students at all educational levels who demonstrate passion, achievement, and leadership efforts in growing the game of volleyball
• Amount: $2,500   
• Deadline: March 31, 2021

Foot Locker Scholarship

• Eligibility: High school seniors who are athletes
• Amount: $20,000
• Deadline: January 6, 2021

Heisman High School Scholarship

• Open to high achieving high school student athletes
• Amount: $500 to $5,000
• Deadline: October 20, 2020

OXB #TeamSports College Athlete Scholarship

• Eligibility: Open to college athletes who share about their favorite team building moments and/or strategies
• Amount: $1,500
• Deadline: March 1, 2021

TrophyCentral Sportsmanship & Compassion Scholarship

• Eligibility: High school seniors with a 3.25 GPA or above who writes the most moving essay about sportsmanship 
• Amount: $1,000
• Deadline: September 1, 2020