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: January 31

$1,000 Next College Athlete No-Essay Scholarship

• Eligibility: Open to all high school student athletes
• Amount: $1,000
• Deadline: February 1, 2021

$500 Mechanism Fitness Matters Scholarship

• Eligibility: Open to all undergraduate college students who share about how they stay fit
• Amount: $500
• Deadline: April 30, 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: This scholarship is open to college students who combine outstanding bowling talents with academic excellence
• Amount: $1,000
• Deadline: June 21, 2021

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

Foot Locker Scholarship

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

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

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

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

Sara Scholarship

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

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. Big Sun Scholarship
5. Billy Welu Scholarship
6. Donald De La Haye “No Regrets” Scholarship
7. Foot Locker Scholarship
8. Grow the Game Volleyball Scholarship
9. Michael Moody Fitness Scholarship
10. OXB #TeamSports College Athlete Scholarship
11. Sara Scholarship

Expired scholarships

Advancement of Women in Sports & Entertainment Scholarship

• Eligibility: Full-time undergraduate sophomore, junior, senior or first year of graduate school students who are majoring in Public Relations, Communication, Media Studies, Marketing or Journalism majors with a desire to work in the entertainment or sports industry
• Amount: $1,000
• Deadline: This scholarship is offered twice per year with deadlines of June 14 and November 17

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 15th

Heisman High School Scholarship

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

Sports Unlimited 

• Eligibility: High school seniors and college freshman and sophomores 
• Amount: $1,000
• Deadline: April 30

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

United States Bowling Congress Scholarships

• Eligibility: Various criteria for high school and college students. All applicants must have USBC Youth membership
•  Amount: Varies
• Deadline: December 1