Top 39 Athletic Scholarships for Students in October 2023

Are you a graduating high school senior living in the U.S, Puerto Rico, Guam, or Canada and working at Burger King or are related to an employee? If so, consider applying for the Burger King Scholars Program! The scholarship is open to college-bound high school seniors who work at Burger King or are related to an employee and plan to enroll in college full-time for the upcoming academic year. The scholarship is funded by Burger King Foundation, a non-profit organization and a leader in education that aims to create brighter futures by empowering individuals and feeding potential through education and emergency relief. Awards worth between $1,000 and $50,000 will be granted to help winning students pay for college costs. If you’re passionate about your postsecondary education and you or a relative work at Burger King, we encourage you to apply! Bear in mind that the Burger King Scholars Program typically accepts applications from mid-October to mid-December, every year.

Sallie Mae will award $2,000 each month to eligible entrants. No essay or account sign-ups, just a simple scholarship for those seeking help paying for school.

Open to US-Based high school students in the classes of 2024 and 2025 — no essay, minimum GPA, test score, or citizenship requirements.

Open to high school students, college students, community college students, and graduate students.

The YoungArts Competition is funded by YoungArts, an organization that identifies exceptional young artists, amplifies their potential, and invests in their lifelong creative freedom. Every year, their YoungArts Competition awards up to $10,000 to multiple high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors passionate about dance, music, design, film, jazz, photography, theater, visual arts, singing, or writing who submit a written piece or video showcasing their talents. If this scholarship sounds like a fit for you, keep on reading for more application details.

The NSCA Challenge Scholarship is open to NSCA Members seeking either an undergraduate or graduate degree in a strength and conditioning-related field. Eligible fields include, but are not limited to, Exercise Science, Human Performance, Physical Therapy, anatomy, physiology, and more. Awards in the amount of $2,000 are granted and are to be applied toward tuition charges accrued by the student. If you're an NSCA member currently pursuing a degree in a strength- and-conditioning-related field, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading for more application details.

The NSCA High School Scholarship is funded by National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), an organization dedicated to advancing the strength and conditioning and related sport science professions around the world. Every year, the NSCA High School Scholarship awards $2,000 to multiple college-bound high school seniors who plan to pursue a major in a strength and conditioning-related field and who are NSCA members. If this scholarship sounds like a fit for you, keep on reading for more application details.

The Heisman High School Scholarship annually awards up to $10,000 to 101 high school senior athletes who excel in the classroom, on the field, and in the community. Beyond being impressive athletes, applicants should be proven leaders within their community, and have participated in grades 9, 10, or 11 in at least one of the sports recognized by the International Olympic Committee in the Summer and Winter Olympic Games, the Paralympic Games or the National Federation of State High School Associations. The scholarship is funded by Wendy’s & The Heisman Trophy Trust, an organization that annually recognizes an outstanding college football player and supports amateur athletics to provide greater opportunities to the youth of our country. If this scholarship sounds like a fit for you, keep on reading for more application details.

Are you a high school or college member of the USBC (United States Bowling Congress)? If so, you may be eligible for some of the many USBC Youth Scholarships! Each year, the scholarships award between $1,000 and $6,000 to the lucky winners of each scholarship. While each scholarship is different, applicants are largely judged on their academic, leadership, and on-lane performances. The scholarships are offered by the United States Bowling Congress, the National Governing Body for bowling and a membership organization that provides standardized rules, regulations, and benefits. If you’re a USBC member currently in high school or college, we encourage you to check out the USBC Youth Scholarships! These are a great opportunity to help pay for college and get more involved in the USBC community.

Are you a high school senior or college freshman interested in attending an NROTC Affiliated university? If so, consider applying for the Navy ROTC Scholarship! The scholarship is open to current and prospective students looking to enroll at an NROTC Affiliated School. The Naval Service Training Command, the largest shore command of the United States Navy, offers the scholarship. Their mission is to provide “the tools and opportunities for continuous learning and development,” in addition to the recruiting and training of those who wish to serve the nation. Every year, multiple applicants receive the Navy ROTC scholarship in varying amounts to help fund their studies. If you are interested in attending a Navy ROTC-affiliated college or university, we encourage you to apply!

The Athlete Honors Scholarship Program is funded by the AmeriCheer & AmeriDance Family of Brands, an organization that provides “comprehensive instruction and competitive opportunities for young dancers in a professional and economical manner while serving as an advocate for the interests of coaches, cheerleaders, and dancers.” Every year, their Athlete Honors Scholarship Program awards $500 to multiple high school juniors and seniors who perform a dance or cheer routine at an AmeriCheer/AmeriDance event or camp. If this scholarship sounds like a fit for you, keep on reading for more application details.

Are you a high school senior, undergraduate, or graduate student who is majoring in and planning on pursuing a career in a health or fitness-oriented field? You might consider applying for the Michael Moody Fitness Scholarship! Each year, the scholarship awards $1,500 to one such student who has demonstrated outstanding achievements both in and out of school. In order to apply, you must answer a series of three essay questions and complete the online application. If selected as a finalist, you will also be asked to send in your transcript and one letter of recommendation. If you’d like some financial help on your journey to improve others’ health, we encourage you to apply!

Are you a prospective college student who's an intermediate or advanced dancer? If so, you may be interested in applying for the Joan Myers Brown Equity Scholarship! The scholarship is open to college-bound, intermediate and advanced dancers between 7 and 22 years of age. It is offered by the Francisco Gella Dance Works with the intention to teach young dancers and support them on their dance journey, and was created in honor of Joan Myers Brown. Joan was a famed entrepreneur, artist, and visionary, who believed that every motivated student can succeed when given the right opportunities. Thus, the scholarship allows young and passionate applicants to earn awards in varying amounts (up to 100% of their tuition) to help them fulfill their dance and educational dreams. If you are a dancer looking for a way to fund your dancing education, we encourage you to apply!

The Entertainment Community Fund Professional Development Scholarship is funded by the Entertainment Community Fund, an organization that fosters stability and resiliency, and provides a safety net for performing arts and entertainment professionals over their lifespan. Every year, their Professional Development Scholarship awards up to $1,000 to multiple professional dancers of 5+ years who are seeking occupational skills training in a certification or licensure program outside of dance. If this scholarship sounds like a fit for you, keep on reading for more application details.

Are you a college-bound high school senior in the U.S.? Further, do you play a sport and actively demonstrate sportsmanship, kindness, or compassion while doing so? If so, consider applying for the TrophyCentral Sportsmanship Scholarship Award! Each year, the award offers $1,000 to an eligible high school senior who submits a written statement (500 words or less) about their sportsmanship or acts of compassion, in addition to other required application materials. The scholarship is offered by TrophyCentral, an online platform specializing in creating and selling trophies, medals, plaques, and the works. With that said, if you fit the criteria, consider applying and let TrophyCentral reward you for your kindness!

Are you an undergraduate student in the U.S. with a need for speed (i.e. previous participation in a race)? If so, you might consider applying for the Race Entry Student Scholarship! This $500 scholarship is funded by Race Entry, an online race registration company, in order to support students’ pursuit of health and self-improvement through race participation. In order to apply, you must write a 1,000-2,000 word essay describing what inspired you to participate in a race, the challenges you faced, and what you learned from the experience. If you’ve run a race before and can beautifully detail the experience through words, we encourage you to apply!    The scholarship cycle runs from January 1 to August 15th of each year.

Are you a post-secondary student in the U.S. who has attended a rodeo before? If so, you might consider applying for the Rodeo Ticket Student Scholarship! Dedicated to supporting rodeo enthusiasts of all backgrounds, the scholarship awards $500 to one passionate applicant each year. To apply, you must submit a 750-1,500 word essay in which you explain what inspired you to attend a rodeo, and what you learned through the experience. Winners will also have their photos posted on Rodeo Ticket’s social media and website. If you’re a rodeo-goer who wants to detail your experience(s) through writing, we encourage you to apply!    The scholarship cycle runs from January 1 to August 15th of each year.

The MFMA Scholarship Program is funded by the Maple Flooring Manufacturers Association, an organization with the goal of becoming the worldwide authoritative source of information about maple sports flooring and related sports flooring systems. Each year, their MFMA Scholarship Program awards $1,250 to five students in secondary, advanced, or trade school who have an interest in the fields related to the sports flooring business. If this scholarship sounds like a fit for you, keep on reading for more application details.

Are you a full- or part-time undergraduate or graduate (excluding PhD) student with a systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) diagnosis? If so, the L.I.F.E. Scholarships might be a great opportunity for you! Dedicated to bringing attention to lupus itself and supporting students affected by the disease, the scholarship awards at least $500 to multiple students each year. In order to apply, you must submit an approximately 500-word essay detailing how lupus has affected your life, in addition to other required materials. If you’re passionate about lupus awareness and want some helping pay for college, we encourage you to apply!