What Sports Are Easiest to Get College Scholarships For?
Paying for college is one of the biggest challenges students and families face. Athletic scholarships can be a meaningful way to offset the cost. But not all sports offer the same scholarship opportunities; some are way more competitive than others. If you’re a talented athlete who hopes to go to college on a sports scholarship, learning how the system works can help you make smarter decisions about where to focus your time and energy.
At My College Companion, we want every student to have an affordable, fun, educational experience at college or university. Whatever the future holds in store, we believe you can achieve your dreams – and however we can, we’re here to help.
How Do College Athletic Scholarships Actually Work?
Before diving into specific sports, it helps to understand the basics of how athletic scholarships are structured. The National Collegiate Athletic Association, known as the NCAA, governs most college sports programs and sets rules on how scholarships can be awarded. Schools are divided into Division I, Division II, and Division III, and the rules are different at each level.
Division I and Division II schools can offer athletic scholarships that cover tuition, room and board, and other expenses. Division III schools do not offer athletic scholarships, though student athletes there can still receive academic financial aid. The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, or NAIA, also offers athletic scholarships at smaller colleges and might be an option if you are not being recruited by NCAA programs.
Scholarships are divided into two categories: head-count sports and equivalency sports. In head-count sports, each scholarship covers a full ride for one athlete. In equivalency sports, coaches can divide the total scholarship money among multiple players, meaning many athletic scholarships are partial, not full.
What Sports Are Easiest to Get Athletic Scholarships For?
Some sports simply have more scholarship money available, more roster spots, or less competition for available funding. Here are the sports where your chances of receiving some level of scholarship support tend to be highest.
Tennis, Golf, and Swimming
These equivalency sports often go underleveraged by student athletes. There are hundreds of Division I, Division II, and NAIA programs across the country that struggle to fill their rosters with qualified players. If you are a strong tennis player, golfer, or competitive swimmer, your chances of finding scholarship money at some level of college athletics are quite good, even if a full ride is not guaranteed.
Track and Field and Cross Country
These sports have some of the largest rosters in college athletics, which means more total scholarship money is distributed across more athletes. Track and field and cross country programs can have dozens of athletes, and coaches actively recruit students who show strong times or field event marks. If you are a dedicated runner or field athlete, this is one of the more accessible paths to at least partial scholarship funding.
Rowing and Water Polo
Women's rowing in particular is one of the best-kept secrets in college athletic scholarships. Because Title IX requires schools to offer comparable athletic opportunities for women, many colleges have large women's rowing programs with significant scholarship budgets and genuine difficulty finding enough qualified athletes. Water polo is similar. If you have a background in either sport, or are willing to learn, you may find far less competition for available funding than you would in higher-profile sports.
Football and Basketball
These are head-count sports at the Division I level, meaning scholarships are full rides. Division I football programs can offer up to 85 scholarships, and men's basketball programs can offer up to 13. The catch is that these are also the most competitive sports in the country. Thousands of athletes are competing for those spots, so while the awards are generous, earning one requires an exceptional level of skill.
How Can You Improve Your Chances of Earning an Athletic Scholarship?
Talent alone is rarely enough. Here is what separates athletes who earn scholarships from those who do not:
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Start the recruiting process early. Many coaches begin identifying recruits in the sophomore and junior years of high school.
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Create a highlight video and send it directly to college coaches, along with your academic information and athletic stats.
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Do not limit yourself to schools you already know. Smaller programs and lesser-known schools often have more money available and are actively looking for athletes.
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Keep your grades strong. Academic eligibility requirements are strict, and many coaches prioritize recruits who are academically solid.
Don’t be afraid to reach out to programs you’re interested in. As with just about any other area of life, taking initiative can be a major leg-up in getting the exposure and funding you need.
Find More College Resources at My College Companion
Earning an athletic scholarship takes a serious amount of work, no matter which sports you choose. But with consistent practice, getting your education paid for while playing a sport you love is often possible.
At My College Companion, we want every student to have the tools they need to make college more affordable and more rewarding. Check out the My College Companion blog for more advice on scholarships, campus life, and everything in between, or contact My College Companion today to learn how we can help you prepare for the college experience.
Frequently
Asked
Questions
How do I find scholarships that match my major and background?
There are many scholarships available for students from different backgrounds or who are pursuing specific degrees. By searching online, you can find scholarships for specific majors, as well as scholarships for specific types of students, such as single parents or members of the military. My College Companion can help you find a scholarship that will meet your needs.
Can I still apply for financial aid if I missed the FAFSA deadline?
You will typically want to fill out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) while you are planning to attend college. Submitting this form before you enroll in college can help ensure that you have financial aid lined up. However, even if you have missed the FAFSA deadline, you may have other options, since states and colleges have their own timelines. You may also apply for private scholarships or find other options for financial aid.
How Can I Improve My Time Management Skills in College?
It can be easy to feel overwhelmed as you begin attending college. Attending classes and completing homework and projects may be your main focus, but you will probably also want to maintain a social life and participate in activities, and you may also need to work. Finding the right balance can be tricky, but with the proper preparation, you can set yourself up for success.
To make sure you are managing your time effectively, you may want to set up a calendar to help you keep track of when you need to attend classes or labs while also blocking out time for homework, meetings with professors or advisors, study groups, social events, activities at school, or other events. You can set reminders for yourself, making sure you will not miss any deadlines and will be prepared for exams. Finding ways to prioritize what is important while still making time for yourself when necessary can help you get the most out of your college experience.
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