Sports Scholarships for College

I'm a junior worrying about funding for my higher education and thinking about aiming for a sports scholarship. Which sport offers the most scholarships at the college level generally, and how competitive is it typically?

Typically, the sports that have the most scholarships available are those which have large roster sizes such as football and track and field for men, and rowing, track and field and volleyball for women. However, keep in mind that while these sports may offer the most scholarships in absolute numbers, they're also generally the sports with the most participants, so the competition can be steep.

Football at the Division I level has the greatest number of scholarships per team, with 85 full scholarships allowed per team (up to 105 starting in the 2025-2026 academic year). However, it's also one of the most competitive sports with over a million high school players across the country vying for these spots.

For women, rowing is known to have a lot of scholarships. It's one of the fewer sports where athletes can start learning and competing at the collegiate level and still have a legitimate chance of earning a scholarship. So, if you're interested and have the physical traits that could make a successful rower (such as height), it might be a good sport to consider.

But remember, getting a sports scholarship isn't just about which sport has the most scholarships. It's about your talent, your dedication, how well you fit in with a team, and how your sport fits into your overall college and academic goals. It's also worth mentioning that Division III schools, while they do not offer athletic scholarships, often offer generous academic scholarships and financial aid packages to student-athletes.

The competitiveness for these scholarships can be high since you are essentially competing with athletes nationally (and sometimes internationally). It's important to have a strong athletic profile and also to reach out and make connections with college coaches early in your high school career. Having a good highlight reel, attending camps, and showcasing leadership and good sportsmanship can all be ways to increase your chances. Remember to keep your grades up too, as many scholarships also have academic requirements.