How to secure ice skating scholarships for college?

I've been ice skating for years and would love to continue in college with some scholarship assistance. Does anyone know how to apply for ice skating scholarships or have any tips on making my application stand out?

Ice skating scholarships can be an excellent way to continue your passion while easing some financial burden of college. Here are some steps you can take:

1. Identify Schools With Ice Skating Programs:

Not all colleges have ice skating programs, so your first step is to identify those that do. Both competitive figure skating and hockey programs might offer scholarships. You can use a college search tool, like the one on CollegeVine or the Appily platform, to filter for colleges offering these programs.

2. Review Scholarship Requirements:

Check the specific scholarship requirements for each school's ice skating program. These may vary significantly from one college to another. They can also be dependent on whether the scholarship is athletic or based on other factors like academic merit and community service. If you're unable to find specifics online, reach out directly to the coaching staff or admissions office.

3. Perfect Your Application:

For athletic scholarships, demonstrating your performance is key. You'll want to have a high-quality video showcasing your skills in ice skating. Additionally, your application should highlight your years of training, competitions you've participated in, and any notable achievements. Including strong recommendation letters, particularly from coaches, can further support your application.

4. Academics Still Matter:

Even for athletic scholarships, colleges will want to see that you've been successful academically. Balancing your training with a challenging academic workload can be quite impressive to admissions officers.

5. Connect With Coaches:

Making a connection with the coaching staff can give you a leg up in the scholarship application process. Contact the coaches at your prospective schools to express interest, ask questions, and even send them your video.

Remember, securing a scholarship can be competitive, and it might not fully cover your tuition. So, consider other forms of financial aid like grants, bursaries, and additional scholarships as you plan for college. Good luck!