College scholarships for athletes?

I’m an athlete hoping to find scholarships related to my sport. Do colleges have specific scholarships for athletes, or is there a list I can refer to for potential opportunities?

Certainly, many colleges do offer scholarships specifically tailored to student-athletes. There are two main types: headcount scholarships, which cover the full cost of college, and equivalency scholarships, which can be divided among more athletes to cover part of the college cost. It's worth noting, however, that full scholarships (headcount scholarships) are not as common, and typically only Division I and II schools can offer athletic scholarships.

The best resource to search for scholarships will depend on the level of your sport and your sport itself. Firstly, I would recommend contacting the coaches at the colleges to which you're considering applying. They're typically very knowledgeable about opportunities and can guide you toward potential scholarships.

Next, consider reaching out to your school's guidance counselor or the athletic director. They often have useful resources and can help guide your search.

National organizations that oversee collegiate sports, like the NCAA and NAIA, also have scholarship information specific to athletics. You'll need to follow their guidelines as an athlete in college, so it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with their rules around scholarships.

Lastly, I would recommend using Appily's scholarship search, where you can specify your interest in sports scholarships. This will help you find additional opportunities, including some private organizations and foundations that offer scholarships for athletes apart from colleges.

A friendly reminder that being an athlete increases your chances of obtaining a scholarship, but you should also focus on other aspects of your application like academics, leadership roles, volunteering, etc., as many institutions look for a balance where sport is one part of the overall profile.

Best of luck with your scholarship search. It takes effort and time, but with perseverance, you can definitely find several potential scholarships!