Track & Field Scholarships
Although track and field is usually considered alongside cross country when divvying
up scholarship funding, the two disciplines require two very different kinds of
athletes. While there are typically more awards available for the long distance
runners, if you have an impressive high school track and field record, you could
have a decent shot at landing a spot on a competitive team, with some scholarship
money to boot. Both male and female track and field athletes are eligible for scholarship
funding at both the undergraduate and graduate level. Just know that most awards
will be college-based, so you may need to factor that in your college search. While
you’ll have a lot of choice in finding colleges that have track and field programs,
you may want to consider your skill level when approaching schools. Don’t rule out
smaller, private schools where it could be less competitive to find a place on a
team and get scholarship money for the sport.
As it takes a strong track and field team to win competitions, schools will usually
divide available scholarship funding up among the students, making for several partial
scholarships rather than full rides to the best athletes. To supplement that financial
aid package, don’t forget about scholarships based on other criteria. You’ll need
to have and maintain a minimum GPA not only to land a scholarship but to be on a
team, according to NCAA regulations, so seek out awards based on your academic achievements,
as well. Since you’ll be working hard to keep your grades up while running track,
why not try to get rewarded for it? Don’t rule out awards based on things like leadership,
either, as you probably already have those kinds of qualities as a student athlete.
Check out some examples of where to find track and field scholarships below. For
additional information about awards based on different criteria, try conducting
a free college scholarship search at Scholarships.com.
NCAA Scholarships
While the scholarship awards began with modest awards in 1961 - the presentation
of two grants, one for $500 and another for $250 - Dixie Youth Baseball awarded
seventy (70) $2,000 scholarship awards in 2009. Total awards since inception of
the scholarship program now number 904 with an aggregate value of $1,576,950. Dixie
Youth funds its scholarships through interest on funds earmarked for DYB, scholarships,
new donations received annually, and any surplus funds transferred from the general
operating funds of the program.
NJCAA Scholarships
The NCAA won’t be the only resource for you to investigate if you’re pursuing track
and field on the post-secondary level. The National Junior College Athletic Association
(NJCAA) also awards full and partial scholarships to talented athletes. If you’re
interested in pursuing track at a community college, consider contacting those schools
about potential scholarship opportunities in your sport. If you’re at a high level
of skill with a decent academic record, consider your options on the junior college
level, but know that if you transfer to an NCAA college after two years, the GPA
and standardized test score requirements may be stricter.
NAIA Scholarships
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) also offers scholarships
on both the Division I and Division II level. While the association will have fewer
scholarships to go around than the more expansive NCAA, the requirements of getting
onto a team and staying there at an NAIA school are less strict. Students must have two
of the following three criteria: have a minimum ACT score of 18 or minimum SAT score
of 860, have a minimum 2.0 GPA, or have graduated high school in the top half of
your graduating class. Don’t rule out NAIA schools when looking for colleges where
you could be a student-athlete.
College-Based Scholarships
If you plan on participating in track and field in college, your intended college
could have funds and endowments for the sport, often set up by alumni. The Brian
E. McClanahan Memorial Scholarship at East Stroudsburg University in Pennsylvania,
for example, is awarded to members of the men’s track team enrolled as full-time
students at the school. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA, and have earned
at least one varsity letter in men’s track and field. Make sure you do your research,
and talk to your financial aid office and athletic departments about local and college-based
awards you could be eligible for.
USA Track and Field Scholarships
Your local chapter of USA Track and Field (USATF), the national governing body for
track and field, long-distance running, and race-walking, has scholarship funding
available through its youth organizations. The Southern California Association of
USATF, for example, awards as many as six annual scholarships to graduating student-athletes
who have participated in the USATF organization. Three male and three female athletes
will each receive a $500 scholarship if attending a four-year institution, $250
if attending a two-year institution. It may not seem like much, but every little
bit helps. And if you have several such organizations in your state awarding scholarship
funding, you could be looking at a generous amount of scholarship money to pay for
your college career.
SLU NCAA Division 1 Grant-in-Aid
Application Deadlines:
Varies
Consideration for the SLU NCAA Division 1 Grant-in-Aid is given to new freshman, transfer and renewal students who will be participating in one of Saint Louis University's NCAA Division I sports.
Contact the Department of Athletics for sport-specific scholarship application procedures. For merit scholarship consideration, new, first-time freshman students must submit a completed Application for [...] More
Alliance Pipeline Scholarship
Application Deadlines:
February 15, Annually
Established by Alliance Pipeline, this scholarship will be awarded on an annual basis to a student athlete who demonstrates strong academic performance. The student must maintain a 3.00 GPA and participate in an intercollegiate sport. The amount of the scholarship will be determined by January 1st of each year by the Director of the University Advancement based on the interest earnings in the [...] More
Walter Byers Postgraduate Scholarship Program
Application Deadlines:
January 27, Annually
In 1988, the National Collegiate Athletic Association established the Walter Byers Postgraduate Scholarship Program as a means of recognizing the contributions of the former executive director through encouraging excellence in academic performance by student-athletes. Under this program, one male and one female student-athlete annually will be awarded a postgraduate scholarship in recognition of [...] More
Davis Law Group Scholar Athlete Program™
Application Deadlines:
Varies
Scholar Athlete Program recognizes exceptional student athletes that are performing well in the classroom and on the field. To register for the scholarship, students need to apply online or be nominated by a coach, teacher, parent or friend. Students must be a senior in high school, currently attend a Washington State High School, have a 3.0 GPA or higher and participate in a sport. Students can [...] More
Webber International University Athletic Scholarship
Application Deadlines:
Varies
The Athletic Scholarship is awarded at the discretion of the athletic deptartment in football, basketball, tennis, volleyball, soccer, golf, softball, cross country, baseball, track and field and cheerleading.
For more information about this opportunity, please [...] More
Furman University Athletic Scholarships
Application Deadlines:
Varies
The Furman University Athletic Scholarships are partial to full scholarships awarded in 17 men's and women's intercollegiate sports. For more information, contact the director of athletics or the head coach in the sport in which you are [...] More
Twin Cities Marathon, Inc. College Scholarship Program
Application Deadlines:
March 01, Annually
The Twin Cities In Motion (TCM) College Scholarship is a one-time freshman year $5,000 grant open to all high school seniors who participate in cross country or track and reside within the Twin Cities 11-county metro area.
Scholarship Requirements and Information:
- Student athletes of all abilities are encouraged to apply
- Applicants must have participated in cross country and/or track [...] More
Kyle R. Magoto Scholarship Fund
Application Deadlines:
March 22, Annually
To be eligible for an award from the Kyle R. Magoto Scholarship Fund, applicant must be a Russia High School (Shelby Co., Ohio) graduating senior who is pursuing an associate's or a bachelor's degree as a full-time student at an acredited educational institution, have a high school GPA not less than 3.0 on a 4.0 grading scale and must have participated in no less than five (5) athletic seasons [...] More
Dave Mielke Scholarship
Application Deadlines:
March 21, Annually
To be eligible for the Dave Mielke Scholarship, applicant must be a Botkins High School (Shelby Co., Ohio) senior who has earned a minimum of two (2) team letters as a member of Botkins High School cross country and/or track teams. Selection is based upon academic achievement, community and school service and [...] More
World Sport Chicago Scholarship
Application Deadlines:
December 12, Annually
World Sport Chicago is the living legacy of Chicago’s 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Bid, dedicated to supporting the athletic and academic dreams of Chicago’s youth. The WSC Scholars Program was created to help student-athletes prepare for and succeed in college.
High school juniors who live and study in Chicago and have participated in an eligible Olympic/Paralympic sport for two seasons in the [...] More