Each year, Division I and II schools distribute more than $3.6 billion in college athletic scholarships to over 180,000 students, according to the NCAA. While that seems like a large number, only about 2% of high school students receive athletic scholarships to play and pay for college.
Most of those awards are institutional dollars, meaning they come from the school. However, there are athletic scholarships from private organizations as well.
These private scholarships serve two types of student athletes: those that will go on to play college sports as well as students who played in high school but won’t be playing at the collegiate level. So, whether you’re in it to win it, or you’re transitioning into sports retirement, there could be an athletic scholarship to help you pay for school.
Award Amount: $1,500 The Kaler Family Rugby Scholarship is available to graduating high school seniors. You must have a minimum GPA of 2.5, demonstrate financial need, and plan to join a rugby program at an accredited four - year college / university in the Fall to be eligible for this award.
Award Amount: $1,000 The TrophyCentral Sportsmanship Scholarship Award is available to high school seniors. You must have a minimum GPA of 3.25 and demonstrate a unique or special form of sportsmanship, kindness, or compassion to be eligible for this award. Special consideration will be given to first generation college students and to students entering the military.
Award Amount: $2,000 The NSHSS Student Athlete Scholarship is available to high school students who are passionate about and excel within a sport. To be considered, you must submit a 500 - to 800 - word essay on the following topic: "What are the benefits and challenges of balancing your academics with your sport participation? What is it about your sport that makes you passionate? Please provide one example that help to illustrate your point."
Award Amount: $4,000 The Pop Keeney Athletic Scholarship is available to graduating seniors at Northshore high schools in Washington State. You must excel at football and demonstrate skill, teamwork, leadership, humility, love of sports, and academic ability to be considered for this award.
Award Amount: $1,000 The Haskel Todd Athletic Scholarship is open to graduating high school seniors from Poway, CA. You must have a minimum 2.0 GPA, have a passion for athletics, demonstrate financial need and plan to an accredited college, university or trade school to be eligible for this award.
Award Amount: $9,700 The Toby Merrill Scholarship is available to students who excel in the areas of academics, athletics, and leadership. You must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 to be eligible for this award. Special consideration will be made for candidates who are experiencing personal or family issues related to cancer or bereavement.
Award Amount: Varies The Georgetown Athletics Grants-in-Aid is available to undergraduate students at Georgetown University who demonstrate financial need and participate in athletics.
Award Amount: $1,000 The Charles T. Stoner Law Scholarship is available to college seniors who play collegiate women's basketball. You must be pursuing a degree in law to be eligible for this award.
Athletic Scholarships
Kaler Family Rugby Scholarship
Deadline: 8/31/25Award Amount: $1,500 The Kaler Family Rugby Scholarship is available to graduating high school seniors. You must have a minimum GPA of 2.5, demonstrate financial need, and plan to join a rugby program at an accredited four - year college / university in the Fall to be eligible for this award.
TrophyCentral Sportsmanship Scholarship Award
Deadline: 9/30/25Award Amount: $1,000 The TrophyCentral Sportsmanship Scholarship Award is available to high school seniors. You must have a minimum GPA of 3.25 and demonstrate a unique or special form of sportsmanship, kindness, or compassion to be eligible for this award. Special consideration will be given to first generation college students and to students entering the military.
NSHSS Student Athlete Scholarship
Deadline: 10/15/25Award Amount: $2,000 The NSHSS Student Athlete Scholarship is available to high school students who are passionate about and excel within a sport. To be considered, you must submit a 500 - to 800 - word essay on the following topic: "What are the benefits and challenges of balancing your academics with your sport participation? What is it about your sport that makes you passionate? Please provide one example that help to illustrate your point."
Pop Keeney Athletic Scholarship
Deadline: 3/7/26Award Amount: $4,000 The Pop Keeney Athletic Scholarship is available to graduating seniors at Northshore high schools in Washington State. You must excel at football and demonstrate skill, teamwork, leadership, humility, love of sports, and academic ability to be considered for this award.
Haskel Todd Athletic Scholarship
Deadline: 4/20/26Award Amount: $1,000 The Haskel Todd Athletic Scholarship is open to graduating high school seniors from Poway, CA. You must have a minimum 2.0 GPA, have a passion for athletics, demonstrate financial need and plan to an accredited college, university or trade school to be eligible for this award.
Toby Merrill Scholarship
Deadline: VariesAward Amount: $9,700 The Toby Merrill Scholarship is available to students who excel in the areas of academics, athletics, and leadership. You must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 to be eligible for this award. Special consideration will be made for candidates who are experiencing personal or family issues related to cancer or bereavement.
Georgetown Athletics Grants-in-Aid
Deadline: VariesAward Amount: Varies The Georgetown Athletics Grants-in-Aid is available to undergraduate students at Georgetown University who demonstrate financial need and participate in athletics.
Charles T. Stoner Law Scholarship
Deadline: RollingAward Amount: $1,000 The Charles T. Stoner Law Scholarship is available to college seniors who play collegiate women's basketball. You must be pursuing a degree in law to be eligible for this award.
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Kathryn Knight Randolph
Associate Content Editor
Kathryn Knight Randolph covers trends in higher education, changes to admissions and financial aid practices, and the student experience. She is passionate about simplifying the college search and financia...
