Kristian Ferrell
Cheerleading is a sport that requires a lot of hard work and dedication, and it's encouraging to know that there are cheerleading scholarships available for those who want to continue cheering in college. While cheerleading is not sanctioned by the NCAA, NAIA, or NJCAA, and there is less funding available compared to other sports, there are still many scholarship opportunities for talented and dedicated cheerleaders. These scholarships can help cheerleaders pursue higher education while improving their skills as student athletes. Competitive cheerleading programs offer scholarships, with the most well-known and competitive programs providing the most funding. Scholarships are often awarded based on a combination of athletic ability, academic achievement, and financial need.
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What You'll Learn
Cheerleading scholarships exist, but they are rare
However, this does not mean that it is impossible to obtain a cheerleading scholarship. Many colleges provide scholarships worth $500 to $2,000 per year to compensate cheerleaders for their participation. The University of Hawaii, for example, is known for offering full-ride scholarships to its athletes. Indiana Wesleyan University offers scholarships of up to $1,000 to members of its Red Cheer Team, and the University of Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens Cheer Team offers a maximum award of $7,500 to in-state resident cheer athletes. Fort Hays State University in Kansas provides scholarships in the form of reduced dorm fees, worth up to $1,000.
Cheerleading scholarships are typically awarded by the cheerleader's intended colleges, but there are also independent organizations and associations that offer scholarships, such as the American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators (AACCA). Competitive programs with established cheerleading traditions that win competitions will generally have more funding available. The more competitive the program, the more scholarship funding coaches tend to have available, and scholarships are often prioritized for the most skilled cheerleaders.
To increase your chances of receiving a cheerleading scholarship, it is important to pay attention to the eligibility requirements, which can vary. Some scholarships require studying a specific discipline or meeting certain academic standards, while others may consider financial need or athletic ability. Additionally, applying for scholarships with narrower applicant requirements can increase your chances of success.
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Scholarships are often awarded by colleges
Nevertheless, many colleges do provide scholarships to cheerleaders, often in the range of $500 to $2,000 per year. Some colleges offer more substantial scholarships, such as the University of Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens Cheer Team, which offers a maximum award of $7,500 for in-state resident cheer athletes. Indiana Wesleyan University offers scholarships of up to $1,000 to members of its Red Cheer Team, while Fort Hays State University in Kansas offers scholarships in the form of reduced dorm fees, worth up to $1,000. The University of Hawaii is one of the few colleges that offer full-ride scholarships to cheerleaders, providing 12 to 14 full-tuition scholarships per academic year.
The availability of scholarships often depends on the competitiveness of the college's cheerleading program. The more competitive and established the program, the more funding they typically have for student-athletes. Colleges that place well at NCA or UCA college nationals competitions, for example, tend to have the most funding available for scholarships. However, these schools are very competitive and require students to demonstrate immense athletic ability.
To be considered for a cheerleading scholarship, applicants usually need to demonstrate a strong athletic ability and a solid academic background. Some colleges may also take into account an applicant's financial need when awarding scholarships. It is important for applicants to research the specific eligibility requirements for each scholarship they apply to, as they can vary significantly.
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Competitive cheer programs have more funding
Competitive cheerleading programs have more funding available for student-athletes than non-competitive programs. The most competitive and recognised programs, such as those that place well in National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) or Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) championships, tend to have the most funding.
Highly-competitive Division 1 cheerleading colleges, for example, usually have better funding than other schools, and so there may be a greater chance for squad members to earn a scholarship. The University of Kentucky, for instance, is a well-known, established competitor. The more competitive the program, the more scholarship funding coaches have available.
Although full-ride scholarships are not common in college cheerleading, some programs do offer them. The University of Hawaii, for instance, provides 12 to 14 full-ride scholarships per academic year. Male cheerleaders tend to have a better chance of landing a full-ride scholarship as some programs designate a scholarship for male athletes.
There are over 250 colleges that offer cheerleading programs, with opportunities available at the NCAA Division 1, Division 2 and Division 3 levels. There are also competitive programs in NAIA and junior colleges. Competitive cheerleading teams require more training and are generally a bigger time commitment.
Despite the funding available for competitive cheerleading programs, the sport still faces a lack of funding compared to other sports. Cheerleading is not a sanctioned sport, meaning coaches do not receive the same funding as other sports. Cheerleaders at Boston University (BU), for example, have had to pay their way to nationals through fundraising and making additional payments out of pocket.
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Cheerleading isn't an NCAA-sanctioned sport
Cheerleading is not an NCAA-sanctioned sport, and there are several reasons for this. Firstly, the NCAA has specific requirements for a sport to gain official recognition, including a focus on competition and frequent championships. Cheerleading, in its traditional form, does not meet these criteria as its primary focus is to promote school spirit, support other teams in competition, and provide leadership. While there are annual cheerleading competitions, these are not frequent enough to satisfy the NCAA.
Additionally, the NCAA requires a minimum of 40 varsity programs nationwide for a sport to gain official recognition. Cheerleading does not currently meet this requirement, although STUNT, a new version of competitive cheer, is seeking emerging sport status from the NCAA and has the potential to achieve this. STUNT, however, is not traditional cheerleading and does not include the elements of cheering and supporting other teams.
The lack of NCAA sanctioning has implications for cheerleading scholarships. Since cheerleading is not officially recognised as a sport, there is less funding available for coaches and programs. As a result, full-ride scholarships are rare in college cheerleading. However, this does not mean that cheerleading scholarships are impossible to obtain. Many colleges offer partial scholarships or stipends to cheerleaders, and highly competitive programs may have funding available for the top cheerleaders on their squads.
Despite cheerleading not being an NCAA-sanctioned sport, there are still scholarship opportunities available for dedicated and talented cheerleaders. These scholarships can provide financial support for cheerleaders to pursue their sport at the collegiate level while also receiving an education.
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Scholarships are based on skill, academics, and need
Cheerleading is a sport that requires a lot of hard work, and scholarships are available to help cheerleaders pursue higher education while improving their abilities as student athletes. While cheerleading is not an NCAA-sanctioned sport, and therefore has less funding available for coaches, scholarships are still possible to obtain.
Scholarships are often based on skill, academics, and need. The more competitive the cheerleading program, the more scholarship funding coaches tend to have available. Coaches frequently prioritize scholarships for the cheerleaders with the most advanced skills, like elite tumbling, stunting, dance, and jump abilities. However, they also highly consider a recruit's GPA, with some colleges awarding scholarships solely based on academic performance. Being able to compete at a high level, coupled with a solid academic background, will improve your chances of receiving a scholarship.
Additionally, some scholarships are awarded based on financial need. For example, Indiana Wesleyan University offers scholarships of up to $1,000 each to members of its Red Cheer Team, with awards based on performance in a tryout and financial need demonstrated by application materials. Similarly, Fort Hays State University in Kansas provides scholarships in the form of reduced dorm fees, worth up to $1,000. Other colleges, like the University of Delaware, offer generous scholarship opportunities, with awards worth up to $7,500 for in-state resident cheer athletes.
There are also scholarships available for cheerleaders who excel in other areas. For instance, the Jean Irwin Smith Endowed Scholarship at Lander University is awarded annually to an extraordinary female full-time undergraduate student involved in on-campus sports, including the cheerleading spirit squad program. The Davis Law Group's Scholar Athlete Program provides a $1,000 scholarship for graduating high school senior student-athletes who excel in any sport, including cheerleading, and demonstrate exceptional classroom performance with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater.
While some schools give financial aid to students, it is important for cheerleaders to explore all their options, including private cheerleading scholarships, to maximize college funding and minimize student debt.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, there are scholarships available for cheerleaders. However, they are not as common or as well-funded as scholarships for other sports.
Most scholarships in cheerleading are awarded directly by the colleges themselves. The more competitive the program, the more funding coaches tend to have available. Therefore, scholarships are often awarded to the cheerleaders with the most advanced skills.
Here are some colleges that offer cheerleading scholarships:
- Indiana Wesleyan University
- University of Delaware
- Fort Hays State University
- University of Hawaii
- Lander University
Yes, there are other ways to get a cheerleading scholarship. Some cheer organizations and associations, such as the American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators (AACCA), offer awards to athletes looking to pursue the sport at college. Additionally, there are online resources and search engines that can help you find scholarships for student athletes.
