In general, academic and sports scholarships provide students with opportunities to pursue their education. Both types of scholarships can be merit or need based. A merit-based award recognizes student achievement, while need-based awards target students who require demonstrated financial assistance (e.g., low income, many dependents).
Basics
A variety of scholarships are available for students based on age, grade level, grade point average and intended course of study. Scholarships can be provided by businesses, schools, federal, state or local governments. Nonprofit organizations also provide scholarships. Sports scholarships often recognize student achievement within a sport. Academic scholarships typically target students with specific GPAs, such as 3.0 or higher. However, there is no universal GPA standard.
Sports
Sports scholarships can be awarded to students based on past achievement with no future commitments or they be on the condition of continuing playing the sport in college. If you are interested in pursuing a sport while in college, then contact the appropriate coaches for more information. Find out how student athletes are evaluated. Ask if walk-ons (nonrecruits) are allowed. Also ask about typical awards (e.g., completely paid tuition or $1,000/year). For instance, the University of California-Los Angeles (uclabruins.com) offers sports scholarships for student recruits and walk-ons. Available sports include soccer, golf, baseball, football and gymnastics.
Academic
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is an example of an organization offering academic scholarships. Its aid comes through the Gates Millennium Scholars program, which aims to further academic excellence. The program targets students of Hispanic, Asian, African-American, and American Indian descent with a 3.3 GPA on a 4.0 scale (some schools scale GPAs differently).
Achievement
The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation (coca-colascholars.org) is a national program that provides 250 students with scholarships (50 students receive $20,000; 200 receive $10,000). The Scholars Foundation blends academic and sports requirements by seeking students with outstanding achievement. Students need at least a 3.0 GPA and maintain legal status in the United States.
Specific major
The National Restaurant Association Education Foundation (nraef.org) awards merit-based scholarships to students interested in the food service or restaurant industry. High school seniors and undergraduate students are eligible for an award, which begins at $2,500 per student.
Considerations
Some scholarships are offered on a one-time basis or as funds are available. Make sure to search for scholarships through all possible forums, including credit unions, local chambers of commerce and professional organizations.
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