Every year, high school and college students passionate about basketball seek funding to enable them to pursue their education. If you’re one of them, this article is for you. We’ve analyzed useful strategies to guide you before, during, and after the application process and the top basketball scholarships you can apply for in 2023.
There are numerous ways for students to increase their odds of getting a scholarship. Check them out:
Tips to Help Students Get College Basketball Scholarships
So, what should students do to get college basketball scholarships?
- Work towards becoming a great basketball player. Getting a basketball scholarship isn’t easy for students who aren’t passionate about the game. So, you must sharpen your skills since that’s what matters the most. Furthermore, it’s advisable to develop cordial relationships with your college coaches and peers to gain more insights into the sport.
- Don’t neglect your studies. Basketball scholarships are usually awarded to individuals who display extraordinary talent, resilience, and determination to succeed in school. So, as much as you would like to enhance your skills in playing basketball, you should strive to achieve exceptional academic performance.
- Send as many applications as possible and reach out to the institutions. Networking is important in increasing your chances of getting a scholarship. Therefore, apart from establishing meaningful relationships with other basketball players and coaches, it Is advisable to do extensive research about different institutions and even tour their campuses. Besides helping you to introduce and familiarize yourself with the college’s culture, you’ll have an opportunity to analyze their suitability and ability to help you meet your needs and expectations.
Getting basketball scholarships can be daunting for students without the basic skills to write scholarship essays. Luckily, they can easily order an essay at CustomWritings to make their work easier by providing professional writing services. The company has qualified and experienced essay writers who understand what it takes to produce well-written application papers and any other academic material.
List of Top Basketball Scholarships (2023)
Foot Locker Scholar Athletes Program
This basketball scholarship targets student-athletes with exceptional leadership abilities. The funding, which amounts to $12,000 is availed to leading scorers and the most inspired team members. Eligible candidates must have secured college admission and be prepared to join the university in the fall succeeding awards; they must be admitted for a four-year undergraduate or two-year community college degree. In addition, one must be an active participant in school or community-based sports groups.
The applicants must display academic excellence with a 3.0 GPA. The offer is limited to US citizens or permanent legal residents from Texas, California, and Florida among other US states, although it prioritizes African-American, Minority, and Hispanic students. The applications are open from December to the end of January.
NCAA basketball scholarships
These scholarship programs are available in various divisions; NCAA D1, D2, D3, and NAIA D1, D2. The offers are very competitive; very few individuals are lucky enough to secure a chance. The eligibility criteria include high academic excellence and a good attitude, awareness, and understanding of basketball. Selection for these scholarships starts at the middle school level; therefore, students need to maintain high academic performance throughout their studies.
The University of Worcester Basketball Scholarship
This is a funding program for students from the University of Worcester. The scholarship is a partnership between the University of Worcester and the Worcester Wolves Basketball Club. Three undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships are available for bright, talented, and the best basketball players. Successful students are given tuition fees and accommodations.Other benefits include free access to coaching,free registration and gym membership, and facilitation to support scientific research.
Eiffel Excellence Scholarship
This is an initiative developed by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs to support international students from developing countries. It offers financial support to Master’s students below 25 years and PhD students up to 30 years. The good thing about this offer is that it also accommodates individuals from industrialized countries and covers beneficiaries’ health expenses through an insurance program. However, the scholarship does not provide tuition fees.
All-American Basketball Scholarship USA
The program includes NCAA Division I, Division II, and III. It is available to thousands of universities across different universities in the USA. To apply for this scholarship, a student must portray excellent academic performance. In addition, one must have completed high school and secured admission to a university or vocational training college. Excellent athletic performance is the most essential requirement. Those who qualify for the Division I scholarship are eligible for up to 100% sponsorship. However, international students must pass the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or other standardized English tests to prove their suitability.
Niagara University Athletic Scholarship
Niagara University offers scholarship funding, grants, and employment opportunities to its students, which enables them to get a quality education. The offers are available for individuals participating in various sporting activities, including basketball. The amount, application deadline, and the number of beneficiaries vary depending on the institution’s capabilities during the year of application.
Colorado Christian University (CCU) – Athletic Scholarships
CCU has various scholarship opportunities for athlete-students, including basketballers in their undergraduate studies. Eligibility criteria include satisfactory academic progress and athletic achievements. The funding varies every year; therefore, applicants should not expect to receive the same amount of money as their counterparts in the preceding years. The application forms are sent to FAFSA by April every year.
Thompson Rivers University International Athletic Scholarships
Thompson Rivers University, popularly known as TRU is one of the best public teaching facilities supporting research in Canada. The institution offers scholarships to international students from different countries worldwide. Every individual qualifies for bursaries, grants, and funding from programs targeting international athlete students upon admission.
TRU’s International Athletic Scholarships are awarded to students annually. However, one must portray outstanding ability in athletics and be an active member of one of the institution’s sports teams. In addition, interested students must be pursuing a degree program on a full-time basis. The program targets basketball, swimming, volleyball, and soccer enthusiasts.
Are Scholarships for Basketball Worth It?
Achieving exceptional results in academics and sports isn’t easy, especially for students from low-income families. Therefore, seeking financial support from the government, private or charitable organizations, and well-wishers becomes a viable option. But how can you get a basketball scholarship to enable you to achieve your career goals? In this article, we have outlined the most practical approaches; engage in extensive research, explore several options, and prepare adequately. So, if you hope to become a renowned professional basketball player but lack enough finances to help you achieve your goals, you can take advantage of scholarships.
