Cheerleading College Scholarships

Over the past years, cheerleading has become a regular part of college athletic competitions. As such, many colleges and universities now offer cheerleading college scholarships. These scholarship opportunities are valuable to students looking for alternative source for their educational funds. Benefits can range from partial to full scholarships, other universities even provide monthly stipend.

If you are into cheerleading, you actually have a wide array of scholarship programs to choose from. In fact, American Cheerleader, a leading cheerleading magazine in the U.S., lists over 225 colleges that offer cheerleading scholarships. Aside from educational institutions, there are several private organizations that sponsor such scholarships. Usually, these scholarships are

While cheerleading college scholarships have become very common, being chosen as a recipient is not that easy. There are literally millions of cheerleaders who are applying for these scholarships. Like any other scholarship programs, cheerleading college scholarships follow a stringent application process that may include tryouts as well as evaluation of academic performance.

There are two ways of earning a cheerleading scholarship. First is through recruitment process typically done by top universities and colleges. If you have excellent cheerleading skills, you might be asked by a cheerleading squad to join their team. These scholarships are available for high school students who are members of their school’s respective cheering squads. However, if you are not drafted by a cheerleading squad, another option is to submit scholarship application or go for a try-out. Expect to encounter a tough competition whenever applying for these scholarships as there are lots of candidates vying for the slot. During the audition, evaluators will most likely require you to do a set of routines, which if executed flawlessly will bag a hefty college scholarship. Thus, when given a chance to try-out, give your best.

Take note, however, that being shortlisted for the cheering squad does not automatically turn you into a scholar. Apart from the candidate’s cheerleading skills, most schools require above average academic performance as well as community involvement. To qualify for a cheerleading college scholarship, applicants need to have high SAT or ACT scores and a minimum of 3.0 GPA. Additionally, students need to be active with extracurricular activities and community service. Other scholarship programs may require candidates to present statement of family income to single out students from low-income households.

The amount awarded by each scholarship program differs depending on the sponsoring organization. For example, Indiana Wesleyan University provides up to $1,000 while the University of Delaware offers a hefty amount of as much as $7,500. There are also other scholarship programs that only offer tuition and fees rebate while others provide financial aid such as low interest student loans. The Fort Hays State University in Kansas offers scholarship in the form of reduced dorm fees, worth $1,000. Aside from these benefits, recipients of cheerleading college scholarships are entitled to receive free uniforms, transportation disbursement and other in-campus trainings. Because each cheering squad wants to attract the best cheerleaders, benefits that come with each scholarship program vary broadly.

To increase your chances of getting a scholarship, here are few tips that might be of help.

1. Build your portfolio early.

Working towards a cheerleading college scholarship starts as early as your first year in high school. Joining your school’s cheerleading squads provides the opportunity to hone your skills in this athletic act. Hopefully, before you realize these scholarships, you have already been part of a cheerleading squad. Remember that these scholarships are looking for candidates with exceptional talent in cheerleading.

2. Don’t just focus on cheerleading.

Although talent and skill are essential to get a cheerleading scholarship, you need to equally develop other aspects of school life, more particularly, academics and community service. Scholarship for cheerleaders requires its recipients to harness a well-balanced study life.

3. Choose which school to enroll in.

Although your choice of school depends on the presence of a cheerleading college scholarship, the final decision must still be based on your future life goals. Aside from comparing schools based on the scholarship benefits they offer, you need to take into account which school meets your long-term goals.

4. Prepare for tryouts.

As mentioned earlier, you may be asked to perform routines hence it important to prepare for the tryout physically. Find out in advance the dates for tryouts as well as the routines most demonstrated. Make sure to prepare a solo piece, should the selection committee ask for an impromptu performance.

5. Apply to as many cheerleading scholarship opportunities as possible.

The secret in notching the best scholarships lies on the number of applications you have sent and the tryouts you have tried. Inquire from all possible colleges about their cheerleading college scholarship programs. Usually these scholarships are included in the school’s athletic college scholarships.

Dedicated cheerleaders who constantly hone their skills and talents will definitely have an advantage on cheerleading college scholarships. However, you should not limit your choices to these cheerleading scholarships. There are actually other scholarship programs which you might qualify for.