Almost 70% of collegiate athletes receive financial aid of some kind. Did you know that? Getting one of the top college swimming scholarships could be your key to success if you’re an avid swimmer hoping to excel academically.
In this article, we have curated 15 Best swimming scholarships for college student that will help you pay for your education.
These scholarships can provide access to prestigious universities and worthwhile experiences, regardless of your swimming skill level and other sports.
What is College Swimming?
In some colleges, there are swimming competitions organized by the colleges. These competitions allow their students to enhance their swimming skills and even compete with other colleges.
You can join their swim team, train in their training facilities, and even have some of their professionals and swimming coaches mentor you.
In a nutshell, college swimming, which is governed by the American collegiate system, allows students to pursue both athletic and intellectual goals, with the possibility of receiving financial help to meet the costs.
College Swimming Scholarship and What it Covers?
A swimming scholarship is a type of financial award intended to assist collegiate swimmers in meeting all or part of their educational expenses. Tuition, housing, board, and other academic fees are included in these expenses, which are referred to as the Cost of Attendance (COA).
You may concentrate on your studies and your sport while also greatly easing your financial burden by being awarded a swimming scholarship.
Because swimming scholarships assist with both the fees associated with your sport as well as the academic expenses. This could include expenses for tournaments, equipment, and other things.
Best Swimming Scholarships For College
Here are the best Swimming Scholarships for College students:
1. Foot Locker Scholar Athletes Scholarship
First on our list of swimming scholarships for college students is Foot Locker Scholar Athletes Scholarship. This scholarship is specifically for high school students in their last year in school. To be eligible for this scholarship, you must have a minimum of 3.0 grade point and be a US citizen or resident.
This swimming scholarship is worth $20,000, and 20 students are accepted each year. Note, one of the winners gets an additional $5,000 and the title of Ken. C. Hicks scholar. The application deadline is 11th December.
2. University of Georgia Swimming Scholarship Endowment Program
Next on our list of swimming scholarships for college students is the University of Georgia Swimming Scholarship Endowment Program. The scholarship is open to University of Georgia students who are swimmers.
Read Also: Top 10 Scholarships for Biology Majors
3. Walter Byers Postgraduate Scholarships Program
Walter Byers Postgraduate Scholarships Program is another swimming scholarship for college students.
This scholarship gives student-athletes two grants totalling $24,000. To be eligible, you must have a grade point average of at least 3.5. Also, you must have played on an NCAA varsity team, and be in your final year of college or have enrolled in graduate school at an NCAA school.
Students must submit a completed application prior to the deadline. The application must include an essay, four letters of recommendation, an application form, and transcripts.
4. The New York Ramblers Scholarship for Student Athletes
Among the interesting swimming scholarship programs you can check out as lover of sport is The New York Ramblers Scholarship for Student Athletes.
This scholarship aims at helping student athletes get undergraduate degrees. It waas started in 2016 and it’s specifically for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or intersex (LGBTQI).
That means, this scholarship is available for student athletes who identify as LGBTQI or committed LGBTQI allies. This scholarship is worth $10,000 and the application deadline is 1st May. Note, the scholarshipnis being awarded to two students every year. That means, each of them get $5,000.
5. G. Sutton Memorial Scholarship
Among the top swimming scholarships is the David G. Sutton Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship is intended to help Pennsylvania high school athletes who share Dave’s perseverance, camaraderie, and dedication to achievement.
The scholarship pays tribute to the life and legacy of David G. Sutton, a devoted coach, devoted friend, and enthusiastic athlete.
Dave, who coached football, baseball, and basketball at all levels, inspired many with his big heart, loud voice, wit, and sense of humour. The David G. Sutton Memorial Scholarship is worth $500, and the application deadline is 2nd December. The winners will be announced on January 1st, 2026.
6. Coach Ray Memorial Athletic Scholarship
Next on our list of best swimming scholarships for college students is Coach Ray Memorial Athletic Scholarship. This scholarship aims to provide financial aid to worthy athletes who achieve academic and athletic success. This athletic scholarship is awarded to students in honor of Coach Ray.
Coach Ray is a cherished father and high school basketball coach in San Diego, California, who died in 2022.
Only female high school seniors in California who play basketball and have a GPA of at least 2.8 are eligible for the scholarship.
Over the course of his career, Ray helped hundreds of athletes on and off the court and led his teams to 567 victories. Coach Ray Memorial Athletic Scholarship is worth $500 and the application deadline is 9th March. The winners wil be announced April 8.
7. Elizabeth Horvath Swimming Scholarship Fund
High school graduates in the United States who attend schools in Berks County, Pennsylvania, and who participated in a high school or club swim team during at least their final year of high school and who plan to swim on the college team or college club team are eligible to apply for the Elizabeth Horvath Swimming Scholarship Fund.
The Berks County Community Foundation grants the scholarship. You must have a grade point average of 2.5 or above (or 80 per cent or higher) to be eligible for this award. After that, send in your recommendation letter, official transcript, application form, and essay.
The scholarship is worth $2,361, and the application deadline is June 30.
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8. Exercise for Life Scholarship
The Exercise for Life Scholarship is among the swimming scholarships for college students. This program is open to high school seniors who are athletes with cystic fibrosis in the United States. The Boomer Esiason Foundation provides the scholarship.
To be eligible for this scholarship, you must have academic aptitude, athletic prowess, character, leadership, community involvement, a need for financial support, and daily adherence to cystic fibrosis treatment.
This scholarship is worth $20,000, and 2 students get the scholarship every year. The application deadline for this scholarship is May 31st.
9. TFMJF Advancement of Women in Sports & Entertainment Scholarship
Next on our list of the top swimming scholarships for students is the TFMJF Advancement of Women in Sports & Entertainment Scholarship sponsored by The Floyd Mayweather Jr. Foundation.
Women in Nevada pursuing undergraduate degrees in journalism, public relations, media studies, marketing, or communication are eligible to apply for this grant.
You must be prepared to pursue a career in sports or sports broadcasting to be eligible.
This scholarship fund was created to support women’s pursuit of higher education, promote their valued involvement in the field, and advance the field overall. This scholarship program is worth $4000, and the application deadline is 7th November.
10. Mickey Forrester Memorial Scholarship
Mickey Forrester Memorial Scholarship is a swimming scholarship provided by Nancy Forrester in memory of Mickey Forrester. This scholarship is open specifically for graduating female athletes from Sullivan East High School in Bluff City, Tennessee.
To be eligible for this scholarship, you must have been active on at least one school sports team during your high school years.
Also, preference will be given to applicants planning to attend school in Tennessee and work in the East Tennessee area following graduation. This swimming scholarship for female is worth $1,600 and it’s non-renewable. The application deadline for this scholarship program is 30th June.
11. John A. McCluskey and Helen McCluskey Scholarship
The John A. McCluskey and Helen McCluskey Scholarship is among the best swimming scholarships for college students.
This scholarship program is specifically for African American seniors at Middleton High School in Middletown, Ohio. It’s for students interested in athletics.
To be eligible, you must have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher and demonstrate a commitment to community service. Note, is college scholarship is worth $1,000 and application deadline is 14th February.
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12. Meldon Law Scholar Athlete Program
Meldon Law Scholar Athlete Program is for high school seniors in the North Central Florida area. The areas it’s opened for includes Columbia, Dixie, Marion, Alachua, Gilchrist, Bradford, Hamilton, Madison, Putnam, Suwanee, and Union counties. Students studying in these areas are eligible for this scholarship.
Also, these students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and be a major contributer in their sport. The scholarship is awarded to 27 students and it worth $4,509. It’s important to note that the application deadline is 1st May.
13. Berks County Scholastic Athletic Trainer’s Association Scholarship Fund
Berks County Scholastic Athletic Trainer’s Association Scholarship Fund is a scholarship established in 2005 by Berks County Community Foundation.
It aims to honor outstanding student athletic trainers from Berks County high schools. To be eligible for this scholarship, you must have participated in student training in at least one sport for two or more years and must intend to pursue a four-year degree in sports medicine.
You will get a higher chance if you are aiming at becoming a certified athletic trainer.
Note, you are not eligible if you’re related to Berks County Community Foundation employees, board members and/or committee members. The scholarship is worth $500 annually and it’s non-renewable. 6 students gets this scholarship every year.
14. Buddha Memorial HCC Scholarship
Do you plan attending Hillsborough Community College? Are you a Buddhist? This scholarship is for you.
This is a swimming scholarship for high school seniors in Hillsborough County, Florida interested in attending Hillsborough Community College. To be eligible for this sport scholarship, you must have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher and must qualify for free or reduced-cost school lunches.
The scholarship program is worth $1,000 and the application deadline is January.
15. Sports Unlimited Scholarship
Sports Unlimited Scholarship is last on our list of swimming scholarships for college students. This scholarship is for seniors in high school, college freshman, and college sophomores. It’s for students who are active participants in any sport.
To be eligible, you must submit an essay about an experience overcoming adversity to achieve athletic success. The scholarship is awarded to two students every year anf each of them gets $1,000, which is non-renewable. The application deadline is 25 April of every year.
FAQs About Best Swimming Scholarships for College
College swimming refers to competitive swimming at the collegiate level, where student-athletes represent their colleges or universities in organized swim meets and championships. It combines rigorous academic life with high-level athletic competition, offering swimmers a platform to continue their sport beyond high school while earning a degree.
You must meet the minimum academic eligibility standards, which include completing core courses, maintaining a minimum GPA, and potentially achieving a qualifying score on the SAT or ACT.
Scholarship eligibility often depends on your swim times and how they compare to the team’s current athletes.
Here are the best swimming scholarships for college students:
1. Foot Locker Scholar Athletes Scholarship
2. University of Georgia Swimming Scholarship Endowment Program
3. Walter Byers Postgraduate Scholarships Program
4. The New York Ramblers Scholarship for Student Athletes
5. G. Sutton Memorial Scholarship
6. Coach Ray Memorial Athletic Scholarship
7. Elizabeth Horvath Swimming Scholarship Fund
Conclusion
The pursuit of a college education can be significantly enhanced by taking advantage of swimming scholarships.
The 15 opportunities outlined above not only provide financial assistance but also recognize the dedication and talent of student-athletes in the pool.
By checking these scholarships, you can ease the burden of tuition fees while continuing to excel in their sport. Remember, each scholarship comes with its own set of requirements and deadlines, so it’s essential to stay organized and proactive in your application process.
References
- Ussportsscholarships.com – us swimming scholarships
- Unigo.com-swimming scholarships
