Verified list

Private Scholarships for Athletes

Outside scholarships that are open to athletes, plus the NCAA's own awards for current college athletes. Each was loaded on its official page on November 7, 2026.

8 awards, all verified todayAmounts only when the sponsor shows themLinks go to the sponsor
For high school athletes

Private scholarships open to athletes

Golf caddies

Evans Scholarship

Western Golf Association / Evans Scholars Foundation
Who can apply
Caddied regularly and successfully for at least two years; finished junior year of high school with above a B average in college-prep courses; clear financial need; outstanding character, integrity and leadership.
Award
A full tuition and housing college scholarship (per the sponsor's site as of Nov 2026).
Timing
Application goes online in August; the core application is due in late September and financial aid forms in mid-October (2027-28 cycle).
You don't need to play golf competitively. This is about your caddie record, grades and need.
Verified Nov 7, 2026Official page
Golf, women

Women's Western Golf Foundation Scholarship

Women's Western Golf Foundation
Who can apply
Undergraduate women who play golf. The foundation says skill or excellence in the sport is not a criterion. Renewal depends on meeting its academic and financial requirements.
Award
$5,000 a year, renewable for four years (per the sponsor's site as of Nov 2026).
Timing
The page lists the 2026 scholarships and an apply-for-next-year link; it does not show a deadline.
Recreational golfers can apply. Check the next cycle's form for the deadline.
Verified Nov 7, 2026Official page
Baseball

American Legion Baseball Scholarship

The American Legion
Who can apply
American Legion Baseball players. Each state Department Baseball Committee may select one player; department winners are also considered for the All-Academic Team.
Award
$500 for department winners; eight players chosen at the World Series get an extra $2,500, and the most outstanding All-Academic member gets $5,000 (per the sponsor's site as of Nov 2026).
Timing
No deadline is posted on the national page; ask your post or state department. Winners have eight years from graduation to use the award.
Applications go through your state department, not national headquarters.
Verified Nov 7, 2026Official page
Tennis

USTA Foundation Scholarships

USTA Foundation
Who can apply
College Launch: high school seniors who took part in a USTA Foundation NJTL chapter. College Success: current or returning college students, with priority for NJTL alumni. Novo Nordisk Donnelly: tennis players affected by diabetes. Awards weigh financial need and academic achievement.
Award
The Donnelly award lists two $15,000 national and ten $7,000 regional awards; other amounts aren't listed (per the sponsor's site as of Nov 2026).
Timing
The 2026 program is closed; the foundation says the 2027 program will open at a later date.
Built for players from community tennis programs, not only ranked juniors.
Verified Nov 7, 2026Official page
Any sport or none

Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship

Jackie Robinson Foundation
Who can apply
Graduating high school seniors who are U.S. citizens, show financial need, academic excellence, leadership and community service, and plan to attend an accredited, JRF-approved four-year college. An ACT or SAT score is required. You do not have to be an athlete.
Award
The application page does not state an amount.
Timing
The 2026-27 application opened September 1, 2026, and is due in January 2027 (per the sponsor's site).
Merit-based and open to non-athletes, but many athletes fit the profile.
Verified Nov 7, 2026Official page
For current college athletes

The NCAA's own scholarships

These come from the NCAA itself and are for athletes already in college. Your school's faculty athletics representative or compliance office usually handles nominations.

Current college athletes

NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship

NCAA
Who can apply
Athletes in or past their final season of NCAA eligibility, in their final undergraduate year or already graduated, with at least a 3.20 cumulative GPA, who will start a graduate degree within a year.
Award
A one-time $7,000 award; up to 100 a year, split evenly between men and women (per NCAA.org as of Nov 2026).
Timing
Nominations by sport season: fall closes January 2027, winter closes March 2027, spring closes May 2027.
For athletes already in college. Talk to your faculty athletics representative.
Verified Nov 7, 2026Official page
Current college athletes

Walter Byers Graduate Scholarship

NCAA
Who can apply
Graduating seniors at NCAA member schools with at least a 3.50 cumulative undergraduate GPA.
Award
A one-time $24,000 payment toward graduate study; one woman and one man each year (per NCAA.org as of Nov 2026).
Timing
Nominations opened September 2026 and close in January 2027.
Very selective: two winners nationally.
Verified Nov 7, 2026Official page
Former DII athletes

NCAA Division II Degree Completion Award

NCAA
Who can apply
Former Division II athletes who have used up their eligibility, are not on athletics aid, are within 40 semester hours of a first undergraduate degree and are in good academic standing.
Award
Up to $15,000, but no more than the remaining tuition (per NCAA.org as of Nov 2026).
Timing
Application opened November 2, 2026, and closes in February 2027.
The degree must be finished at the Division II school where eligibility ran out.
Verified Nov 7, 2026Official page

Legit scholarships never charge you to apply

The FTC's warning signs for scholarship scams:

  • A fee to apply, "process" or "redeem" a scholarship
  • A guarantee that you'll win, or a money-back promise
  • "You've been selected" for an award you never applied for
  • Requests for a bank or card number to "hold" an award
  • Paying someone to file your FAFSA, which is free

FTC: How To Avoid Scholarship and Financial Aid Scams. Report scams at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Before you apply

Outside scholarships must be reported to your college's financial aid office, and for recruited athletes the compliance office may need to review them too. The NCAA says you must report all financial aid you receive. NCAA guide

Know of an award we should check? We only add awards we can confirm on the sponsor's own site. How we verify.

Questions

Common questions

Are there scholarships for athletes outside the NCAA?

Yes. Sport organizations and foundations offer their own awards, such as the Evans Scholarship for golf caddies, the Women's Western Golf Foundation scholarship and the American Legion Baseball Scholarship.

Do private scholarships affect my athletic scholarship?

They can, because all aid must be reported to your school and counts toward your total aid. Ask the financial aid and compliance offices before you accept.

Should I ever pay to apply for a scholarship?

No. The FTC warns that fees to apply or to claim a scholarship are a sign of a scam.

Sources (checked Nov 7, 2026)