In summary, cheerleading qualifies as a sport; however, due to the lack of NCAA authorization, there are no formal recruiting rules in place. This absence of regulation results in a scarcity of funds for coaches, making full-ride college cheerleading scholarships uncommon.
Nevertheless, it’s important to note that obtaining a college cheerleading scholarship is not out of reach. Many institutions provide annual scholarships ranging from $500 to $1,000 to cheerleaders as recognition for their participation on the squad.
Moreover, there is a growing trend of major universities offering more cheerleading scholarships as the sport continues to evolve. Typically, programs that excel at NCA or UCA championships are considered the most competitive and well-known.
However, financial assistance varies across institutions, with each college offering a range of scholarship opportunities based on its programs. These may include stipends, scholarships tied to GPA, or fixed amounts like $2,000 per academic year.
In contrast, some institutions, like the University of Hawaii, are known for providing full-ride scholarships, especially to their athletes.
Prospective recruits should investigate the history of the program they are interested in to determine whether cheerleaders are eligible for athletic aid. It’s important to note that college cheerleaders often combine athletic aid with other scholarships.
For example, institutions may offer need-based financial assistance and academic scholarships to collegiate athletes, resulting in attractive overall financial aid packages.
The Most Effective Method For Securing A Scholarship For Cheerleading:
Each cheerleading coach employs distinct criteria when selecting student-athletes, with an emphasis on awarding scholarships determined by various factors. The following guidelines can assist in securing a cheerleading scholarship for college:
Strive For Excellence In Competition:
Schools with a rich cheerleading tradition often have greater opportunities for cheer scholarships. Recruiters seek individuals who can enhance their routines, adapting to the evolving and increasingly competitive landscape of college cheerleading. Stand out by showcasing unique skills, as scholarships are primarily awarded to competitive cheerleaders. If your abilities don’t align with the current team’s talents, your chances of receiving a scholarship diminish.
Participate In College Clinics:
These events play a crucial role in the recruitment process as they prepare candidates for the skills and routines expected during school auditions. In addition to acquiring the necessary skills for team competition, participants also learn sideline cheers, tricks, and the team’s signature song. Essentially, college coaches actively scout athletes at clinics and open gyms.
Maintaining A High GPA Is Crucial For Aspiring College Cheerleaders:
As college coaches heavily emphasize academic performance and standardized test scores. Some collegiate cheerleading programs even offer academic scholarships to student-athletes who maintain a specific GPA. A strong academic record is generally a key factor in securing scholarship opportunities at most schools.
Create A Recruitment Video:
Given the challenge for college cheerleading coaches to assess every applicant in person, creating a recruiting video showcasing your skills is essential. Online reviews become a crucial tool for coaches in this process. In fact, certain institutions require a recruiting film highlighting specific qualities before a student-athlete can try out for the team.
It is important to promptly demonstrate your abilities and share samples with college coaches at the institutions you are interested in. Catching a coach’s attention early increases your chances of being invited to try out and making the team.
Ensure You Are Fit For The College:
To ensure the best college fit, it’s essential to assess both academic and athletic compatibility. Gain a comprehensive understanding of the school’s admission criteria and team dynamics by familiarizing yourself with the coach’s preferences, reviewing the team roster, watching competition footage, and going through the necessary academic admission information. This proactive approach will enhance your chances of being accepted into the school and earning a spot on the cheerleading squad.
Scholarships For Cheerleading That Cover All Expenses:
College cheerleading seldom provides full scholarships due to limited funding, as it is not officially recognized as a sport. Unlike coaches in other sports, cheerleading coaches face financial constraints. The average team size also makes it difficult to offer full-ride scholarships.
Nonetheless, highly competitive programs may allocate funds for outstanding cheerleaders. Notable among them is the University of Hawaii, which offers full-ride scholarships to both in-state and out-of-state students, totaling 12 to 14 scholarships annually. Given the smaller number of male cheerleaders and specific scholarships designated for them, male participants often have better chances of securing full-ride scholarships.
While most programs don’t offer full scholarships, some provide modest cheering scholarship budgets. These help cover expenses such as tuition, uniforms, housing, and books. For instance, the University of Kentucky awards a $2,500 scholarship annually to the cheerleader with the highest GPA, while the University of Central Florida provides athletic scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $2,000 per year.
Additionally, many schools cover travel and related expenses for away games.
Recruits can significantly reduce their overall college costs by combining these cheerleading scholarships with other institutional aid, including need-based aid or academic scholarships.
How Difficult Is It To Secure A Cheerleading Scholarship?
Cheerleading scholarships typically follow this pattern: the more financial resources coaches have at their disposal, the more competitive the program becomes. Securing a Division 1 cheerleading scholarship is challenging due to the high demand.
Coaches often prioritize scholarships for cheerleaders who demonstrate advanced skills. Some colleges award points to cheerleaders during tryouts and subsequently grant scholarships to the top three performers.
To be considered for a Division 1 cheerleading scholarship, it’s essential to have an immediate impact on the team, regardless of the position played. Coaches seek elite cheerleaders proficient in tumbling, stunting, dance, and jumping.
Academic performance, especially GPA, is also a significant factor, with some scholarships exclusively based on an athlete’s academic achievements. Having a strong academic record and excelling at a high level in cheerleading can enhance your chances of earning a Division 1 scholarship.
Finally, it’s worth noting that male cheerleaders in co-ed squads have a higher likelihood of earning scholarships. This is primarily because there is generally less competition, and colleges often allocate specific scholarship funds for male cheerleaders.
Requirements For Cheerleading Scholarships
Individuals participating in NCAA-sanctioned sports need to meet various criteria for eligibility. These include maintaining a minimum GPA and achieving satisfactory results on standardized tests. Unlike official sports, cheerleading doesn’t require players to go through an eligibility center vetting process to secure scholarships or team positions.
Each cheerleading institution sets its own academic standards for qualifying for scholarships. Many programs, for example, typically require a GPA of 2.5 or higher. Moreover, some programs use grades as a factor in enhancing scholarship opportunities. For instance, Kansas State University offers a bonus scholarship to athletes with a GPA of 3.0 or above.
Furthermore, recruits are generally expected to adhere to the program’s eligibility standards and code of conduct, which may include consistent attendance at practice, to maintain good standing in most programs.
What Colleges Give Full-Ride Scholarships For Cheerleading?
Scholarship By University Of Kentucky:
If you’re in search of the top cheerleading team nationwide, consider the University of Kentucky’s impressive squad. The team has consistently excelled at the Universal Cheerleaders Association National Championships, securing an impressive 23 national titles.
Given their remarkable achievements, the university offers a special scholarship program for cheerleaders. Blue Squad members, depending on their residency status, are entitled to either a full in-state tuition coverage (for residents) or a partial coverage of out-of-state fees (for non-residents). Additionally, Blue and White squad members with a minimum GPA of 3.0 for the fall semester receive a modest academic scholarship at the conclusion of the spring semester.
It’s important to note that currently, there are no tuition scholarships available for White squad members. The funding for this university-administered cheerleading scholarship originates from the President’s Office.
Moreover, there are numerous scholarship opportunities within the university that both Blue and White squad members may qualify for. Each scholarship comes with its specific academic and athletic requirements, so it’s crucial to carefully review the details.
Scholarship By Concordia University Ann Arbor:
Concordia University Ann Arbor offers cheerleaders athletic scholarships based on factors such as skill level, ability, and seniority. The amounts vary and are renewable annually, contingent on the student-athlete’s continued eligibility. Additionally, cheerleaders have the opportunity to apply for academic scholarships, which are typically merit-based and awarded through the admissions process. Furthermore, there are various need-based grants available for cheerleaders to pursue.
The University Of Minesosta Scholarship:
The Golden Gophers Spirit Squads consist of four distinct groups: the coed and small coed cheer squads, which include both male and female members; the Minnesota Dance Team, comprising 19 dancers; and the all-girl cheer squad.
Scholarships are awarded to experienced squad members, but the number of recipients is limited. Additionally, all Spirit Squad members receive a book allowance each semester.
For new members, the university provides various scholarship opportunities, catering to aspiring cheerleaders, dancers, and mascots for the Spirit Squad. These scholarships are merit-based and competitive, ranging from $1,000 annually to $60,000 distributed over four years.
The University of Hawaii Scholarship:
The University of Hawaii demonstrates a strong commitment to the well-being of its cheerleaders by offering an impressive array of scholarships. Specifically, the institution provides 12 to 14 full-tuition scholarships exclusively designed for members of the cheerleading team. These scholarships extend to cover the entire cost of tuition for both in-state and eligible out-of-state cheerleaders.
Furthermore, the university extends additional support to out-of-state cheerleaders through a second scholarship, effectively reducing their tuition expenses by half—a substantial financial relief.
In addition to these dedicated cheerleading scholarships, cheerleaders can explore opportunities through WUE scholarships and financial aid, such as tuition waivers, as long as they meet the specified qualification criteria. The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) program facilitates tuition savings for students at over 160 participating public colleges and universities.
The University of Delaware Cheerleading Scholarship:
The cheerleading squad from the University of Delaware clinched their second consecutive national championship in the open coed Division I of the Universal Cheer Association in February 2020. The journey to victory was undoubtedly challenging for the team.
For those aspiring to join the team, there’s an opportunity to secure cheerleading scholarships. Residents of Delaware can receive up to $7,500. These scholarships are granted by the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, taking into account the academic and athletic achievements of each student-athlete.
The Department adheres to the NCAA’s rules and regulations regarding sports-related scholarships and grants. The scholarship amounts for cheerleaders may vary.
Conclusion:
Cheerleaders effortlessly execute backflips, basket tosses, and pyramids with a smile, making it appear seamless. However, like other athletes, cheerleaders face a significant risk of injury due to the perilous nature of their stunts. Common injuries observed among college cheerleaders include muscle strains in the hips, lower back, legs, as well as dislocations of the elbow and shoulder, and fractures.
This heightened risk of injuries is well-documented in various movies and documentaries, such as Cheer and Last Chance U on Netflix. In the series Cheer, for instance, the Navarro College cheerleading team persists in rigorous practice for competitions despite dealing with concussions, ankle injuries, and twisted limbs. It’s evident that cheerleaders are recognized as some of the most resilient athletes.
