Report Highlights. Over 1.7 million scholarships are awarded annually.
- However, only 7% of college students will receive a scholarship.
- The U.S. Department of Education awards an estimated $46 billion in scholarship money annually.
- The average scholarship for 2-year institutions is worth $6,010.
- On average, first-time undergraduates who receive government grants and scholarships at a 4-year college receive about $14,890 annually.
Related reports include Financial Aid Statistics | College Savings Statistics | How Do People Pay for College? | Average Student Loan Interest Rate | Student Loan Debt Statistics
Scholarship Statistics for Public vs Private 4-year Colleges
The terms grant and scholarship are used in close conjunction (almost interchangeably) in the data below. Government sources have occasionally referred to grants as needs-based scholarships.
- On average, a student who receives a scholarship or grant at a private 4-year college will receive $8,005 more than a student in a public 4-year college.
- The disparity in money awarded between public and private colleges is greatest among those families with the highest incomes.
- The graph below uses the combined averages of non-profit private colleges and for-profit private colleges.
Private Scholarships
Private sources award over $7.4 billion in scholarship money annually. In 2003, private sources awarded an estimated $3.3 billion in scholarship money. In the 18-year gap, total private scholarship awards grew by $4.1 billion.
- The Miss America Foundation awards up to $12,000 maximum per individual.
- The United Negro College Fund provides funds for over 400 different scholarships.
- The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation’s biggest scholarship award is worth $20,000.
- In 2016, the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) awarded 230 scholarships.
- Those 230 scholarships amounted to $750,000 total that year.
- The Center for Women in Technology (CWIT) offers scholarships from $5,000 to $20,000 annually for a maximum of 4 years.
- In 2003, the average value of an undergraduate private scholarship was $1,982.
- In 2003, 73% of private financial aid went to dependent students.
Public Scholarships
Grants are typically awarded based on student needs. Other public scholarships may include athletic-based awards, program major-specific awards, state residency-based scholarships, and college-specific scholarships.
- The U.S. Department of Education awards an estimated $46 billion in scholarship money annually.
- Pell Grants are reserved for students from families with an income below $25,000.
- The average Pell Grant award for undergraduates is $4,568.
- The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) requires schools that participate in the program to contribute 25% of the aid awarded.
- The FSEOG awards between $100 to $4,000 in scholarship aid money.
- In 2016, the total amount of federal grant money awarded was $41.7 billion.
- In 2015, $2.9 billion in federal grant money went unclaimed because 47% of high school students did not complete a FAFSA.
- The table below uses statistics from 2016, the most recent available.
Need-Based Scholarships by Race
The majority of federal grant money went to White students in 2016. The statistics below use public data from 2016, the most recent available. The statistics below only include undergraduate students.
- The majority of White students who received federal grant money received $12,510.
- The majority of Black students who received federal grant money also received $14,060 in aid.
- Most Hispanic students who were awarded federal grant money received an average of $11,680.
- Most Asian students who were awarded federal grant money received $11,080 on average.
- For American Indians and Alaskan Natives, the majority that did receive federal grant money received an average of $10,140.
- For Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders, the majority that did receive federal grant money received anywhere $12,930 on average.
Athletic Scholarships
Athletic Scholarships are divided based on Division rankings. There are no scholarships for Division III athletes but other forms of financial aid are available. The award amount also varies by gender.
- Athletic scholarships are offered to less than 2% of high school student-athletes planning to attend college.
- Yet, more than 180,000 students receive an athletic scholarship annually.
- Division I and Division II scholarships amount to over $2.7 billion annually.
- There are 177,559 athletic-based scholarships.
- In the table below, certain sports had scholarships for only one gender.
| Sport | Average Scholarship Award Amount (Male) | Average Scholarship Award Amount (Female) |
|---|---|---|
| Baseball | $13,220 | – |
| Basketball | $38,246 | $36,758 |
| Football — FBS | $36,070 | – |
| Football — FCS | $20,706 | – |
| Golf | $12,066 | $21,866 |
| Gymnastics | $18,191 | $40,172 |
| Ice Hockey | $31,756 | $41,693 |
| Lacrosse | $12,303 | $12,884 |
| Skiing | $20,275 | $19,084 |
| Soccer | $15,008 | $17,766 |
| Swimming & Diving | $16,695 | $18,794 |
| Tennis | $18,379 | $32,630 |
| Track & Field | $11,260 | $14,574 |
| Wrestling | $12,551 | – |
| Equestrian | – | $10,462 |
| Field Hockey | – | $18,331 |
| Rowing | – | $21,053 |
| Softball | – | $20,715 |
| Volleyball | – | $31,138 |
| State Authority/Institution | Scholarship Program |
|---|---|
| Alabama Commission on Higher Education |
Minority Doctoral Scholarship Program Link |
| Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education | Alaska Performance Scholarship Link |
| Arkansas Department of Higher Education |
Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship Link Governor’s Distinguished Scholarship Link Law Enforcement Officers’ Dependents Scholarship (LEO) Link Military Dependents Scholarship (MDS) Link Arkansas Workforce Challenge Link Arkansas Concurrent Challenge Link Washington Center Scholarship Link |
| California Student Aid Commission | Middle-Class Scholarship Link |
| Colorado Department of Higher Education | Colorado Second Chance Scholarship Link |
| Connecticut Office of Higher Education | Roberta B. Willis Need-Merit Scholarship Link |
| Delaware |
Bradford Barnes Memorial Scholarship Link Herman M. Holloway, Sr. Memorial Scholarship Link Diamond State Scholarship Link |
| Florida State Board of Education |
Benacquisto Scholarship Link Florida Bright Futures Scholarships Link Mary McLeod Bethune Scholarship Link Florida Farmworker Student Scholarship Link |
| Georgia Student Finance Commission |
HOPE Scholarship Link Zell Miller Scholarship Link |
| Hawaii |
Hawaii Community Foundation Scholarship Link Fukunaga Scholarship Foundation Link R.W. “Bob” Holden Scholarship Link |
| Idaho State Board of Education |
Idaho Opportunity Scholarship Link Idaho Opportunity Scholarship for Adult Learners Link Tschudy Family Scholarship Link GEAR UP Idaho Scholarship Link Idaho Postsecondary Credit Scholarship Link Idaho Governor’s Cup Scholarship Link Armed Forces/Public Safety Officer Dependent Scholarship Link |
| Illinois Student Assistance Commission |
Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois Link Minority Teachers of Illinois Scholarship Link Nursing Education Scholarship Link |
| Indiana Commission for Higher Education |
Mitch Daniels Early Graduation Scholarship Link Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship Link William A. Crawford Minority Teacher Scholarship Link 21st Century Scholar Link |
| Kansas Board of Regents | Kansas State Scholarship, Kansas Nursing Service Scholarship, Kanses Ethnic Minority Scholarship, Kansas Military Service Scholarship, Kanses National Guard Educational Assistance, Kansas Teacher Service Scholarship, Kansas ROTC Service Scholarship, Kansas Promise Act Scholarship, Kanses Osteopathic Medical Service Scholarship, Kansas Optometry Service Scholarship, Kansas Nurse Educator Service Scholarship, Kansas Dental Education Opportunities Program, Kansas Distinguished Scholarship Program Link |
| Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority |
Early Childhood Development Scholarship Link Teacher Scholarship Program Link Dual Credit Scholarship Program Link Osteopathic Medicine Scholarship Link Optometry Scholarship Link |
| Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance |
Taylor Opportunity Program for Students Link Rockefeller State Wildlife Scholarship Link |
| Finance Authority of Maine | Doctors for Maine’s Future Scholarship Link |
| Maryland Higher Education Commission |
State Delegate Scholarship Link Senatorial Scholarship Link Charles W. Riley Firefighter and Ambulance and Rescue Squad Member Scholarship Program Link Hal and Jo Cohen Graduate Nursing Faculty Scholarship Link 2+2 Transfer Scholarship Link Community College Promise Scholarship Link Richard W. Collins III Leadership with Honor Scholarship Link Teaching Fellow for Maryland Scholarship Link Cybersecurity Public Service Scholarship Link Edward T. and Mary A. Conroy Memorial Scholarship Program & Jean B. Cryor Memorial Scholarship Program Link Veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts (VAIC) Scholarship Link Graduate and Professional Scholarship Program Link |
| Massachusetts Department of Higher Education |
Christian A. Herter Memorial Scholarship Link Agnes M. Lindsay Scholarship Link Paul Tsongas Scholarship Link Massachusetts High Demand Scholarship Link John and Abigail Adams Scholarship Link One Family Scholarship Link Early Childhood Educators Scholarship Link Moving to College Link |
| Michigan |
Fostering Futures Scholarship Link Michigan Competitive Scholarship Link Michigan GEAR UP Scholarship Link Michigan Reconnect Scholarship Program Link |
| Minnesota Office of Higher Education |
Minnesota Academic Excellence Scholarship Link Minnesota Indian Scholarship Link Minnesota Educational Assistance for War Orphans Link |
| Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid |
Nissan Scholarship Link Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers & Firemen Scholarship Link |
| Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development |
A+ Scholarship Link Bright Flight Program Link Minority and Underrepresented Environmental Literacy Program Link Kids’ Chance Scholarship Link Dual Credit/Dual Enrollment Scholarship Link |
| Montana Office of Public Instruction, Montana University System, Reach Higher Montana |
United States Senate Youth Program Scholarship, Washington Week Program and College Scholarship Link Montana University System Honor Scholarship Link 2 + 2 Honor Scholarship Link Montana’s STEM & Healthcare Scholarship Link Reach Higher Montana Scholarships Link |
| Nebraska’s Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education | Access College Early (ACE) Scholarship Link |
| Nevada System of Higher Education |
Nevada Promise Scholarship Link Governor Guinn Millennium Scholarship Link |
| New Hampshire Department of Education, State Treasury, Commission of Higher Education |
Higher Education Scholarships for Orphans of Veterans Link Governor’s Scholarship Program Link UNIQUE Scholarships Link |
| State of New Jersey, Higher Education Student Assistance Authority |
Governor’s Industry Vocations Scholarship for Women & Minorities Link Governor’s Urban Scholarship Link New Jersey Student Tuition Assistance Reward Scholarship (STARS) Link World Trade Center Scholarship Link NJBEST Scholarship, Link New Jersey Survivor Tuition Benefits Program & Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Scholarship Link |
| New Mexico Higher Education Department |
New Mexico Legislative Lottery Scholarship Link New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship Link New Mexico Scholars Link Competitive Scholarship Link Graduate Scholarship Link Athletic Scholarship Link Fire Fighters & Peace Officers Survivors Scholarship Link Teacher Preparation Affordability Scholarship Program Link Grow Your Own Teachers Link Wartime & Vietnam Veterans Scholarship Link |
| New York State Higher Education Services Corporation |
NYS Scholarships for Academic Excellence Link NYS Math & Science Teaching Incentive Program Link NYS Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Incentive Program Link New York State Achievement and Investment in Merit Scholarship Link Enhanced Tuition Awards Link NYS Part-time Scholarship Link NYS Child Welfare Worker Incentive Scholarship Link Excelsior Scholarship Link NYS Masters-in-Education Teacher Incentive Scholarship Link Senator Patricia K. McGee Nursing Faculty Scholarship Link Military Enhanced Recognition Incentive and Tribute (MERIT) Scholarship Link World Trade Center Memorial Scholarship Link Flight 3407 Memorial Scholarship Link Flight 587 Memorial Scholarship Link NYS Memorial Scholarship Link |
| College Foundation of North Carolina |
NC Education Lottery Scholarship Link NC Need-Based Scholarship Link UNC Campus Scholarships Link |
| North Dakota University System |
ND Native American Scholarship Link ND Scholars Link ND Academic Scholarship, ND Career & Technical Education (CTE) Scholarship, ND Scholarship Link Dual-Credit Tuition Scholarship Link ND Career Builders Link |
| Ohio Department of Higher Education, Ohio National Guard |
Ohio War Orphan & Severely Disabled Veterans’ Children Scholarship Link Ohio National Guard Scholarship Link |
| Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education |
Oklahoma’s Promise Link Academic Scholars Link Regional University Baccalaureate Scholarship Link Future Teachers Scholarship Link George and Donna Nigh Public Service Scholarship Link Heroes Promise Link Scholars for Excellence in Child Care Link |
| Oregon Office of Student Access and Completion | Oregon Office of Student Access and Completion Scholarships (one application for 500+ scholarship programs) Link |
| Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Authority | PA Ready to Succeed Scholarship Link |
| South Carolina Commission on Higher Education |
Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Link Legislative Incentive for Future Excellence (LIFE) Scholarship Link SC HOPE Scholarship Link |
| South Dakota Board of Regents |
Dakota Corps Scholarship Link Critical Teaching Needs Scholarship Link Jump Start Scholarship Link South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship Link Annis I. Fowler/Kaden Scholarship (in Elementary Education) Link Marlin R. Scarborough Memorial Scholarship Link Ardell Bjugstad Scholarship for Native American High School Seniors Link Build Dakota Scholarship Fund Link |
| Tennessee Higher Education Commission & Student Assistance Corporation |
Tennessee HOPE Scholarship Link Aspire Award Link General Assembly Merit Scholarship Link Tennessee HOPE Scholarship – Nontraditional Link Ned McWherter Scholars Link Tennessee Promise Scholarship Link Dependent Children Scholarship Link Tennessee STEP UP Scholarship Link |
| Texas |
Good Neighbor Scholarship Link Texas Armed Services Scholarship Link Fifth-Year Accounting Student Scholarship Link |
| Utah System of Higher Education |
Opportunity Scholarship Link Utah Promise Scholarship & T. H. Bell Education Scholarship (for future educators) Link Career and Technical Education Scholarships Link |
| Vermont Student Assistance Corporation | VSAC-Assisted Scholarships Link |
| State Council of Higher Education for Virginia |
Granville P. Meade Scholarship Link Brown v. Board of Education Scholarship Link |
| Washington Student Achievement Council |
College Bound Scholarship Link American Indian Endowed Scholarship Link |
| West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission |
West Virginia Promise Scholarship Link West Virginia Engineering, Science, & Technology Scholarship Link Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars Link West Virginia Nursing Scholarship Link |
| State of Wisconsin Higher Educational Aids Board |
Academic Excellence Scholarship Link Technical Excellence Scholarship Link |
| Wyoming Department of Education |
Douvas Memorial Scholarship Link Hathaway Scholarship Link |
Sources
- Debt.org: Scholarships & Grants for College Students
- Debt.org: Athletic Scholarships for College Students
- National Center for Education Statistics (NCES): Table 331.30 – Average amount of grant and scholarship aid 2020-2021
- Financial Trends Table – Pell Grant aid 2020-2021
- Institute for Higher Education Policy: Private Scholarships Count
- Next College Student Athlete (NCSA): Athletic Scholarships – Everything You Need to Know
- The Best Colleges: The 10 Biggest Scholarships in the World
- Alabama Commission on Higher Education, Student Financial Assistance
- National Center for Education Statistics (NCES): Table 331.35 – Average Amount of Aid Received by Selected Student Characteristics
- Athletic Scholarship Averages for NCAA I Teams by Sport
- Saving for College: College Scholarship Statistics
- Think Impact: Scholarship Statistics