Turning your sweat into cash for college is possible with scholarships for fitness enthusiasts. Whether you run marathons, play competitive sports, lead aerobics classes, or simply pump iron in the gym daily, several scholarship organizations can reward your dedication. That’s excellent news because statistics show only 480,000 of the nearly 8 million high school athletes actually land full NCAA scholarships. Community, collegiate, and professional foundations can help fill funding gaps by recognizing scholars for their healthy, active lifestyles.
America’s obesity epidemic is reaching astronomical weights, so anyone seeking careers promoting exercise will receive extra kudos. Show off your strength and championship mindset to win the following fitness-related scholarships.
Ranking the Top Fitness Scholarships Available
1. Barbara A. Cooley Masters Scholarship
Deadline: October 15th
Fitness enthusiasts who wish to inspire healthy lifestyles in children, teens, and adults could qualify for the $1,000 Barbara A. Cooley Masters Scholarship from SHAPE America. Each October, the association selects outstanding graduate students who are pursuing health or physical education programs at accredited U.S. schools with a cumulative GPA above 3.0. Scholars are picked based on academic talent, leadership in health-related activities, and promise as certified health education specialists.
Contact
Barbara A. Cooley Masters Scholarship
1900 Association Drive
Reston, VA 20191
(703) 476-3400
awards@shapeamerica.org
2. Carl V. Gisolfi Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: January 20th
Partnering with Gatorade, the American College of Sports Medicine administers the Carl V. Gisolfi Memorial Fund to provide $5,000 scholarships for fitness enthusiasts who have devoted doctoral dissertation research to thermoregulation, conditioning, hydration, exercise, or another aspect of physical activity. Qualified Ph.D. applicants must be active ACSM members, affiliate with accredited U.S. universities, and have unmet financial need. Special preference is given to research proposals addressing minority health.
Contact
Carl V. Gisolfi Memorial Scholarship
401 West Michigan Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202
(317) 637-9200
foundation@acsm.org
3. Carolyn D. Vanacore Scholarship
Deadline: June 15th
Valued at $1,000, the Carolyn D. Vanacore Scholarship is presented yearly by the Connecticut Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance to female members who have declared relevant majors to the CTAHPERD mission, including sports management. Interested fitness enthusiasts must attain a minimum 2.7, hold junior or senior status, attend an accredited bachelor’s program, reside in Connecticut, participate in varsity sports, and demonstrate financial need beyond athletic scholarships.
Contact
Carolyn D. Vanacore Scholarship
563 Miller Road South
Windsor, CT 06074
(860) 644-9206
ckapral@ctahperd.org
4. Derek Jeter Scholarship Program
Deadline: March 1st
The Kalamazoo Community Foundation funds the Derek Jeter Scholarship Program to award $1,000 annually to one male and one female high school senior who’s advocated physical fitness while abstaining from drug and alcohol use. Eligibility criteria includes living in Michigan’s Kalamazoo County, enrolling at an accredited two or four-year college, demonstrating community leadership, possessing a minimum 3.0 GPA, and scoring at least 1070 on the SAT or 21 on the ACT.
Contact
Derek Jeter Scholarship Program
402 East Michigan Avenue
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
(269) 381-4416
info@kalfound.org
5. Edward and Marion Petzko Scholarship
Deadline: February 15th
Named for an active couple who devoted 55 years combined to teaching, the Edward and Marion Petzko Scholarship is granted for $1,000 by the Saginaw Community Foundation to support fitness enthusiasts who have participated in golf, track, or cross country for 2+ years. Suitable applicants must reside in Michigan’s Saginaw County, be accepted at four-year Michigan colleges full-time, hold a varsity letter, and demonstrate a minimum “B” average.
Contact
Edward and Marion Petzko Scholarship
1 Tuscola Street Suite 100B
Saginaw, MI 48607
(989) 755-0545
leeann@saginawfoundation.org
6. Exercise for Life Athletic Scholarship
Deadline: June 10th
As one of the most profitable scholarships for fitness enthusiasts, the Exercise for Life Athletic Scholarship awards $10,000 each year through the Boomer Esiason Foundation to four high school and undergraduate students who’ve been diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. Eligible student-athletes must jog regularly, participate in CF therapy, be training for the qualifying 1.5-mile run, show evidence of academic achievement, need funding for accredited U.S. colleges, and be actively involved in community service.
Contact
Exercise for Life Athletic Scholarship
483 10th Avenue Suite 300
New York, NY 10018
(516) 746-0077
cmcewan@esiason.org
7. Foot Locker Scholar Athlete Scholarship
Deadline: December 16th
Sponsored by the sportswear retail giant, the Foot Locker Scholar Athlete Scholarship bestows $20,000 to college-bound high school seniors who embody good sportsmanship, maintain physically fit lifestyles, and exhibit enthusiastic community leadership. Selection criteria requires being a U.S. citizen or legal resident, playing a varsity or intramural sport, carrying an unweighted GPA of 3.0 or better, and enrolling at an accredited four-year university this Fall.
Contact
Foot Locker Scholar Athlete Scholarship
330 West 34th Street
New York, NY 10001
(800) 991-6815
footlocker@tmiagency.org
8. Hood Milk Sportsmanship Scholarship
Deadline: April 22nd
HP Hood Milk LLC established a Sportsmanship Scholarship program that distributes $5,000 annually to student-athletes across New England, including Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont, and Maine, who write stellar 250-word entries about how they’ve demonstrated good sportsmanship on and off the field. Fitness enthusiasts must have participated in a varsity sport, be accepted into an accredited U.S. college, volunteer regularly in their community, and sustain a 3.0 GPA.
Contact
Hood Milk Sportsmanship Scholarship
75 Washington Avenue Suite 201
Portland, ME 04101
(207) 772-3119 ext. 21
9. Jerry Martin Scholarship Fund
Deadline: March 15th
Since 2014, the National Strength and Conditioning Association has honored the long-time coach and Boyd Epley Award winner by managing the Jerry Martin Scholarship Fund. For these $1,500 scholarships, qualified candidates must have NSCA membership, be enrolling full-time at accredited U.S. institutions, major in a strength and conditioning-related field, accomplish an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher, prioritize physical fitness, and intend to become strength coaches.
Contact
Jerry Martin Scholarship Fund
1885 Bob Johnson Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
(800) 815-6826
nsca@nsca.com
10. John A. Mayes EDAC Scholarship
Deadline: February 10th
Each spring, the National Athletic Trainers’ Association promotes the John A. Mayes EDAC Scholarship to award $2,300 to ethnically diverse students of African American, Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander, or Native American descent who are pursuing CAATE-accredited athletic training programs. Master’s or doctoral candidates must finish baccalaureate education, possess a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or better, have two years of NATA membership, and be nominated by certified athletic trainers.
Contact
John A. Mayes EDAC Scholarship
1620 Valwood Parkway Suite 115
Carrollton, TX 75006
(214) 637-6282
fndnstaff@nata.org
11. Mary McMillan Scholarship Award
Deadline: December 1st
Honoring the World War II veteran who founded the U.S. Army’s first physical therapy department, the Mary McMillan Scholarship Award grants $3,000 to $5,000 annually for fitness enthusiasts who are within 12 months of finishing a CAPTE-accredited physical therapy or assistant program. The American Physical Therapy Association judges applicants on scholastic ability, professional productivity, community service, healthcare goals, and nomination letters. Qualified candidates might also consider the $5,000 Minority Scholarship Fund.
Contact
Mary McMillan Scholarship Award
1111 North Fairfax Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 684-2782
honorsandawards@apta.org
12. Notah Begay III Scholarship Program
Deadline: March 16th
Named for the New Mexican who became the PGA Tour’s sole full-blood American Indian golfer, the Notah Begay III Scholarship Program bestows $1,400 each year to tribal members who excel as scholar-athletes in any varsity team sport. The Albuquerque Community Foundation seeks fitness enthusiasts who are graduating from New Mexico high schools, accepted at nonprofit U.S. institutions full-time, at least 25 percent Indian blood, and carrying a minimum “B” average.
Contact
Notah Begay III Scholarship Program
624 Tijeras Ave NW
Albuquerque, NM 87102
(505) 883-6240
denise@albuquerquefoundation.org
13. NSCA High School Scholarships
Deadline: March 15th
Another of the scholarships for fitness enthusiasts from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) grants $1,500 to college-bound high school seniors who intend to work within the exercise science, athletic conditioning, or personal fitness industry. Graduating this spring with a minimum 3.0 GPA and enrolling full-time at an accredited U.S. college is required. The application process involves submitting official transcripts, letters of recommendation, proof of financial need, and a well-written essay.
Contact
NSCA High School Scholarships
1885 Bob Johnson Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
(800) 815-6826
nsca@nsca.com
14. Robert Hampton Student Scholarship
Deadline: May 22nd
Ranging from $1,000 to $2,000, the Robert Hampton Student Scholarship is offered by the South Carolina Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance to reward fitness enthusiasts who’ve chosen these majors at accredited universities. Eligible full-time undergraduates must be at least second-semester juniors, hold 75+ credits, have financial need, obtain a minimum 3.0 GPA, be active SCAHPERD members, and serve as positive role models for healthy lifestyles.
Contact
Robert Hampton Student Scholarship
4810 Colonial Drive
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 786-3384
scahperd@columbiasc.edu
15. Salute You Scholarship Program
Deadline: None
The American Council on Exercise (ACE) created the Salute You Scholarship Program to assist honorably discharged service members from the U.S. Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard transition into leading the fitness industry. Scholarship funding covers the $699 Premium Plus study program, ACE Personal Trainer Certification study guides, and free testing. Eligible candidates must submit a DD Form 214, complete the first 15 Academy lessons, and register for the exam within six months.
Contact
Salute You Scholarship Program
4851 Paramount Drive
San Diego, CA 92123
(888) 825-3636 ext. 194
military@acefitness.org
16. Steve’s Club CrossFit Scholarship
Deadline: None
Funded by Carlos Gibson and Redemption LLC, the Steve’s Club CrossFit Scholarship presents $1,000 annually to at-risk youth who exhibit exceptional determination to overcome by pursuing Level 1 CrossFit Certification. Interested athletes must be at least 17 years old, participate in any Steve’s Club program for six months, show commitment to a drug prevention program, and intend to practice as fitness trainers. Applicants must include a two-paragraph short essay describing their most valuable life lessons.
Contact
Steve’s Club CrossFit Scholarship
7800 Airport Highway
Pennsauken, NJ 08109
steve@stevesclub.org
17. Susan Johnson Sterling Scholarship
Deadline: January 15th, May 15, or September 15th
The Susan Johnson Sterling Scholarship offers $500 from the Cooper Institute three times annually to honor the former Vice President of Education from 1988 to 2005. Fitness enthusiasts who wish to take the Institute’s courses in nutrition, personal training, weight management, aerobics, and interval training for CI-CPT certification may apply. Applications are incomplete without two recommendations, a resume of achievement, and a personal statement highlighting the values of teamwork and leadership.
Contact
Susan Johnson Sterling Scholarship
12330 Preston Road
Dallas, TX 75230
(972) 341-3200
courses@cooperinst.org
18. Twin Cities in Motion Scholarship
Deadline: March 1st
The Twin Cities in Motion Scholarship program distributes $5,000 each year to one female and one male high school senior who maintain their fitness goals by participating in cross country or track running events longer than 800 meters. Runners must live within Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Goodhue, Hennepin, Isanti, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, Washington, and Wright counties. Scholarship recipients must display scholastic ability with a minimum 3.0 GPA for attending any U.S. university.
Contact
Twin Cities in Motion Scholarship
2635 University Avenue West Suite 190
St. Paul, MN 55114
(651) 289-7700
sandy@tcmevents.org
19. U.S.A. Powerlifting Collegiate Scholarships
Deadline: February 15th
The U.S.A. Powerlifting Collegiate Committee proudly delivers $500 scholarships for fitness enthusiasts and bodybuilders who intend to compete at this year’s High School Nationals. College-bound seniors who hold USAPL membership and a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better may apply. Before February 15th, applications need to provide a coach’s nomination letter, one teacher recommendation, official school transcripts, and a minimum 100-word personal essay.
Contact
U.S.A. Powerlifting Collegiate Scholarships
1120 Huffman Road Suite 24
Anchorage, AK 99515
(260) 248-4889
ationaloffice@usapowerlifting.com
20. Yoga Alliance Foundation Scholarships
Deadline: September 30th
Annually, the Yoga Alliance Foundation awards at least $10,000 in scholarships to six inspirational fitness enthusiasts who have consistently practiced yoga for at least three years. Eligibility criteria requires registering for RYS 200 or 300 training, demonstrate need for financial assistance with income no more than 2.5 times federal poverty level, be U.S. citizens or legal residents, demonstrate community leadership, and intend to teach yoga classes to underserved populations.
Contact
Yoga Alliance Foundation Scholarships
1560 Wilson Blvd. Suite 700
Arlington, VA 22209
(888) 921-9642
info@yogaalliance.org
College tuition can leave you counting cents rather than calories and crunches. Around 85 percent of full-time undergraduates rely on financial aid to afford post-secondary courses. That’s because higher education tips the scales with an average cost of $15,022 at public and $39,173 at private colleges! Fortunately, several organizations have raised funds to support athletes, young trainers, and other exercise fanatics with schooling costs. Check out these 20 great fitness scholarships to shed some dollar signs off of your overweight tuition bills.
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