According to the NCAA website, over 460,000 NCAA student-athletes take part in 23 sports each year, a record number. Men make up slightly more than half of those student-athletes, but the difference between male and student-athletes has narrowed over time, and there are now more women’s teams than men’s teams. During the 2015 season, there were 1,418 people on NCAA women’s gymnastics rosters. 82 member institutions sponsor NCAA across three branches. Interestingly, the difference between colleges with gymnastics scholarships is the amount of scholarships available and how they’re distributed.
Is it Possible to Get a Full College Gymnastics Scholarship?
Yes, it is possible to get a full college gymnastics scholarship. But, keep in mind that most colleges only give scholarships to athletes who have a high enough GPA or SAT/ACT score. As a result, your athletic accomplishments would be meaningless if you do not meet the NCAA and the University of your Choice’s academic requirements.
Why You Need a College Gymnastics Scholarship?
According to Barbara Cordova, Head Coach at West Chester University, “even if they do not give you a scholarship, there are many opportunities to still want to become a member of a college team.” NCAA website lists these as some of the advantages of a college gymnastics scholarship. Member schools help their student-athletes academic performance by offering innovative technology, tutoring, and access to academic advisors. Conversely, this aid has been extended to all NCAA athletes. In addition, some schools provide iPads to student-athletes for personal use, regardless if they are on scholarship. Many schools give student-athletes priority registration. Additionally, academic mentors are also assigned to them. As a result, over eight out of ten student-athletes will receive a bachelor’s degree, and over three-quarters will earn a postgraduate degree. Two-thirds of former student-athletes believe that taking part in NCAA sports helped them prepare for life after graduation. Student-athletes give back to their communities through community work and national charity collaborations besides training, playing, and learning. Even if you never receive a scholarship, the advantages of becoming a team member are immeasurable. Also read: 10 Best Universities for Sports Science in the World
What is the Best Way to Get a Gymnastics College Scholarship?
Getting a gymnastics scholarship is not rocket science, but it takes tact and method. The measures outlined below are not comprehensive, but they are a tried-and-accurate method of achieving your goal.
Maintain a good grade point average during high school.Take your ACT or SAT tests as soon as possible, and retest as required to improve your scores.If you want to play at an NCAA school, you must first become NCAA qualified.If you want to play at an NAIA school, get NAIA certified.Inquire about gymnastics scholarships offered by local schools.Contact college gymnastics coaches and express your interest in participating in gymnastics at their schools and receiving a gymnastics scholarship.Visit the schools that have shown an interest in you.Maintain contact with any gymnastics coaches who reach out to you.Learn as much as you can about the gymnastics scholarship application process.
When you follow these measures written above, you can be sure to get admitted to colleges with gymnastics scholarships
How many Division 1 Gymnastics Scholarships are There?
Only 15 NCAA D1 institutions have men’s gymnastics programmes. 61 teams compete at the Division 1 level, on the women’s side the sport is much more common, with currently 61 teams competing at the division 1 level.
What are the Chances of Getting a Gymnastics Scholarship?
Gymnastics scholarship prospects at the NCAA Division I level are few, and competition is fierce. If you are eligible to take part at the NCAA Division II, NAIA, or NJCAA levels, your chances increase dramatically because of the vast number of gymnastics scholarships available at these levels.
Top 15 Colleges With Gymnastics Scholarships In 2022
Here are top 15 colleges with gymnastics scholarships.
1. University of Georgia
The Athletic Association at the university grants athletic scholarships that cover tuition, fees, room and board, and required textbooks. There are also 12 full-ride scholarships available. For eligible gymnasts, the association pays the full cost of in-state and out-of-state tuition. The funds used come from private donations, ticket sales, and proceeds from media and corporate partnerships. This is the first college with gymnastics scholarships on our list. Contact: Courtney Kupets CarterHead CoachPhone: 706-542-2185
2. University of Utah
The Athletics Department award athletic grant-in-aid on a semester-by-semester basis to sophomores, juniors, and seniors; first-year student-athletes who have signed their National Letter of Intent automatically receive a one-year scholarship. Outside scholarships, or any kind of financial help other than athletic scholarships can jeopardize their athletic scholarships. As a result, before applying for or accepting outside financial help, consult with the head coach and the Compliance Office. Contact (Recruitment phase): Tom FardenGymnastics Head CoachEmail: tfarden@huntsman.utah.eduPhone: 801-581-6221 University of Utah Office – Financial Aid & ScholarshipsEmail: http://www.financialaid.utah.edu/Phone: 801-581-6211 Read: How Can I Become A Sports Medicine Physician? Job Details, Salary, Career
3. University of California – Los Angeles
Every year, the UCLA Department of Intercollegiate Athletics grants full scholarships to 12 female gymnasts, the maximum number permitted by the NCAA. The scholarship is used to cover the entire cost of admission for student-athletes’ tuition fees and room and board. A limit of 15 segments is available to each student-athlete on an athletic scholarship. Each quarter of the academic year–fall, winter, and spring–counts as a single section, while the summer session counts as one-half of a segment. Contact: Chris WallerHead CoachEmail: cwaller@athletics.ucla.edu You may also contact: Shana WilsonSr. Associate Athletic Director, CommunicationsPhone: 310-206-7870Email: swilson@athletics.ucla.edu
4. University of Alabama
Aside from its six NCAA national championships and eight SEC championships, the Crimson Tide women’s gymnastics team holds the record for the most Regional championships–32 so far. You should keep an eye on this winning team, particularly because the University of Alabama has an excellent scholarship programme. You can begin receiving recruiting materials in your junior year as early as September 1, but the limitations that applied in your freshman and sophomore years still apply. In your senior year, you can go through the official recruitment process, which includes signing an NLI and a scholarship agreement. Contact: Alabama Athletics ComplianceMal Moore Building323 Paul Bryant Drive, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487Phone: 205-348-3615 Email: compliance@ia.ua.edu For recruitment purposes, contact: Dana DuckworthHead CoachEmail: dduckworth@ia.ua.eduPhone: 205-348-7600
5. University of Oklahoma
The women’s gymnastics team of the Oklahoma Sooners has won four NCAA national championships, seven NCAA regional championships, and 13 Big 12 titles. Indeed, the University of Oklahoma is a top choice for elite athletes for this purpose, in addition to its generous athletic scholarship policies, but student-athletes on scholarship must meet rigorous academic requirements, including the minimum number of credit hours enrolled in and total GPA, in addition to their athletic obligations. A full athletic scholarship includes tuition, mandatory fees for classes taken, required books, room and board, and other attendance-related expenses. Director of Athletics (Contact): Joe CastiglioneEmail: kjkindler@ou.eduPhone: 405-325-8208
6. UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS
The Arkansas women’s gymnastics team has won eight NCAA Regional championships, six in a row (2008-2013) and the most recently in 2018. These athletic accomplishments highlight the Razorbacks’ academic success, as 12 Gymbacks were named to the 2020 WCGA All-Academic team. The University of Arkansas Athletics Department provides the maximum number of gymnastics scholarships. Contact: Hunter YurachekVice-Chancellor and Director of AthleticsEmail: athldir@uark.eduPhone: 479-575-7641 Jon FaggDeputy Athletic DirectorEmail: jfagg@uark.eduPhone: 479-575-4108 To fill Her Questionnaire, follow this link: https://arkansasrazorbacks.com/gymnastics-questionnaire/
7. University of Michigan
The Michigan women’s gymnastics team has had tremendous success, winning 16 Big Ten championships and making 16 straight NCAA tournament appearances (1993-2008). The scholarship programme encourages student-athletes to concentrate on their academic and athletic accomplishments rather than their mounting student loans. Of course, student-athletes may get financial help from their parents, guardians, or someone else who is legally or biologically related to them. According to NCAA rules, the University of Michigan also requires its student-athletes to get financial help as athletic scholarships. Under some circumstances, student-athletes can get additional financial help from sources both within and outside of the university. SEOG, Pell Grant, merit-based grants, and work-study programs are all acceptable outlets. This is another college with gymnastics scholarship on our list. Office of Financial Aid and ScholarshipsEmail: umd-ask-ofa@umich.eduPhone: 313-593-5300 Contact (Head Coach): Bev Plocki Phone: 647-1259
8. University of Nebraska
The Cornhuskers women’s gymnastics team may not yet have an NCAA national championship title, but it has Heather Brink, a former all-around national champion, on its side. They have clinched 23 Big Ten Conference championships and boast 163 All-American and five individual national champions. The people behind the Huskers Athletic Fund ensure that the student-athletes receive the best potential support for their academic and athletic success. Aside from the full cost of attendance athletic scholarships, gymnasts also receive the following support product and services:
Comprehensive academic support for their entry, transition, and retention and graduation, as administered by 15 dedicated full-time staff members and about 100 tutors Free MacBook Air Access to Husker Bucks, an app that provides a student-athlete with $10/day on Saturdays and Sundays to enjoy the food at Blaze Pizza, Chipotle, and Smoothie King, among other selected restaurants in Lincoln Athletic gear on and off the field provided by Adidas Individual nutrition counseling and post-workout recovery supplements Life skills training and support Athletic medicine services delivered by a full complement of physicians, athletic trainers, neuropsychologist, and sports psychiatry consultants
Contact head coach: Heather BrinkEmail: hbrink@huskers.comPhone: 402-472-8808
9. Oregon State University
The Beavers women’s gymnastics team competes in the Pac-12 Conference and shines in the competitions. While the Oregon State University doesn’t have an NCAA national championship title yet, top gymnasts flock to it partly because of its powerful support for student-athletes. Such support includes an athletic scholarship program available for all eligible student-athletes. The university’s athletic department ensures that the student-athletes receive financial support for their tuition and fees, room and board, books, and athletic and academic success. Contact: Tanya ChaplinHead CoachEmail: tanya.chaplin@oregonstate.eduPhone: 230-0635 Michael ChaplinAssociate Head Coach104 Gill Coliseum, Corvallis, OR 97331
10. Stanford University
Stanford University is a private research university in California. Despite the lack of a national championship title, the Cardinals women’s gymnastics team is among the most proud in the NCAA. There are several reasons for this, ranging from Stanford University’s international reputation to its expansive athletic scholarship programme. It is difficult to gain admission to Stanford’s gymnastics programme. The admissions department evaluates every application, and bases its decision on a matrix of factors such as cumulative GPA, ACT/SAT ratings, and application packet. The athletics department will consider these academic considerations, as well as athletic accomplishments and ability. Contact Head Coach: Tabitha YimHead Coach mail: tyim@stanford.eduPhone: 650-725-6143 For general questions about financial aid and scholarships, contact: Financial Aid OfficeStanford UniversityMontag Hall355 Galvez StreetStanford, CA 94305–6106Phone: 650-723-3058Email: financialaid@stanford.edu
11. Louisiana State University
The Tigers women’s gymnastics team has proven their worth many times and has come out on top! Louisiana State University, as a Division I institution, provides two forms of scholarships to its student-athletes. To begin, a full scholarship pays for tuition, mandatory fees, required textbooks, and room and board. Second, a partial scholarship encompasses a portion of the above items, which are normally expressed as a percentage of the total scholarship. The athletic scholarship will only last for one academic year and will not extend beyond the NCAA’s five-year eligibility span. To be considered for an athletic scholar, you must meet the eligibility requirements of your university, conference, and the NCAA. For concerns about scholarship limits, contact: LSU Athletics DepartmentLSU Compliance, Athletics Administration BuildingBaton Rouge, LA 70894-5095Email: compliance@lsu.eduPhone: 225-578-4100 Contact the head coach for recruitment and eligibility concerns: Jay Clark Head Coach Email: jayclark@lsu.eduPhone: 225-578-5050
12. Iowa State University
The Cyclones women’s gymnastics team has four Big 12 Conference championships to their credit. These are some of the ISU values they have shown overtime:
Student-athletes must make a career commitment in order to be competitive in their professional endeavors.Commitment to community service for student-athletes in order to improve their personal growth through community participation; andPersonal development engagement that gives student-athletes opportunities for holistic growth.
The commitment includes athletic scholarships for its female gymnasts! You may communicate with the Athletics Compliance staff or with the head coach for more information on these matters. Jay RonayneHead CoachEmail: jronayne@iastate.eduAthletics Compliance AddressJacobson Athletic Building1800 South Fourth StreetAmes, Iowa 50011-1140515-294-1798
13. Auburn University
The Auburn Tigers women’s gymnastics team competes in Division I of the NCAA and the SEC. During their competition years at Auburn University, the majority, if not all, of their participants earned athletic scholarships and financial help. Private contributions, ticket sales, are used to raise athletic scholarship funds. Before being eligible for a full athletic scholarship, gymnasts accepted to the women’s gymnastics programme must meet university, conference, and NCAA eligibility standards. The competition for a place and a scholarship is fierce, with the head coach and other interested parties considering a prospect’s academic and athletic accomplishments. You may contact the Athletics Department for more information: Athletics DepartmentAuburn Athletics Complex, 392 S Donahue Drive, Auburn, AL 36849Phone: 855-282-2010 | Tickets: (855) 282-2010 Head Coach Contact: Jeff GrabaHead CoachEmail: jeffgraba@auburn.eduPhone: 334-844-9475
14. University of Minnesota
The women’s gymnastics team for the Minnesota Golden Gophers has had modest success in the NCAA and Big Ten Conference, same for the men’s team. However, it is well-known for its equal recruiting and scholarship services. You may also apply for the FAFSA and other scholarships and financial help. If you’re interested in becoming a gymnast for the University of Minnesota, you can complete and submit the recruit questionnaire when the time is right. You may also contact the Compliance staff for concerns and questions about NCAA eligibility and athletic scholarships: Office of Athletic Compliance 244 Bierman Field Athletic Building516 15th Ave. SEMinneapolis, Minn. 55455Email: compliance@umn.edu One-Stop Student ServicesEmail: onestop@umn.eduPhone: 612-624-1111 or 1-800-400-8636 Also read: North Central Mass. Chamber set to award $48,000 in scholarships to 24 students
Closing Thoughts
Concisely, getting into college with a college scholarship will demand that, you use social media to highlight your achievements and keep them updated and relevant, communicate with college coaches through emails to introduce yourself and showcase your achievements, and follow through with other procedural arrangements. Truly, this can all sound a little daunting. Believe me when I say that your efforts to succeed in the gym and in the classroom, as well as to remain on top of the recruiting process will be well worth your time and effort. Eventually, when you finally sign the National Letter of Intent and accept a gymnastics scholarship to compete at the school of your dreams, it will be worth the effort. Hope you enjoyed reading about these colleges with gymnastics scholarships? World Scholarship Forum cares!
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