Are there cheerleading scholarships available and how can I find them?

I'm passionate about cheerleading and was wondering if there are any scholarships specifically for cheerleaders. Do colleges offer scholarships for students interested in joining their cheerleading teams, and if so, what are the typical requirements? I'd love to get a jump start on searching and applying for these. If anyone has advice on how to make my cheer experience stand out in applications, please share!

Indeed, cheerleading scholarships are out there, and they can be a great way to help finance your college education!

Many universities with competitive cheerleading teams offer cheerleading scholarships to their cheerathletes. For instance, some NCAA Division I and II schools offer partial to full-ride scholarships to cheerleaders. Just keep in mind that the level of competition for such scholarships is quite high, and they usually require tryouts.

Scholarship requirements vary broadly from one school to another, but often they will look for team commitment, physical strength, and agility, as well as leadership skills, which you can demonstrate through your cheerleading captain duties, if applicable. Your high school cheer coach's recommendation can play a significant role too.

Aside from universities, there are several contest-based scholarships available at the national level, such as those offered by the National Cheerleaders Association or the Universal Cheerleaders Association. These organizations offer scholarships to cheerleaders based on performance in national competitions.

For finding cheerleading scholarships, start by researching the websites of colleges you're interested in to see what opportunities they offer for cheerathletes. Talk to your high school coach or your cheer gym owner as they may have knowledge about local scholarships or other funding opportunities.

Remember that your statement and any supplements that ask for additional information are opportunities to highlight your passion for cheerleading and how it impacts your life. For instance, you could write about a challenging cheer routine that you mastered after much effort and what it taught you about dedication and perseverance. Sharing stories like these can be a compelling way to show how the cheerleading experience has shaped you as an individual.

Finally, make sure that cheerleading is well-represented on your activity list. You could potentially categorize it as a Tier 3 extracurricular depending on your level of commitment and leadership responsibilities. Don't forget to include time spent on training, competitions, and any cheerleading camp attendances. It can add up to a substantial time commitment, demonstrating your dedication to this activity.