I'm a competitive cheerleader looking for colleges that offer full-ride scholarships for cheerleading. Are there specific schools that are known for having strong programs and scholarships for cheerathletes? I'd love to hear about options across the country!
Competitive cheerleading is recognized in many colleges and universities as a sport, and these institutions frequently offer partial to full scholarships. While full-ride scholarships for cheer are not as common as they are for other NCAA Division I and II sports, they are still available.
One school that offers significant cheer scholarships is The University of Hawaii. Their robust cheer program has been known to grant scholarships that can cover full or partial tuition, especially for athletes who show exceptional talent.
The University of Texas at Austin also has a competitive cheer program, and they offer a limited number of scholarships. Alabama's Troy University is another institution that provides cheer scholarships that can cover part or the entire cost of tuition.
Kentucky's Morehead State University, a school well-regarded for its competitive cheerleading program, offers performance grants for cheerleaders. These are not technically scholarships as they don't solely focus on academics or needs, but they can cover full tuition.
University of Arkansas, Purdue University, and the University of Oregon are among many other schools that offer cheerleading scholarships. But keep in mind, the availability and amount of these scholarships can vary greatly.
Don't forget, that the competition for full scholarships can be quite fierce, so having good grades and a solid cheerleading background is crucial. Supplemental methods of funding education such as academic scholarships, grants, work-study programs, and need-based financial aid can also help cover costs.
Look for schools that have competitive cheerleading teams and reach out to their coaches or athletic departments directly to get more information about their scholarship options. Don't fear to go the extra mile and demonstrate your skill and interest. Good luck!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.