Can You Get Cheerleading Scholarships? Proven Tips

Understanding Cheerleading Scholarships

Before we jump into the “how,” let’s clarify what cheerleading scholarships typically entail. Unlike some NCAA Division I athletic scholarships that cover full tuition, room, and board, cheerleading scholarships are often more varied.

Types of Cheerleading Scholarships:

• Athletic Scholarships: While not as widespread as in other collegiate sports, some universities do offer athletic scholarships specifically for their cheerleading programs. These are usually awarded by the athletic department and are subject to NCAA or NAIA eligibility rules.
• Academic Scholarships: Many colleges offer general academic scholarships that cheerleaders can apply for based on their GPA, standardized test scores, and other academic achievements. Your cheerleading involvement can sometimes be a tie-breaker or a supplementary factor in these applications.
• Leadership and Service Scholarships: Your role as a leader and team player on a cheer squad can make you a strong candidate for scholarships that value leadership, teamwork, and community involvement.
• Program-Specific Scholarships: Some universities or private organizations might offer scholarships directly tied to their cheerleading programs, often aimed at recruiting talented individuals or supporting specific teams.
• Private/External Scholarships: Beyond college-specific aid, there are independent organizations, foundations, and even local businesses that offer scholarships. Some of these may specifically target cheerleaders or athletes with strong leadership qualities.

It’s important to have realistic expectations. Many cheerleading scholarships might be partial, meaning they cover a portion of your educational costs rather than the entire amount. However, every bit of financial aid helps ease the burden of college expenses!

Where to Find Cheerleading Scholarships

Finding these opportunities requires a proactive approach. Here are the most effective places to look:

1. College Athletic Departments and Cheerleading Programs

This is your primary starting point. If you’re interested in a specific college, visit their official athletic website. Look for:

• Recruitment Information: Many college cheerleading programs have dedicated pages for prospective student-athletes, outlining recruitment processes and scholarship opportunities.
• Coaching Staff Contact: Reach out directly to the cheerleading coach. They are the best source of information regarding scholarships offered by their specific program. Be professional and express your interest clearly.
• NCAA/NAIA Eligibility Centers: If you’re aiming for NCAA or NAIA programs, ensure you meet their eligibility requirements. Registering with the NCAA Eligibility Center or the NAIA equivalent is crucial.

2. General Scholarship Search Engines

These platforms aggregate a wide range of scholarships, and you can often filter by activity, sport, or specific criteria. Popular options include:

• Fastweb: A comprehensive database with millions of scholarships.
• Scholarships.com: Offers personalized scholarship matches based on your profile.
• Cappex: Another great resource for finding scholarships and colleges.
• Niche: Provides detailed information on schools, scholarships, and student reviews.

When using these, be sure to use keywords like “cheerleading,” “cheer,” “athlete,” “leadership,” and “spirit squad.”

3. High School Guidance Counselors and Athletic Directors

Your high school is a valuable resource. Your guidance counselor and athletic director can provide information on:

• Local scholarships that might be open to students involved in extracurricular activities.
• Connections to college recruiters or alumni networks.
• Information about scholarships specifically for cheerleaders that may be less widely advertised.

4. Cheerleading Organizations and Associations

National and regional cheerleading organizations often offer scholarships to support student athletes. Some prominent ones include:

• U.S. All Star Federation (USASF): While primarily focused on competitive cheer, they may have resources or information on scholarships relevant to their members.
• American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators (AACCA): This organization focuses on safety and education but may have connections to scholarship providers.

Look for organizations related to your specific type of cheerleading (e.g., scholastic, all-star).

5. Private Foundations and Community Organizations

Don’t overlook smaller, local opportunities. Community foundations, local businesses, and parent-teacher organizations sometimes offer scholarships to students in their area. These can be less competitive.

Proven Tips to Boost Your Cheerleading Scholarship Chances

Securing a scholarship involves more than just being a good cheerleader. It’s about presenting yourself as a well-rounded, dedicated, and deserving student-athlete. Here are actionable tips to make your application shine:

1. Excel Academically

This is non-negotiable for most scholarships, including those for cheerleading. Colleges and scholarship committees look for students who are not only talented in their extracurriculars but also capable of succeeding in their studies.

• Maintain a high GPA.
• Take challenging courses (AP, IB, Honors).
• Prepare for and take standardized tests (SAT/ACT) and aim for good scores.
• Demonstrate strong study habits and a commitment to learning.

2. Build an Impressive Cheerleading Resume

Your resume should highlight your achievements, skills, and commitment to cheerleading. Include:

• Years of experience and teams you’ve been a part of.
• Specific roles (e.g., captain, team leader).
• Skills: tumbling passes, stunting abilities, jumps, choreography, coaching experience.
• Awards and honors (e.g., All-American, MVP, competition wins).
• Any leadership positions held within the team or organization.
• Community service or volunteer work related to cheerleading or sports.

3. Create a Compelling Highlight Reel/Video

A video showcasing your skills is essential for cheerleading scholarships. Make sure it:

• Is high-quality and well-edited.
• Clearly demonstrates your strongest tumbling, stunting, jumping, and performance abilities.
• Shows your energy, presence, and ability to engage an audience.
• Includes a brief introduction of yourself and your aspirations.
• Is concise, usually between 1-3 minutes.

Ensure you are performing safely and correctly in your video.

4. Write a Strong Scholarship Essay or Personal Statement

This is your chance to tell your story and connect with the scholarship committee on a personal level. Use your essay to:

• Explain your passion for cheerleading and how it has shaped you.
• Discuss your leadership qualities and teamwork experiences.
• Highlight how you’ve overcome challenges (both in cheer and in life).
• Articulate your academic goals and how the scholarship will help you achieve them.
• Showcase your unique personality and what makes you a valuable candidate.

Tailor each essay to the specific scholarship you’re applying for.

5. Secure Strong Letters of Recommendation

Request letters from individuals who know you well and can speak to your character, skills, and dedication. Ideal recommenders include:

• Your cheerleading coach(es).
• A teacher who can attest to your academic performance and classroom behavior.
• A mentor or community leader who has seen your leadership qualities.

Provide your recommenders with your resume, a draft of your essay, and information about the scholarship to help them write a targeted letter.

6. Network and Reach Out

Don’t be afraid to connect with people in the cheerleading and college admissions world.

• Attend college cheerleading clinics or camps.
• Connect with coaches on social media (professionally).
• Talk to current college cheerleaders about their experiences.
• Utilize your high school and club connections.

7. Be Persistent and Organized

The scholarship process can be lengthy. Stay organized by:

• Creating a spreadsheet to track deadlines, requirements, and submission statuses.
• Applying for multiple scholarships, even if they seem small.
• Revising your application materials as needed.
• Following up politely if appropriate.

The Application Process: A Step-by-Step Approach

Navigating the application process can seem daunting, but breaking it down into manageable steps makes it much easier.

1. Research Colleges and Programs: Identify universities with cheerleading programs that align with your academic and athletic goals.
2. Understand Eligibility Requirements: For athletic scholarships, check NCAA/NAIA eligibility. For academic scholarships, review GPA and test score minimums.
3. Gather Necessary Documents: This typically includes transcripts, test scores, a resume, a highlight video, and essays.
4. Complete Applications Thoroughly: Fill out all forms accurately and completely. Double-check for errors before submitting.
5. Submit Supporting Materials: Upload or mail all required documents by the specified deadlines.
6. Follow Up: After submitting, consider a polite follow-up email to confirm receipt of your application, especially for direct program scholarships.
7. Attend Tryouts/Interviews: If required, prepare diligently for tryouts or interviews.

Key Considerations for Cheerleading Scholarship Applicants

Here’s a breakdown of factors that scholarship committees often consider:

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even with great talent, some common pitfalls can hinder your scholarship chances. Be mindful of these:

• Missing Deadlines: This is the most common and avoidable mistake. Stay organized!
• Incomplete Applications: Ensure every section is filled out and all required documents are submitted.
• Generic Essays: Tailor your essays to each specific scholarship. Generic essays are easily spotted.
• Poor Quality Video: A blurry, shaky, or poorly organized highlight reel can detract from your skills.
• Lack of Proofreading: Typos and grammatical errors in your application materials make you look careless.
• Not Researching Thoroughly: Applying for scholarships you don’t qualify for is a waste of time.
• Ignoring Academic Requirements: Even athletic scholarships often have minimum GPA requirements.

FAQ: Your Cheerleading Scholarship Questions Answered

Here are some frequently asked questions about cheerleading scholarships:

Q1: Are cheerleading scholarships as common as scholarships for other sports?

A1: Not quite. While growing, cheerleading scholarships are generally less numerous and often smaller in value compared to scholarships in sports like football or basketball, particularly at the NCAA Division I level. However, they absolutely exist and are worth pursuing!

Q2: What GPA do I need to get a cheerleading scholarship?

A2: This varies greatly by institution. Many college cheer programs will look for at least a 2.5 or 3.0 GPA, but higher GPAs (3.5+) significantly improve your chances, especially for academic scholarships or programs with competitive academic standards.

Q3: Do I need to be a flyer, backspot, or base to get a scholarship?

A3: No, all positions are valued! What matters most is your skill level, technique, consistency, and overall contribution to the team’s performance. Your versatility and dedication are key.

Q4: Can I get a scholarship for high school cheerleading?

A4: Scholarships for high school cheerleading are less common. Most significant cheerleading scholarships are available at the collegiate level. However, some local organizations or cheer gyms might offer smaller awards to high school students.

Q5: How much money can I expect from a cheerleading scholarship?

A5: This varies widely. Some scholarships may be partial, covering only a few thousand dollars, while a select few at top-tier universities might be full scholarships. It’s important to research individual programs and scholarship providers for specifics.

Q6: Is it better to focus on all-star cheerleading or school-based cheerleading for scholarships?

A6: Both can be beneficial. Many college programs recruit from both high school and all-star backgrounds. Highlight your experience and skills from whichever path you’ve taken. College recruiters often value strong foundational skills and performance experience, regardless of the specific circuit.

Q7: What if I’m good at cheerleading but not the best academically?

A7: While academics are crucial, focus on highlighting your strengths. If your academics are a bit lower, emphasize your leadership, dedication, and improvement in your essays. Seek out scholarships that might be more heavily weighted towards athletic or leadership contributions, but always strive to improve your grades.

Conclusion: Your Cheerleading Scholarship Journey

So, to circle back to our initial question: can you get scholarships for cheerleading? Absolutely! The path might require diligent research, strategic planning, and a commitment to excellence both on and off the mat, but the rewards are well worth the effort.

Remember to start early, stay organized, and present your best self in every application. Leverage your coaches, counselors, and online resources to find the opportunities that fit you best. Your passion for cheerleading, combined with your academic dedication and leadership skills, can indeed open doors to significant financial aid for your education.