Martial arts cover a range of activities, including karate, tae kwon do and judo. These activities involve fighting techniques, mental discipline methods and physical exercise and are used for self-defense. They also help develop confidence, balance, flexibility and posture. Because school-sponsored martial arts programs are rare, you're not likely to receive much martial arts scholarship funding from your college. However, nationwide, private and local scholarships may be available to help with collegiate finances.
Where to Start
While few college-sponsored programs are available in martial arts, you can improve your chances for obtaining a scholarship by applying to a school that has a history with your discipline or has partnerships with nearby martial arts programs or schools, notes Scholarships.com. Once you've narrowed your choices, the site recommends you call martial arts clubs or programs near those colleges to see whether they have scholarships for students attending that school. For instance, private scholarships from foundations or local clubs might be available.
Judo Scholarships
For judo scholarships, try the USA Judo Life Membership Scholarship Grant, which helps pay tuition and education costs, notes Scholarships.com. These award $2,000 per semester to high-performance athletes who plan to attend an accredited college. Women can benefit from the Keiko Foundation Judo Scholarship, which can be used for college or for judo education. Also try the George C. Balch Education Scholarship, which offers $1,000 per year for up to four years.
Karate Scholarships
College-bound karate practitioners should try the Amateur Athletic Union Karate Scholarship, an annual scholarship awarded to a male and female student who does karate. The award varies each year depending on funds. Also try the Kicks 4 College Karate Scholarship, which offers most winners $1,000. These winners will be the top three advanced-belt female and male competitors in their respected age divisions.
Taekwondo Scholarship
Those doing tae kwon do can look to the H.U. Lee Scholarship for financial help. Sponsored by the American Taekwondo Association, this annual scholarship gives $1,000 to $3,000 to college-bound high school seniors who are active members of the ATA and who have good academic standing. Applicants must also have a minimum SAT score of 1,100 or ACT equivalent. The application process includes an essay and several letters of recommendation.
College Martial Arts Scholarships
A few colleges offer scholarship funding without help from the National Collegiate Athletic Association, the association that does not acknowledge martial arts as a sport when it comes to collegiate scholarships. Such scholarships include the Swain Scholarship for Judo at San Jose State University, Texas A&M University Judo Scholarship and the Karate Club Scholarship for Judo at University of California at Riverside. Contact your specific school to see whether they offer a scholarship.
Member Comments