Varsity gymnastics scholarships are limited and cutthroat—at first glance. Of the three leading collegiate athletic associations only the NCAA sponsors gymnastics. Use this guide to fine-tune your gymnastics scholarship search. We offer practical and relevant information on the state of the college sport and guide you to practical options for funding.
NCAA Gymnastics Scholarships
There are 16 Men’s Division I and no Division II Men’s programs. Women’s programs are more abundant: 64 Women’s Div I and 5 Div II. Remember, these are the two divisions sanctioned to provide NCAA athletic scholarships. There are also 16 Women’s Div III gymnastics programs along with 2 Men’s. D3 programs are not permitted to extend athletic scholarships. Don’t let this scare you off; there are options.
Hint: Many of the D1 gymnasts are coming out of elite gymnasium training centers around the country. There, coaches guide, nurture and prepare athletes for the rigors of D1 competition.
What are the NCAA scholarship limits for gymnastics programs?
Athletic programs have a scholarship limit per program. D1 Men’s gymnastics programs are permitted 6.3 scholarships, D2 men’s are limited to 5.4 and D1 Women’s gymnastics programs are limited to 12, and D2 Women’s to 6.
Head Count vs. Equivalency Scholarships
Here is a bit of NCAA know-how you must understand before you shop for a gymnastics scholarship. The 12 scholarships permitted by Women’s D1 gymnastics programs must be given as full-ride scholarships, period. These are called “head count” scholarships. In contrast, Men’s D1, D2, and Women’s D2 gymnastics are “equivalency” scholarships. Coaches may divide up the value of those 6 or 5.4 scholarships they’ve been permitted any way they wish. A common strategy is to spread the dollar figure over a wider athletic recruiting base, offer many partial scholarships and perhaps fill in funding gaps with academic and need-based scholarships.
Don’t forget:
If you are gunning for a D1 or D2 gymnastics scholarship in the NCAA, you must register with the NCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse. This is a required NCAA first step.
How to Get a Gymnastics Scholarship at a Division III School
D3 schools are not permitted to extend gymnastics scholarships, per se. Let’s consider how ferociously competitive these programs are. D3 coaches have a goal to build their athletic programs, make them better. They do this by netting the biggest athletic fish they can. How do they do this without hard athletic cash? D3 schools are generally much smaller in size and emphasize academics over athletics. However coaches must strike a delicate balance: pump up athletic programs so they are competitive enough to appeal to a wide variety of prospective students at the same time they must maintain academic standards.
If you are a competitive gymnast with your sights set on collegiate competition, perhaps you might consider a D3 school. Look for most programs to extend generous academic and need-based awards to student gymnasts.
Scholarships You Don’t Want to Miss
Central New York Gymnastics Center - Pinky Stone Scholarship
The CNYG Pinky Stone Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually in conjunction with the annual Pinky Stone Memorial Meet. Senior gymnasts are eligible and must be nominated by their coach. Nominees must have participated in USAG for at least 3 years prior to nomination. She must be enrolling in a college where she will continue to compete in gymnastics. One-$1,000 scholarship is given. Nominees must have been USAG competitor for 3 years and been accepted to an accredited college or university where she will continue training and competing in gymnastics.
YMCA Gymnastics Advisory Committee Scholarship
The YMCA of the USA Gymnastics Advisory Committee Scholarship Award is designed to recognize the accomplishments of student gymnasts in their senior year of high school that have been competitive in YMCA gymnastics and have maintained good academic records. Applicants must have competed in YMCA gymnastics for at least 5 years prior to application and be enrolling in a four-year college or university. Awards are $1,000.