Find a Wrestling Scholarship

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Am I Strong Enough For a Scholarship?

The criteria for receiving a scholarship at a U.S. university can vary widely depending on the sport, division and the specific university. However, most scholarships are awarded based on a combination of athletic ability, academic merits, as well as other factors such as your work ethic or leadership qualities.

Athletic Ability

Your athletic level is the first thing which comes to mind when considering applying for a sports scholarship. And yes, your skill level will play a significant role, when it comes to the value of your future scholarship.
No matter the sport, it is mostly assessed through your track record in high school, club events, or any other tournaments and competitions.

Academic Merits

Universities can award both an athletic as well as an academic scholarship. Good grades in high school & test scores (SAT test or ACT test) will help you gain a tremendous advantage when submitting your college application. While many schools have gone test-optional, admissions officers still factor in strong SAT or ACT scores, depending on the school and its athletic division.

Recruiting Advice

As soon as you are certain that you’d like to go to college, start the recruiting process.
Coaches recruit early on & you can build a relationship with coaches over a longer period of time - allowing them to follow your development.
The sooner you get things on track (studying for exams, getting on coaches' radar, etc.), the more scholarship opportunities you are going to have.

Why Is College Wrestling a Good Option?

Higher Education Combined with Sports

College sports provides athletes with the opportunity to earn scholarships, which can significantly reduce the cost of higher education, or in some cases, fully cover tuition and expenses. Nowadays, recent developments (“NCAA Settlement”) even enable athletes to get paid beyond receiving scholarship money. Athletes can obtain a college degree while continuing their athletic development. This opens the door for professional growth and ensures a solid academic foundation, even if the athletic career doesn’t progress all the way to the professional level.

Athletic Development

College athletes have access to top-tier coaching, training facilities, nutrition plans, and medical staff, which help them stay in top physical condition. In addition, college sports offer highly competitive environments that can challenge and develop an athlete’s talent further. Bear in mind that the college sports landscape looks like a pyramid, with state-of-the art programs on top (NCAA D-I) all the way down to lower-tier, weaker programs, which are far from being a stepping stone into the professional sports world.

Life Skills

College athletes - compared to regular students (non-athletes) - must balance academics and athletics, teaching them time management and discipline. Invaluable skills in any future career. Furthermore, college athletes are always part of a team, which can foster leadership qualities, accountability, and the ability to work in a group. Lastly, college life offers athletes the opportunity to experience a vibrant, diverse social environment where they can forge lifelong friendships and connections.

Parts of a college soccer squad.

Are You Ready to Get Recruited?

Start out by getting much more detailed information about your specific chances to earn a scholarship. We look forward to reviewing your athletic & academic profile. Free of charge, no strings attached.

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How High a Scholarship Can I Get?

The amount of sports scholarship you can receive depends on various factors, specifically, your sports level, the level of competition you are targeting (NCAA Division I, II, III, NAIA, or junior colleges), and the specific college or university you dream of.

Full-Ride Scholarships

Covers full tuition and fees, housing, meal plan, books, and sometimes other expenses such as travel costs and personal costs. This is the maximum scholarship amount. Only a very limited number of athletes receive full-rides in any given year. They are usually offered by large programs and some of the best teams within the respective College {0} divisions.

Partial Scholarships

Covers only a portion of your college expenses (e.g. tuition). The rest needs to be covered by you. This is the most common type of scholarships, which are awarded to student-athletes. Coaches often have been given a pretty good idea by the school, how much aid may be awarded and how much the team needs to contribute in out-of-pocket expenses.

Academic and Other Financial Aid

Some schools may combine athletic scholarships with academic scholarships or other financial aid to help reduce costs and entice athletes to commit to the school.

How Do I Get Recruited?

There are different ways to get recruited depending on where you are from, your academic background and the sport you play.
However, here are some important steps that all of these different approaches have in common:

  1. Athletic Profile: Build a strong athletic profile.
  2. Academics: Focus on your GPA and prepare for college entrance exams.
  3. Eligibility: Focus on your GPA and prepare for college entrance exams.
  4. Contact Coaches
  5. Commit to a College
  6. Final Steps: The lengthy college admission process needs to be completed successfully. For example, housing application, enrollment deposits, or medical paperwork to name a few.

Here at Smarthlete, we offer to help you with every single step of the way. While we cannot study for you and build great, meaningful relationships with coaches, having us by your side makes a massive difference when it comes to getting on coaches’ radar, communicating well, getting certified to play (your eligibility), as well as receiving strong offers. For more information on the recruiting process with us specifically, please click here.

Getting recruited is the result of years of hard work.
Hard work you have put in both as an athlete and as a student day-in, day-out.
And hard work put in by yourself and your recruiter through the recruiting process - identifying the right athletic program & university for your future goals.

A Typical Day as a Student-Athlete

A Typical Day as a Student-Athlete

Depending on the time of the year, most student athletes start their day with morning practice, which means getting up early. These practices might include strength and conditioning workouts in the gym and typically last 1-2 hours. After the early workout or practice, athletes go to the cafeteria to eat breakfast, followed by classes, usually between 8:00 a.m. and noon. After that, it’s lunch time together in the dining hall with their teammates or other friends.

Teams typically have a 2-3 hour practice session in the afternoon. This is often the primary training session of the day. If not in practice, athletes may use this time for additional classes, attending labs, or study hall. Student athletes can also be scheduled for ice baths, stretching, or physical therapy to prevent injuries and recover after training.

In the evening there is plenty of time to do homework, relax, and socialize. While you have a meal plan in college, you will most certainly also go out for dinner at times and find some other fun things to do with your friends.
Game days or competitions can be scheduled to take place over the weekend, but also during the week.

What Does The Team Look Like?

Obviously, the college team consists of student-athletes but there is a bit more to it.

Within the group of student athletes, you have underclassmen and upperclassmen. Freshmen and sophomores across the board (both junior colleges and four-year college), as well as juniors and seniors (four-year schools). A team usually has a captain who is selected by coaches or teammates and serves as leader. Captains are often responsible for speaking on behalf of the team, running practices if need-be, and serving as an anchor to tie the team together; a liaison between athlete and coaches.

The coaching staff is responsible for the team. Every team has a head coach, who is is responsible for the overall team strategy, leadership, competition schedules and ultimate recruiting decisions. The assistant coach helps the head coach with specific duties, such as practice and recruiting. Large teams (football, basketball, track, etc.) may also consist of several special coaches or volunteer assistant coaches, and strength and conditioning coaches, who focus on the athletes' physical fitness.

In addition to trainers, athletic departments often employ trainers and doctors who specialize in sports medicine. They are available for injury assessments, surgeries, and other medical needs. The largest colleges even provide academic advisors or nutritionists for their sports teams.

The atmosphere within a College Wrestling Team is something very special. There are so many different characters and each of them contributes in their own way, ensuring that the team is successful together.

458 schools offer a College Wrestling program
Messiah College
United States Military Academy
Wesleyan University
Williams College
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
University at Buffalo
Central Michigan University
Pennsylvania Western University - Clarion
Cleveland State University
Pennsylvania Western University - Edinboro
George Mason University
Kent State University - Kent Campus
Lock Haven University
University of Missouri-Columbia
Northern Illinois University
Ohio University-Main Campus
Rider University
Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville
American International College
California Baptist University
Davenport University
King University
Lander University
Belmont Abbey College
Coker College
Emmanuel College (GA)
University of Mount Olive
Newberry College
Queens University of Charlotte
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
Gannon University
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
Mercyhurst University
Millersville University of Pennsylvania
University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown
Seton Hill University
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
Duke University
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus
University of Virginia
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Rhode Island College
Columbia University in the City of New York
Cornell University
Harvard University
University of Pennsylvania
Princeton University
Gettysburg College
Johns Hopkins University
McDaniel College
Muhlenberg College
United States Merchant Marine Academy
Ursinus College
Washington and Lee University
Southern Virginia University
Augsburg University
Averett University
Bridgewater State University
SUNY College at Brockport
Vermont State University - Castleton
Centenary University
Defiance College
Elizabethtown College
Ferrum College
Fontbonne University
Greensboro College
Huntingdon College
Ithaca College
Keystone College
The College of New Jersey
Ohio Wesleyan University
University of the Ozarks
Pennsylvania College of Technology
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College
University of Pittsburgh-Bradford
Rochester Institute of Technology
University of Scranton
United States Coast Guard Academy
Wabash College
Westminster College (MO)
York College Pennsylvania
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Indiana University-Bloomington
University of Iowa
University of Maryland-College Park
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Michigan State University
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Northwestern University
Ohio State University
Pennsylvania State University
Purdue University
Rutgers University-New Brunswick
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Concordia College at Moorhead
Saint John's University
Adams State University
Chadron State College
Colorado Mesa University
Colorado School of Mines
Colorado State University-Pueblo
New Mexico Highlands University
San Francisco State University
Western Colorado University
Adrian College
Alma College
Olivet College
Trine University
Bellarmine University
The University of Findlay
Kentucky Wesleyan College
Lake Erie College
Tiffin University
SUNY Alfred State
SUNY College at Cortland
SUNY Oneonta
SUNY College at Oswego
Alvernia University
Delaware Valley University
King's College
Lycoming College
Stevens Institute of Technology
Wilkes University
American University
SUNY at Binghamton
Brown University
Bucknell University
Drexel University
Franklin and Marshall College
Hofstra University
Lehigh University
Long Island University
Sacred Heart University
United States Naval Academy
Appalachian State University
Campbell University
Citadel Military College of South Carolina
Davidson College
Gardner-Webb University
Presbyterian College
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga
Virginia Military Institute
Arizona State University-Tempe
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
California State University-Bakersfield
Oregon State University
Stanford University
Ashland University
University of Wisconsin-Parkside
Augustana College
Concordia University-Wisconsin
Elmhurst University
Millikin University
Milwaukee School of Engineering
North Central College
Wheaton College (IL)
Augustana University
University of Mary
Minnesota State University-Mankato
Minnesota State University Moorhead
Minot State University
Northern State University
Southwest Minnesota State University
Saint Cloud State University
Upper Iowa University
Baldwin Wallace University
Heidelberg University
John Carroll University
University of Mount Union
Muskingum University
Ohio Northern University
Otterbein University
Wilmington College
Buena Vista University
Central College
Coe College
University of Dubuque
Loras College
Luther College
Nebraska Wesleyan University
Simpson College
Wartburg College
Iowa State University
North Dakota State University-Main Campus
University of Northern Colorado
University of Northern Iowa
University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus
Oklahoma State University
United States Air Force Academy
Utah Valley University
West Virginia University
University of Wyoming
Case Western Reserve University
University of Chicago
New York University
University of Central Missouri
University of Central Oklahoma
Fort Hays State University
University of Nebraska at Kearney
Newman University
Cornell College
Davis & Elkins College
Fairmont State University
University of North Carolina at Pembroke
West Liberty University
Drury University
University of Indianapolis
Lindenwood University
Maryville University of Saint Louis
McKendree University
Ouachita Baptist University
CUNY Hunter College
Johnson & Wales University-Providence
New England College
Norwich University
Plymouth State University
Roger Williams University
University of Southern Maine
Springfield College
Trinity College
Western New England University
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Lakeland College
Manchester University
Mount Saint Joseph University
Pacific University
South Dakota State University
Thiel College
Washington & Jefferson College
Waynesburg University
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
University of Wisconsin-Platteville
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Allen University
Reinhardt University
St. Andrews University
Truett McConnell University
Arizona Christian University
Menlo College
Vanguard University of Southern California
Baker University
Benedictine College
Central Methodist University-College of Graduate and Extended Studies
Graceland University-Lamoni
Grand View University
Missouri Valley College
William Penn University
Bethany College (KS)
Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Ottawa University-Ottawa
University of Saint Mary
York College
Brewton-Parker College
Briar Cliff University
Concordia University-Nebraska
Dakota Wesleyan University
Doane University
Hastings College
University of Jamestown
Midland University
Morningside University
Northwestern College
Campbellsville University
Cumberland University
University of the Cumberlands
Life University
Lindsey Wilson College
Thomas More University
Central Baptist College
Lyon College
Missouri Baptist University
Williams Baptist University
Central Christian College of Kansas
Oklahoma City University
Texas Wesleyan University
Wayland Baptist University
Cleary University
Indiana Institute of Technology
Lourdes University
Rochester University
Corban University
Eastern Oregon University
Southern Oregon University
Dickinson State University
Waldorf University
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott
Simpson University
Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale
Southeastern University
Marian University (IN)
Midway University
West Virginia University Institute of Technology
Montana State University-Northern
University of Providence
Marian University's Ancilla College
Barton Community College
Bergen Community College
Camden County College
Cloud County Community College
Colby Community College
Cowley County Community College
Ellsworth Community College
Garrett College
William Rainey Harper College
Henry Ford College
Indian Hills Community College
Iowa Central Community College
Iowa Lakes Community College
Iowa Western Community College
Minnesota North College-Itasca
Jamestown Community College
Joliet Junior College
Labette Community College
Lackawanna College
Middlesex County College
Minnesota West Community and Technical College
Muskegon Community College
Nassau Community College
Neosho County Community College
Niagara County Community College
North Iowa Area Community College
Northeastern Junior College
Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College
Northland Community and Technical College
Northwest College
Northwest Kansas Technical College
Otero Junior College
Pratt Community College
Ridgewater College
Rochester Community and Technical College
Rowan College of South Jersey - Gloucester
Southwest Virginia Community College
Southwestern Oregon Community College
Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology
Triton College
Ulster County Community College
Union County College
Western Wyoming Community College
Montreat College
St. Thomas University
Schreiner University
Patrick & Henry Community College
Elmira College
New Jersey City University
Cerritos College
Sussex County Community College
Carthage College
Aurora University
Glenville State College
Wheeling University
Hiram College
Limestone University
Shenandoah University
Albion College
Saint Ambrose University
Bluefield State College
Texas Woman's University
Lincoln Memorial University
William Jewell College
Friends University
Siena Heights University
Avila University
University of Rio Grande
Emory & Henry College
Linfield University
Roanoke College
Saint John Fisher College
Bryant & Stratton College-Wisconsin
Carl Albert State College
Springfield Technical Community College
Williamson College of the Trades
Snow College
Quincy University
Marymount University
D'Youville University
University of Montevallo
Grand Valley State University
University of Sioux Falls
Cornerstone University
University of Pikeville
Cedar Crest College
Eureka College
Saint Vincent College
Morgan State University
Jarvis Christian University
Morton College
Mott Community College
Utica University
Frostburg State University
The Evergreen State College
William Woods University
Southwestern Michigan College
Cuesta College
SUNY Buffalo State
Blackburn College
Illinois Wesleyan University
Trinidad State Junior College
Westcliff University
Northern Michigan University
Bethany College (WV)
Maine Maritime Academy
Felician University
Hawkeye Community College
Randolph College
Big Bend Community College
Grays Harbor College
North Idaho College
Umpqua Community College
Clackamas Community College
Bakersfield College
Chabot College
College of the Redwoods
East Los Angeles College
Fresno City College
Lassen Community College
Shasta College
Modesto Junior College
Moorpark College
Mt San Antonio College
Sierra College
Skyline College
Victor Valley College
West Hills College-Lemoore
Palomar College
Rio Hondo College
Sacramento City College
San Joaquin Delta College
Santa Ana College
Santa Rosa Junior College
Arcadia University
Misericordia University
Andrew College
Bismarck State College
Southeast Community College
California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt
Salem University
Shorter University
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona
Hope International University
Point Park University
Northampton Community College
Northern Oklahoma College
Onondaga Community College
Treasure Valley Community College
McMurry University
Emmanuel College (MA)
University of Bridgeport
Albright College
Delaware State University
Eastern University