Do you want to be a college gymnast and possibly get a scholarship to do so? Here is what you should know about colleges with gymnastics scholarships in 2024.
According to the NCAA website, over 460,000 NCAA student-athletes take part in 23 sports each year, a record number.
Men make up slightly more than half of those student-athletes, but the difference between male and student-athletes has narrowed over time, and there are now more women’s teams than men’s teams.
During the 2015 season, there were 1,418 people on NCAA women’s gymnastics rosters. Eighty-two (82) member institutions sponsor NCAA across three branches.
Interestingly, the difference between colleges with gymnastics scholarships is the number of scholarships available and how they’re distributed.
Table of contents
- Is it Possible to Get a Full College Gymnastics Scholarship?
- Why You Need a College Gymnastics Scholarship?
- What is the Best Way to Get a Gymnastics College Scholarship?
- How many Division 1 Gymnastics Scholarships are There?
- What are the Chances of Getting a Gymnastics Scholarship?
- Top 15 Colleges With Gymnastics Scholarships In 2024
- 1. University of Georgia
- 2. University of Utah
- 3. University of California – Los Angeles
- 4. University of Alabama
- 5. University of Oklahoma
- 6. UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS
- 7. University of Michigan
- 8. University of Nebraska
- 9. Oregon State University
- 10. Stanford University
- 11. Louisiana State University
- 12. Iowa State University
- 13. Auburn University
- 14. University of Minnesota
- Closing Thoughts
- REFERENCES
- RECOMMENDATION
Is it Possible to Get a Full College Gymnastics Scholarship?
Yes, it is possible to get a full college gymnastics scholarship. But remember that most colleges only give scholarships to athletes with a high enough GPA or SAT/ACT score.
As a result, your athletic accomplishments would be meaningless if you do not meet the NCAA and the University of your Choice’s academic requirements.
Why You Need a College Gymnastics Scholarship?
According to Barbara Cordova, Head Coach at West Chester University, “even if they do not give you a scholarship, there are many opportunities to want still to become a college team member.”
The NCAA website lists these as some of the advantages of a college gymnastics scholarship. Member schools help their student-athletes’ academic performance by offering innovative technology, tutoring, and access to academic advisors. Conversely, this aid has been extended to all NCAA athletes.
In addition, some schools provide iPads to student-athletes for personal use, regardless if they are on scholarship.
Many schools give student-athletes priority registration. Additionally, academic mentors are also assigned to them. As a result, over eight out of ten student-athletes will receive a bachelor’s degree, and over three-quarters will earn a postgraduate degree.
Two-thirds of former student-athletes believe participating in NCAA sports helped them prepare for life after graduation.
Student-athletes give back to their communities through community work and national charity collaborations besides training, playing, and learning. Even if you never receive a scholarship, the advantages of becoming a team member are immeasurable.
Also read: 10 Best Universities for Sports Science in the World
What is the Best Way to Get a Gymnastics College Scholarship?
Getting a gymnastics scholarship is not rocket science but takes tact and method. The measures outlined below are not comprehensive but are a tried-and-accurate method of achieving your goal.
- Maintain a good grade point average during high school.
- Take your ACT or SATs as soon as possible, and retest as required to improve your scores.
- If you want to play at an NCAA school, you must first become NCAA qualified.
- If you want to play at an NAIA school, get NAIA certified.
- Inquire about gymnastics scholarships offered by local schools.
- Contact college gymnastics coaches and express your interest in participating in gymnastics at their schools and receiving a scholarship.
- Visit the schools that have shown an interest in you.
- Maintain contact with any gymnastics coaches who reach out to you.
- Learn as much as you can about the gymnastics scholarship application process.
When you follow these measures written above, you can be sure to get admitted to colleges with gymnastics scholarships.
How many Division 1 Gymnastics Scholarships are There?
Only 15 NCAA D1 institutions have men’s gymnastics programs. 61 teams compete at the Division 1 level; on the women’s side, the sport is much more common, with currently 61 teams competing at the division 1 level.
What are the Chances of Getting a Gymnastics Scholarship?
There are few gymnastics scholarship prospects at the NCAA Division I level, and competition is fierce. Suppose you can participate at the NCAA Division II, NAIA, or NJCAA levels. In that case, your chances increase dramatically because of the many gymnastics scholarships available at these levels.
Top 15 Colleges With Gymnastics Scholarships In 2024
Here are the top 15 colleges with gymnastics scholarships in 2024.
1. University of Georgia
The Athletic Association at the university grants athletic scholarships that cover tuition, fees, room and board, and required textbooks.
There are also 12 full-ride scholarships available.
The association pays the full cost of in-state and out-of-state tuition for eligible gymnasts.
The funds used come from private donations, ticket sales, and proceeds from media and corporate partnerships.
This is the first college with gymnastics scholarships on our list.
Contact: Courtney Kupets Carter
Head Coach
Phone: 706-542-2185
2. University of Utah
The Athletics Department award athletic grant-in-aid on a semester-by-semester basis to sophomores, juniors, and seniors; first-year student-athletes who have signed their National Letter of Intent automatically receive a one-year scholarship.
Outside scholarships or any financial help other than athletic scholarships can jeopardize their athletic scholarships.
As a result, before applying for or accepting outside financial help, consult with the head coach and the Compliance Office.
Contact (Recruitment phase): Tom Farden
Gymnastics Head Coach
Email: tfarden@huntsman.utah.edu
Phone: 801-581-6221
University of Utah Office – Financial Aid & Scholarships
Email: http://www.financialaid.utah.edu/
Phone: 801-581-6211
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3. University of California – Los Angeles
Every year, the UCLA Department of Intercollegiate Athletics grants full scholarships to 12 female gymnasts, the maximum number permitted by the NCAA.
The scholarship covers the entire cost of admission for student-athlete’s tuition fees and room and board.
A limit of 15 segments is available to each student-athlete on an athletic scholarship.
Each quarter of the academic year–fall, winter, and spring–counts as a single section, while the summer session counts as one-half of a segment.
Contact: Chris Waller
Head Coach
Email: cwaller@athletics.ucla.edu
You may also contact: Shana Wilson
Sr. Associate Athletic Director, Communications
Phone: 310-206-7870
Email: swilson@athletics.ucla.edu
4. University of Alabama
Aside from its six NCAA national championships and eight SEC championships, the Crimson Tide women’s gymnastics team holds the record for the most Regional championships–32 so far.
You should watch this winning team because the University of Alabama has an excellent scholarship program.
You can begin receiving recruiting materials in your junior year as early as September 1, but the limitations that applied in your freshman and sophomore years still apply.
In your senior year, you can go through the official recruitment process, which includes signing an NLI and a scholarship agreement.
Contact: Alabama Athletics Compliance
Mal Moore Building
323 Paul Bryant Drive, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487
Phone: 205-348-3615
Email: compliance@ia.ua.edu
For recruitment purposes, contact: Dana Duckworth
Head Coach
Email: dduckworth@ia.ua.edu
Phone: 205-348-7600
5. University of Oklahoma
The women’s gymnastics team of the Oklahoma Sooners has won four NCAA national championships, seven NCAA regional championships, and 13 Big 12 titles.
Indeed, the University of Oklahoma is a top choice for elite athletes for this purpose, in addition to its generous athletic scholarship policies.
Still, student-athletes on scholarship must meet rigorous academic requirements, including the minimum number of credit hours enrolled in and total GPA, in addition to their athletic obligations.
A full athletic scholarship includes tuition, mandatory fees for classes taken, required books, room and board, and other attendance-related expenses.
Director of Athletics (Contact): Joe Castiglione
Email: kjkindler@ou.edu
Phone: 405-325-8208
6. UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS
The Arkansas women’s gymnastics team has won eight NCAA Regional championships, six in a row (2008-2013) and the most recently in 2018.
These athletic accomplishments highlight the Razorbacks’ academic success, as 12 Gymbacks were named to the 2024 WCGA All-Academic team.
The University of Arkansas Athletics Department provides the maximum number of gymnastics scholarships.
Contact: Hunter Yurachek
Vice-Chancellor and Director of Athletics
Email: athldir@uark.edu
Phone: 479-575-7641
Jon Fagg
Deputy Athletic Director
Email: jfagg@uark.edu
Phone: 479-575-4108
To fill out Her Questionnaire, follow this link: https://arkansasrazorbacks.com/gymnastics-questionnaire/
7. University of Michigan
The Michigan women’s gymnastics team has had tremendous success, winning 16 Big Ten championships and making 16 straight NCAA tournament appearances (1993-2008).
The scholarship program encourages student-athletes to concentrate on their academic and athletic accomplishments rather than their mounting student loans.
Of course, student-athletes may get financial help from their parents, guardians, or someone else who is legally or biologically related to them.
According to NCAA rules, the University of Michigan also requires its student-athletes to get financial help as athletic scholarships.
Under some circumstances, student-athletes can get additional financial help from sources within and outside the university.
SEOG, Pell Grant, merit-based grants, and work-study programs are all acceptable outlets.
This is another college with a gymnastics scholarship on our list.
Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships
Email: umd-ask-ofa@umich.edu
Phone: 313-593-5300
Contact (Head Coach): Bev Plocki
Phone: 647-1259
8. University of Nebraska
The Cornhuskers women’s gymnastics team may not yet have an NCAA national championship title, but Heather Brink, a former all-around national champion, is on its side.
They have clinched 23 Big Ten Conference championships and boast 163 All-Americans and five individual national champions.
The people behind the Huskers Athletic Fund ensure that the student-athletes receive the best potential support for their academic and athletic success.
Aside from the full cost of attendance athletic scholarships, gymnasts also receive the following support product and services:
- Comprehensive academic support for their entry, transition, retention, and graduation, as administered by 15 dedicated full-time staff members and about 100 tutors
- Free MacBook Air
- Access to Husker Bucks, an app that provides a student-athlete with $10/day on Saturdays and Sundays to enjoy the food at Blaze Pizza, Chipotle, and Smoothie King, among other selected restaurants in Lincoln
- Athletic gear on and off the field provided by Adidas
- Individual nutrition counseling and post-workout recovery supplements
- Life skills training and support
- Athletic medicine services are delivered by a full complement of physicians, athletic trainers, neuropsychologists, and sports psychiatry consultants.
Contact head coach: Heather Brink
Email: hbrink@huskers.com
Phone: 402-472-8808
9. Oregon State University
The Beavers women’s gymnastics team competes in the Pac-12 Conference and shines in the competitions.
While Oregon State University doesn’t have an NCAA national championship title yet, top gymnasts flock to it partly because of its powerful support for student-athletes.
Such support includes an athletic scholarship program available for all eligible student-athletes.
The university’s athletic department ensures that student-athletes receive financial support for tuition and fees, room and board, books, and athletic and academic success.
Contact: Tanya Chaplin
Head Coach
Email: tanya.chaplin@oregonstate.edu
Phone: 230-0635
Michael Chaplin
Associate Head Coach
104 Gill Coliseum, Corvallis, OR 97331
10. Stanford University
Stanford University is a private research university in California.
Despite lacking a national championship title, the Cardinals women’s gymnastics team is among the proudest in the NCAA. There are several reasons, ranging from Stanford University’s international reputation to its expansive athletic scholarship program.
It is difficult to gain admission to Stanford’s gymnastics program.
The admissions department evaluates every application and bases its decision on a matrix of factors such as cumulative GPA, ACT/SAT ratings, and application packet. The athletics department will consider these academic considerations, as well as athletic accomplishments and abilities.
Contact Head Coach: Tabitha Yim
Head Coach
mail: tyim@stanford.edu
Phone: 650-725-6143
For general questions about financial aid and scholarships, contact: Financial Aid Office
Stanford University
Montag Hall
355 Galvez Street
Stanford, CA 94305–6106
Phone: 650-723-3058
Email: financialaid@stanford.edu
11. Louisiana State University
The Tigers women’s gymnastics team has proven its worth many times and has come out on top!
As a Division, I institution, Louisiana State University provides two forms of scholarships to its student-athletes.
First, a full scholarship pays for tuition, mandatory fees, required textbooks, and room and board.
Second, a partial scholarship encompasses a portion of the above items, which are normally expressed as a percentage of the total scholarship.
The athletic scholarship will only last for one academic year and not extend beyond the NCAA’s five-year eligibility span.
To be considered for an athletic scholarship, you must meet the eligibility requirements of your university, conference, and the NCAA.
For concerns about scholarship limits, contact:
LSU Athletics Department
LSU Compliance, Athletics Administration Building
Baton Rouge, LA 70894-5095
Email: compliance@lsu.edu
Phone: 225-578-4100
Contact the head coach for recruitment and eligibility concerns: Jay Clark
Head Coach
Email: jayclark@lsu.edu
Phone: 225-578-5050
12. Iowa State University
The Cyclones women’s gymnastics team has four Big 12 Conference championships to their credit.
These are some of the ISU values they have shown overtime:
- Student-athletes must make a career commitment to be competitive in their professional endeavors.
- Commitment to community service for student-athletes in order to improve their personal growth through community participation; and
- Personal development engagement that gives student-athletes opportunities for holistic growth.
The commitment includes athletic scholarships for female gymnasts! You may communicate with the Athletics Compliance staff or the head coach for more information on these matters.
Jay Ronayne
Head Coach
Email: jronayne@iastate.edu
Athletics Compliance Address
Jacobson Athletic Building
1800 South Fourth Street
Ames, Iowa 50011-1140
515-294-1798
You may also use the new OneApp scholarship portal to search for scholarship opportunities or email the university at scholarships@iastate.edu. The FAQ page is here.
13. Auburn University
The Auburn Tigers women’s gymnastics team competes in Division I of the NCAA and the SEC.
During their competition years at Auburn University, the majority, if not all, of their participants earned athletic scholarships and financial help.
Private contributions and ticket sales are used to raise athletic scholarship funds.
Before being eligible for a full athletic scholarship, gymnasts accepted to the women’s gymnastics program must meet university, conference, and NCAA eligibility standards.
The competition for a place and a scholarship is fierce, with the head coach and other interested parties considering a prospect’s academic and athletic accomplishments.
You may contact the Athletics Department for more information:
Athletics Department
Auburn Athletics Complex, 392 S Donahue Drive, Auburn, AL 36849
Phone: 855-282-2010 | Tickets: (855) 282-2010
Head Coach Contact: Jeff Graba
Head Coach
Email: jeffgraba@auburn.edu
Phone: 334-844-9475
14. University of Minnesota
The women’s gymnastics team for the Minnesota Golden Gophers has had modest success in the NCAA and Big Ten Conference, same for the men’s team.
However, it is well-known for its equal recruiting and scholarship services.
You may also apply for the FAFSA and other scholarships and financial help.
If you’re interested in becoming a gymnast for the University of Minnesota, you can complete and submit the recruit questionnaire when time permits. You may also contact the Compliance staff for concerns and questions about NCAA eligibility and athletic scholarships:
Office of Athletic Compliance
244 Bierman Field Athletic Building
516 15th Ave. SE
Minneapolis, Minn. 55455
Email: compliance@umn.edu
You may also read the FAQs page on financial aid or speak with a financial aid counselor. Get in touch with the university at:
One-Stop Student Services
Email: onestop@umn.edu
Phone: 612-624-1111 or 1-800-400-8636
Also read: North Central Mass. Chamber set to award $48,000 in scholarships to 24 students
Closing Thoughts
Concisely, getting into college with a college scholarship will demand that you use social media to highlight your achievements and keep them updated and relevant, communicate with college coaches through emails to introduce yourself and showcase your achievements, and follow through with other procedural arrangements.
Truly, this can all sound a little daunting. Believe me when I say that your efforts to succeed in the gym and in the classroom, as well as to remain on top of the recruiting process, will be well worth your time and effort.
Eventually, it will be worth the effort when you finally sign the National Letter of Intent and accept a gymnastics scholarship to compete at the school of your dreams.
Hope you enjoyed reading about these colleges with gymnastics scholarships.
World Scholarship Forum cares!
REFERENCES
- http://www.usagymparents.com/
- http://www.escout4u.com/
- https://www.collegesportsamerica.com/
- https://www.onlineschoolscenter.com/
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