Insurance UpdateIf you are a rugby player who wants to study and play in the US, you may be wondering what the best rugby scholarships are that you can apply for. Rugby scholarships are a form of financial aid that covers some or all of the costs of attending a US college or university. Rugby scholarships are awarded by the coaches of the college rugby teams based on your academic and athletic abilities.
There are different levels of rugby scholarships, depending on the division and the conference of the college. The highest level is NCAA Division I, which has 12 colleges offering up to 12 scholarships per team. NCAA Division II has 10 colleges offering the same number of scholarships, while NCAA Division III has 18 colleges that do not offer athletic scholarships but may provide other forms of financial aid. Other colleges are not affiliated with the NCAA but still have rugby programs and scholarships.
In this blog post, I will list some of the top rugby scholarships in America that you can apply for and provide some information about each one. These scholarships are not ranked in any order but are based on the reputation of the college, the quality of the rugby program, and the amount of scholarship money available.
Top Rugby Scholarships in America to Apply for
1. The Kaler Family Rugby Scholarships
The Kaler Family Rugby Scholarships are offered by the U.S. Rugby Foundation to support two male and two female rugby players who are pursuing a degree at a US college or university. The scholarships are worth $2,500 each and are renewable for up to four years, as long as the recipients maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 and continue to play rugby. The scholarships are open to high school seniors or college freshmen who have demonstrated excellence in rugby, academics, and community service. The application deadline is April 1st of each year.
2. The Kevin Higgins College Scholarship Program
The Kevin Higgins College Scholarship Program is also offered by the U.S. Rugby Foundation to honor the former USA Rugby captain and coach, Kevin Higgins. The program awards 10 scholarships of $1,000 each to male and female rugby players who are graduating high school seniors and plan to attend a US college or university. The scholarships are based on rugby achievements, academic performance, and leadership qualities. The application deadline is December 1st of each year.
3. The Niagara University Men’s Rugby Club Scholarship
The Niagara University Men’s Rugby Club Scholarship is offered by the Niagara University Men’s Rugby Club to support incoming freshmen who want to join their rugby team. The scholarship is worth $2,000 per year and is renewable for up to four years, as long as the recipients maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 and remain in good standing with the rugby club. The scholarship is open to male rugby players who have a minimum SAT score of 1080 or an ACT score of 21 and have demonstrated rugby skills and potential. The application deadline is May 1st of each year.
4. The Trine University – Rugby Activity Award
The Trine University Rugby Activity Award is offered by the university to attract and retain rugby players who want to study and play at their institution. The award is worth $2,500 per year and is renewable for up to four years, as long as the recipients maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 and participate in the rugby program. The award is open to male and female rugby players who have a minimum high school GPA of 2.5 and have been accepted to Trine University. The application deadline is rolling, but early applications are encouraged.
5. The Meg Votta Memorial Scholarship Fund
The Meg Votta Memorial Scholarship Fund is offered by the U.S. Rugby Foundation to honor the memory of Meg Votta, a former USA Rugby player and coach who passed away in 2015. The fund awards one scholarship of $1,000 to a female rugby player who is graduating high school and plans to attend a US college or university. The scholarship is based on rugby involvement, academic achievement, and financial needs. The application deadline is April 1st of each year.
6. The William V. Campbell Memorial Scholarship
The William V. Campbell Memorial Scholarship is offered by the U.S. Rugby Foundation to honor the legacy of William V. Campbell, a former USA Rugby player and coach who was also a successful businessman and philanthropist. The scholarship awards one male and one female rugby player who are graduating high school seniors and plan to attend a US college or university. The scholarship is worth $2,500 each and is based on rugby accomplishments, academic excellence, and leadership potential. The application deadline is April 1st of each year.
7. Terry O’Reilly Memorial Scholarship Program
The Terry O’Reilly Memorial Scholarship Program is a tribute to the life and passion of Terry O’Reilly, who was a fervent supporter and player of rugby. This scholarship is open to all graduating high school rugby players in the U.S. who plan to continue their education at the collegiate level while playing rugby. The scholarship awards $2,500 to a deserving high school senior rugby player who will play rugby in college.
The application period for the Terry O’Reilly Memorial Scholarships runs from May 1 through August 31 each calendar year. Applicants can apply for this scholarship or multiple scholarships offered by the U.S.
8. Dick Poulson Scholarship
The Dick Poulson Scholarship honors the memory of Richard “Dick” Poulson, a key figure in the development of the Washington Rugby Club and a significant contributor to the rugby community. The U.S. Rugby Foundation, along with Poulson’s family, Washington RFC alumni, and friends, established this annual college scholarship. It provides $5,000 to a high school senior who has shown excellence on the rugby field and in academic pursuits, with a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0.
The scholarship application period opens on May 1st and closes on August 31st. Eligible applicants must be graduating high school seniors who will attend college and play rugby for that college in the fall.
Conclusion
These are some of the top rugby scholarships in America that you can apply for, but they are not the only ones. There are many other rugby scholarships available from different colleges and organizations, depending on your eligibility and preferences. You can use online tools such as Rugby Scholars USA to find and compare colleges based on their rugby programs, rankings, scholarships, and other criteria. You can also contact the coaches of the colleges that you are interested in and ask them about their scholarship opportunities and requirements.
Getting a rugby scholarship in the US is a competitive and challenging process that requires a lot of preparation, research, and communication. You should start early, improve your grades and test scores, build your rugby resume and video highlights, and reach out to the coaches that you have contacted. You should also apply for other forms of financial aid, such as academic scholarships, grants, or loans.
If you need help with the process, you can also consider using a recruitment consultancy like U.S Sports Scholarships, FirstPoint USA, or Aspire Atlantic to help you with the process and find the best fit for you.
By getting a rugby scholarship in the US, you can enjoy the benefits of studying and playing rugby in the US, such as education, rugby, experience, and the future. You can earn a degree from a reputable US college or university, play rugby at a high level, experience the culture and lifestyle of the US, prepare for your future, and pursue your dreams.
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