'Flex' Your Budget Power
Exercise Science and Fitness Scholarships
Are you thinking of pursuing a degree in exercise science? If so, there are many scholarship opportunities available to you, especially if you're already in school and have received decent grades (usually a 3.0 GPA is recommended on scholarship applications, but not always.)
Read on to find out more about the degree and how to find money to help pay for your undergraduate or graduate exercise science studies.
Types of Exercise Science Degrees
A degree in health and exercise science can prepare you for a number of future careers, including those in the fields of clinical, corporate, community, and commercial physical fitness/wellness education. For example, many physical therapists have degrees in exercise science, as do some medical personnel. Coaches may have exercise science training as well. And, of course, you could always get your Ph.D. and teach at the college level.
Where Can you Find Exercise Science Scholarships?
There are a number of places you can look to find scholarships specifically geared toward those seeking an exercise science degree. Here, we examine three of the top spots for you to find some potentially "free" cash for college.
Schools & Universities:
Chances are that the college you're attending or wish to attend offers many kinds of scholarships (often named for people who previously attended or taught at the university), and many are geared specifically toward exercise science scholars. For instance, Ithaca College offers the Plus One Scholarship (for sophomores and juniors) and the Brian Truhn '69 Scholarship (for any students), among others. See their scholarship page for more information.
At Colorado State University (CSU), the College of Applied Human Sciences has a scholarship endowment fund of about $4 million, and substantial scholarship monies are available to sophomores and juniors through the CSU program, including those working toward majors in exercise science.
Private Organizations/Associations:
There are many privately-run organizations and associations out there awarding scholarship dollars to deserving exercise science majors.
As an example, the American Council on Exercise (ACE) offers Penn State, Manhattan College, and Duke University exercise science students (and faculty) $1,000 scholarships annually. Even the Texas Ranger Association Foundation gives out awards.
For minority exercise science students, there are scholarships available through nonprofits or professional organizations, too, such as those that are available from the American College of Sports Medicine.
Private medical centers and other health-related companies may also offer scholarships to exercise science students. Cases in point are Troy, Ohio's Upper Valley Medical Center which regularly awards monies to students pursuing healthcare related fields of study and Boynton Beach, Florida's Bethesda Memorial Hospital which awards scholarships to children of employees. (If you're a dependent, you may be eligible for a scholarship at your guardians' place of work.) Ask around in your community or go to local hospital or physical therapy business websites for more information on available monies.
Sororities/Fraternal Organizations:
If you've "gone Greek" or been inducted into an honor society, you might just be able to use your membership standing to apply for scholarships. Kappa Delta, for instance, gives out thousands of dollars each year to members who go on to pursue degrees, including those in exercise science.
