College Gymnastics Scholarships and Recruiting
How do I get a college gymnastics scholarship? There are thousands of gymnasts who are talented enough to compete in college, but there are limited opportunities to do so. With less than 100 schools competing in gymnastics, it is about finding the right fit and making sure that a program needs you as well. To improve your chances for a scholarship, try the steps explained here.
How Good do I Need to be to Get a Gymnastics Scholarship?
College gymnasts are expected to be able to compete in several disciplines. Getting a scholarship all comes down to your strengths matching what college coaches need.
How do I Get a College Gymnastics Coach to Evaluate Me?
Gymnastics coaches primarily use video to do initial evaluations of athletes. Only after they have narrowed down their recruiting board will they take the time to see a potential recruit in person. These are some things you can do to make it easier for coaches to see you compete.
What Will Improve my Chances for a Scholarship?
Because the gymnastics recruiting process is so competitive, it is important to not miss any important deadlines. Missing deadlines is the first sign to a coach that you are not committed to the process. Access this guide to learn what else you can do to generate more scholarship interest.
What Happens During the Gymnastics Recruiting Process?
Most college gymnasts are required to be able to compete in multiple disciplines. Almost all DI gymnasts are expected to be competing and placing very well at Level 10. Girls are expected to have placed in regional competitions. Some programs require athletes to have competed at the National and International level.
What Are the Academic Eligibility Requirements?
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) sets academic minimums for gymnasts, but oftentimes those are not good enough to get into a university. To make sure you meet all of the eligibility rules check out the minimum requirements here.
How Many Gymnastics Scholarships are Available, and What Schools Offer Them?
College gymnastics scholarships are offered at the NCAA Division I, II, and III levels. NCAA Division III does not offer athletic scholarships but offers other forms of financial aid.
Number of scholarships offered per team, per year, by Division: Not all colleges that are eligible to offer scholarships will choose to do so. For example, Ivy League schools choose not to offer athletic scholarships. Gymnastics is both an equivalency sport and a head-count sport. In NCAA Division I, women’s gymnastics scholarships are full scholarships, but in NCAA Division II, scholarships can be divided between as many players as a coach sees fit. Men’s gymnastics is considered an equivalency sport for all divisions, meaning scholarships are not required to be full scholarships.
Women’s Gymnastics
NCAA DI: 12
NCAA DII: 6
Men’s Gymnastics
NCAA DI: 6.3
Number of Schools With Gymnastics Programs
Women’s Gymnastics
NCAA DII: 62
NCAA DII: 7
*NCAA DIII: 13
Total: 82
Men’s Gymnastics
NCAA DI: 15
Total: 15
*NCAA Division III schools do not offer athletic scholarships, but they do offer other forms of financial aid.
What are the Top Programs in Each Division?
There are limited numbers of college gymnastics programs. You should spend time getting to know each program and researching where the programs typically recruit. The following schools are among the best programs in the country. You have to be prepared when contacting these coaches.
Women’s Gymnastics
Alabama, Oklahoma, UCLA, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Stanford, Oregon State, Utah, LSU, Nebraska, Illinois, Penn State, Missouri, Auburn, Iowa State, Southern Utah, Boise St., Kentucky, Arizona, Denver, Washington, Central Michigan, Minnesota
Men’s Gymnastics
Stanford, Michigan, Oklahoma, Illinois, Ohio State, Penn State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Iowa, Temple, UIC, Air Force, William & Mary, Army
Author: David Frank
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