If you are an athlete pursuing a career in sport, the best possible scenario is to get into a college that offers sports scholarship. Considering career in sports is very short comparing to traditional career, pursuing higher education and earning a degree from a top university can open better avenues post the sports career. Luckily, there are several top Indian universities that offers sports scholarships to athletes.
Benefits Of Sports Scholarship Programs:
- Encourages sports amongst aspiring athletes, also encouraging them to pursue sports as a viable career option.
- Providing the necessary tools for the overall development of athlete.
- Allows the student-athlete to focus on sports, giving them room to grow their sports skills.
Also Read: Balancing Academics And Sports: A Guide For Young Athletes
Top Indian Universities Offering Sports Scholarships
1. University of Delhi (DU)
Delhi University is amongst the best educational institutions in India. Students from all around the world enroll for the various programs that the university offers. Other than quality education, the university also offers sports scholarships to students who have demonstrated exceptional talent in various sports. Amongst many benefits, the university provides financial assistance, hostel accommodations, and access to training facilities. Scholarships are awarded based on performance in sports trials and past achievements.
- Scholarship Criteria: Only those students are eligible for scholarships who represent Delhi University in inter-university sports tournaments.
- Financial Support: University also offer financial support of up to INR 2000 per month.
Also Read: Sports Legends: Icons Who Shaped the World of Sports
2. University of Mumbai
Several colleges in Mumbai offers sports scholarship to deserved students athletes. Colleges affiliated to Mumbai University offer scholarship through sports quota. All students need is to take trails and pass them in order to get benefits under the sports scholarship. It includes financial assistance and access to sports facilities.
- Scholarship Criteria: Only those students who pass the trail and meet the minimum criteria can get the sports scholarship.
- Financial Support: Financial Support: University also offer financial support to deserved athletes.
3. SRM University, Tamil Nadu
SRM University is ranked amongst the very best in India. The university boasts a foreign faculty, as well as a flexible curriculum that caters to the demand of students. SRM university has gained reputation for exceptional academics, world-class facilities, and a lively campus life.
- Scholarship Criteria: SRM university holds trials for students seeking admission under sports quota. Student athletes must register through the online registration form.
- Financial Support: Students may also get financial support.
4. Netaji Subhas National Institute Of Sports
Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports (NSNIS) is the largest sports institute located in the city of Patiala, Punjab. NSNIS is amongst the finest institution in India which promote sports among students, awarding scholarship to students under its sports quota program.
- Scholarship Criteria: Selection in NSNIS is based on performance and merit. Students seeking admission must have to go through a selection process to obtain sports scholarship.
- Financial Support: No college fee, free accommodation.
5. Amity University, Noida
Amity University is amongst India’s top-class education institution. Not only it provides world-class academic curriculum for students but the university also offer scholarships for talented athletes.
- Scholarship Criteria: Selection is done on the basis sports achievement. Student-athletes must be in possession of a sports certificate, highlighting their participation.
- Financial Support: 100% scholarship for students playing at the international level. 50% scholarship for students for winning a medal and 25% for playing at the national level.
6. Panjab University
Every year Panjab University provides sports scholarships to students athletes, both boys and girls, under its stipend program named Shri G.L. Kohli & Smt. Indravati, Kohli Memorial stipend. The number of stipends offered under this program are four, two each for boys and girls.
- Scholarship Criteria: Scholarship is done on the need-cum-merit basis. As per the criteria, minimum family income for the Endowments on Need-cum-Merit basis should be below Rs. 5 lacs.
- Financial Support: As mentioned above, students athletes get stipends.
7. University of Kerala
From providing financial incentive to hostel accommodation, the University of Kerala offers sports scholarships to athletes who excel in sports. Seats are limited and are filled through a trial.
- Scholarship Criteria: Student must pass the trials conducted by the Kerala University.
- Financial Support: Sports Training Incentive of Rs. 4000/- each is given to every athlete who wins medals in All India Inter-University games.
University offers scholarships of Rs. 1200/- each for Kerala University team members
In addition, the university also award grace marks to sports persons who excel in University, State, National and International sports and games competitions.
8. University of Mysore
The University of Mysore takes sports very seriously and felicitate sports persons in a number of ways. Not only the university gives cash prizes to student athletes for excelling in sports, but they also offer sports scholarship.
- Scholarship Criteria: Every student athletes seeking an admission in University of Mysore under sports quota and avail the sports scholarship must meet the eligibility criteria set by the university.
- Financial Support: University of Mysore offers financials assistance to student athletes. The student-athletes who Secure Medals at the All India Inter-University Competitions are given a cash award of Rs.30,000 for Gold medal, Rs. 25,000 for Silver Medal and Rs. 20,000 for Bronze Medal along with Sports Scholarship of Rs.3000/ each, on a Regular Basis.
Other Sports Scholarships
1. Anjum Chopra Sports Scholarship: Promotes women’s participation in the game of cricket. This program awards 10 talented women cricketers every year with the sports scholarship.
- Scholarship Criteria:
Female athletes must be part of state teams.
Only women cricketers aged between 14 and 25 years are eligible to apply. - Financial Support: Candidates meeting the eligibility criteria will get up to INR 1 Lakh per annum.
2. ONGC Sports Scholarship Scheme: Encourages young athletes to take up sport and reward them with numerous benefits under ONGC Sports Scholarship scheme.
- Scholarship Criteria:
Athletes must be between 14 and 25 years.
For sports such as Swimming, Gymnasts and Chess, the minimum age will be 10 years.
Athletes should not receive any other scholarship during this period. - Financial Support:
Insurance coverage of up to INR 5 Lakh.
Stipend of up to INR 30,000.
3. Jyoti Prakash Scholarship Program for Sportspersons: Promotes sports amongst young athletes. Under this sports scholarship program, deserved athletes get financial support as well as coverage for educational expenses.
- Scholarship Criteria: Athlete must have played at state, national, or international level in the last 3 years.
Must be an Indian citizen and should be aged between 14 and 25.
The annual family income shouldn’t exceed INR 6 Lakh per annum. - Financial Support: Deserved athletes are awarded with INR 15000 to INR 24000.
4. Colgate Keep India Smiling foundational Scholarship: Provides necessary support to deserved athletes. Encourages sport amongst youth in India.
- Scholarship Criteria:
Only Indian citizen who are aged between 9 and 20 years are eligible for scholarship.
Annual income of family should not exceed INR 5 Lakh per annum.
Should have played for their state or at the state and national level in the last 3 years. - Financial Support: Deserved athletes can get financial benefits of up to INR 75000 per annum for 3 years.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Share this content: