Playing video games competitively is a serious career choice. It’s not just a fun hobby, like so many people think it is. Playing video games competitively can lead to scholarship money, which is why there are so many scholarships available specifically for gamers. If you’re serious about playing video games as a career and not just as a hobby, then these scholarships are for you. The best part? Many of them do not require any type of gaming experience or competition participation specifically.
Many universities offer scholarships to promising students who have demonstrated an interest in their subject area or field of study. However, some colleges offer more than others when it comes to giving aid to prospective students in need. Most of these schools have been generous with the amount of financial assistance they provide, but only a select few stand out among their peers for the generosity of their endowments. Read on for our top picks…
Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) offers a $60,000 scholarship
If you want to study international relations or global affairs at some of the nation’s best schools, then SAIS is the scholarship to apply to. SAIS offers a $60,000 scholarship available to incoming freshmen that are enrolled in an interdisciplinary or interschool program with a SAIS connection. Students can apply for this scholarship if they are both interested in studying international relations and have taken significant interdisciplinary or interschool classes at their current high school.
Applicants should submit their high school transcript and transcript of their most interdisciplinary or interschool course taken. SAIS only accepts one $60,000 scholarship per student, so if you want to attend SAIS, you’ll need to submit your application on time. If you’re accepted, you’ll receive full financial aid including your $60,000 scholarship.
University of Southern California – offers a $15,000/year scholarship
If you want to attend one of the top colleges in the United States, then you’ll need to apply to an elite university. USC is one of the nation’s elite academic institutions and is known for its top-notch academics and strong career prospects for students. As a $15,000/year scholarship recipient, you’ll be able to focus exclusively on your academics, which is exactly what you need for one of the nation’s top universities. USC only accepts a small percentage of applicants to their freshman classes every year, so you’ll need to apply to be considered and be one of the lucky few to be admitted. Once you’re accepted and enrolled, you’ll receive your $15,000/year in scholarship money each year while you pursue your degree.
The New York Institute of Finance (NYIF) offers a $10,000/year scholarship
If you want to attend a top-ranked university that offers a great education and career opportunities, then consider The New York Institute of Finance (NYIF). NYIF offers a $10,000/year scholarship to students who are accepted into their investment management program.
Applicants need to have a strong academic record and need to demonstrate that they have the potential to earn a full-time job with a financial services company after graduating from the program. If you meet these requirements, then you have the opportunity to be one of the many $10,000/year scholarship recipients. This is a great opportunity to get your degree from a well-respected university while earning $10,000/year while doing it.
University of Chicago Booth School – offers a $2,500/year scholarship
If you want to attend one of the nation’s top business schools, then consider the University of Chicago Booth School. The Booth School offers a $2,500/year scholarship to incoming students who are enrolled in its undergraduate business program. Applicants need to have a strong academic record and need to demonstrate that they have the potential to earn a full-time job with a financial services company after graduating from the program. This is a great opportunity to get your business degree from one of the nation’s top-ranked universities while earning $2,500/year while doing it.
Yale University – offers up to $8,000/year in institutional aid
If you want to attend one of the nation’s most prestigious universities, then consider Yale University. Yale offers a generous financial aid package that covers the cost of tuition, housing, and books for many students. If you are able to receive some form of Yale financial aid, then you’ll receive a generous institutional scholarship that can cover up to $8,000/year. This is a great opportunity to get a quality education from one of the nation’s top universities while earning $8,000/year while doing it. Yale does not have a specific scholarship for gamers, but being involved in an active campus eSports program can help you show Yale what you’re about.
Cornell University – offers up to $8,000/year in institutional aid
If you want to attend one of the top universities in the nation and pursue a degree in a STEM subject, then consider Cornell University. Cornell offers a wide variety of scholarships to students based on a variety of factors, including financial need, academic merit, and extracurricular activities. If you are able to receive some form of financial aid, then you’ll receive a generous institutional scholarship that can cover up to $8,000/year. This is a great opportunity to get a quality education from one of the nation’s top universities while earning $8,000/year while doing it.
Stanford University – no scholarships offered currently but there’s a waiting list for one!
If you want to attend one of the nation’s top research universities and pursue a degree in a STEM subject, then consider Stanford University. Stanford offers a wide variety of scholarships to students based on a variety of factors, including financial need, academic merit, and extracurricular activities. If you are able to receive some form of Stanford financial aid, then you’ll receive a generous institutional scholarship that can cover up to $8,000/year.
This is a great opportunity to get a quality education from one of the nation’s top universities while earning $8,000/year while doing it. Stanford does not have a specific scholarship for gamers, but being involved in an active campus eSports program can help you show Stanford what you’re about.
Rice University – offers up to $4,000/year in institutional aid
If you want to attend one of the nation’s top research universities and pursue a degree in a STEM subject, then consider Rice University. Rice offers a wide variety of scholarships to students based on a variety of factors, including financial need, academic merit, and extracurricular activities. If you are able to receive some form of financial aid, then you’ll receive a generous institutional scholarship that can cover up to $4,000/year. This is a great opportunity to get a quality education from one of the nation’s top universities while earning $4,000/year while doing it.
No current scholarships offered; contact your school’s eSports program directly for more information.
Bottom line Through scholarships offered by the colleges and universities mentioned above, gamers can pursue their higher education without the burden of crushing student loan debt. If you’re serious about playing video games as a career and not just as a hobby, then these scholarships are for you. They often don’t require any gaming experience, and many do not even require you to be a top-level gamer. Simply apply to one of these top universities, show them that you have the academic merit to attend, and you could receive up to $60,000 in scholarship money each year toward your college tuition.