Level Up Your Education: A Guide to Scholarships for Gamers

The burgeoning world of esports and the video game industry has created exciting new opportunities for students. More and more universities are offering scholarships for gamers and students interested in pursuing careers in this dynamic field. If you're passionate about video games and looking for ways to finance your education, this article will guide you through the world of gaming scholarships, exploring what they are, how to find them, and how to apply.

The Rise of Esports and Gaming Scholarships

The esports industry is experiencing explosive growth, with projections estimating a 400% increase to $4.28 billion by 2027. This growth has led to increased recognition of esports at the collegiate level, with many universities establishing esports programs and offering scholarships to attract talented gamers. This provides students with a unique opportunity to pursue their passion for gaming while earning a degree.

What are Video Game Scholarships?

A video game scholarship is a form of financial aid awarded to students who demonstrate exceptional skill in competitive video gaming and/or are pursuing a degree related to the video game industry. These degrees can include game design, game development, interactive arts, and visual effects. Scholarships can range from a few hundred dollars to full tuition coverage.

Types of Video Game Scholarships

Video game and esports scholarships come in various forms. Some are specifically for competitive gamers who represent their universities in esports tournaments, while others support students pursuing game-related degrees. Scholarships may be offered by universities, national organizations like the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), or through platforms like Bold.org.

Finding Video Game Scholarships

The first step in finding a scholarship for video gaming is to conduct a thorough search online. Here are some resources to explore:

Read also: Camp Scholarships Guide

Scholarship Platforms: Websites like Bold.org categorize scholarships based on interests, majors, and education levels, making it easy to find opportunities for gamers.
University Financial Aid Offices: Contact the financial aid office at your chosen university to inquire about specific scholarships offered by the school, some of which may be specific to your school or even your major.
Google and Other Search Engines: Use relevant keywords such as "esports scholarships" or "video game scholarships" to find scholarship opportunities.
National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE): Explore the NACE website for a list of member colleges and universities that offer esports programs and scholarships.

Eligibility and Requirements

Scholarship candidates in gaming often have requirements to meet, which vary depending on the organization or university offering the money. Most video gaming and esports scholarships require applicants to demonstrate academic excellence and a passion for the industry. If you are applying for a scholarship through a university or school esports team, you might have to show proof of player level or title.

How to Apply for Video Game Scholarships

Applying for a gaming scholarship award is simple and fast. Once you've created a Bold.org profile, you can begin browsing the hundreds of available scholarships to find your perfect fit, whether you are looking for esports scholarships or other online games. You can even browse by category, education level, award amount, etc. to find scholarships that you qualify for.

Once you've found a scholarship, read through the instructions and requirements to make sure you qualify and understand what you need to do. Then, upload your application materials and click submit!

Tips for a Successful Application

Create a Strong Profile: Whether you're using a scholarship platform or applying directly to a university, create a detailed profile highlighting your gaming skills, academic achievements, and extracurricular activities.
Craft a Compelling Essay: Many scholarships require an essay. Use this opportunity to showcase your passion for gaming, your career goals, and how the scholarship will help you achieve them.
Gather Necessary Materials: Be prepared to submit transcripts, letters of recommendation, and proof of your gaming achievements, such as tournament rankings or gameplay videos.
Meet Deadlines: Pay close attention to application deadlines and submit your application well in advance.

Video Game Scholarships for High School Students

Leon M. Braswell III Book Scholarship: This scholarship aims to support a high school senior who will be a first-generation college student. This scholarship will allow a student who belongs to an underrepresented minority group the opportunity to buy books for their upcoming school year.
Spirit of West Virginia Scholarship: This scholarship aims to support a high school senior who will pursue an undergraduate degree.

Video Game Scholarships for College Students

WPU Esports and Gaming Administration Scholarship: This scholarship aims to support a student from any education level who is ready to take their passion for gaming to the next level and gain vital experience for success in esports. Any college students who attend William Peace University are eligible for this $1,000 scholarship that will benefit any content creator, streamer, or gamer who is ready to turn their hobby into a career.

Colleges Offering Video Game Scholarships

Currently, 151 colleges belong to the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE) and several schools offer a range of scholarships for incoming and prospective students.

Read also: Benefits of NSHSS Scholarships

Robert Morris University (Illinois)
Harrisburg University
University of California - Irvine
University of Utah
Stephens College

Full Ride Scholarships

Yes! There are universities and schools like Harrisburg University that annually award students with full-time scholarships and stipends. In 2018, Harrisburg University became the first college esports program to award full-ride scholarships to its entire roster. At Harrisburg, 22 esports players receive full-tuition scholarships and a housing stipend to attend their school.

Esports and College

Esports has been viewed by many as the awkward younger sibling to the sports that we know and love like football and baseball. However, the esports army is arriving, and they are only getting stronger. The first official video game competition took place in 1972 on the Stanford University campus with a game called Spacewar. All of this shows how far this movement has come. From a subscription to a magazine to $40 million, and it continues to grow. Competitive gaming has grown so much that people like Robert Kraft, Shaquille O’Neal, Drake, Mike Tyson, and P Diddy, just to name a few, are investing.

Esports Tryouts

Getting an esports scholarship for college is slightly different than getting a scholarship for other sports. Esports programs don’t typically have scouts attend events and watch you play or even reach out to you. Most colleges host annual tryouts and give out scholarships based on those. Esports competitions are almost always livestreamed somewhere online, so a good idea would be to watch one of those and see how you may stack up to the competition.

Perks of the Scholarship

However, the perks are well worth the hard work in the classroom. Players can receive jerseys, travel opportunities, gear, and media attention, and gain a large social media following. Schools with esports scholarships tend to make it well-known that this opportunity is there for students, especially if the school has made a large investment in the program.

When to Apply

If you are a prospective student, it is recommended that you apply for scholarships as soon as possible and stay on top of deadlines early in the school year. High school students and high school seniors usually apply the summer before their incoming year. A majority of these scholarships will consider your application at the time that you are applying to college, but there are scholarships for any education level as well.

Read also: Scholarship Guide

Make sure to gather the necessary materials and information early on to avoid becoming overwhelmed - especially once the school year starts. If you are unable to find scholarships that early, don't worry! There are deadlines all throughout the year so there will be many scholarships still available outside of that window.

If you are a student looking to receive an esports scholarship, you most likely will be in contact with a recruiter or contact for the university while you're still in high school. You might have to make a highlight video or provide vital stats that show your strengths as a player. Some recruiters might even as you try out before you join a varsity esports team.

Are Scholarships Counted as Income?

Scholarships are generally not considered income so, in most cases, you won't have to pay taxes on the scholarships you receive. However, there are exceptions to this rule so always be sure to check with your scholarship provider. For example, the money generally will not be taxed if the funds are used for qualified college costs, including tuition, course fees, and books. In contrast, if the money is used to pay for college-related costs like room, board, and travel, or if the money was given in the form of a teaching assistantship, then it may be taxed.

Esports as a Career

Well, just like other professional sports, there is a professional esports scene where gamers around the world are making millions in this industry.

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