Can You Get a Scholarship for Cheerleading? The Complete College Recruiting Guide

Cheerleading requires immense athletic talent, balance, and dedication. Many high school athletes spend hours in the gym training their tumbling and stunting skills. If you are pouring your heart into this sport, you might wonder, can you get a scholarship for cheerleading?

The short answer is yes, but the path to securing that money works differently than traditional sports.

This guide will show you exactly how college cheer funding works and how to earn your spot.

Can You Get a Scholarship for Cheerleading?

To understand your funding options, you have to look at how universities view the sport.

The NCAA does not officially recognize traditional sideline cheerleading as a varsity sport.

Because of this, athletic departments do not always have a set number of full-ride scholarships for cheer squads.

However, do not let that discourage you from pursuing your college dreams. Schools find creative ways to reward their top athletes through spirit program budgets, booster clubs, and university grants.

When people ask can you get a scholarship for cheerleading, they often forget about these alternative funding sources.

College Cheerleading Scholarships and How They Work

Funding structures depend heavily on the division of the school you choose.

For example, major Division I schools like the University of Kentucky or the University of Alabama have large budgets.

These schools often provide partial tuition coverage, textbook stipends, or custom gear for their athletes.

On the other hand, Division II and Division III schools might offer academic packages instead of direct athletic aid.

The NAIA is a completely different story because they recognize competitive cheer as an official varsity sport.

This means NAIA schools can hand out direct athletic scholarships just like football or basketball programs do.

If you want to know how can you get a scholarship for cheerleading, looking at the NAIA is an excellent first step.

The New Opportunity: STUNT Scholarships

If you want a clearer path to athletic financial aid, you should look into STUNT.

STUNT is a fast-growing sport that removes the sideline crowd-leading aspect and focuses purely on technical skills.

Because the NCAA recognizes STUNT as an emerging sport, these programs receive specific Title IX funding.

This classification opens up new STUNT scholarships for talented flyers, bases, and tumblers.

If you have a strong gymnastics or competitive cheer background, this is an excellent avenue to explore.

Understanding Cheer Tryout Requirements

Every college program has specific skill benchmarks you must meet to earn a roster spot. For intermediate levels, coaches generally look for a steady standing back tuck and clean layouts.

Elite Division I programs often demand standing fulls and running passes that end in double twists. Stunting is equally important for both all-girl and coed squads. Flyers need exceptional flexibility to hold positions cleanly in the air.

Bases must show the strength to execute toss extensions and release moves safely.

How to Get Recruited for College Cheer

Waiting for a coach to find you at a local competition rarely works in this sport. You need a proactive strategy to get noticed by university scout teams.

First, research the schools that match both your academic goals and your current athletic skills. Next, create a clean recruitment video that highlights your best skills right at the beginning. Keep the video under two minutes and make sure the lighting is bright.

Finally, attend college clinics hosted by the specific universities you want to join.

These clinics are where coaches do the majority of their talent scouting and recruiting.

Common Questions About Cheer Funding

Do all college cheerleaders get scholarships?

No, many cheerleaders on college teams are walk-ons who do not receive financial assistance.

Financial aid packages are typically reserved for the top athletes or veteran members of the squad.

Can guys get cheer scholarships?

Yes, coed programs highly value male athletes to build strong stunting bases.

Many schools offer competitive stipends to men with raw athletic talent, even if they have never cheered before.

What is the average cheer scholarship amount?

The numbers vary wildly depending on the school budget and your personal skill level.

Awards can range from a $500 book stipend up to $5,000 per year for partial tuition coverage.

Full-ride awards covering everything are exceptionally rare but do exist at a few top-tier institutions.

Conclusion and Main Takeaways

Earning money to cheer in college requires a mix of athletic talent and smart planning.

While the path is different from traditional sports, the financial rewards are very real.

Focus on building your skills, recording a great video, and maintaining a high GPA to maximize your chances.

With hard work and the right strategy, you can turn your passion into financial support for your education.