Athletic scholarships at universities in the US are common for a number of reasons. On the one hand, they support talented athletes who receive financial support for their studies based on their performance. This enables them to gain higher education while further developing their sporting skills. On the other hand, the universities benefit from the sporting successes of their students, as this increases the reputation of the university and often generates financial income through media presence and advertising contracts. Sports scholarships are therefore of great benefit to both the students and the universities.
Need-based scholarships are awarded based on financial need. They are eligible for each year of college enrollment. By contrast, scholarships based on merit are granted to students who illustrate academic or athletic achievement, along with a range of other talents and criteria.