What Colleges Have Esports Scholarships?
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More and more colleges are offering esports scholarships, but which ones? Here’s a look at some of the top schools for competitive gaming.
General Information
eSports is a form of sport in which the primary goal is to play video games in a competitive setting. The industry has seen a recent surge in popularity and as a result, many colleges are starting to offer esports scholarships. This is a great opportunity for gamers to pursue their passion and get a college education.
What is esports?
esports is a form of sport competition that is facilitated by electronic systems, particularly video games. The most common types of esports are professional competitions between individual players or teams, organized by third-party organizations. Esports often takes the form of organized, multiplayer video game competitions, particularly between professional players, individually or as teams. These events can be broadly divided into several categories based on the type of game played: first-person shooter (FPS), real-time strategy (RTS), fighting, multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) and collectible card games.
What are the benefits of playing esports?
Playing esports has a number of benefits, both for the individual and for society as a whole.
First and foremost, playing esports helps to improve one’s physical health. This is because playing video games requires quick reflexes and hand-eye coordination. In addition, playing esports can also improve one’s mental health by providing a sense of achievement and social interaction.
Second, playing esports can provide financial opportunities for those who are skilled at the game. For example, many colleges and universities offer esports scholarships to talented gamers. In addition, professional gamers can earn a living by playing in tournaments or being sponsored by companies.
Finally, playing esports can help to build character and teach important life lessons. For instance, video games can teach players how to set goals, strategize, and manage their time effectively. Additionally, playing video games can help players learn how to deal with losses graciously and how to overcome adversity.
Esports Scholarships
Many colleges offer esports scholarships for students who want to compete in collegiate esports competitions. Some of the schools that offer esports scholarships include the University of Utah, Maryville University, and Ohio State University. These scholarships can cover a portion of the student’s tuition and room and board.
What colleges have esports scholarships?
The National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE) is the primary governing body for collegiate esports and currently has over 150 member institutions. Of those 150+ member institutions, approximately one-third offer esports scholarships.
The majority of colleges with esports scholarships are located in the United States, with a smaller number in Canada. A handful of schools in Europe, Asia, and Australia also offer esports scholarships.
Colleges typically offer esports scholarships to students who demonstrate significant skill in one or more popular competitive games. Games that are commonly played at the collegiate level include League of Legends, Overwatch, Dota 2, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Rocket League, and Hearthstone.
The value of an esports scholarship can vary widely from school to school. Some schools cover the full cost of tuition and room and board, while others provide a smaller stipend to help cover the cost of some expenses.
Because the landscape of collegiate esports is constantly changing, it can be difficult to keep track of which colleges offer esports scholarships. Below is a list of some of the colleges that currently have programs in place:
• Arizona State University
• Boise State University
• Central Methodist University
• Columbia College
• Harrisburg University of Science and Technology
• Illinois Wesleyan University
• Maryville University
• Miami Ohio State University
• Midland University
• Robert Morris University Illinois
• Southern Methodist University
• Stony Brook University
• SUNY Canton
• Trine University
• UC Irvine
• UC Santa Cruz
This is not an exhaustive list, so be sure to check with your school’s esport program to see if they offer any type of scholarship or financial assistance for gamers.
How do you apply for an esports scholarship?
The best way to increase your chances of receiving an esports scholarship is to start early and do your research. Many high schools now have esports teams, and there are even some middle schools with teams. You can also look for clubs in your area. Many colleges and universities also have club teams that compete in local, regional, and national tournaments. If you’re serious about esports, you should try to join a team as soon as possible.
Some colleges and universities require students to audition for their esports programs, just like they would for any other sport. Others hold tryouts or interviews. Some schools use a combination of all three methods. The best way to find out how to apply for an esports scholarship at a specific school is to contact the school’s esports program directly.
One final piece of advice: don’t forget to take care of your academics! A strong academic record will not only help you get into the college or university of your choice, but it will also make you eligible for more scholarships.
What are the requirements for an esports scholarship?
Requirements for esports scholarships vary by school, but most programs require students to maintain a minimum GPA — often 2.5 or higher — and play a specific game or position on a team. Some schools also require students to try out for their esports team before being considered for a scholarship.
While most esports programs are offered at the collegiate level, there are a few high schools that offer competitive gaming as well. If you’re interested in becoming an esports athlete in high school, check with your school counselor to see if there are any programs available.
Conclusion
While the majority of esports scholarships are at the collegiate level, a few high schools are beginning to offer scholarships as well. As the popularity of esports continues to grow, it’s likely that we’ll see even more high schools and colleges offering scholarships for gamers in the near future.
