You want to play games and get money for college. Many students want esports scholarships, but they do not know where to start. They worry about esports tryouts, scholarship deadlines, and which college esports programs will pay for multiplayer online battle arena games, such as League of Legends, or Rocket League.
Varsity esports teams can help, yet the path still feels confusing.
Here is one fact to note, esports scholarships can range from $500 to full tuition, and some schools add housing stipends and academic help. Many colleges, including schools in the national association of collegiate esports, award these funds.
This guide lists the 10 best esports scholarships, what each pays, which games and events they cover, from League of Legends to Rocket League, to Red Bull Campus Clutch, and how to apply with clear tips for tryouts and student aid.
Read on.
Key Takeaways
- Esports scholarships range from $500 to full tuition, with many programs offering partial awards like HPU up to $24,000 and Alma up to $6,000.
- Top schools list varsity awards: UCI varsity $6,000 and JV $3,000, University of Akron offers $2,500 (starts $1,000), and Maryville academic aid up to $2,000.
- Most colleges require esports tryouts, follow NACE rules, and field teams in League of Legends, Rocket League, Overwatch, Valorant, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
- Deadlines matter: Hawaii Pacific’s scholarship deadline is December 1, 2025, and University of Akron’s application ends January 31, 2026.
- Apply early, submit ranked ladders, VODs, transcripts, and attend tryouts to secure roster spots that often determine scholarship awards and renewals.
Hawaii Pacific University Esports Scholarship
Hawaii Pacific University awards esports scholarships that can total up to $24,000. Incoming undergraduates who join the esports team may receive $1,000 to $6,000 per year. To apply, complete the admissions application to Hawaii Pacific University.
Follow the scholarship application process and send esports tryout info by the December 1, 2025 deadline.
HPU built the first esports arena in Hawaii, and that gaming arena supports practice, training, and events for recipients. The school follows national association of collegiate esports guidelines for varsity esports programs.
Coaches run esports tryouts, and teams compete in titles like the MOBA League of Legends and the vehicular soccer game Rocket League. The program aims to attract top competitive gaming talent, and it links to collegiate esports growth and future work in the video game industry, plus financial aid opportunities.
University of California Irvine (UCI) Esports Scholarship Program
UCI launched the first public university esports program in the U.S. in summer 2015. It offers esports scholarships, with varsity awards of $6,000 and junior varsity awards of $3,000.
Varsity rosters hold 10 players, and teams play League of Legends and Overwatch in collegiate esports events. Applicants must attend esports tryouts, coaches use live drills to judge gaming skills.
UCI built an esports gaming arena to host practices, matches, and student events. Recipients must maintain academic excellence and show a clear passion for competitive gaming to keep awards.
The scholarship application process ties to tryouts and varsity rosters, and the awards help with student financial aid. The program follows standards from the national association of collegiate esports, and it supports strong college esports programs.
Boise State Esports Scholarship
Boise State University offers varsity esports programs for undergraduate and graduate students. The program holds National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE) membership, and fields teams in League of Legends, Overwatch, Rocket League, and Valorant.
Those esports teams compete at a national level and join college esports programs and competitive gaming events.
Esports scholarships support students who join the varsity roster, and they can help with tuition and other financial aid. Staff at Boise State provide coaching and academic support, with trainers and tutors assigned to athletes.
The university runs EsportsU summer camp for high school players, and the camp helps with esports tryouts and the scholarship application process. Program staff set practice schedules, review game film, and balance training with class time to back both competitive and academic success, so players level up.
Maryville University Esports Scholarship
Maryville University fields varsity and community club esports divisions. The varsity side features a 3-time National Champion LoL team, and a top-tier Overwatch team. Varsity esports scholarships require esports tryouts, and recipients receive coaching, academic support, and leadership and skill development.
Academic scholarships for esports run up to $2,000, and they help cover college costs. Varsity teams play competitive gaming at national events.
Community club accepts all students, no tryouts needed, and it offers practice, casual play, and access to college esports events. Maryville’s nationally recognized esports teams boost player profiles, and staff guide students through the scholarship application process, academic planning, and connections to the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE).
Fisher College Esports Scholarship
Fisher College offers esports scholarships to attract talented gamers. The awards support students on varsity esports teams, and they help cover tuition and other college costs. Teams compete in popular titles like League of Legends and Rocket League at the collegiate level.
Players stream on Twitch and coordinate on team chat apps, while they prepare for esports tryouts and tournaments.
Recipients must keep strong academics, and the college expects good grades. Coaches connect players with networking and career development chances, including industry contacts and internships.
The scholarship application process includes tryouts, a roster review, and an academic check. Esports athletes grow their gaming skills, and they build paths into game development and the video game industry.
Lebanon Valley College Esports Scholarship
Lebanon Valley College awards esports scholarships to students on varsity esports rosters. Students can earn support for games like League of Legends, Overwatch, and Rocket League.
Scholarships cut the cost of college and give access to state-of-the-art gaming facilities, an on-campus esports arena, and coaching staff.
Recipients, as esports athletes, must balance gaming schedules with classwork, and coaches help manage time. The program welcomes both competitive and casual gamers, and it builds strong collegiate esports teams and a tight campus community.
Check the scholarship application process early, join tryouts or contact staff, and treat esports like a student-athlete position.
University of Akron Varsity Esports Scholarship
The University of Akron awards a $2,500 varsity esports scholarship. High school students and incoming freshmen may apply, the scholarship application process ends on January 31, 2026.
Awards start at $1,000 and increase with performance, so strong play in League of Legends or Rocket League can raise your aid. Recipients must join the official varsity esports teams and attend esports tryouts, as teams compete in national collegiate leagues and tournaments with the National Association of Collegiate Esports.
Akron, one of the first Division I universities to launch varsity esports, wins praise for innovation and student support, and it uses tools like Next College Student Athlete to find recruits.
Carroll University Esports Scholarship
Carroll University offers esports scholarships to students who join its collegiate teams. The awards aim to attract skilled gamers, and they help reduce tuition and related educational costs.
Coaches lead training, and teams practice for tournaments, including League of Legends and Overwatch. Recipients must contribute to team success, and they compete in collegiate tournaments regularly.
Students get coaching, academic support, and leadership development as part of the college esports programs. Many varsity esports athletes join after esports tryouts, and coaches scout talent during Twitch streams and practice.
Carroll’s esports teams follow National Association of Collegiate Esports rules, and they play in regional and national collegiate tournaments. You can link scholarships to financial aid, and the scholarship application process often asks for play history, tryout results, and grades.
University of Delaware Esports Scholarship
University of Delaware awards esports scholarships to students on varsity teams. These grants support play in Rocket League and League of Legends, and they help offset tuition. Recipients gain access to advanced gaming facilities and coaching.
Program staff encourage academic achievement alongside gaming success.
Scholarship athletes compete in national competitions and join a growing collegiate esports community on campus. The program links to the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE).
Students find career development resources and use a streaming platform and a team chat app to build visibility. Visit the program page for tryouts, scholarship application process details, and deadlines.
Grand View University Esports Scholarship
Esports scholarships attract talented gamers to Grand View, and they help lower college costs. They fund students who play on collegiate esports teams, including varsity esports squads.
Players compete in major titles like League of Legends, Rocket League, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate at the collegiate level.
Head coaches and academic advisors support scholarship recipients, offering training, and study plans. Recipients must keep strong academic performance, and follow the scholarship application process, meeting scholarship deadlines.
The campus esports arena hosts tournaments and events that raise student engagement, and awards help ease tuition costs for competitive gamers, a real extra life for tight budgets.
Mount St. Joseph University Esports Scholarship
Mount St. Joseph University offers esports scholarships to students who join varsity esports teams. The awards cover play in League of Legends and Overwatch, and they lower total tuition costs.
Players access dedicated gaming facilities, and they train with paid coaches. The program values academic grades along with gaming skills, so athletes keep strong class marks while they compete.
Scholarship athletes build teamwork and leadership through daily practices and matches. They gain career networking with video game industry contacts and alumni. Teams compete in national leagues and tournaments under the national association of collegiate esports, which raises player exposure.
The program holds esports tryouts each season, and the scholarship application process links to the esports arena or the financial aid office for roster and aid details.
Alma College Esports Scholarship
Alma College offers esports scholarships up to $6,000 to students who join its competitive teams. These Performance Scholarships cover art, dance, music, theater, Scottish Arts, and esports.
Recipients must meet high academic and gaming standards, and they can renew awards each year based on performance.
The program aligns with standards from the National Association of Collegiate Esports, and it runs collegiate esports programs that build gaming skills and teamwork. Teams compete in collegiate tournaments, with varsity esports rosters that include esports athletes who play across genres, for example a MOBA or a car-soccer title.
Alma provides academic and career support, and staff help with the scholarship application process and scholarship deadlines.
Ball State University Esports Scholarship
Ball State offers esports scholarships to students on its esports teams. Coaches pick players to boost varsity esports rosters, they scout for League of Legends, Rocket League, and Super Smash Bros.
Ultimate skill. Selection rests on gaming skill and academic achievement, and recipients must maintain academic excellence.
Students get coaching, practice plans, and regular competition from program staff. Those awards help offset the cost of attending Ball State, and they attract top gaming talent to campus.
Teams play in national esports leagues and tournaments, including NACE events, and players gain exposure to the collegiate esports scene and the gaming industry.
How to Apply for Esports Scholarships
Start applying in the summer before college. Build a strong profile and track deadlines.
- Create a profile on college esports portals, National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE) sites, or school pages like UCI and Hawaii Pacific, upload transcripts, match VODs, ranked ladders, and proof of League of Legends or Rocket League rank, begin in June.
- Search scholarships from Boise State, Maryville, Alma College, University of Akron, Grand View, and Red Bull Campus Clutch, filter for varsity esports, full-tuition or partial awards, and mark each scholarship deadline on your calendar.
- Prepare short essays that state academic goals, gaming passion, team roles, and tournament results, answer school prompts, include coach notes, and cite stats for Rocket League, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, or League of Legends.
- Gather proof of skill, add ranked ladder screenshots, tournament rosters, match VODs, and coach referrals, include NACE or collegiate esports team records, some programs demand tryout videos or live scrimmage footage.
- Watch deadlines closely, set phone alerts and a shared calendar, submit transcripts, FAFSA for financial aid if needed, and upload all materials on time, late files often disqualify applicants.
- Attend varsity esports tryouts and online combines, show communication, map control, and teamwork, follow coach instructions, many schools award scholarships after roster selection or tryout performance.
- Keep grades high and meet credit hour rules, report GPA to coaches, maintain academic standing to keep awards, know scholarships used for tuition and books are usually tax-free, excess funds for room or extras may be taxable.
- Accept offers formally, sign scholarship agreements, complete onboarding, join the varsity esports team, and keep records of award amounts, tax forms, and school contacts for renewals and audits.
Takeaways
You can apply for esports scholarships at many schools, from Hawaii Pacific to the University of California, Irvine. Varsity esports teams, esports tryouts, and campus gaming venues open doors, and the National Association of Collegiate Esports lists 151 member colleges.
Apply early, sharpen your gaming skills, add game development or marketing samples, and talk to coaches. You might land awards that cover tuition, housing, or full rides, so go for it.
FAQs on Best Esports Scholarships
1. What are esports scholarships?
Esports scholarships pay students for gaming skill. They support competitive gaming, varsity esports, and collegiate esports. Schools fund esports athletes, through gaming scholarships and financial aid. They help students join college esports programs and esports teams.
2. Which scholarships are on the 10 best list?
The list names Hawaii Pacific University esports scholarship, University of Akron varsity esports scholarship, Southwestern College esports activity grant, Trine University esports activity award, Alma College esports scholarship, University of Mount Union esports scholarship, UCI esports scholarship program, Schreiner University esports scholarship, Bethany Lutheran College esports scholarship, and other top offers. Some are full-tuition scholarships, some are partial awards.
3. How do I apply, and when are scholarship deadlines?
Follow the scholarship application process on each school site. Fill out scholarship applications, and meet scholarship deadlines, early. Check financial aid rules, and college admissions steps. Ask the coach about tryouts, dates, and roster spots.
4. What games and skills matter for selection?
Coaches watch League of Legends, Rocket League, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Dota 2, and other strategy games. They want strong gaming skills, good team play, and game sense. They also value interest in game development, and the video game industry.
5. Can esports scholarships lead to jobs in gaming?
Yes, they can open doors into the gaming industry and the video game industry. Players move to esports teams, esports arena staff, content roles, or game development. Programs link with groups like the national association of collegiate esports, NACE, and events like Red Bull Campus Clutch. Some grads join pro orgs, or brands like Cloud9, or become casters, like Doa. West Virginia University and other schools run career paths from esports to jobs.
6. What about tryouts, JV, and varsity levels?
Colleges hold esports tryouts, and they may run JV teams, as well as varsity esports teams. JV gives you practice time, a chance to grow, and a route to varsity. Show consistent play, attend tryouts, and stay coachable, and you improve your shot at a scholarship.
