Can You Get a Scholarship for Gaming?
If you want to break into the video game industry, there are many scholarships to help you pay for college. Gaming scholarships can help you turn your hobby into a rewardable skill.
Some gaming scholarships are for people who want to study interactive arts. You need a college degree to work as a multimedia artist. So, you may want to pursue a degree in animation, 3D graphics, game design and so on.
For these scholarships, gaming skills may take second stage to your GPA range. Or you may need to supply a portfolio. This applies to video games scholarships focusing on the creative design behind gaming.
Can I get a scholarship for eSports?
Other options for gamers are esports scholarships. These are usually for competitive players. Like an athletic scholarship, eligibility may depend on how well you play a specific game.
Unlike taking out a loan, college gaming scholarships are ‘free’ money. You have to abide by the terms, but don’t have to pay the money back.
So, whether your latest obsession is playing a certain video game and you have mad skills. Or you want to study how to develop one, try applying for a scholarship.
Are College Gaming Scholarships Popular?
If you are looking an Esport scholarship, many colleges offer them. You are likely need excellent player skills. Though other criteria like grades and financial need may be part of the decision process.
Varsity scholarships for esports have been around since 2014. But many more colleges in the U.S. are embracing competitive video gaming. In fact, a growing number of schools are providing video game scholarships.
What colleges offer esports scholarships? Ashland University is one example. They offer $4,000 scholarships as a way to expand their eSports program. Applicants need to be active on Fortnite. Also, familiar with games like League of Legends and Overwatch.
Other times, the game developers provide esports scholarships. For example, to date TESPA gamers received over $3.3M in scholarships & prizing. They often do this to reward players and teams in their esports programs.
Another provider is the National Association of Collegiate Esports. The NACE reports giving $15 million in esports scholarships and aid.
As of January 2018, over 94% of all varsity esports programs in the U.S. are members of NACE.
Top Esports & Gaming Scholarships for 2019
Are you a competitive gamer looking for esports scholarships? Do you want to study video game design and need a scholarship to fund you? Check out these top gaming scholarships to see how your hobby might pay off.
Certain Affinity Nels Memorial Scholarship
Certain Affinity has supported up-and-coming SMU Guildhall students through teaching, portfolio reviews, career days, and guest lectures, in addition to hiring several alumni. Certain Affinity aims to foster the values of passion, character, leadership and service in future Guildhall students and honor Nels Nelson, a past employee who embodied these values to the fullest, by partnering with SMU Guildhall to create the Certain Affinity Nels Memorial Scholarship.
2020
Streamgeeks ESports Scholarship
The Streamgeeks ESports Scholarship is available for students who are currently enrolled in a U.S.-based college or university with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. To apply, students must submit an essay on their experiences with esports and video streaming.
2020
Aspiring Animation Professional Scholarship
Animation Career Review is an online resource for online resource for people aspiring for careers in animation, game design, graphic design, digital art, and related fields. Each year they offer an Aspiring Animation Professional Scholarship. The award is for high school seniors who plan to pursue a career in animation and/or a design related field. One recipient is awarded $1,000 to help pay for their 2 or 4-year degree at an accredited college or university in the U.S.
2020
Sportsmanship in eSports Scholarship
The Sportsmanship in eSports Scholarship is available for current high school students who are active in video games and esports such as League of Legends or Teamfight Tactics.
2020
Worldstudio AIGA Scholarship
This scholarship is available to current and upcoming college students with a grade point average of 2.0 or higher who are pursuing a degree in the fine or commercial arts, design or architecture.
Dr. Randy Pausch Scholarship
This scholarship is available for currently enrolled U.S. and international undergraduate and graduate students who have an intention to enter the game industry in some capacity. The student must have a grade point average of 3.3 or higher.
Mark Beaumont Scholarship
U.S. undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in any major with a grade point average of 3.3 or higher are eligible for this award. Students must have the intention to enter the game industry as a developer of interactive entertainment.
WomenIn Scholarship
The WomenIn Scholarship is available for female college students starting their second year of study in game development or the business of interactive entertainment. To be eligible, students must have a 3.3 GPA or higher and must be pursuing studies within the video game industry.
Women in Animation (WIA) Animation Scholarship
The Women in Animation (WIA) Animation Scholarship is open to sophomore to senior women (or those identifying as female) who are full time students at an accredited institute of learning and are majoring in animation. Founded in 1995, WIA is the only organization dedicated to advancing women in the field of animation. The Women in Animation (WIA) Animation Scholarship is an annual award committed to furthering up to three deserving animation students who demonstrate artistic talent, a passion f...
Karrlin Field Memorial AI Scholarship
The Karrlin Field Memorial AI Scholarship is available to female students who are pursuing a college education in computer game development and design at the college Karrli dreamed of attending, the University of Advancing Technology (UAT) in Tempe, Arizona.
Scholarship Types
- Athletic Scholarships
- College-Specific Scholarships
- Company-Sponsored Scholarships
- Grants for College
- Merit-Based Scholarships
- Military Scholarships
- Minority Scholarships
- Our Scholarships
- Religious Scholarships
- Scholarship Contests & Sweepstakes
- Scholarships by Major
- Scholarships by State
- Scholarships by Type
- Scholarships for Graduate Students
- Scholarships for High School Students
- Scholarships for Undergraduate Students
- Weird Scholarships
Our Scholarships
- $1,500 - I Have a Dream Scholarship
- $10,000 - Unigo $10K Scholarship
- $1,500 - Sweet and Simple Scholarship
- $2,500 - Superpower Scholarship
- $3,000 - All About Education Scholarship
- $1,500 - Fifth Month Scholarship
- $1,500 - Do-Over Scholarship
- $1,500 - Flavor of the Month Scholarship
- $1,500 - Make Me Laugh Scholarship
- $1,500 - Shout It Out Scholarship
- $2,000 - Zombie Apocalypse Scholarship
- $5,000 - Education Matters Scholarship
- $1,500 - Top Ten List Scholarship