10 Best Field Hockey Scholarships In USA 2024 - Scholarships to Study Abroad

Field hockey scholarships in USA are offered by colleges in NCAA Divisions 1 & 2 and it is only for talented female student-athletes. They may receive a full or partial scholarship depending on their athletic and academic abilities. Continue on this blog post to find the best colleges in the US offering field hockey scholarships.

Field hockey is not a big sport in the US and it is dominated by females. However, over the years, the sport has been gaining attention with a surge in popularity among high school athletes seeking to further their careers within collegiate athletics. Those who are successful are accepted into top colleges on a sports scholarship where they will continue playing field hockey whilst studying for a degree.

When it comes to collegiate sports programs, the US is where you want to be because irrespective of the popularity of that sport in the US there are lots of benefits in it for you, an example is a college athletic scholarship. College-level sports in the US is bigger than the national sport competitions of many countries. Many professional sportsmen and women today are products of US collegiate sports and more are still coming up.

Back to the topic, field hockey scholarships in USA are offered only to female athletes with outstanding athletic performance and excellent academic record or achievement. These are the key criteria to receive any sports scholarship in America. Field hockey scholarships in the US are an excellent pathway for achieving excellence in your sport while getting a world-class degree but it is highly competitive.

There are more than 280 field hockey programs across the US within the NCAA Division 1, 2, and 3. Only colleges and universities within the NCAA D1 and D2 offer field hockey scholarships and they are also the most competitive across all the levels. However, Division I programs have more scholarships available compared to Division II.

There are 77 schools in Division 1 field hockey and a maximum of 12 scholarships are offered per school. Division 2 has 36 schools with field hockey programs and a maximum number of 6.3 scholarships per school. The field hockey scholarships are disbursed at the discretion of the Head Coach. The scholarship can cover anywhere between 0-100% of college costs.

The scholarships are usually awarded every year and can be renewed based on the continued academic and athletic performance of the student-athlete. Field hockey scholarships may be capped but student-athletes can still secure other need-based and merit-based scholarships within and outside the school to increase their overall financial aid.

Field hockey scholarships are most often awarded first to athletes in positions that directly impact scoring opportunities. For field hockey, this means college programs prioritize goalies and well-rounded forwards, as these positions prevent scoring and put points on the board. Following these positions are defenders and midfielders.

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Requirements for Field Hockey Scholarships in USA

The requirements for field hockey scholarships in the US vary from school to school, however, here are a few common requirements:

1. Excellent Academic Performance

Whether you are a new or current student of the university you must be in good academic standing to be considered for a field hockey scholarship. Your GPA and standardized test scores should meet certain requirements. Students should have a minimum of 2.3 GPA and achieve an SAT score of 980.

2. Outstanding Athletic Performance

Here is another major requirement to receive a field hockey scholarship in America. You have to be a talented field hockey player and show proof of your athletic performance either through video footage and/or achievement medals. If you do not have any of these, don’t worry, coaches typically require prospective student-athletes to demonstrate their field hockey abilities through tryouts, camps, or showcase events.

3. NCAA Compliance

Student-athletes wanting to compete at the collegiate level need to be aware of the rules and regulations set by the NCAA, as it will affect their eligibility to play and win scholarships. The NCAA has Core Subject Requirements which vary from country to country.

Best Field Hockey Scholarships in USA

There are field hockey scholarships in the US at every NCAA division level but only DI and DII offer field hockey scholarships while DIII and Ivy League institutions offer merit and need-based scholarships to student-athletes. So, you can apply for any institutions under any of these divisions with a field hockey program and be eligible for scholarships but this article is only about the best ones. So, let’s dive in.

The following are the top field hockey scholarships in the US:

The University of Virginia Field Hockey Scholarships
Dartmouth College Field Hockey Scholarships
Converse College Field Hockey Scholarships
Princeton University Field Hockey Scholarships
Stanford University Field Hockey Scholarships
Bentley University Field Hockey Scholarships
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania Field Hockey Scholarships
Harvard University Field Hockey Scholarships
Columbia University Field Hockey Scholarships
Bellarmine University Field Hockey Scholarships

1. The University of Virginia Field Hockey Scholarships

The University of Virginia is a top-tier public research university known for its diverse and distinguished faculty and as a major medical center. The school receives thousands of applicants every year but only has a 21% acceptance rate. It is a citadel for quality academic teaching and research as well as sporting excellence.

The Virginia Cavaliers, that is the sports team at the University of Virginia, compete at the NCAA Division I and as such offer athletic scholarships to student-athletes with outstanding athletic and academic performance/record. Those in the field hockey team, which are only women, also receive the 12 scholarships as regulated by the NCAA which is disbursed at the discretion of the head coach.

2. Dartmouth College Field Hockey Scholarships

Dartmouth College is one of the top colleges in the US offering field hockey scholarships to student-athletes with outstanding academic and athletic excellence including meeting other requirements. It is a private Ivy League but competes at the NCAA Division I therefore field hockey student-athletes may get full-ride scholarships that will cover the entire cost of their college cost and may be renewed if they satisfy the requirements for renewal.

3. Converse College Field Hockey Scholarships

Converse College is a private higher institution located in Spartanburg, South Carolina, home to the Valkyries. The college is a small one with less than a thousand undergraduate students but its presence in sports is a strong one as they compete at the NCAA Division II.

This may be the place for you if you play field hockey because it has an acceptance rate of 82% thus it can be easy for you to get in compared to schools in NCAA Division I institutions and you will still receive an athletic scholarship in field hockey and participate in competitive games.

4. Princeton University Field Hockey Scholarships

Princeton University is an Ivy League institution, globally known as a great citadel of learning and for its strong sporting presence. The Tigers have produced notable sportsmen and women who are leading the industry today and aspiring younger generations.

The Tigers compete at the NCAA Division I, therefore participate in highly competitive championships, and offer full scholarships to student-athletes who excel both on the field and in the classroom. If you are a talented field hockey player and wish to study on a scholarship, Princeton may be the place for you although it is highly competitive to get into the school and the team as well.

5. Stanford University Field Hockey Scholarships

Stanford Cardinals competes at the NCAA Division I, a highly competitive division but with lots of amazing opportunities such as a full-ride scholarship. As a talented hockey player, skilled on the field and in the classroom, you can apply to Stanford University and receive a field hockey scholarship to take your career to the next level.

You will be getting an education from one of the best institutions in the world whilst training with professional field hockey coaches and participating in top competitions. This is an amazing opportunity that you shouldn’t miss out on.

6. Bentley University Field Hockey Scholarships

Bentley University is a private university situated in Waltham, Massachusetts known for its well-refined business program. Bentley Falcons compete at the NCAA Division II and, therefore offer several partial scholarships to its athletes including those in field hockey programs.

This is the best place for talented field hockey players who wish to get a renowned business degree while playing their dream sport.

7. Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania Field Hockey Scholarships

The Bloomsburg Huskies competes at the NCAA Division II which is a highly competitive division. The school has a field hockey team and team members are eligible for several athletic scholarships every year according to the NCAA regulations.

Field hockey team members can also apply for other merit and need-based scholarships offered by Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania to add to their financial aid.

8. Harvard University Field Hockey Scholarships

Harvard University is one of the best universities in the world globally known for its reputation in teaching and research. It is also home to an excellent sports team, the Harvard Crimson, competing at the NCAA Division I and offers athletic scholarships according to the NCAA regulations.

Harvard Crimson has a field hockey team and if you have what it takes, you can apply for admission to Harvard, join the field hockey team, and receive scholarships. If your performance is exceptional, you may be awarded a full-ride sports scholarship.

9. Columbia University Field Hockey Scholarships

Columbia University is one of the best universities in the US widely recognized for its reputation in teaching, research, and sports. Its varsity team, the Columbia University Lions, competes at the NCAA Division I and offers athletic scholarships according to the NCAA regulations.

The Lions has a field hockey team and if you have what it takes, you can apply for admission to Columbia University, join the field hockey team, and receive scholarships. If your performance is exceptional, you may be awarded a full-ride sports scholarship.

10. Bellarmine University Field Hockey Scholarships

Playing field hockey with the Bellarmine Knights will expose you to some of the top competitions in the US and can be a stepping stone for you to become a professional field hockey player. The Bellarmine Knights compete at the NCAA Division II and as such offer partial athletic scholarships in each sport category including field hockey.

If you wish to study at a catholic university whilst playing field hockey, Bellarmine University is the best place for you.

Conclusion

There are also other universities and colleges in NCAA Division II & II offering field hockey scholarships such as Yale University, Duke University, UNC Chapel Hill, Saint Anselm College, Slippery Rock University, West Chester University of Pennsylvania, and Queens University of Charlotte.

Earning a field hockey scholarship offers numerous advantages beyond financial assistance. It provides athletes with an opportunity to play at a highly competitive level, receive top-notch coaching, and represent their college on a national stage. Additionally, college athletes often develop valuable life skills, such as time management, leadership, and teamwork, which benefit them both on and off the field.

10 Best Field Hockey Scholarships In USA