We know JUCO mostly comes to student-athletes as one of the last alternatives, while NCAA is always at the top list, you could be in this category. But, does that mean Junior Colleges are that bad in terms of competition and scholarships?
Well, it’s not news that NCAA offers the best athletic scholarships and competitions, especially in Division 1 and Headcount Sports that even go ahead to dish out full-ride scholarships. Junior College Track and Field scholarships still try their best to give up to or if possible full-tuition scholarships especially to student-athletes that are outstanding in sports and academics.
Speaking of academics, due to JUCO provides equivalency scholarships, i.e., their scholarships are shared, it also means that students can still receive scholarships from the school which can help them to almost or completely waive tuition and other fees.
Another interesting thing about participating in JUCO is that most D1 college coaches come to well-performing students in Junior Colleges Track and Field to fill some empty roster spots due to student(s) that were transferred, injured, or lost academic eligibility in their team. That’s why JUCO is always referred to as a “feeder” college for D1 schools.
Moreover, several amazing colleges provide Track and Field scholarships as well as provide quality education.
Also, since JUCO is mostly offered by 2-year community colleges, it gives you the chance to strengthen your skills to join D1, D2, D3, or NAIA programs in a 4-year university. And, these community colleges are a lot more affordable than a four-year private or public college.
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Junior College Track and Field Scholarships
As we mentioned earlier, only two divisions exist in JUCO Track and Field (D1 & D3), and both of them offer scholarships. So we’ll be focusing on schools that have proven records of both academic and athletic excellence.
1. Gadsden State Athletics
- City: Gadsden, Alabama
GSCC doesn’t only provide collegiate scholarships to students participating in JUCO Track and Field, but also to other sports like baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross country, softball, men’s tennis, and volleyball.
And, we easily added them to our top list of Junior College Track and Field scholarships due to their several state and regional championships, and they have appeared in national championship competitions.
2. Tyler Junior College Athletics Program Scholarships
TJC provides different kinds of athletic scholarships, which are also known as performance grants. These scholarships are awarded by the Tyler Junior College athletic program according to Region XIV Athletic Conference and NJCAA guidelines.
Just like every other JUCO Track and Field scholarship, you can get up to a full scholarship if you’re prolific in sports.
3. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Athletic Scholarships
MGCCC awards its Junior College Track and Field scholarships based on individual abilities, and these athletic scholarships require students to comply with all MACJC and NJCAA policies.
4. COAHOMA Athletic Scholarships
Just like other Junior College Track and Field scholarships, student-athletes must satisfy the National Junior Colleges Athletic Association (NJCAA) and the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) eligibility requirements to receive and maintain an athletic scholarship.
5. Northeastern: Sheila R. Worley Athletic Scholarship
This scholarship which is worth $1,000 was created to provide a scholarship to benefit Northeastern Junior College students who have been involved in athletics including Track & Field and are continuing their education after graduating from NJC. The scholarship is open to graduating sophomores, and the funds will be awarded to the student’s transfer university the following year.
The scholarship was created to remember Sheila who worked at Northeastern Junior College for many years.
6. Hinds Community College Athletic Scholarships
This college doesn’t only award Athletic Scholarships to Track and Field student-athletes, but also to baseball, basketball, football, golf, soccer, softball, and tennis. Just like other JUCO Track and Field, selections are made by the coaches based on scouting observations and/or performance at annual tryouts.
7. Coffeyville Community College
Coffeyville Community College participates in numerous athletic programs and they provide different forms of athletic scholarships depending on individuals credibility and the kind of sports. Their Junior College Track and Field scholarships can cover almost a student’s tuition depending on his/her value of the sport.
8 Lynn University Athletic Scholarship
This scholarship ranges from $500 to full tuition and is only focused on students furthering education in;
- College of Aeronautics
- College of Arts and Sciences
- College of Business and Management
- College of Communication and Design
- College of Education
- Conservatory of Music
There is not much pressure concerning your academics, as long as you maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0, you’re good to go. And it doesn’t matter whether you’re a new, returning, freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior student, but you need to be a day, full-time student-athlete.
9. Jackson College Athletic Scholarship
Jackson College (JC) offers a wide range of intercollegiate athletic opportunities designed to enhance the experience of its students.
To be eligible for their athletic scholarships including Track and Field, students need to meet the eligibility requirements established by the NJCAA to participate. Students must also adhere to JC’s policies and procedures including ongoing demonstration of good academic status and compliance with the Student Athlete Code of Conduct.
Also, student-athletes are subject to and must comply with random drug testing policy.
JUCO/NJCAA Eligibility Rules
- Students must maintain full-time status during the season of the sport(s) in which they have chosen to participate
- A: Eligibility is determined before the last official date to register for the term as published in the college catalog. At that time, the student must have:
- Passed 12 credit hours with a 1.75 GPA in their previous full-time term or;
- Have a total accumulation of 12 credit hours for each previous full-time term with a 2.00 GPA or higher or;
- A first-season participant must have passed a minimum accumulation of 24 semester credit hours (36 quarter semester hours) with a 2.00 GPA or higher for the initial term of participation, regardless of the previous term or other accumulation requirements.
- A student must also make progress toward graduation. Before participation in a second season in any certified sport(s), a student must have:
- Obtained at least 24 semester hours or 36 quarter hours with a 2.00 GPA or higher or;
- Must have passed a minimum accumulation of 36 semester credit hours (54 quarter credit hours) for a fall sport, (63 quarter credit hours for a winter sport), 48 semester credit hours (72 quarter credit hours) for a spring sport, with a 2.0 GPA or higher, regardless of previous term or other accumulation requirements.
- Students must be enrolled full-time (twelve or more credits) at the college where they have chosen to participate when the regular season schedule of a sport begins. Students not enrolled during the term when the season begins remain ineligible throughout the season schedule unless they enroll on the first possible enrollment date following:
- Their release from Active Armed Services of the United States with a discharge other than dishonorable.
- Their return from a religious mission.
- Their graduation from a high school or receipt of an equivalency diploma.
- Their transfer from an NJCAA member college that has dropped a sport after the school year begins. Students that satisfy one of the four exceptions become eligible after the previous term has ended upon registration as full-time students for the new term. (Students (s) must be added to the eligibility form before participating.)
- A student attending a multi-campus college may, if at the campus of his/her enrollment, a sport is not offered, participate in that sport at any campus within the system that offers said sport.
Conclusion
Since the two divisions that offer JUCO Track and Field sports provide scholarships, and any college that provides this sport also awards the same number of scholarships, your focus should be channeled mostly on schools that will also provide the education you deserve.
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