If you perform well at riding mountain bikes and participating in competitions, you can apply for mountain biking scholarships to pay for your college tuition. Here, you will find a list of the scholarships for mountain biking and apply for them.
Mountain biking is an outdoor activity and it is also an extreme sport therefore there aren’t that many people in the sport, unlike football, swimming, and basketball which are crowded and super competitive. As a mountain biker, this could give you an edge in winning a sports scholarship over those in competitive sports.
Mountain biking scholarships are one of the college athletic scholarships, they are not only offered by colleges and universities but also by cycling organizations and associations and cycling schools. Sports organizations also offer general sports scholarships to any student-athlete with exceptional performance and as a mountain biker, you too may qualify for the awards.
If you wish to become a professional mountain biker but want to combine it with college studies and earn a degree, it is absolutely possible. In the process, you can even receive a mountain biking scholarship that will support the cost of your college education and also strike a balance between your studies and your passion for extreme sport.
So, if you ride a mountain bike and, of course, participate in competitions and/or other events to showcase your athletic abilities you can be the recipient of a mountain biking scholarship. The scholarship is typically in monetary form which is directed towards your college expenses such as tuition, accommodation, study materials, and living expenses.
If you receive a full-ride athletic scholarship, it will cover all of your college expenses and may even be renewable for the following years till you complete your degree program. There may also be other perks in addition to the financial aid such as one-on-one training, strength and conditioning, free gym membership, kit, and many others.
The key factors used to assess athletes for mountain biking scholarships are academic performance/record, athletic performance, leadership potential, and community involvement. The first two are the major elements though. You should learn more about college athletic scholarships to understand how they work to make the journey easier for you.
Table of Contents
Best Mountain Biking Scholarships
1. USA Cycling Foundation Collegiate Scholarships
Every year, the USA Cycling Foundation offers collegiate scholarships to two male and two female athletes who are at the top of their game. You must be enrolled in a full-time academic degree program at an accredited institution in the US before you can apply for this scholarship.
It is open to citizens of the US who are members of a current USA Cycling Collegiate cycling club and hold a USA Cycling Collegiate racing license.
2. The Colorado League Scholarships
The mission of the Colorado League is to give every teen and school in the region the opportunity to build connections and empower youth by participating in high school mountain biking. The league provides scholarships to its members, whether you are a coach, team, or individual rider. The scholarship is provided to offset expenses directly related to participation in the Colorado League activities.
3. Saint Paul Youth MTB Team Fees Scholarship
On a mission to make mountain biking accessible to everyone and encourage athletes to develop their academic as well as training skills, SPY MTB provides scholarships to cover team and race fees for deserving athletes. If you also wish to become a mountain biker but have no bike, the SPY MTB has a number of bikes to loan.
4. EveryPedal MTB Scholarships
EveryPedal MTB is an inclusion-focused, mentorship-based mountain bike program that empowers youth and adults by teaching life skills through bike skills. If you wish to join this program but cannot afford the cost, feel free to reach out and you will be offered financial aid to offset the cost of the program.
5. Youth Mountain Bike Scholarship Program
This scholarship is offered by Pend Oreille Pedalers (POP), a local mountain biking program based in Sandpoint, Idaho, USA. POP organizes youth programs throughout the riding season and during this period scholarships and bike grants are made available to encourage youths to become mountain bikers.
Children selected for the scholarship and grants will be given a new Trek mountain bike for use during the clinic or camp and they can keep the bike when they complete the program. The scholarship is awarded to children between 7 and 12 years, between 2nd and 6th grade, and must live in Bonner County.
6. Trek NICA Pathfinders Scholarship
Trek NICA Pathfinders Scholarship was established in 2021 by Trek to bring diversity, equity, and inclusion to youth mountain biking by providing people from minority ethnic groups with the bikes, gear, and resources to get into the sport. You must be a student-athlete of color and be part of a league to be considered for the Trek NICA Pathfinders Scholarship.
7. Illawarra Academy of Sport (IAS) Cycling MTB Scholarship
This is a mountain biking scholarship for residents of Illawarra, Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama, Shoalhaven, and Wingecarribee, Australia. The scholarship is available only for 12 months to provide additional skill development in the performance pathway.
To be eligible, you must be a registered member of a cycling club affiliated with AUS Cycling and be in the AUS Cycling U15, U17, and U19 age categories.
8. Rotorua Mountain Bike Club Scholarships
Rotorua Mountain Bike Club is a mountain bike club based in New Zealand. The club offers four scholarships every year to progress mountain biking in the country. Each of the scholarships has its special way of supporting athletes but the one that stands out more is the Mark Dunlop Memorial Scholarship which offers $10,000 to a deserving recipient each year.
9. Fort Lewis College Cycling Scholarships
The cycling team at Fort Lewis College offers a handful of scholarships every year to student cyclists operating under the Fort Lewis College Foundation. The total award amounts to $25,000 per academic year and a single person may receive awards ranging from $600 to $1500 per year. Applicants are assessed based on their GPA and ACT/SAT/TOEFL scores, cycling results, and essays.
10. Draper Park Scholarships
If you wish to participate in mountain biking but cannot afford it, Draper Park is offering scholarships to such individuals to help them have the best mountain biking experience without breaking the bank. However, the scholarship funds are limited and are applied on a rolling basis, so you have to apply early if you want the scholarship.
11. Nolan Riding Mountain Bike Scholarship
Nolan Riding Mountain Bike Coaching & Guiding provides scholarships to children aged 18 years and below whose families cannot afford a mountain biking program. The application for the scholarship must be submitted by a parent or guardian. The scholarship will cover the cost of the program.
12. The Wisconsin Interscholastic Cycling League Scholarships
The Wisconsin Interscholastic Cycling League aims to make its league for everyone who wishes to join regardless of their financial situation. Therefore, the league provides scholarships to student-athletes and coaches who may need financial assistance.
Conclusion
As you soar down a mountain trail, the wind in your hair and the sun on your face, you can feel the thrill of victory and the joy of pursuing your passion. Mountain biking is an exhilarating sport that takes you to the limits of your endurance and gives you a taste of the sublime. With the right scholarship, you can combine your love of the sport with a top-notch education, setting you up for success in both your studies and your riding.
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