Esports scholarships, although a fairly new occurrence in the sphere of education, have rapidly gained immense popularity among talented young people. These scholarships offer a unique opportunity for students who may not have had the opportunity to obtain a traditional sports scholarship (which, let’s be honest, is quite hard to get).
These esports scholarships not only allow students to pursue their passion for gaming, but they also provide financial aid, educational assistance, and the opportunity to become revered and well-known esports athletes.
It might sound like a joke to old-school educators but gaming is a huge industry and includes numerous businesses. Students actually often have part-time jobs in the industry already, following their interests – for example, creating video game reviews or online casino reviews like at CasinosHunter.com, or creating video gaming guides, and so on. So, if universities want to prepare professionals and introduce them to modern digital reality, esports scholarship is one of the realistic ways to do that.
Colleges generally maintain their own assortment of games qualifying for esports scholarships, with each institution having distinct requirements and eligibility standards. Therefore, those truly curious about esports accomplishments should explore their possibilities and find out what exactly is needed.
The Best Scholarships in the US
Universities throughout the United States have created teams and are offering esports scholarships and grants for players participating in popular esports games such as League of Legends. By collaborating with sponsors and achieving success in competitions, these programs collect resources to offer more substantial scholarships and advanced gaming facilities.
Students can get scholarships, extra education and training, and real-life experience and this is not just about gaming and being skillful in particular games. They learn to work in teams, learn software and hardware, find out more about the industry, and might find themselves even more interested in other spheres around the industry, for example, working as game developers and software developers.
To address the growing demand for skilled experts in this constantly growing industry, numerous universities and colleges across the U.S. have launched their own esports programs. They currently offer specialized degree programs and certifications focused on esports and adapt their approach and perception to this very modern and very advanced industry.
In the US, the following esports scholarships are currently available:
- Boise State University is a state-funded university situated in Idaho. Boise State’s esports initiative provides scholarships to aspiring players of LoL, Overwatch, and Rocket League. Eligible applicants must: be full-time students (12 or more credits) and currently maintain a 3.0 GPA.
- East Coast Polytechnic Institute (ECPI) University is a private institution situated in Virginia. ECPI provides one of the larger scholarship amounts for its esports program, although it is currently in its accreditation phase. It offers scholarships for players of LoL, Overwatch, Hearthstone, and CS: GO. The annual scholarship value is $5,000.
- Ohio Northern University is a private institution situated in Ohio. The esports program at Ohio Northern provides scholarships for players of Apex Legends, CS:GO, Fortnite, Hearthstone, League of Legends, Overwatch, PUBG, Rainbow Six Siege, Rocket League, Teamfight Tactics, and Valorant. The annual scholarship value is $2,000.
Who Is Eligible for eSports Scholarships?
To pursue an esports scholarship, students should initially check with their selected schools about the availability of esports programs. If these programs were accessible, they might initiate the application process right inside the program, potentially enabling the display of gaming skills, maintenance of academic criteria, and participation in an interview.
As the esports industry continues to constantly grow and the competition is high, gamers can find their place in this industry by applying for scholarships and eventually securing well-paid jobs. Students who would like to start with something in order to later be able to join the industry and perhaps get a scholarship can consider the following steps:
- Try live stream their gaming process: Coaches and recruiters prefer to watch the players in action instead of merely looking at their rankings. Gamers ought to broadcast or document their gameplay to highlight their accomplishments.
- Create a comprehensive recruitment profile: It is recommended to build an online recruitment profile that links gamers with different coaches and recruiters to showcase their gaming abilities. Profiles can be created on gaming platforms or even on LinkedIn.
- Contact the coaches: Coaches might not always find new players independently, so proactively reaching out and highlighting oneself as a potential recruit can be crucial. Players have various ways to reach out to coaches, such as via email, phone calls, and social media. Certainly, simply making contact doesn’t assure any outcomes, yet it’s preferable to merely waiting and wishing to be acknowledged.
Why Universities Should Offer eSports Scholarships
Esports scholarships are not something only students benefit from. Colleges that provide esports scholarships may also get financial advantages in addition to prestige and reputation. With the rising popularity of esports, universities are acknowledging that investing in this area can result in higher student enrollment and revenue. Most students today want to see modern educational programs and expect universities to provide knowledge and skills they could later use in life and jobs.
Considering the increasing interest in esports, universities can expect to secure larger funding distributions over the long term. Different relevant organizations can now direct resources to esports programs and employ specialized personnel to enhance esports efforts.
Moreover, prominent game developers and various industry stakeholders can provide unique collaborations, partnerships, and financial support to those universities and students and esports athletes can seek jobs and collaborations immediately after they finish their education.
Esports scholarships can bridge the divide between athletic and academic scholarships, creating more opportunities for students who may not have met the criteria for other forms of financial support or who are not fitting into the classic expectations for university athletes.