Scholarship Programs

USSU is committed to making higher education accessible and affordable for students pursuing careers in the sports profession. Through a variety of merit-based, need-based, athletic, leadership, and transfer scholarships, USSU recognizes academic achievement, athletic excellence, leadership potential, and financial need. Scholarships are available for both undergraduate and graduate students and are designed to support students as they pursue their educational and professional goals. Unless otherwise noted, scholarship awards are applied to tuition expenses remaining after all federal and state financial aid has been applied.

USSU Undergraduate Scholarship Programs

The Cronan Scholars Program is named in honor of USSU Trustee Joan Cronan, a transformative leader in collegiate athletics who served as a driving force behind women’s athletics at the University of Tennessee for 30+ years.

This renewable scholarship recognizes outstanding incoming freshman students pursuing a degree in Sports Management or Business Administration. Recipients receive a scholarship equal to 35% of tuition costs, renewable for up to four years.

Eligibility Requirements

• Declared major in Sports Management or Business Administration
• Minimum 3.0 cumulative high school GPA
• Submit a 700-word essay describing your desired path in sports leadership and how you plan to make a positive impact on the sports profession

Renewal Requirements

• Maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA each academic year
• Maintain continuous enrollment during the fall and spring semesters
• Complete a minimum of 12 credit hours each fall and spring semester

Deadline for entry: July 1

The Summitt Scholars Program is named in honor of the legendary University of Tennessee women’s basketball coach Pat Summitt, whose extraordinary leadership transformed collegiate athletics and extended to the international stage as head coach of the USA Women’s Basketball Team. Her Definite Dozen leadership principles have inspired generations of leaders in business, sports, and education.

This renewable scholarship recognizes outstanding incoming freshman students pursuing degrees in Sports Coaching or Exercise Science. Recipients receive a scholarship equal to 30% of tuition costs, renewable for up to four years.

Eligibility Requirements

• Declared major in Sports Coaching or Exercise Science
• Minimum 3.0 cumulative high school GPA
• Submit a 700-word essay describing your desired path in sports leadership and how you plan to make a positive impact on the sports profession

Renewal Requirements

• Maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA each academic year
• Maintain continuous enrollment during the fall and spring semesters
• Complete a minimum of 12 credit hours each fall and spring semester

Deadline for entry: July 1

The President’s Transfer Scholarship supports incoming undergraduate transfer students who have completed an associate degree at a partner institution and are transitioning into a USSU bachelor’s degree program. This renewable scholarship provides 30% toward tuition costs for up to two years.

Eligible students include graduates and faculty and staff from Bishop State Community College, Coastal Alabama Community College, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Pensacola State College, Shelton State Community College, Finger Lakes Community College.

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be an incoming undergraduate transfer student.
• Must have completed an associate degree from a partner institution.
• Must enroll in a USSU bachelor’s degree program.

Renewal Requirements

• Maintain a minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA each academic year.
• Maintain continuous enrollment during the fall and spring semesters.
• Complete a minimum of 12 credit hours each fall and spring semester.

The Dean’s Scholarship is a merit-based award that supports students pursuing a USSU degree and reflects the university’s mission to prepare a diverse student body for careers in the sports profession.

The undergraduate Dean’s Scholarship provides a 40% tuition scholarship and may be renewed for up to four years of undergraduate study.

Eligibility Requirements

• Incoming undergraduate student
• Minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA
• Submit a 700-word essay describing your academic goals, career aspirations, and commitment to making a positive impact in the sports profession

Renewal Requirements

• Maintain a minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA each academic year
• Maintain continuous enrollment during the fall and spring semesters
• Complete a minimum of 12 credit hours each fall and spring semester

Deadline: July 1

The Jim Thorpe Scholar Athlete of the Year Award honors one of the greatest athletes of the 20th century, Native American sports legend Jim Thorpe. Thorpe won two Olympic gold medals in track and field at the 1912 Olympic Games in Stockholm, Sweden, and excelled in baseball, basketball, and football at both the collegiate and professional levels. He also served as the first president of the American Professional Football Association, which later became the National Football League (NFL).

This prestigious award provides a renewable full-tuition scholarship to an outstanding male high school student-athlete planning to attend USSU. The scholarship may be renewed for up to four years and is applied to tuition expenses remaining after all federal and state aid has been applied.

Eligibility Requirements

• Incoming male freshman student-athlete
• Minimum 3.0 high school GPA
• Submit a 700-word essay describing your desire to work in the field of sports and how you plan to make a positive impact on the world through your chosen career path

Renewal Requirements

• Maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA each academic year
• Maintain continuous enrollment during the fall and spring semesters
• Complete a minimum of 12 credit hours each fall and spring semester

Deadline for entry: February 1

The Pat Summitt Scholar Athlete of the Year Award honors legendary University of Tennessee women’s basketball coach Pat Summitt. Summitt made a tremendous impact on collegiate athletics and on the international stage as head coach of the USA Women’s Basketball Team. She remains one of the most successful coaches in women’s basketball history, and her legacy continues through the Definite Dozen leadership program, which has inspired leaders in business, sports, and education for decades.

This prestigious award provides a renewable full-tuition scholarship to an outstanding female high school student-athlete planning to attend USSU. The scholarship may be renewed for up to four years and is applied to tuition expenses remaining after all federal and state aid has been applied.

Eligibility Requirements

• Incoming female freshman student-athlete
• Minimum 3.0 high school GPA
• Submit a 700-word essay describing your desire to work in the field of sports and how you plan to make a positive impact on the world through your chosen career path

Renewal Requirements

• Maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA each academic year
• Maintain continuous enrollment during the fall and spring semesters
• Complete a minimum of 12 credit hours each fall and spring semester

Deadline for entry: February 1

The Transfer Eagle Scholarship supports incoming transfer students who are seeking to complete their degree at USSU. This merit-based scholarship recognizes students who have demonstrated academic achievement and are committed to furthering their education in preparation for a career in the sports profession.

The scholarship provides a 20% tuition award and may be renewed.

Eligibility Requirements

• Transfer students only
• Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
• Submit a 700-word essay explaining how a USSU education will help you achieve your academic and professional goals

Renewal Requirements

• Maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA each academic year
• Maintain continuous enrollment during the fall and spring semesters
• Complete a minimum of 12 credit hours each fall and spring semester

Deadline: July 1

The Eagles Wings Scholars Program supports undergraduate students pursuing any USSU degree who have completed the FAFSA process. This need-based, renewable scholarship provides $2,000 annually ($1,000 per fall semester and $1,000 per spring semester) and may be renewed for up to four years.

Eligibility Requirements

• Must complete the FAFSA and demonstrate financial need.
• Must have a minimum 2.5 cumulative high school GPA
• Must be enrolled in a USSU undergraduate degree program.

Renewal Requirements

• Maintain a minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA each academic year.
• Maintain continuous enrollment during the fall and spring semesters.
• Enroll in a minimum of 12 credit hours each fall and spring semester.

USSU Graduate Scholarship Programs

The Graduate Dean’s Scholarship is a merit-based award that supports students pursuing a USSU degree and reflects the university’s mission to prepare a diverse student body for careers in the sports profession. This scholarship recognizes academic excellence and leadership potential among students entering undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs.

The Dean’s Scholarship provides a 20% tuition scholarship and may be renewed for up to four years of study, provided recipients meet the renewal requirements.

Eligibility Requirements

• New undergraduate, master’s, or doctoral student
• Undergraduate applicants must have a minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA
• Master’s and doctoral applicants must have a minimum 3.7 cumulative GPA
• Submit a 700-word essay describing your academic goals, career aspirations, and commitment to making a positive impact in the sports profession

Renewal Requirements

• Maintain the minimum GPA required for the student’s program level
• Maintain continuous enrollment during the fall and spring semesters
• Complete a minimum of 12 credit hours each fall and spring semester for undergraduate students

Deadline: July 1

The United States Sports University is proud to offer the World Olympians Scholarship to members of the World Olympians Association (WOA). This scholarship supports Olympians who wish to begin, continue, or complete a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree through USSU’s online programs.

The scholarship provides a 50% tuition award and is available to eligible World Olympians Association members through the conclusion of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

Eligibility Requirements

• Current member of the World Olympians Association (WOA)
• Admitted to a USSU bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree program

Interested in Applying?
For additional information about this opportunity, please contact:

Dr. Noemi Zaharia, OLY
Assistant Professor and Director of Sports Leadership
Email: [email protected]