Best Scholarships for Athletic Training Students – September 2025

Dreaming of a career where you help athletes bounce back stronger and faster, but worried about how to pay for it? You’re exactly where you need to be! Athletic training scholarships aren’t just financial aid; they’re a vote of confidence in your passion and potential to make a difference in sports medicine.

With insider tips and up-to-date opportunities from key organizations like the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA), this guide will unlock the doors to funding your athletic training education—whether you’re chasing that master’s degree or just starting out.

We'll explore:

1. Best scholarships for athletic trainers
2. How to apply for scholarships
3. Tips on winning scholarships
4. Athletic organizations that help fund your degree (CATS Family Scholarship, etc.)

As a leading organization that helps students receive funding for college, Bold.org understands that the increasing costs of university can make it difficult to graduate. Student loans are often a necessary part of attending college, but they can still be difficult to recover from. According to the Education Data Initiative:

1. The average federal student loan debt balance is $38,375
2. The total average balance (federal and private loan debt) is $41,618.
3. The average public university student borrows $31,960 to attain a bachelor’s degree.

You'll likely need a mix of student loans and financial aid to finish your degree, but let's see if we can reduce your student loan debt as much as possible. Apply for as many scholarships and university aid packages as you can first to lower your loans.

Ready to turn your dedication into dollars? Let’s dive in!

Create a free applicant profile with Bold.org to unlock thousands of exclusive scholarships and maximize your scholarship search!

Best Athletic Training Scholarship

1. Athletic Scholarships

Athletic scholarships typically support student-athletes, but some also recognize students pursuing careers that support athletes, like athletic training! These scholarships are offered by organizations and individuals looking to invest in the future of sports health. If you've worked closely with athletes or sports teams, you may already qualify!

2. Physical Therapy Scholarships

While athletic training and physical therapy are distinct fields, they often overlap in coursework, clinical skills, and career goals. Many physical therapy scholarships welcome applicants in related majors such as kinesiology, exercise science, or pre-athletic training programs.

3. Healthcare Scholarships

Healthcare scholarships are designed for students pursuing any career in the health sciences, including athletic training, as defined by Mayo Clinic. If you want to highlight your role in promoting wellness and safety through sports medicine, these scholarships deserve your attention!

Easy Scholarships for Athletic Trainers

1. Easy Scholarships

These scholarships require minimal effort to apply, think short forms, basic eligibility, or quick online submissions! While not specific to athletic training, these are perfect for busy athletic training students juggling clinical hours, coursework, and volunteer work. You won’t need a 1,000-word essay, just a few minutes and a little luck!

2. No-Essay Scholarships

No-essay scholarships remove one of the biggest barriers to applying: the personal statement. Ideal for students in hands-on, time-intensive majors like athletic training, these scholarships are often awarded through random drawings or simple sign-ups.

3. $500 Scholarships

Though $500 may seem modest, it can go a long way toward covering miscellaneous fees required for athletic training programs. These smaller awards often have easier applications and faster turnarounds than larger scholarships. They offer funding to help pay for tuition while reducing the stress of competing for broader awards.

Athletic Training Program Scholarships for Minorities

1. Scholarships for Hispanic Students

These scholarships consider heritage, financial need, academic achievement, and community involvement. They’re an excellent opportunity for Hispanic students to reduce tuition costs while being recognized for their unique cultural perspectives and contributions to the field. Athletic training programs benefit from diverse voices, and these scholarships help open the doors!

2. Scholarships for Black Students

These scholarships support future Black professionals across a variety of disciplines, including sports medicine and athletic training. You can use these scholarships to fund their education while also joining a growing network of Black healthcare leaders. They’re designed to empower both your career and your community impact!

3. Scholarships for Native American Students

These scholarships support students pursuing careers that uplift tribal communities, including health-focused fields like athletic training. Native American scholarships may require proof of tribal affiliation and will encourage you to show how your work will make a difference in indigenous populations. With athletic trainers playing a key role in injury prevention and wellness, these awards can help you build essential skills while honoring their cultural roots!

Due to prejudice against their race, many minority students are also low-income. Hit back (academically) at the haters with these low-income scholarships!

How to Apply for Athletic Training Scholarships

Step 1: Build Your Athletic Training Resume Early

Before you even start applying, make sure your game is strong. Athletic training scholarships often favor students who’ve shown a commitment to the field. So:

1. Volunteer with your high school’s athletic department or local teams.
2. Shadow a certified athletic trainer (ATC) and document what you’ve learned.
3. Join clubs or sports medicine programs if they’re available.
4. Keep track of certifications (like CPR or first aid) and relevant coursework.

Think of this as your highlight reel—what will show a scholarship committee that you’re all in?

Step 2: Scout Out Scholarships

Time to start the hunt! Look for:

1. Local or regional scholarships, especially those offered by state athletic training associations.
2. College-specific scholarships for students majoring in kinesiology, exercise science, or athletic training. Ask around about financial aid when you visit schools.
3. General healthcare or sports medicine scholarships with broader eligibility.

National Athletic Trainers Association

National scholarships like those offered by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) Foundation support students in accredited athletic training programs. This organization, in particular, can help students afford degree programs associated with sports medicine and athletic training.

Pro Tip: Set up a spreadsheet to track each scholarship’s name, deadline, eligibility requirements, and link. Organization is your best teammate.

Step 3: Understand the Requirements for External Scholarships

Every scholarship has its own playbook. Some require you to be in an accredited program; others may ask for a minimum GPA or evidence of community service.

Common requirements include:

1. High school or college transcripts
2. A compelling personal statement or essay
3. Letters of recommendation
4. Proof of NATA membership (for some scholarships)
5. Financial need documentation (for need-based awards)

Step 4: Write a Standout Personal Statement

This is where you get to tell your story. Why athletic training? What moment sparked your passion? Maybe it was seeing an injured teammate walk again thanks to your school’s trainer, or helping your sibling through rehab.

Tips to nail your essay:

1. Start with a personal anecdote—make it real.
2. Show how you’ve grown through hands-on experience.
3. Talk about your goals and how the scholarship will help you reach them.
4. Keep it honest but forward-thinking.

You’re not just writing an essay, you’re inviting someone to believe in your future!

Step 5: Secure Letters of Recommendation

Ask coaches, athletic trainers, science teachers, or program directors who know your dedication. Give them:

1. A resume or brag sheet
2. The scholarship info and deadline
3. A few weeks to write

Send a thank-you note afterward; gratitude is always in style.

Get an even more comprehensive guide on writing a scholarship essay with this well-rounded article!

Tips for Applying to Athletic Training Scholarships

Tip #1 Follow Up Politely for Confirmation

After submitting your application, send a brief, polite email to confirm receipt if no automated confirmation is provided. This not only shows professionalism and attention to detail, but also keeps your name top of mind, especially for smaller or local scholarships where committees are more hands-on.

Tip #2 Tailor Your Recommendation Requests for Relevance

Ask for letters of recommendation from individuals who’ve seen you operate in an athletic or clinical setting, not just academic ones. A coach, athletic trainer, or sports medicine teacher can speak directly to your discipline, teamwork, and ability to stay calm under pressure.

Tip #3 Keep a Master Resume

Create a one-page resume that highlights your athletic training-related experiences, certifications (like CPR/AED or first aid), volunteer hours, workshops, and leadership roles. Doing this will make it so much easier to apply to scholarships, and having all the information in one place allows you to be more efficient when writing personal statements or recounting significant milestones in your athletic training journey.

Additional Resources for Athletic Training Students

1. NATA Foundation Scholarships

The National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) supports students studying this much-needed profession with $2,300 scholarships, which are given out to 50 to 75 students annually. This scholarships is much less competitive than other scholarships which may award the same amount to just one student, and it provides invaluable networking through the NATA organization! If you're an aspiring athletic trainer, this scholarships is a must-apply!

2. CATS Family Scholarships

If your parent is a member of the College Athletic Trainers' Society (perhaps they even inspired your journey into athletic training), you can apply for this valuable $4,000 scholarship! Applicants must submit a physical application, and a list of academic achievements, awards, extracurricular activities, community service, letters of recommendation, and a personal essay is required.

3. Ethnic Minority Scholarship Program

In a collaboration between the Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society (PFATS) and the NFL Foundation, 32 talented students will be awarded a $2,000 scholarship and will receive the opportunity to work at an NFL summer training camp. With unbeatable networking opportunities with one of the United States' biggest sports organizations, winning this scholarship will elevate your financial aid and career prospects! However, to qualify, you must already have an internship with a qualifying sports team.

Check out Bold.org's scholarship search engine to filter scholarships by major, state, or academic year!

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