Top 10 Scholarships for Powerlifting Students in 2022

Scholarships are not just available for academic purposes alone. It is also true that academic scholarships are more rampant but scholarships cut across several sectors including sports and extracurricular activities. In particular, there are numerous scholarships for those interested in building a career in the game of powerlifting. Also, powerlifting associations give scholarships to powerlifters who are interested in college education. 

Overview of Powerlifting

Powerlifting, which was first played in the 20th century, is a strength sport consisting of three attempts at maximal weight on three lifts: squat, bench press, and deadlift. In other words, powerlifting measures absolute strength by lifting the most amount of weight in one repetition. As aforementioned, athletes compete in three specific movements. More so, the essence of these lifts is to measure the different areas of human strength.

Powerlifting has been a Paralympic sport (bench press only) since 1984. Under the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF), it is also a World Games sport. Meanwhile, the sport is not featured in the Olympics. 

You should note that powerlifting training routines are quite different from bodybuilding and weightlifting training patterns. This is so because all three differ from each other in a few aspects. 

In cognizance of the fact that powerlifting is an expensive and a more specialized field to delve into, several institutions and organizations offer scholarships for powerlifting in the United States of America and other regions for intending learners’ help and support. These scholarship programs enable beneficiaries to gain access to special training and tools necessary for building a robust career in the powerlifting game. 

In addition, powerlifting is not sanctioned by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). By implication, not all universities/ colleges in the U.S.A offer powerlifting scholarships. However, some educational institutions may offer other forms of scholarships, such as academic grants, to help offset tuition costs for a potential powerlifting team recruit.

These scholarships could be fully funded by universities and/or other organizations or not. On the other hand, some have a fixed yearly amount while some vary. This article, therefore, presents to you some top scholarships for powerlifting. 

Alberta Powerlifting Union Student Scholarship

 

The Alberta Powerlifting Union (APU) awards student scholarships every year. Winning this scholarship is dependent on myriad factors. Some of which include –  a student’s or an athlete’s involvement in the sport, and athletic accomplishments. Above all, a student’s commitment to the growth of powerlifting in the Alberta terrain is a key factor for consideration. 

Note that the APU student scholarship amount, the application requirements, and conditions are usually defined yearly during the Annual General Meetings (AGM). Students only get to apply for the scholarship sequel to every Annual General Meeting by the APU. The APU Executive Council then shortlists and selects a successful candidate or candidates at the submission deadline.

The Alberta Powerlifting Union (APU) was founded in 1983. The union promises continued support for student-athletes and athletes at all degrees. Furthermore, statistics show that the APU has awarded student scholarships ever since 2014 to date.

Find more information about the scholarship here.

The U.S.A. Powerlifting Scholarship

The USA Powerlifting organization provides powerlifting competitions of uniformly high quality,  which are drug tested and available to all athletes who meet the criteria for membership throughout the United States. Equally, the organization runs a scholarship program that is open to high school students who are members of the organization. Another eligibility factor is a student’s readiness to compete in the high school powerlifting nationals competitions. 

The scholarship is usually awarded to two beneficiaries – one woman and one man. To qualify for the scholarship,  you must have a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.5. That’s not all, other steps to follow are; submission of records, writing a short article, and then, submitting two letters of recommendation. Furthermore, the scholarship amount varies per year. 

Find out more about this scholarship here.

Louisiana High School Powerlifting Association Scholarship

The above organization awards scholarships annually to outstanding high school seniors in the USA based on powerlifting success, leadership qualities, character, and financial need. Most outstandingly, the scholarship seeks to offer financial assistance to powerlifting aspirants. 

The scholarship scheme kickstarted in 1997. Reportedly, it has injected more money into the program as the sport has grown in the state of Louisiana. More so, the number and total amounts awarded by the LHSPLA are dependent on the number of applicants and particular needs in the state. Noteworthy is that the scholarship is intended to be utilized at a tertiary institute of the winner’s choice. 

Things to Note About the Scholarship 

• Only one scholarship application per school
• Scholarships are given straight to the schools or universities where the champions have been received.
• Only 12th-grade high school seniors are eligible
• Applicants must have a minimum of 2.0 GPA
• The scholarship amount is $250 and the application period varies

To apply, access from here and stay updated here. 

The American Drug-Free Powerlifting Federation Scholarship

This body offers a $500 scholarship to federation members who are either currently pursuing or planning to pursue higher education. To be considered eligible, the applicant must demonstrate the federation’s values. Also, applicants must be drug-free lifters with no prior four-year degree or qualIfication. 

Check it out here.

Texas High School Women’s Powerlifting Association Scholarship

The Texas High School Women’s Powerlifting Scholarship offers twelve $500 scholarships to be presented at the State Meet.  This scholarship is particularly for 12th-grade women powerlifters who desire a college education. But to be awarded the scholarship, all requirements must be made and financial need is a major yardstick. 

Therefore, if you are a senior who desires to go to college and has a financial need, this is for you. You are expected to submit an application to your regional director no later than the date of the regional meeting.

 

To be eligible, applicants must first be residents of Texas with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Also, three letters of recommendation must be submitted from the lifter’s coach, a teacher familiar with the student, and from the lifter telling what powerlifting has meant to her. Note that only one application per school is allowed and applicants’ intended schools must be active members of the THSWPA. 

For reference purposes, the Texas High School Women’s Powerlifting Association offices are located in P.O. Box 860, Sundown, Texas, 79372, United States. The organization promotes exceptional women players who are interested in powerlifting. 

Applicants can access the forms here and here. Note that these links may change over time. 

Wisconsin High School Powerlifting Association (WHSPA)

The Wisconsin Powerlifting College Scholarship began in 2015. The scholarship amount ranges from $500 to $1000. The selection processes include a regional-based shortlisting and an independent committee making the final decisions based on criteria (not exclusively powerlifting related). 

To be worthy of the scholarship, the applicant must be a Wisconsin High School senior during the spring of the year the scholarship will be conferred. The applicant must have a current NASA Membership at the time of application and conferral. Also, the applicant must have competed in a NASA Meet during their Junior or Senior Year in High School.

The scholarship application process involves sending a self-composed essay and relevant documentation to; Wisconsin Powerlifting, P.O. Box 565, Sheboygan, WI, 53082-0565. Alternatively, applicants can email the essay and scanned documentation to: [email protected]

Career Development Grants

Although this is not directly a powerlifting scholarship, intending powerlifters can leverage the opportunity to build their career accordingly. The Career Development Grants is an initiative by the American Association of University Women (AAWU) that provides funding to women who hold a bachelor’s degree and desire to pursue a career both in academics and in non-traditional fields. 

The funding amount ranges from $2000 to $12000. 

In other words, the grants support coursework beyond a bachelor’s degree, including a master’s degree, second bachelor’s degree, certification program, or specialized training in technical or professional fields. 

Meanwhile, these grants are open to women only and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Applicants must hold an earned (not honorary) bachelor’s degree, received on or before June 30, 2014. Importantly, applicants must plan to enroll or be enrolled in courses/activities that are required for professional employment or advancement. 

The scholarship panel meets once a year to review submitted applications for funding. Beneficiaries are chosen and awarded based on the criteria discussed here. 

Interested? Create an account and apply here.

Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities Scholarship Program 

The HACU Scholarship Program for the 2022-2023 edition is currently OPEN. Here, the scholarship amount varies from year to year. Again, this is not a direct powerlifting scholarship but it is open to several fields. 

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities is an administrator of myriad scholarship opportunities provided by several partners. The aim is to render financial assistance to its beneficiaries. 

Meanwhile, scholarships here are only for college students who are currently enrolled during the 2022 spring semester. All applicants must have completed their first semester of freshman year at any HACU member institution at the time of applying. Here, scholarship eligibility does not extend to high school students. 

Generally, to be a beneficiary of the HACU scholarship program, applicants must first verify financial need. Applicants must also meet specific criteria for the scholarships to which they are applying. Similarly, students must currently attend a HACU-member college or university in the U.S.A or Puerto Rico. 

To apply for this scholarship, click here.

Conclusion

Scholarships are meant for everyone no matter their career path. For those interested in powerlifting, this article helps you choose which scholarship program fits your needs and ambitions.

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