Esports College Athletic Scholarships
If you play high school esports and want to compete at the college level, you probably already know you’ll face stiff competition for both a spot on the roster and scholarship money. We’re here to help. This webpage is a resource for you to use during your college planning and placement process that will help you get noticed, meet deadlines and achieve your goal.
Never forget, in esports—as in all collegiate sports—you need to take charge of your own recruiting. Narrow down the schools you’d like to attend and compete for. Then, take responsibility for introducing yourself to the sport’s decision-makers at these schools. Build an online profile and keep it updated. Get visibility at camps and on streaming platforms. Work hard to improve your esports performance while also keeping an eye on your academics.
Positioning yourself to be competitive in collegiate esports is the same as in any other collegiate sport. It takes time, discipline and persistence. And while it’s not easy, it is doable.
Collegiate Esports—Organization
Like in more-traditional college sports, varsity esports has a primary organizing body—the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE).
- NACE is the only nonprofit membership association of colleges and universities with varsity esports programs.
- It organizes varsity competition across a variety of esports titles, which more than 260 schools across the U.S. and Canada compete for in championship matches every year.
- It certifies student-athlete eligibility, verifying student enrollment and enforcing academic eligibility requirements to ensure competitive integrity and fair play.
- It ensures that college esports competition adds to the overall student experience and that students have a clear path to graduation.
Collegiate Esports—School Eligibility
Esports is one of the fastest-growing college sports. Some schools have made esports part of their official athletics offerings, while others have housed it under student life or even an academic department. No matter how an esports team is organized at a school, it must meet six criteria to be classified as a “varsity” program by NACE and therefore be eligible for NACE membership.
- Dedicated Staff
A faculty or staff member is directly responsible for the esports program and has related duties included in his or her job description.
- Dedicated Space
The institution allocates a dedicated space for esports student-athletes and staff to use for practice and competition.
- Recruitment
The institution is actively recruiting students to participate in esports. NACE member schools generally provide incentives ranging from book stipends to full-ride scholarships.
- Officially Recognized
The esports program is officially recognized by the institution and has been provided with an operating budget and approval to represent their school in intercollegiate competition.
- Accreditation
The larger institution is fully accredited by an authorized higher education accrediting agency, relative to its region and/or national affiliations.
- Rules Enforcement
The program holds itself accountable and agrees to abide by the NACE Bylaws, competition rules and the principle of self-reporting.
Collegiate Esports—Student Eligibility
To be eligible for NACE collegiate esports competition, a student-athlete must meet the following four criteria:
- Enrolled Full Time
A student must be enrolled full time according to their school’s standards. This usually equates to 12 credit hours per semester.
- Good Academic Standing
A student must be in good academic standing according to their school’s standards. This usually means maintaining at least a 2.0 GPA.
- Signed Intent To Compete
The student’s coach or director must submit an Intent To Compete form signed by a staff member and student each academic year.
- Submit An Eligibility Certificate Each Semester
The student’s coach or director must submit an Eligibility Certificate each semester to verify the student is enrolled full time and is in good standing with the school.
Top Collegiate Esports Programs
BestColleges.com ranks the top esports colleges and universities in the U.S. They consider factors such as the quality of a school’s gaming facilities, access to esports college scholarships, the institution’s overall reputation, and its U.S. News & World Report ranking.
Here are the top ten collegiate esports programs in the U.S., according to BestColleges.com. Use it as a starting point in your search for an esports program you’d like to be accepted into.
- Miami University, Ohio
- University of California, Irvine
- Maryville University, St. Louis
- University of Utah
- Illinois Wesleyan University
- Boise State University
- Georgia State University
- University of Akron
- University of California, Berkeley
- University of Texas at Dallas
Collegiate Esports – Recruiting Guidelines
In collegiate sports answerable to the NCAA, recruiting guidelines are very strict, especially for the upper tiers of competition. For esports as administered by NACE, there are no recruiting rules whatsoever (outside of Intent To Compete letters, as already discussed). This means recruiters can reach out at any time to high school esports athletes they’re interested in.
This also means there are no restrictions on contact being initiated in the other direction, i.e., from student-athlete to coach or college. Varsity esports are only on the rise. At some point stricter guidelines, NCAA-style, may come into effect. Take advantage of the current situation while you can. That is, be proactive in your recruiting by building a list of target schools, creating a highlight reel, and emailing and calling college esports coaches to put yourself on their radar.
What Does It Take to Play Esports at the College Level?
For starters, it doesn’t hurt if you have fantastic technical ability, but there are other ways to get the attention of a coach. As an example, how do you respond to adversity? How do you manage stress or pressure? Remember, recruiters are looking at the big picture, the total athlete.
Getting recruited also takes name recognition. In almost all instances, you need to let schools know you’re interested in getting into their esports program. Here’s how to do that:
- Build A Target List
Don’t waste time pursuing programs that aren’t a good match. Look at the program to see how you stack up and learn more about the school’s academic requirements.
- Create An Online Profile
Think like an influencer, i.e., you need a platform to get noticed. Make it easy for schools to see your highlights, key accomplishments, contact information and academic history.
- Make Contact, Follow Up
You can’t sit around and wait to be discovered. Proactively reach out to college coaches by sending an introductory email that includes your online profile, highlight reel, academic information, outstanding athletic achievements and personal interest in the program. Then continue to follow up with noteworthy updates throughout the year.
- Be Persistent
If you’re an upperclassman who isn’t being actively recruited, rework your target list. Consider new opportunities, including less high-profile schools where you might be more competitive. Make visits. Tap into the gaming community for help in identifying programs.
What Does It Take to Get An Esports Collegiate Scholarship?
Again, like with any other collegiate sport, getting a scholarship for college-level esports requires a combination of talent, dedication and strategic planning. Here’s more on what it typically takes to secure a spot on the roster along with, ideally, some scholarship money:
1. Skill Mastery
- Top-Tier Performance
College esports programs are highly competitive, so players must exhibit exceptional skill in their chosen game. This involves not just mechanical prowess but also high-level adeptness at game strategy and decision-making.
- Ranked Play
Being highly ranked in online ladders (e.g., reaching Grandmaster or similar in games like League of Legends or Overwatch) will help attract attention from college recruiters.
2. Competitive Play
- High School & Amateur Leagues
Competing in organized tournaments, high school esports leagues or amateur circuits shows commitment and provides visibility. Winning or consistently performing well in these events boosts your credibility as a serious esports athlete.
- Showcasing Your Success
Tournament wins or high-level competition results should be documented and shared with recruiters to demonstrate readiness for the college level.
3. A Strong Personal Brand
- Social Media Presence
Players looking for scholarship money should create and maintain a social media profile, especially on platforms popular in the esports community. Regularly posting highlights, achievements and engaging with the esports community can help boost visibility.
- A Streaming Presence
Streaming on platforms like Twitch can help showcase skills and attract the attention of college recruiters, who might use these platforms to scout talent.
4. Networking & Outreach
- Connect With Recruiters
Many colleges with esports programs have recruiters actively looking for talent. Networking with them through events, esports conferences and reaching out directly can help put players on their radar.
- Attending Esports Camps & Events
Participating in summer camps, workshops or college-hosted esports events can help build relationships with coaches and programs that offer scholarships.
5. Creating A Highlight Reel
- Compiling A Portfolio
Players should create a highlight reel that showcases their best moments, strategic play and versatility. This can be sent directly to coaches or programs during the recruitment process to demonstrate not only individual skills but also team play and communication.
- Consistent Gameplay Footage
Consistently posting recent gameplay to platforms like YouTube can help build a track record that showcases ongoing improvement and commitment.
6. Involvement with A Team
- Team Play Experience
College esports teams require players who are skilled in teamwork and communication. Having experience with established high school teams or amateur esports organizations shows that a player can thrive in a team environment.
- Leadership & Support Roles
Players who can adapt to different team roles (support, carry, etc.) or have experience as team captains may stand out in the scholarship selection process.
7. Academic Standing
- Maintain Strong Grades
Colleges generally require esports scholarship recipients to meet certain academic standards (just like in other college sports). A strong GPA shows that you can balance the demands of gaming and academics, which is important to scholarship programs.
- SAT/ACT Scores (if applicable)
Some schools may also take standardized test scores into consideration for scholarship eligibility. If so, take results on these tests as seriously as you do your grades.
8. Coachability & Dedication
- Willingness To Learn
Colleges look for players who are not only talented but also coachable. This means having a growth mindset, being open to feedback and demonstrating the ability to work within a structured program.
- Dedication To Improvement
Commitment to practice and personal improvement is key. Players should consistently strive to improve their performance and ability to perform under pressure.
9. Researching Schools & Scholarship Programs
- Identify Schools With Esports Programs
Research which schools offer esports scholarships and what games they support. Different colleges specialize in different games, so knowing where to apply is crucial.
- Understand Scholarship Criteria
Each college will have different requirements for esports scholarships. Some may prioritize rankings, while others may focus on team contributions, leadership or academic performance.
10. Application & Interview Process
- Prepare For Interviews
If selected, students may go through an interview process with coaches or program directors. Being able to communicate your strengths, goals and dedication to both esports and academics is key to making a good impression.
- Essay Or Personal Statement
Some programs may ask for an essay or personal statement. This is an opportunity to share your passion for esports, to showcase your achievements and to state convincingly why you believe you’re a good fit for their program.
Final Thoughts On Achieving Your Goal
As mentioned earlier, while earning a spot on any college team isn’t easy, with time, discipline and persistence it is doable. Here are some final words of wisdom and strategy on the matter.
By targeting programs where your particular esports skills would add to the school’s ability to win titles, you have a better chance of not just landing a spot on a college roster but even getting some scholarship money. So do your homework and find a program that will benefit from your strengths. It’s a good way to make yourself stand out to a recruiter.
After you’ve done your research, create a list of schools you’re competitive for. There might be a range of programs that span several different levels of competition. Putting it all down on paper will help you order your thoughts and see the situation more clearly.
Colleges feel responsible for the total development of their students. For esports student-athletes, that means a proper balance between physical activity and gaming activity. Getting a good physical culture in place now will only help you down the road.
Make sure you keep a focus on your academics as you strive for excellence in your esport. Recruiters will be looking at both. And if you do land a spot on a college esports team, you’re going to be expected to keep up your academic performance along with your athletic performance, so you might as well get used to doing it now. Good luck!
