Sponsored School(s)
Edited by PE Teacher EDU Editorial Staff
Last Updated:
Look for physical education scholarships through professional organizations, your university, state aid programs, and the financial aid office. Match each award to your enrollment level, major, and certification route. Check the current application cycle and renewal conditions directly with the sponsor; a past award listing is not proof that applications are open.
Start With Your School’s Aid Office
Ask which awards apply to the exact program you plan to attend. A degree program, a non-degree preparation certificate, and an additional endorsement may have different aid options. Request both institution-wide scholarships and awards within the education or movement-science department.
- Does this award cover my program and enrollment level?
- Is it renewable, and what must I do to keep it?
- Is a separate department application required?
- Can it combine with other grants or employer assistance?
- When will I know the award amount relative to my enrollment deadline?
A PE-Focused Scholarship Starting Point
SHAPE America’s grants and scholarships page lists the Ruth Abernathy Undergraduate and Graduate Scholarships for eligible student members in health, physical education, recreation, or dance. The published awards are $1,250 for undergraduates and $1,750 for graduate students. The sponsor lists academic, membership, and enrollment criteria.
The page currently says scholarship applications are closed. Check the next cycle directly rather than assuming an old deadline or an open application. Also distinguish scholarships for PE students from awards restricted to health education or grants intended for school programs. They serve different applicants.
Complete the Appropriate Aid Application
The FAFSA form is the federal aid application for college, career school, and graduate study. Schools and states also use its information for some aid programs. Check the application year and the school’s deadline, which may differ from the federal deadline.
Apply through the official service and ask your school which additional forms it needs. Filing an application does not guarantee a particular award; eligibility and the final offer are determined through the applicable aid process.
Be Careful With Service-Based Funding
A TEACH Grant has a service obligation. Federal Student Aid’s terms describe four years of qualifying full-time teaching within eight years, at a qualifying low-income school or educational service agency and in a high-need field. Failure to meet the terms can convert grants to loans with interest.
Do not assume physical education qualifies as a high-need field for your situation. Ask the aid office to verify your program, intended teaching field, school eligibility, and the agreement’s obligations before you rely on this funding.
Search Beyond Scholarships
| Funding source | Where to ask | Question to clarify |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate assistantship | Graduate coordinator and department | Is it available to my program, and what work is required? |
| Employer assistance | Your school district or employer | Which courses are approved and when is reimbursement paid? |
| State teacher preparation aid | State aid office and university | Does my subject, route, and enrollment qualify? |
| Local awards | Community foundations and university aid office | Is the current award open to my location and level of study? |
Keep a tracker with eligibility, required documents, deadline, notification date, and renewal terms. Compare your final offers using net cost rather than the advertised size of a scholarship. Our degree guide can help identify the route to discuss with the financial aid office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are all SHAPE America awards for PE majors?
No. Check each award’s subject and applicant requirements. Some opportunities are for health education, professionals, or school programs.
Can graduate students apply for PE scholarships?
Some awards include graduate students, including the Ruth Abernathy program when its current eligibility conditions are met. Check the open cycle and requirements.
Is the TEACH Grant automatically available for PE?
No. Confirm the program and high-need-field requirements with the financial aid office before relying on it.
- Check eligibility and the current application cycle.
- Ask for department and institution-wide awards.
- Understand service obligations before accepting conditional aid.
Sources and Further Reading
- SHAPE America: Grants and Scholarships
- Federal Student Aid: FAFSA
- Federal Student Aid: TEACH Grant Terms