The NCAA and USATF

• The National Collegiate Athletic Association is well known for its track and field scholarships. According to the NCAA website in 2011, about $1 billion is awarded annually to students through its member institutions. In total, the organization, though its membership, provides over 126,000 students with either partial or full scholarships.
  
  Another organization that offers scholarships for track and field is USA Track and Field. The USA Track and Field offers scholarship funding for track and field, long-distance running and race walking though its youth organizations. Amounts vary and can range from a couple of hundred dollars to thousands.
  
  

Qualifications for Scholarships

• Students must remember that colleges and organizations often consider multiple factors when issuing scholarships. Although athletic abilities play a prominent role in obtaining a scholarship, academics can also contribute to an organization's decision to grant money. A high grade-point average and high standardized test scores can help a student increase her likelihood of getting a scholarship. For example, the Kyle R. Magoto Scholarship Fund for students from Shelby County, Ohio, requires that students have at least a 3.0 GPA. Students should also consider the scholarship's deadline. Most scholarships have stringent rules regarding when a scholarship application must be submitted.
  
  

Athletic Recruiting Services

• Athletic scholarship recruiting services can also help women locate potential scholarships. Athletic recruiting is competitive, and athletes must be willing to market themselves to coaches. Recruiting services work by helping students locate coaches who then evaluate their potential for track and field scholarships.
  
  Students should also investigate whether or not the educational institution they plan to attend has any scholarship programs. Many schools will award money to students who excel athletically. Students shouldn't assume that only large universities offer scholarships for track and field. Some small, private institutions provide athletic scholarships for women who run track and field.
  
  

Other Considerations

• Students should contact their financial aid department and request scholarship information. Additionally, some scholarships require students to file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The financial aid department can also assist with this process.