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Scholarships for Baseball

Experience playing baseball can be a home run for landing college scholarships. You don’t even have to be an all-star on a Division 1 team to use your baseball experience to help pay for college. Many organizations, such as local community foundations, offer scholarships for student baseball players of all levels. Some of these scholarships are open to all student athletes while others are geared specifically to baseball players. Many baseball scholarships are not just looking for excellence on the baseball diamond; they are looking for applicants that have excelled in the classroom and have shown leadership ability and good character. The application process may require students to demonstrate these qualities through a personal essay and letters of recommendation. Start looking for the baseball scholarship for you by checking out the scholarships in the list below.

• competition 4.0
• effort level 1.0

• Athletics: |Softball|Baseball| |Softball|Baseball|
• School (K-12): |Vicksburg High School, Vicksburg, MI,| |Vicksburg High School, Vicksburg, MI,|
• Age / Grade Level: |High school senior| |High school senior|
• competition 2.5
• effort level 2.0

• Athletics: |Baseball|Football| |Baseball|Football|
• School (K-12): |Woodbridge High School, Bridgeville, DE| |Woodbridge High School, Bridgeville, DE|
• Age / Grade Level: |High school senior|Graduating High School Senior| |High school senior|Graduating High School Senior|
• competition 2.0

• Athletics: |Baseball| |Baseball|
• School (K-12): |Ventura High School, Ventura, CA|Buena High School, Ventura, CA|Foothill Technology High School, Ventura, CA| |Ventura High School, Ventura, CA|Buena High School, Ventura, CA|Foothill Technology High School, Ventura, CA|
• effort level 4.5

• School (K-12): |Central High School, Detroit, MI|Traverse City West Senior High School, Traverse City, MI| |Central High School, Detroit, MI|Traverse City West Senior High School, Traverse City, MI|
• Extracurricular: |Sports| |Sports|

• Residence: Live in |Hendricks, IN| Live in |Hendricks, IN|
• School (College): |Two-year|Four-year|Accredited Public College|Accredited Private College|Indiana| |Two-year|Four-year|Accredited Public College|Accredited Private College|Indiana|

• School (K-12): |Triway High School, Wooster, OH| |Triway High School, Wooster, OH|
• School (College): Attend an |University|College| Attend an |University|College|
• competition 1.5

• School (K-12): Attend a school in |Kansas| Attend a school in |Kansas|
• School (College): Attend an |Accredited Trade| Attend an |Accredited Trade|

• School (K-12): |South Adams High School, Berne, IN| |South Adams High School, Berne, IN|
• Residence: Live in |Adams, IN| Live in |Adams, IN|
• competition 1.0

• Athletics: |Basketball|Softball|Baseball| |Basketball|Softball|Baseball|
• Residence: Live in |Wayne, MI| Live in |Wayne, MI|
• effort level 4.0
• School (K-12): |Wenatchee High School, Wenatchee, WA|Eastmont High School, East Wenatchee, WA|Cashmere High School, Cashmere, WA|Cascade High School, Leavenworth, WA|Waterville High School, Waterville, WA| |Wenatchee High School, Wenatchee, WA|Eastmont High School, East Wenatchee, WA|Cashmere High School, Cashmere, WA|Cascade High School, Leavenworth, WA|Waterville High School, Waterville, WA|
• effort level 5.0
• School (K-12): Attend a |Public| Attend a |Public|
• Residence: Live in |Lee, FL| Live in |Lee, FL|

• Organization: American Legion (Professional Organization) American Legion (Professional Organization)
• Age / Grade Level: |High school graduate| |High school graduate|
• 500 - 5,000
• Organization: American Legion (Professional Organization)|American Legion Affiliated Baseball Team (Baseball Team)|American Legion Post Affiliated Baseball Team American Legion (Professional Organization)|American Legion Affiliated Baseball Team (Baseball Team)|American Legion Post Affiliated Baseball Team
• School (K-12): |Accredited High School| |Accredited High School|
• Organization: Associated with the |Bellmont Baseball Team| Associated with the |Bellmont Baseball Team|
• School (K-12): |Bellmont High School, Decatur, IN| |Bellmont High School, Decatur, IN|
• effort level 1.5

• Organization: Nebraska American Legion (Professional Organization) Nebraska American Legion (Professional Organization)
• Residence: Live in |Nebraska| Live in |Nebraska|
• competition 3.0
• School (K-12): |North Decatur Junior-Senior High School, Greensburg, IN| |North Decatur Junior-Senior High School, Greensburg, IN|
• School (College): |Two-year|Four-year|Post-Secondary Education| |Two-year|Four-year|Post-Secondary Education|
• Residence: Live in |Walla Walla, WA| Live in |Walla Walla, WA|
• School (College): Attend an |University|College|Technical School|Trade School| Attend an |University|College|Technical School|Trade School|
• Organization: Wisconsin Dells High School Baseball Team (Club)|Wisconsin Dells High School Softball Team (Club) Wisconsin Dells High School Baseball Team (Club)|Wisconsin Dells High School Softball Team (Club)
• School (K-12): |Wisconsin Dells High School, Wisconsin Dells, WI| |Wisconsin Dells High School, Wisconsin Dells, WI|
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How Baseball Scholarships Really Work

Between NCAA schools, NAIA schools and junior colleges, there are just over 1,650 college baseball programs with roughly 34,500 college baseball players in the country. The competition for roughly 5,400 scholarships is fierce. Baseball is an equivalency sport, which means that scholarships can be divided up and given to multiple players. A full-ride scholarship for baseball players is rare. Here, we break down the facts about baseball scholarships. 

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How many baseball scholarships are allowed: number of baseball scholarships by division level.

The NCAA D1 Council adopted legislation that loosened regulation for  need-based aid and academic scholarships that are not tied to athletic ability . Effective August 1, 2020, baseball teams will not have any athletes’ need- and academic-based aid count against the maximum athletic scholarship limit. Prior to this rule change, athletes had to meet certain criteria for their additional aid to not be counted against a team’s athletic scholarship limit.

Baseball teams will still have a maximum athletic scholarship cap, but student-athletes can seek to add as much need-based aid and academic scholarships as they qualify for. With both school and family budgets being impacted by the coronavirus, this rule change should allow baseball programs that have the funds to extend more money to families and athletes that need it—especially at pricier private colleges.

Note : Ivy League and Patriot League programs do not offer any athletic scholarships. Neither do Division 3 schools. It is also important to know that the scholarship limits per team are the maximum number of scholarships a school can award, and which coaches divide among players on the team. But that does not necessarily indicate how many scholarships a team will have. Some Division 1 programs, for example, may offer athletes less than 11.7 scholarships. This is because not all teams are fully-funded, meaning the athletic department at the school does not give them the full allotment of scholarships allowed at their level.

D1 baseball scholarships

• Total baseball programs: 295
• Maximum scholarships available per program: 11.7

Division 1 baseball programs usually start recruiting earlier than baseball programs at the other division levels, with some verbal offers and commitments made by the time an athlete reaches sophomore year of high school.

Under NCAA rules, a Division 1 baseball team’s 11.7 scholarships can be divided between a maximum of 27 players on a 39-player roster, with all players on athletic scholarship having to receive a minimum of a 25 percent scholarship. That leaves room for eight walk-ons. These players will initially not be offered an athletic scholarship, but they can earn a scholarship in the future. Academically, athletes need to complete 10 of their 16 core courses before their senior year in high school: 

• Four years of English
• Three years of math (Algebra 1 or higher)
• Two years of natural/physical science
• One additional year of English, math or natural/physical science
• Two years of social science
• Four additional years of English, math, natural/physical science, social science, foreign language, comparative religion or philosophy

Athletes must have at least a 2.3 GPA on a 4.0 scale. To be eligible to play at the Division 1 or Division 2 level,  athletes must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center . The NCAA recommends starting this after your sophomore year of high school. Where are local AAU baseball tryouts?

D2 baseball scholarships

• Total baseball programs: 260
• Maximum scholarships available: 9

Some athletes who play Division 2 baseball have the ability to play for a Division 1 program, but ultimately choose to play Division 2 because they can play earlier in their career. Some athletes move down a division level because they qualify for more athletic scholarship money. Remember: The best way to get more money is to be a top, apex player for your division level. Division 2 programs also begin identifying prospects somewhat early in the process and will typically make verbal offers in advance of the early signing period, which takes place during a student-athlete’s senior year.

The NCAA academic eligibility requirements are similar to the Division 1 level. To compete at the Division 2 level, recruits must complete the following core course requirements:

• Three years of English
• Two years of math (Algebra 1 or higher)
• Two years of science (including one year of lab, if offered)
• Four additional years of English, math, science, social science, world language or nondoctrinal religion/philosophy.

D3 baseball scholarships

• Total baseball programs: 388
• Maximum scholarships available: 0

Division 3 programs do not offer athletic scholarships, but they can put together attractive financial aid packages that rival the athletic scholarships at other levels. Division 3 programs usually have limited recruiting budgets and rely on student-athletes reaching out to them to express their interest with video footage to be evaluated.

There are no NCAA academic requirements like at the Division 1 and Division 2 levels, with each university setting its own standards. However, many Division 3 schools are academically rigorous. Athletes should research the admissions requirements at their target schools to make sure they qualify.

NAIA baseball scholarships

• Total baseball programs: 193
• Maximum scholarships available: 12

While scholarships are often divided up into partial scholarships amongst many players on the roster, many high-level players will choose to play at the NAIA level to obtain a better athletic scholarship package. Academically, athletes must meet two of the following three requirements:

• Finish in the top half of their graduating class
• A minimum 2.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale)
• 970 on the SAT or 18 on the ACT 

Recruits must register with the  NAIA Eligibility Center to be eligible to compete at the NAIA level.

Junior college baseball scholarships

• Total baseball programs: 406
• Maximum scholarships available: 24

The purpose of junior college baseball is to give players two years (occasionally one year) of athletic and academic development. For many athletes, the ultimate goal is to find a good fit with a four-year program after leaving the junior college. Many junior college baseball programs have high-level talent, and they have a reputation for placing their players at solid NCAA Division 1 and Division 2 programs.

Academically, recruits must graduate from high school or receive a state-authorized GED. Those who have not graduated high school must pass 12 college credits with at least a 1.75 GPA.

Can you get a full-ride scholarship for baseball?

It is rare. As we have noted, there are a limited number of baseball scholarships programs have available to the entire team. At the Division 1 level, that number is 11.7. Coaches award partial scholarships among their roster. In addition, the position an athlete plays can also be a factor. The majority of a program’s scholarship money typically goes to pitchers, catchers and the most solid hitters.

How long does a baseball scholarship last?

Most athletes will sign a one-year scholarship agreement with their program, which guarantees their athletic scholarship for that year. For each of the subsequent years, the athlete will need to renew their scholarship. Multi-year scholarship agreements are allowed but are not widely used for baseball teams.

What is a good baseball scholarship offer?

It is difficult to define what constitutes a “good” baseball scholarship offer. Because baseball is an equivalency sport, coaches have the discretion to distribute scholarships across their rosters as they see fit. Another factor is the varying costs of tuition. According to the College Board, the average cost of tuition and fees for state residents at public colleges is roughly $11,000. The average cost of tuition and fees for private colleges is about $39,000. So, a 50 percent offer from a state school would be $5,500, while the same offer from a private college would be about $19,500.

Keep in mind that if an offer is for 100 percent of tuition, that is not a full-ride because it does not include books, fees or housing. We recommend that families enter the recruiting process with a clear financial picture of what they are willing to pay for four years of college. This will put them in a better position to consider scholarship offers based on what they are prepared to pay out of pocket.

How does your position affect your scholarship?

The priority positions for baseball recruiting are pitchers, catchers, shortstops and center fielders. Coaches typically build their roster through the middle of the field. Other positions can be in line for scholarships, but it depends on the coach’s specific roster needs.

What are my chances of getting a baseball scholarship?

Playing college baseball is fiercely competitive. In the 2018–2019 school year, there were roughly 482,700 high school baseball players in the United States. There were just over 36,000 college baseball players. That means about 7 percent of high school players went on to compete in the NCAA. Just 2 percent go on to compete at the NCAA Division 1 level!

How to negotiate a baseball scholarship offer?

There is an etiquette to baseball scholarship discussions. An introductory email, for example, is not the proper platform to flatly declare to a coach, “I’m looking for a scholarship.” The most likely time to talk scholarships will be on campus in a face-to-face meeting with the coach. This can happen on an official or unofficial visit. The strongest negotiation position in which a recruit will find themselves is one in which they have offers from other schools. College baseball is very competitive, and a coach will not want to lose a prized recruit to another program. In negotiating a scholarship offer, rather than declaring, “This is the number we need,” it may be more productive to tell the coach, “This is the number we had in mind; is there a way to make this number work in the future?” Read more about negotiating your scholarship offer .

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Home > Resources > Study > Skills > Scholarship Application

How to Write a Sports Scholarship Application Essay

Writing sport-related admission essays can be quite challenging for enrollees. Athletes think that they can only perform their sport and can't write about it, but that is a myth. Some students may just need help in increasing their creativity in their writing. For this purpose, they can visit various student blogs and guides to say, "now I finally know how to write my essay properly." We are here to give ideas on how to write about sports and show you our seven great tips you can use for your scholarship application.

1. Make Contact with the college essay adviser

There are many myths about what you can and can't do in a sports scholarship application essay. Ask your college admission consultant about the specific requirements you should follow preparing a sports scholarship essay. Consider the word limit, formatting style, and other details.

2. Create your story

There are many ways to enliven your sports essay. For example, you can tell how you have learned to accept constructive criticism by watching your game recordings while waiting for feedback from your team peers or trainer. Also, you can write about your feelings when you dance as a cheerleader.

Some students ignore the importance of their achievements in sports, but at the same time, so many students have sports-related experiences that have left a deep impact on their lives. Read the unique stories of others or find out about them on YouTube to get powerful inspiration for your own topic.

3. Write an unexpected essay

You can't just write an essay about sports that anyone else could write. Therefore, avoid cliches and just repetition of other stories because your unique story definitely exists. Sometimes, enrollees simply can't remember it, so dedicate time to explore ideas and help your memory. Avoid generalities in a sports scholarship application - be specific and personal enough even if you think you are not successful enough in sports.

4. Isolate Details

Actually, there is no need to describe an entire game process or explain rules to your reader. Your admissions are not interested in how you follow the rules but how you break them. The same concerns your essay: break the rules! Write about your routine actions that brought you to victory. For instance, you can tell how your transport to training sessions affects the result. Maybe you are listening to a special playlist that stimulates your mind or read a book that helps you concentrate on the positive aspects of your sports.

5. Think Smaller

It is not necessary to be a literature expert to create an engaging essay. Admission officers can feel the sincerity in your writing and read between the lines. Make the accent not on the literary tools but the meaning of your story. Write about the simplest thing that affects your decision to dedicate your life to a sport. It could be a clothing uniform that brings you luck or a fan in a crowd that encouraged you. See where details take you!

6. Develop out-of-frame thinking

Look at the subject of sports through a different lens! Excellent sports scholarship application essays are never about sports. They are about underlying personality characteristics that make you good at what you do. Reflect on things that make you more determined and a valuable solo player or member of a team. Think about details that reveal how you've contributed to communities you care about in the past and how that may translate to the university campus you apply to.

7. Sound Convincing

Write about sports in your life even if it is an ordinary one. You are the only author of your essay, so you have full power to tell a unique story. Do you remember that feeling when you've read someone's story, and it touched you? The same could be for the story of your scholarship application. Simply don't concentrate on the result only, but on the process itself.

We wish you good luck in your preparation for the admission process and hope your essay is an outstanding one!

Related Pages

• Do's and Don'ts of Writing a College Application Essay — a guide with helpful insights and practical tips on crafting an impactful and compelling essay.
• Tips for Writing an Essay on Sports: A Student's Guide — steps towards a great sports essay
• Index to courses in sports
• Fields of Study — the large range of areas of study within the field of sports and sport sciences.
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10 Winning Scholarship Essay Examples From Real Students

Make your application shine.

Writing a scholarship essay can be intimidating. The competition is fierce and the stakes are high, so students are bound to feel the pressure. It may be helpful, therefore, to look at essays that were successful. What did those students do to impress the committee? These scholarship essay examples will give you a better idea of how to make an application shine! 

Tips for Writing a Scholarship Essay

We’ve put together a whole guide for how to write a scholarship essay , so if you haven’t read it already, definitely give it a look! In addition, here are some quick tips to help students get started. 

Carefully read the rules

The last thing you need is to be disqualified from winning a scholarship because you didn’t do the right thing. 

Start early

Don’t wait until the last minute to start researching and applying for scholarships. Give yourself plenty of time to work through the process. 

Get to know the provider

Think of the scholarship provider as your target audience. You want to tailor your essay to impress them, so do your research. What kinds of candidates are they looking for? What causes do they support? Dig deep for the information you need!

Think about who you are, what you want to say, and how to appeal to the scholarship committee. Write everything down and then choose the best ideas. 

The scholarship committee will be reviewing many applications. How can you make yours unforgettable? Highlight your strongest assets, share hard lessons if they showcase your growth as a person and/or student, and be honest. Never lie in a scholarship essay!

Be professional

Consider this the most important academic paper you’ve ever written. Don’t use slang or casual language. Submit a properly formatted essay that’s been well-edited and proofread by multiple people.

One last tip

Don’t reuse scholarship essays! Yes, it’s time-consuming, but students need to put the same effort into every application. Use the same process and it will get faster and easier every time!

Scholarship Essay Examples

Afc visionary scholarship essay by nicole kuznetsov.

Award Amount: $5,000

Essay prompt: Why do you want to go to college? Why is it important to you?

Why it was successful: The  beauty of this essay is that it’s well-organized and simple. Nicole Kuznetsov chose to outline her story by using chronology and provided a clean, concise story following a linear path.

North Coast Section Foundation Scholarship Essay by Christine Fung

Award Amount: $1,000

Why it was successful: Christine Fung masterfully shared how her upbringing instilled strong values, a love for education, and a passion for medicine .

The Bill Browning Scholarship Essay by Gabby DeMott

Award Amount: $10,000

Essay prompt: Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

Why it was successful: Gabby DeMott shared her experiences with personal growth and overcoming fears in Germany. She also appealed to the very human feeling of wanting to belong in a way that was inspiring. 

Life Happens Scholarship Essay by Emily Trader

Award Amount: $15,000

Essay prompt: How has the death of a parent or guardian impacted your life financially and emotionally? Be sure to describe how the loss of your parent/guardian impacted your college plans, and explain how the lack of adequate (or any) life insurance coverage has impacted your family’s financial situation.

Why it was successful: Emily Trader fully addressed the prompt in honest, beautiful detail. She knew her audience and tailored her essay to appeal to them while telling her compelling story. 

Change a Life Foundation Scholarship Essay by Isabella Mendez-Figueroa

Essay prompt: Please explain how your experience volunteering and participating in community service has shaped your perspective on humanity. Elaborate on how these experiences have influenced your future ambitions and career choice.

Why it was successful: Isabella Mendez-Figueroa shared an empowering story about her parents overcoming financial adversity so that she and her sister could be the first in their family to go to college. 

Giva Scholarship Essay by Joseph Lee

Essay prompt: Who is (or what makes) a good doctor?

Why it was successful: Joseph Lee offered a captivating , personal story that was essentially a list of things that make someone a good doctor without it feeling boring or calculated. 

New York University College of Arts and Science Scholarship by Ana

Award amount: $39,500 

Essay prompt: Explain something that made a big impact in your life.

Why it was successful: Ana discussed how early experiences w ith learning difficult things has contributed to her passion for teaching and supporting students. 

The Fund for Education Abroad Rainbow Scholarship Essay  by Steven Fisher

Award amount: $7,500

Essay prompt: The Fund for Education Abroad is committed to diversifying education abroad by providing funding to students who are typically under-represented in study abroad. Please describe how you and/or your plans for study abroad could be viewed as under-represented.

Why it was successful: Steven Fisher’s powerful essay   connected his realizations about his own sexual identity with embracing the beautiful diversity found all around the world. 

Women’s World Banking Founder’s Scholarship Essay by Rosaisha Ozoria

Essay prompt: Write about your hopes for the future of women and girls worldwide.

Why it was successful: Rosaisha Ozoria   focused on a very specific topic , financial literacy for Hispanic women, and emphasized its importance and relevance to her own life. 

The Millennium Gates Last Dollar Scholarship Essay by Famyrah Lafortune

Award amount: $3,500

Essay prompt: Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” —Nelson Mandela Describe a change you would like to make in the world. Tell us about how you would plan to make that change, and what obstacles you might encounter along the way.

Why it was successful: Famyrah Lafortune starts with a strong statement about ending racial inequality and then details the steps she’ll take to make it happen. 

Do you have any great scholarship essay examples? Share them below!

Plus, check out  the ultimate guide to college scholarships, want more suggestions be sure to subscribe to our newsletters ..

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How to Start a Scholarship Essay (With Examples)

Will Geiger is the co-founder of Scholarships360 and has a decade of experience in college admissions and financial aid. He is a former Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at Kenyon College where he personally reviewed 10,000 admissions applications and essays. Will also managed the Kenyon College merit scholarship program and served on the financial aid appeals committee. He has also worked as an Associate Director of College Counseling at a high school in New Haven, Connecticut. Will earned his master’s in education from the University of Pennsylvania and received his undergraduate degree in history from Wake Forest University.

Learn about our editorial policies

Bill Jack has over a decade of experience in college admissions and financial aid. Since 2008, he has worked at Colby College, Wesleyan University, University of Maine at Farmington, and Bates College.

Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.

As an admissions officer, I reviewed thousands of essays for students seeking admission and scholarships. The essay is one of the most important parts of the scholarship application process–a strong essay can go a long way. However, with so much competition, it is important for your scholarship essay to stand out. That’s why it’s important for you to start a scholarship essay off right!

There are some very simple things that you can do to ensure that your essay is engaging from the very first sentence. In fact, beginning your essay with an exciting opening is one of the most important things you can do, because it will immediately distinguish your essay from the others. 

Keep on reading to learn more about how you can nail the very first sentence and start your essay off right!

Engage the reader with the first sentence

No matter what type of essay you are writing, you will want to ensure that the very first line grabs the attention of the reader. One of the biggest mistakes that students make when starting their essay is simply restating the prompt. This is bland and boring. 

Now, you might be wondering, “how do I engage the reader with the very first line of my essay?”. The good news is that there are several ways that you can do this that are very simple to do. 

Related:  How to answer scholarship essay questions about your career goals

Begin with dialogue

First, you could begin your essay with conversation. This can be an interesting and unexpected way to start your scholarship essay. Maybe someone asked you an unexpected question? Perhaps you were having an interesting conversation with a friend or family member? Either way, dialogue can be a powerful tool to start your essay.

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Put the reader in your shoes.

Alternatively, you can choose to start your essay by placing the reader right in your shoes and show them something from your life. Appeal to the senses and show the reader what you see, hear, smell, or taste. These specific details will help your essay come to life and make it even more memorable. 

Also recommended: What’s the best scholarship essay format?

Scholarship essay introduction example

Next,  we’ll look at a specific example of how you can open up your essay. Let’s say you are applying for the Questbridge scholarship program . One of the essays that you will be asked is:

We are interested in learning more about you and the context in which you have grown up, formed your aspirations, and accomplished your academic successes. Please describe the factors and challenges that have most influenced you. How are they shaping your future aspirations?

You might be tempted to rephrase the question and start your essay with something like:

“I have grown up in a rural context and this has formed my aspirations and allowed me to accomplish academic success…”

This is generic and will not engage your reader at all. 

Instead, what if you started off your essay with something like this:

“I look outside my bedroom window and see Henry, my favorite chicken, pecking at something in the dirt.” 

Makes a big difference, right? As a reader, you are probably wondering: why does this person have chickens outside their bedroom window? Why did they name this particular chicken Henry?

See also: Here are our top writing & essay scholarships for students!

Keep the ending of your essay in mind as you write the opening

While crafting your opening, be open to ideas about how to close your essay. There is no need to stress about the ending now, but being mindful of effective ways to end an essay is always a good idea. Say you are opening your scholarship essay with Henry the chicken. Is there a way for Henry to make an impactful appearance at the end of the essay to close things out in a way that perfectly wraps everything up? The key is for the essay ending to be meaningful and memorable for the reader. 

Don’t miss: Our free scholarship search tool

If you can’t think of a “wow” scholarship essay beginning, keep writing!

Sometimes, we know what we want to say, point by point, but we are not ready to be creative when it comes to opening an essay. In that case, keep writing! There is always the option of going back and crafting an engaging opening after your essay is written. Simply write your main idea where the first paragraph would be to guide you as you write. After, go back when your creative juices are flowing, and craft the amazing opening (and closing) that your scholarship essay deserves!

Final thoughts

As shown, there are many questions that we as readers will have after reading an engaging essay opening such as the one just shared; We want to learn more about the student who is writing this essay. After all, as a writer trying to stand out in a pile of essays, that is our main goal. 

We hope that you have a better understanding of how to start a scholarship essay so you can maximize your chances of winning scholarships!

Additional resources

Scholarships360 is the go-to for all things college admissions and scholarships! Wondering how to write a 250 word essay and how to write a 500 word essay ? Curious how to write an essay about yourself ? Wow, do we have the resources to help! Additionally, check out our free scholarship search tool to help you finance your college education. Best of luck to you and your future endeavors! 

Key Takeaways

• The first sentence of the essay is what makes the reader want to continue reading 
• Engage the reader by appealing to the senses
• Create a sense of wonder in your essay, making the reader want to learn more about you
• Keep the ending of the essay in mind as you craft the beginning

Frequently asked questions about how to start a scholarship essay

What is an essay hook, how long should my scholarship essay be.

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Early registration is now open for the 2024 convention in Minneapolis.

Early registration is now open for SABR’s annual Jerry Malloy Negro League Conference , which will be held on June 6-9, 2024, at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York. All baseball fans are welcome to attend.

Full and single-day registration is available for a discounted rate before May 24, along with a new virtual registration option. All panels and presentations held at the Hall of Fame’s Grandstand Theater on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday will be available on the Zoom livestream.

In-person attendees will also have an opportunity to view the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum’s new exhibit, The Souls of the Game: Voices of Black Baseball , which will spotlight the decades-long history of Black baseball prior to the formation of the Negro Leagues, through the complexities of baseball’s re-integration, to the challenges that remain today, revealing the deep connections between baseball and Black America. Click here to learn more about the exhibit at BaseballHall.org.

• Register: Click here to register online for the 2024 Malloy Conference . Full registration is $160 before May 24, $185 afterward. Virtual registration (via Zoom) is $75. Students: $50 before May 24, $65 afterward. Single-day registration is also available for $70 for Friday or Saturday before May 24; $90 afterward. Extra tickets can be purchased for Thursday’s “meet and greet” reception at the Hall of Fame Plaque Gallery or Saturday’s awards banquet at the Farmers’ Museum. All of these sessions are included in the full registration package.
• Hotel: Attendees are encouraged to visit WeAreCooperstown.com for a list of suggested lodging near the Baseball Hall of Fame.
• Schedule: Click here to view the 2024 Malloy Conference schedule .
• Information Packet: Click here to download the conference information packet (PDF)
• Yoseloff Scholarship: Students, learn more or apply for a Yoseloff Scholarship to attend the 2024 Malloy Conference . Deadline: April 19, 2024.
• Contact: For questions, email Leslie Heaphy at [email protected] .

About the Conference

The Jerry Malloy Negro League Conference promotes activities to enhance scholarly, educational, and literary objectives. Since 1998, the event has been the only symposium dedicated exclusively to the examination and promotion of Black baseball history. The conference is open to baseball and history fans of all ages.

Each year, monies are targeted to donate books to schools or libraries; raise funds for the Negro Leagues Baseball Grave Marker Project ; and award scholarships to high school seniors in a nationwide essay contest and an annual art contest. The Negro Leagues Committee is one of SABR’s original committees, formed in 1971. It has continued to preserve and highlight the contributions of African-American players in baseball history.

The committee published the landmark The Negro Leagues Book in 1994, which featured a complete register of more than 3,000 players, team rosters and in-depth histories from leagues of the late nineteenth century to the middle of the twentieth.

Yoseloff Scholarship

With generous funding from The Nanar and Anthony Yoseloff Foundation, Inc., SABR will award up to 4 scholarships to high school or college students to attend the 2024 Jerry Malloy Negro League Conference in Cooperstown, New York. This scholarship will pay for registration, transportation and lodging (double occupancy) up to a total value of $1,250. Deadline to apply: April 19, 2024 .

Students must be currently enrolled in a high school, college undergraduate or graduate program, and be between 18 and 29 years of age at the time of the conference. Click here to download an application or learn more .

Essay Contest

SABR’s Negro Leagues Research Committee is pleased to award $1,000 scholarships to high school seniors in its 16th annual Thomas R. Garrett Scholarship essay contest in 2024. Deadline to apply: April 15, 2024 .

The contest is open to high school seniors and carrying a minimum GPA of 2.5 at the end of their junior year. Students have to write a 1,200-word essay answering a question related to one of the Negro League figures who are the namesakes of the scholarships. Click here to download an application or learn more .

Art Contest

The 14th annual Jerry Malloy Negro League Conference Art Contest is open to all artists in 2024, with the theme of “Untold Stories of Black Baseball.” Art from the winners will be on display at an upcoming Jerry Malloy Conference. The winning entry in the professional and amateur categories will receive a $150 prize and a certificate from the conference. The youth winner will receive a set of art supplies. Photos of the art will also be included in an upcoming issue of Black Ball: A Negro Leagues Journal , published by McFarland & Co. Questions can be directed to Leslie Heaphy ( [email protected] ).

Entry fee: $30 for every 3 images (professionals and amateurs). Deadline to submit: August 1, 2024. Click here to download an application form .

Youth Art Contest entry fee: $10 for every 3 images. Deadline to submit: September 13, 2024. Click here to download the Youth Art Contest application form .

Dick Clark Memorial Library Grants

SABR’s Negro Leagues Research Committee will award two $500 Dick Clark Memorial Library Grants for 2024. School and community libraries from across the country are invited to submit grant proposals centering on educating students and the community about black baseball and American history. Deadline to apply: September 16, 2024. Click here to download an application (PDF). For questions, please contact Leslie Heaphy ( [email protected] ).

Download our free e-book on the best Negro Leagues research

One of our newest publications from the  SABR Digital Library brings together the best Negro League baseball scholarship that SABR has ever produced, pulled from its journals, Biography Project, and award-winning essays. The book includes a star-studded list of scholars and historians, from the late Jerry Malloy and Jules Tygiel, to award winners Larry Lester, Geri Strecker, and Jeremy Beer, and a host of other talented writers. The essays cover topics ranging over nearly a century, from 1866 and the earliest known Black baseball championship, to 1962 and the end of the Negro American League. Click here to learn more or download the e-book . SABR members can download the e-book edition for free or get 50% off the paperback edition.

Past Highlights

Click a link below for highlights from past Jerry Malloy Conferences:

• 2023: Detroit, MI
• 2022: Birmingham, AL
• 2021: Virtual Conference
• 2018-20: None held
• 2017: Harrisburg, PA  
• 2016: Kansas City, MO
• 2015:   Pittsburgh, PA
• 2014:   Detroit, MI
• 2013:   Newark, NJ
• 2012:   Cleveland, OH
• 2011:   Indianapolis, IN
• 2010: Birmingham, AL
• 2009: Pittsburgh, PA
• 2008: Chicago, IL
• 2007: Portsmouth, VA
• 2006: Kansas City, MO
• 2005: Chicago, IL
• 2004: Cleveland, OH
• 2003: Harrisburg, PA
• 2002: Memphis, TN
• 2001: Kansas City, MO
• 2000: Harrisburg, PA
• 1999  Atlantic City, NJ
• 1998: Harrisburg, PA

Who was Jerry Malloy?

• Click here to learn more about the groundbreaking Negro Leagues historian, who was the recipient of SABR’s Henry Chadwick Award in 2015

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ESSAY WRITING SCHOLARSHIPS

People can give you advice about essay scholarships best practices but will it really make much of a difference in the end? Probably not. That is not to say that you should not take to heart all that follows, but when it comes to essay scholarships you will either write something that speaks to the judges or you won’t.

Try to be original with essay scholarships. That’s not as easy as it sounds. Your best bet is to look inside yourself and write essay scholarships that have meaning for you. When you write something to please the judges your essay scholarships end up sounding derivative and like you’re pandering.

Look at other contest winning essays with caution. You do want to follow a structure, sure, but you do not want to sound like everything else that came before you.

Read the instructions several times and then forget them. They are still there in the recesses of your mind somewhere—we just don’t want them cluttering up your flow and making you sound formulaic and wooden. Just write, baby! You can always go back and edit to the contest specifications after a first draft.

Don’t edit yourself while you are writing. Let it all come out on the paper and then fix it later. Writing is rewriting so you are going to want to go through several drafts.

What sort of essays are most essay scholarships judges looking for? Obviously it depends on which scholarship we are talking about, but there are a few safe bets.

Many essay topics will be about overcoming adversity. There are times when this can be an extremely difficult question for a teenager to answer. If you have had a nice life so far maybe the most adversity you have had to deal with is being cut from a high school sports team or getting a bad grade on a test. Good for you; unfortunately life won’t always be so easy.

Popular topics for this question can be a death in the family, moving to a new town, or having your parents go through a divorce. If you think hard enough you can find a difficult time in your life and discuss how you got through it and overcame it.

Another popular essay question is to name someone who has had a big influence on your life. Most people, of course, go with mom or dad, a grandparent, maybe a teacher.

It doesn’t really matter who you pick. Your explanation of why is what does matter. Again, be fresh. Be bold. Be honest. That will come through in your writing and the goal here is to walk away with some scholarship money, is it not?

Start your search for essay scholarships early and prepare well. Let the thoughts develop in your mind before you necessarily put them on paper. Give yourself weeks if not months to write it as well as you can write it, but respect the essay scholarships and don’t think you can win with a last minute effort. This is the big leagues now. Put your game face on and go write one heck of an essay!

How about making all scholarships strictly based on academic performance , which would lower costs and make education more accessible to everyone?

Are you ready for the NEXT STEP!

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