US Figure Skating is a national organization that provides great opportunities for figure skaters. Not only to the advanced and the professional, this organization provides necessary skills for beginners, and it has taught over 2 million people the basic skills of figure skating.
US Figure Skating knows the difficulty of transitioning from the local ice rink to a national figure skating arenas, and for students who are aspiring to become professionals or just continue their hobbies, there are scholarships available to students who are going off to receive their college education.
Types of US Figure Skating Scholarships
There are many types of scholarships offered by US Figure Skating Organization. For some, the scholarship’s eligibility requirement might include a general age group, and for others, the requirements of that scholarship might be for a specific age group.
1. US Figure Skating Memorial Fund
The Memorial Fund splits into three different programs, and all this information is listed in the USA Figure Skating Memorial Fund Homepage. Please read on to the end of the post if you want the full share of information regarding US Figure Skating Scholarships.
A. Competitive Skaters Assistance Program
Also, know for short as CSAP the Competitive Skaters Assistance Program is for competitive figure skaters who want to support financially by US Figure Skating Organization, and this program covers the training expenses caused by the following:
- Coaching fees
- Ice time
- Figure skating equipment
- Choreography and dance classes
- Off-ice training
- Figure skating costumes and makeup
- Physical therapy and medical expenses
This program is available to juvenile, intermediate, novice, junior, and senior-level athletes in women’s, men’s, pairs, and ice dancing. Also, this program is only available to qualified applicants who demonstrated financial need and show significant competitive skating achievements.
Eligibility Requirements (Meet ONE of the Following)
- Competed at Sectional Championships*
- Received a Competition Bye** to US Championships
- Competed at US Figure Skating Championships*
*For sectional championships, the applicant must have placed sixth or higher in the senior, junior, or novice competitions. For US Figure Skating Championships, the applicant must have placed sixth or higher in the intermediate or juvenile competitions.
**In a sports context, bye refers to a sports player who normally compete but does not have to in this particular case. Bye usually go to a figure skater who did well in his regular season, and, on a tournament or a competition, automatically guarantees his place on a future round.
Also, one important announcement is “In addition to any past competitive history, placement in qualifying events must have occurred in the most recent competitive season.”
To view Competitive Skaters Assistance Program, Click Here.
B. Academic Scholarship Program (College Students)
While US Memorial Fund is open to every applicant, the academic scholarship program is dedicated to college students. To help former figure skaters, current figure skaters, and synchronized skaters with their college expenses, the ASP program covers the following expenses: Tuition, Fees, Books, and Supplies.
One important requirement is that you need to reapply annually whether you receive this scholarship program or not. Also, the ASP program is based on demonstrated financial need, academic performance (college GPA), and their continuing participation in competitive figure skating or US Figure Skating Activities.
Also, there are different eligibility requirements for figure skaters, former skaters, and synchronized skaters, so be sure to look at each requirement carefully when you are reading down this list.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Currently Competing or Have Competed in the Sectional Championships at a Novice Level or Higher*
- Currently Competing or Have Competed in the Sectional Synchronized Skating Championships at a Senior or Collegiate Level**
- Currently Participating as a Volunteer in Skating***
- Be Enrolled at least 6 Credit Hours per Semester (Undergraduates) or 3 Credit Hours per Semester (Graduate)
- Maintained a Cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 GPA Scale, or at least 3.75 on a 5.0 GPA Scale
*For Current Skaters Only
**For Synchronized Skaters Only
***For Former Skaters Only. Also, Volunteer Positions may include (but not limited to) judging, trial judging, officiating, committee member, etc.
As you can see, there are eligibility requirements that apply only to a certain group of skaters, and the eligibility requirements without the asterisks are the ones that apply to every applicant for the ASP Program. Make sure to apply for the US Figure Skating Scholarships if you are eligible!
To view Academic Scholarship Program, Click Here.
C. RISE Youth Essay Contest
Last but not least of the memorial funds, the RISE Youth Essay Contest provides an opportunity for younger skaters to receive financial support from the US Figure Skating Association. Related to the ice skating movie RISE, the eligible applicants are asked to write a prompt about the movie, and a grant will be awarded to each group (figure skaters and synchronized skaters).
To view RISE Youth Essay Contest, Click Here.
2. USA Figure Skating Scholastic Honors Team
Established in 1996, the Scholastic Honors Team is dedicated to talented high school members of US Figure Skating, and it is made up of high school students who have shown outstanding achievements in figure skating, extracurricular activities, and academic performance. Supported by the Pioneer Fund, this award and honor go to students who meet the following requirements:
- Be an Eligible Figure / Be a Current Member of US Figure Skating
- Be Entering Junior or Senior Year of High School (Fall)
- Be a Full-time Student* at a Fully-Accredited High School
- Maintained a Cumulative High School GPA of at least 3.4**
- Have Competed in a US Figure Skating Qualifying Competition***
*Being a full-time student means attending classes and carrying a minimum number of credit hours.
**Must maintain this standard of GPA for during the first two years of high school (9th and 10th grade)
***During the past two competitive seasons, must have competed in the novice, junior, or senior level.
Funded by a private family foundation called Pioneer Fund, the eligible student needs to submit a Scholastic Honors Teams Application, high school transcript contained by the official seal, official photo, and an essay with one of the topics listed in the scholarship application.
To view Scholastic Honors Team, Click Here.
3. Helen M. McLoraine Figure Skating Scholarship Program
Another offspring of the Pioneer Fund, McLoraine Figure Skating Scholarship Program was named after Mrs. Helen who has established the Pioneer Fund to help students achieve their dream goal. Open to (current or former) amateurs and professional skaters who dedicated their time in skating, this program offers financial assistance to those students who wish to pursue their college education.
Scholarship Value: $4,000 ~ $8,000 Per Year
For more information, Click Here.
4. Joyce Komperda Athlete Support Fund
Last but not least, the Joyce Komperda Support Fund provides financial assistance to intermediate, novice, and junior-level athletes, and Joyce Komperda now spends the rest of her life as a judge of US Ice Skating Competition fulfilling her dream goal of helping other young students achieve their dreams.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Be a Competitive Singles, Pairs, or Ice Dancer at Intermediate to Junior Levels
- Complete the Athlete Support Fund Grant Application*
*The prospective applicant must complete the grant application with the guidance of his/her parent, and the application form can be found in the link down below. I hope this helps, and have a great day!
For Joyce Komperda Support Fund, Click Here.
More Grants and More Awards!
In addition to the scholarship programs offered by the United States Figure Skating, there are still more awards available to prospective applicants. To remember the members of the 1961 US World Figure Skating Team, the US Figure Skates Foundation has established a Memorial Fund to help talented figure skaters with financial need.
For people who might not know, the members of 1961 US World Figure Skating Team was lost due to a plane crash, and to remember them and their career, more scholarships were established to carry on their memories of figure skating.
For the people who are interested in additional grants and awards, visit US Figure Skating Award Programs.
For more external scholarships, visit USA Sports Scholarships.
