Cross country running is a sport in which runners compete to complete a course over open territory. The courses used at these events may include grass, mud, woodlands, hills, flat ground, and water. Here are a few points you might want to know about cross country running.

  • The women will always run first and the two genders will never race together.  

  • The start line will be marked with a flour line and teams usually line up and start together.  

  • Turns or other direction changes may be marked with flour or a course monitor to direct you.  

  • Some sections of the course may be single track and you will be unable to pass other runners.  

  • There will be no aid stations except at the end of the race.  

There are many college scholarships available for cross country runners that fall under athletic scholarships. Let us now discuss a cross country scholarship.

What are Cross Country Scholarships?

Cross country is one of the oldest college sports and therefore has a very long tradition. These scholarships are available both for men and women. In total there are 1,555 universities with varsity cross country and track and field teams, with 350 of them competing in division 1 of the NCAA.

Are you actively taking part in the competitions outside the school campus? Then it is better to contact them and see whether they provide any funding for cross country runners looking to lend money for college. 

Here are a few points you might want to know about cross country scholarships.

  • Some students may receive the only partial scholarship while others may land a full scholarship which is entirely based on athletic ability and academic success.

  • Desiring to generate a good track team, many colleges and universities offer athletic scholarships to cross country runners. 

  • NCAA scholarships aren’t the only options available to cross country athletes. 

  • There are several long-distance running groups and organizations that also help runners pay for college. 

  • Since the cross country is an equivalency sport when it comes to scholarships, the NCCA limits how many scholarships are allocated per school.

  • You don’t need to have the best time in order to qualify for cross country scholarships. 

  • Camps and showcases can help with gaining exposure.

  • The majority of coaches who attend camps and showcases are there only to watch players they have already had contact with.

NJCAA Scholarships

  • The National Junior College Athletic Association awards full and partial scholarships to talented athletes. 

  • If you are interested in joining a community college, it is better to contact those schools about scholarship opportunities in cross country. 

  • If you are at a high level of skill with a decent academic record, consider your options on the junior college level, but be aware that if you transfer to an NCAA college after two years, the GPA and standardized test score requirements may be severer. 

College Scholarships

  • If you plan on running cross country in college, your college may have funds and benefits for the sport. So, communicate with the college administrator and your coach. 

  • Some colleges may require their runners to compete in track. So do your research and communicate with your financial aid office and sports department about local and college-based awards regarding your eligibility.

Application Deadline

March 01, 2023

Award Amount

$1

Awards Available

1

Website

Link

Contact Number

214-750-4222

About the Scholarship

The scholarship is awarded by the Communities Foundation of Texas, an organization that has paid over $100 million in grants in the year 2018. The organization has a history of over 60 years in assisting students to achieve their educational goals. CFT works side by side with committed nonprofits, civic leaders and philanthropy-focused businesses to help out c...

Application Deadline

March 01, 2020

Award Amount

$1,250

Awards Available

1

Website

Link

Email Address

[email protected]

Contact Number

410-332-4171

About the Scholarship

The scholarship is awarded by the CollegeBound Foundation, an organization that started with a grand vision of granting financial aid for students in need. CollegeBound now employs Program Specialists in Baltimore Public schools, who work year-round to assist students with the college application process. The Arthur Elder, II Scholarship, established to honor&...

Application Deadline

March 15, 2020

Award Amount

$500

Awards Available

Varies

Website

Link

Email Address

[email protected]

Contact Number

610-685-2223

About the Scholarship

The scholarship is awarded by Berks County Community Foundation, an organization that was founded to help individuals, families, businesses and other organizations to achieve their charitable objectives and improve the quality of life for those residing in Berks County. Their main mission is promoting philanthropy. This scholarship is for supporting graduating...

Application Deadline

April 01, 2023

Award Amount

$1

Awards Available

2

Website

Link

Email Address

[email protected]

Contact Number

845-338-2535

About the Scholarship

The scholarship is awarded by the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley, an organization that facilitates philanthropy and works to strengthen their community and administer funds and provide when it is needed for the charities. The organization even provides technical support to help nonprofits institutions operate more maximum. The Jay Lamando Scholarsh...

Application Deadline

April 01, 2023

Award Amount

$1

Awards Available

1

Website

Link

Email Address

[email protected]

Contact Number

845-452-3077

About the Scholarship

The scholarship is awarded by the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley, an organization that facilitates works to strengthen their community and monitor funds and provide when it is needed for the charities. The organization even provides technical support to help nonprofits institutions operate more maximum. The scholarship is provided in the memory of Lisa More...

Application Deadline

April 01, 2023

Award Amount

$3

Awards Available

1

Website

Link

Email Address

[email protected]

Contact Number

845-452-3077

About the Scholarship

The scholarship is awarded by Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley, an organization that is dedicated to strengthen their community and administer funds to support charities and for social cause. They even provide technical assistance to help nonprofits to operate more productively. This scholarship was first introduced and was established by the Maynard...

Application Deadline

April 01, 2020

Award Amount

$2,000

Awards Available

4

Website

Link

Email Address

[email protected]

Contact Number

845-452-3077

About the Scholarship

The scholarship is awarded by the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley, an organization works on strengthening the community by helping individuals, organizations and monitor funds to support charities, social causes, and non-profit organizations. This scholarship was established by the Nussbickel family and the Greater Southern Dutches...

Application Deadline

April 01, 2020

Award Amount

$1,000

Awards Available

1

Website

Link

Email Address

[email protected]

Contact Number

304-346-3620

About the Scholarship

The Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley is the institution that provides the scholarship to the applicants whose father or mother is suffering from a serious illness. The scholarship is giving financial assistance to the applicants who are affected emotionally, physically and academically. CFHV also works to strengthen the community by helping the people who are in great need of fu...

Application Deadline

March 15, 2020

Award Amount

$2,000

Awards Available

Varies

Website

Link

Email Address

[email protected]

Contact Number

949 553 4202

About the Scholarship

Mark P. Tiner Scholarship is started by Sean Tiner in the honor of his brother\'s ambition to pursue higher education. The Orange County Community Foundation is awarding this scholarship to help the students financially to enroll in an un...

Application Deadline

February 14, 2020

Award Amount

$750

Awards Available

1

Website

Link

Email Address

[email protected]

Contact Number

513-4247-369

About the Scholarship

The scholarship is sponsored by the Middletown Community Foundation, an organization that is ranked on top as the most active community foundation in Ohio for assisting students in easily paying for their education. This scholarship is provided yearly to an African American student at Middletown High School who demonstrates high academic performance, participa...