Track and field as a sport includes athletic skills of running, jumping, and throwing. It is a  sport that takes place on a running track and a grass field. It usually includes  throwing and some of the jumping events. Track and field also includes road running, cross country running, and racewalking.

The foot racing events are won by the athletes , who complete it in the least time.  Those who achieve the greatest distance or height have the caliber of winning the jumping and throwing events.Regular jumping events include 

  • Long jump

  • Triple jump

  • High jump 

  • Pole vault

The most common throwing events include 

  • Shot put

  • Javelin

  • Discus 

  • Hammer 

Most track and field events are individual sports with the most prominent team events being relay races, which typically feature teams of four. Events are divided by gender.Though both the men's and women's competitions are usually held at the same venue.

College Track and Field Recruiting

There are over one thousand college track and field programs. There are different division levels that have a different number of track scholarships to be given out each year. Majority of trach scholarships are partial scholarships but if you work hard you can definitely receive full ride scholarship too.

Track and Field Scholarships

The college coaches are the ones to award track and field scholarships.They have their own recruiting standards and their own coaching philosophy and the amount of scholarship funds available, the amount of athletic scholarship money each recruit receives will vary. Based on the capability and caliber the students should target the right division in order to maximize their scholarship potential.You might meet the minimum D1 track and field standards, but might make more of an impact at a D2 or NAIA school. This could result in you receiving more scholarship money at the D2 or NAIA levels and thus making greater impact on those teams. Candidates receive either full-ride or partial scholarship.

  • Full-Ride Scholarship: These are extremely rare. Full ride scholarships are offered to the most elite recruits or to the candidates who possess the ability to make a huge impact on the team. Candidates must compete and score in multiple events. These scholarships cover the tuition, room and  board and any additional fees.

  • Partial Scholarship: Partial Scholarships are quite common as many coaches like to split up total scholarships across multiple athletes. Not all partial scholarships are equal. Many candidates receive more athletics aid  depending on whether they hit scholarship standards or how many events they’re likely to score in. 

Eligibility Criteria for Track and Field College Scholarships

  • You must be a US citizen or a permanent US resident.

  • An excellent high school academic record with required high standardized test scores.

  • Demonstration of significant financial need.

  • You should have applied to or currently attend an accredited school

  • A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required.

What traits call for a Track and Field Scholarship?

It is all about the time and mark.Each program has different needs and philosophies when it comes to awarding scholarship money. Most track coaches will be very upfront and judge you on the basis of time or mark that you will need to make into their team. The same is required to get a scholarship. It is advisable to be in touch with your coach so that he guides you the right way.

The different levels of Track and Field 

NCAA D1 Track and Field

It is the utmost level of college track and field. It comprises the most polish athletes. It can be considered as a tremendous accomplishment to compete at this level itself.The athletes are honored. It is recommended to always aim for some D1 schools . Make sure you work really hard to match your times or marks to the athletes currently in the team .

NCAA D2 Track and Field

Many of the athletes at the NCA D2 level have the time or ability to make the team at the D1 level but choose D2 because they can get a better scholarship package and be more competitive. The competition level is not low in D2. The biggest difference is the depth of talent. 

NCAA D3 Track and Field

Athletes choose D3 usually because the school is a better fit for them. If your times match up with D3 times, take the opportunity to get to know some of the schools. 

NAIA Track and Field

It is a misconception amongst many people that NAIA and D3 schools are of the same levels of competition. However the athletes of NAIA are very competitive and closer to D2 level athletes in their skills , potential and caliber. NAIA level schools are generally located in Midwest or Southern parts of the US.

Examples of Track and Field scholarships

Let us look at some of the different types of Track and Field College Scholarships

Littlefield Wildcat Athletic Scholarship Fund

Award-$1000

Deadline-March 1

How to Apply-Applications and additional information are available on The Communities Foundation of Texas website. To apply for this award, students must first register an account with The Communities Foundation

Berks County Scholastic Athletic Trainer's Association Scholarship Fund

Award-$500

Deadline-March  15

How to Apply-Applications are available on the Berks County Community Foundation (BCCF) website.

Florida Striders Track Club College Scholarship

Award-$1000

Deadline-March 15

How to Apply-Applications are available online on the Florida Striders Track Club (FSTC) website.

 You can research more on different types of college scholarships available for track  and field based on your interests.

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...