College rugby in the USA is still primarily a club sport played on college campuses. The players (students) generally raise funds through dues and fees. The good news is that more and more programs are being identified as varsity programs that provide scholarships or receive substantial funding. The university may also help the teams with access to training and competition facilities and financial help to cover some expenses. Rugby scholarships include a variety of offerings from tuition grants, to dues or fee waivers, to in-state tuition rates for out-of-state students.
The list provided below is not a complete list as offerings are always changing. Students are encouraged to make an inquiry with directly with the teams and schools they are interested in.
The list below is provided by USA Rugby and The Ruggers Edge. If anything is out of date or needs to be corrected, please send that information to wendy@scrumhalfconnection.com.
For information about scholarships for NCAA women’s varsity rugby, please visit NCAA Scholarships.
Alderson Broaddus (AB) University
Alderson Broaddus University has a new varsity rugby program that offers rugby scholarship opportunities to both men and women. These scholarships can be stacked with academic and merit-based scholarships awarded by the university. AB’s rugby program is fully recognized by the athletic department and is staffed with full-time coaches.
- Small school (approx. 1000 students)
- Health Science Focused Private School
- 25 available majors
- 17:1 student to faculty ratio
- Average class size: 25 students
PRIMARY CONTACT
- Laura Miller
- millerlc@ab.edu
AB Rugby 2018/2019
- Men’s and Women’s Rugby
- Competing in NSCRO
- Rugby and merit-based scholarships available
American International College (Springfield, MA)
Private, Co-Ed, 1,492 Undergraduate Students (3,142 Total Enrollment)
www.aic.edu
Arkansas State University
PRIMARY CONTACT
- Charl Welman, MSISeC, CNA
- cwelman@sbrmc.org
- 870-897-2863
Bethel College
PRIMARY CONTACT
- Gil Gadia
- gil.gadia@bethelcollege.edu
Central Washington University (Ellensburg, WA)
Public, Co-Ed, 10,400 Undergraduate (10,900 Total Enrollment)
www.cwu.edu
Coastal Carolina University
Davenport University (Grand Rapids, MI)
Private, Co-Ed, 2,600 students on main campus
www.davenport.edu
PRIMARY CONTACT
- Greg Teliczan gteliczan@davenport.edu
Iowa Central Community College (ICCC)
Triton Rugby is a new collegiate varsity rugby program nestled in the north central Iowa town of Fort Dodge.
Iowa Central is a progressive school with a strong academic environment offering over 50 associate degree/diploma programs. We also take great pride in our athletics, as evidenced by our numerous National Championships in various sports. Rugby will be no exception. Triton Rugby has the full support of the athletic department, which includes access to our full time athletic trainers and state of the art weight room facilities.
It’s a very exciting time at Iowa Central for the rugby program. We will be members of the Mid-American league of NSCRO (National Small College Rugby Organization) and compete in tournaments and Regional qualifiers against schools from across the Midwest in both 15’s and 7’s. Please visit the website (http://www.ictritons.com/rugby/) and fill out the “Recruit Me” page.
Iowa Central Community College Scholarship Award Conditions
- A student must enroll or be enrolled as a full-time student (12 credit hrs or more) each semester.
- Student must be a high school graduate (i.e. not Early Bird, Postsecondary, Charter School, etc.)
- Student most show a high aptitude for rugby.
- Scholarships are for fall and spring semesters only.
- A student must complete 12 credit hours or more the first semester to be eligible to receive the second semester award.
- Students who have not abided by the requirements on the contract could be subject to repayment at the end of the semester.
- The scholarship will not be credited to your account until the contract is signed and returned to the Financial Aid Office.
PRIMARY CONTACT
- Brent Nelson
- nelson_b@iowacentral.edu
- (515) 574-1093
Life University (Marietta, GA)
Private, Co-Ed, 792 Undergraduate (2,437 Total Enrollment)
www.life.edu
Lindenwood University
Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri offers well-funded rugby programs for both men and women. Both men and women’s programs operate under the highest level of competition possible. University support includes generous scholarship assistance, travel, equipment, uniforms, strength and conditioning coaches, weight room, video room and athletic training.
Women’s Head Coach Billy Nicholas – bnicholas@lindenwood.edu. Fill out the Women’s Rugby Recruit Questionnaire or follow on Facebook.
Men’s Head Coach Josh Macy – jmacy@lindenwood.edu. Fill out the Men’s Rugby Recruit Questionnaire or follow on Facebook.
Lindenwood University is a dynamic four-year liberal arts institution dedicated to excellence in higher education. Over 120 undergraduate and graduate degree programs are offered to approximately 15,000 students through values-centered programs that lead to development of the whole student. Lindenwood faculty, staff and administration are committed to an integrative liberal arts curriculum that focuses on the talents, interests and future of our students. For more information about the University and admissions please contact Lindenwood Admissions.
Middle Tennessee State University
PRIMARY CONTACT
- Anthony Neely
- aneely@mtsu.edu
- (615) 812-1754
Molloy College (Rockville Centre, NY)
PRIMARY CONTACT
- Brendan Drodge
- bdrodge@molloy.edu
- (516) 678-5000 ext. 6751
New England College (NECRFC)
New England College has both full and partial rugby scholarship (tuition only) monies available for qualified rugby student athletes. NEC rugby is located in beautiful Henniker, New Hampshire and is a fully funded varsity college rugby program. NEC is a national championship program having won both the NSCRO 2014 – 7’s and 2015 -15’s National Championship respectfully. NEC currently plays in the Division I-AA ECRC (http://eastcoastrugbyconference.com). If you would like more information about joining this championship program please contact head coach Jeremy Treece at jtreece@nec.edu.
PRIMARY CONTACT
- Jeremy Treece
- jtreece@nec.edu
Norwich University (Northfield, VT)
Private, Co-Ed, 2300 Cadets
www.norwich.edu
Notre Dame College (South Euclid, OH)
Private, Co-Ed 2,156 Total Enrollment
www.notredamecollege.edu
Palmer College of Chiropractic
Palmer is the premier college for Chiropractic Education. Founded in 1897 and located in Davenport Iowa, the college established it’s rugby program in 1960.
Commitment to Rugby – in 2015, the college demonstrated its commitment to the program by doubling the scholarships available to rugby players and initiated plans for the building of a stadium for its rugby team.
Scholarship – Thirty full scholarships for our men’s and women’s rugby teams.
Men’s Program – Plays in the Men’s Club Division I level.
Women’s Program – Plays in the Women’s Club Division II level.
PRIMARY CONTACT
- Ron O’Brien
- obrien_r@palmer.edu
- (563) 884-5856
Quinnipiac University (Hamden, CT)
Private, Co-Ed, 6,500 Undergraduate Students (8,800 Total Enrollment)
www.quinnipiac.edu
Spring Hill College (Mobile, AL)
Spring Hill College is the oldest college in Alabama, the first Catholic college in the Southeast, the third oldest Jesuit college and the fifth oldest Catholic college in the United States. The 400-acre campus is home to approximately 1,400 undergraduate students and includes an 18-hole golf course nestled in one of Mobile’s most prestigious neighborhoods.
Spring Hill College offers more than 40 different degree programs and typically attracts students who scored between 22 and 27 on the ACT exam and earned a GPA between 3.2 and 3.9. Prospective students are eligible for up to $25,000 in academic scholarships. Additional scholarships are available for qualified athletes who demonstrate a commitment to playing competitive rugby.
Spring Hill College Rugby enjoys strong support from the school’s athletics department, including a full-time head coach, certified athletic trainers, weight room access and a dedicated field. Team sessions include weekly film analysis, strength & conditioning, skill development and on-field training as well as mandatory study hours.
Spring Hill’s men’s rugby team currently competes in fifteens and sevens as a member of the Deep South Rugby Conference. The women’s rugby program recently joined the Southern Independent Rugby Conference.
To learn more about Spring Hill College Rugby and potential scholarship opportunities, please submit a player profile under the RECRUITS tab of our website: www.shcbadgers.com.
PRIMARY CONTACT
Truman State University
PRIMARY CONTACT
- Bill Sexton
- rugby@truman.edu
- 660-626-2324
University of Kentucky
Provost Scholarship: Incoming Kentucky resident freshmen whose minimum ACT score is 26 or SAT (M+CR) is 1170, and who achieves a 3.30 unweighted high school GPA, will automatically be offered a Provost Scholarship. The Provost Scholarship provides $1,500 per year, for up to four years of undergraduate study.
See Blue Scholarship: Incoming non-resident freshmen whose minimum ACT score is 25 or SAT (M+CR) is 1130, and who achieves a 3.00 unweighted high school GPA, will automatically be offered a See Blue Scholarship. The See Blue Scholarship provides $7,000 per year, for up to four years of undergraduate study.
Bluegrass Spirit Scholarship: Incoming non-resident freshmen whose minimum ACT score is 25 or SAT(M+CR) is 1130, and who achieves a 3.50 unweighted high school GPA, will automatically be offered a Bluegrass Spirit Scholarship. The Bluegrass Spirit Scholarship provides $8,000 per year, for up to four years of undergraduate study.
Kentucky Heritage Scholarship: Incoming non-resident freshmen whose minimum ACT score is 30 or SAT(M+CR) is 1330, and who achieves a 3.50 unweighted high school GPA, will automatically be offered a Kentucky Heritage Scholarship. The Kentucky Heritage Scholarship provides $10,000 per year, for up to four years of undergraduate study.
John Laboon Leadership Scholar: Awarded each year in the amount of $2500. This Scholarship is given to a pack member that shows the type of leadership on and off the pitch that exemplifies the type of character that the Wildcats produce.
Dick Jones Leadership Scholar: Awarded each year in the amount of $2500. This Scholarship is given to a backline member that shows the type of leadership on and off the pitch that exemplifies the type of character that the Wildcats produce.
PRIMARY CONTACT
- Gary Anderson
- gary.anderson@keystoneky.com
West Chester University (West Chester, PA)
Public, Co-Ed, 13,800 Total Enrollment
www.wcupa.edu
Wheeling Jesuit University (Wheeling, WV)
Private, Co-Ed, 1,500 Total Enrollment
www.wju.edu
how do i apply the scholarship
We would recommend reaching out directly to the contacts listed under each one. The process will vary widely and they will have the most up to date information. Thank you.
Its a wonderful opportunity since it helps students from various parts of the world to improve their skills and up their game.Thank you.
I take keen interest in getting a scholarship basing mainly on my talent