All-Star Moving On To The Big C From Allstar

[pochantas22]

I figured ya'll might know but after an athlete ages out of Allstar and goes to College what schools 1) give out scholarships (full/partial) 2) have great programs?

Cheer Daily came out with a list but the scholarship type was vague.

 

[RileyElizabeth99]

I have come to see that lots of colleges give the Cheerleaders very little. I was between two schools for a bit. School A gave all Athletes free books but athletes had to pay all their gear fees and part of their travel fees. School B gives no scholarships but they pay all gear and travel fees and for a tumbling class at a local gym once a week. Every school is different so I would suggest emailing coaches or checking websites for information. I also would NOT suggest going to a school only because you want to cheer there. I almost made that mistake and it can be a very costly decision.

 

[UCFKnights07]

yeah i wouldnt base your college pick on cheer program, however thinking off the top of my head of some of the top cheer programs UK, UCF, Louisville and Alabama are all great schools though education wise.
in the end i wouldnt base it off cheer, i would base it off which school is more affordable for you and your family to pay for, with or without a scholarship.

 

[quitthedrama]

In answer to the first question, almost every school my daughter looked at had very little scholarship opportunity. She currently receives a sizeable reduction in out of state tuition (but more expensive than their in-state) and a small stipend each semester. As far as your next question about great programs, I can't stress enough how subjective that is. CP spent the early high school years convinced she wanted to cheer for one of those colleges who are consistent winners at UCA/NCA. Best thing we ever did was visit one of those schools early and sit in on a practice, and talk to both current team members and alumni (who can speak more freely) of the other programs she was interested in. It was eye-opening, and after doing so she realized that the reality of what makes up those programs was not for her and she never even applied to those schools, but obviously there are others who wouldn't want to be anywhere else and are thriving at these schools. She has a perfect fit where she is now, but that perfect fit includes the academics and social activities more so than cheer. I completely agree with @RileyElizabeth99 - the biggest mistake you can make is basing your college choice primarily on cheer. You never know when an injury will happen - not just to you but to your stunt partner/group (happened to my CP last year) which will drastically change or even eliminate the cheer experience. You never know when the program will get cut or have a major change such as being "ground bound" or not allowed to compete any more. You wouldn't be left with much if all you like about the college is their cheer program and any aspect of that is changed or eliminated.

 

[MissCongeniality]

You've gotten great advice. The bottom line is do NOT count on any scholarships for cheer and do NOT choose colleges based on cheer alone (though I have seen it done.... by one of retired CP's high school teammates--- She never did allstar (but had a backhandspring) but KNEW she wanted to cheer in college. She applied to schools and then went to the tryouts for each one she was accepted at (nice her Dad has a private jet so he could get her to even the ones whose tryouts overlapped) If she made the team she would go to that school (which is what happened --- just one school)

My retired CP is the opposite. Initially planned to do A&T but suffered an injury that made her rethink that type of tumbling on a dead mat. Applied to both cheer and non cheer (or less cheer) schools and finally narrowed it to 3. We thought for sure she'd go to a highly regarded out of state school and cheer there as well as possibly do allstar too (she had 2 more years). After cramming in more visits during the crazy weeks leading up to Worlds... she made a decision we weren't expecting... she chose a school without a football team and while they had a competitive cheer program, she also decided not to do that either. She thought she might continue All Star but decided school cheer was not her priority (at least for Freshman year). Well she fell in love with "life after cheer". She still tumbles but joined a sorority and is working a bunch of internships with dreams of pre-med. She misses aspects of cheer but has really loved getting to do so many other new things instead.

 

[ScottyB]

This page might help your search!
College Cheerleading Scholarships Database

 

[NCCheerMama]

In terms of scholarhships, funding etc, a lot of it depends on how cheer fits into the athletics program at the school and their alumni support. At NCSU it is considered a sport, we have our own trainer and all of CP expenses (gear, travel and competition expenses) are paid for by the program. We have an endowment fund that is provided for by alumni and other contributions. Team members (there are 50) can apply to that for financial aid. NCSU was one of my CP top choices and after going to several practices she knew BOTH the university and the program were a good fit for her. If she did not like NCSU she would not have applied there, no matter that they have one of the top cheer programs in the nation-she had to like the school first. The hardest part was actually getting into the university!

 

[hercheermomma]

My daughter is a freshman cheering at a D1 school that this time last year was barely on her list of possibilities. And she loves it.

She made the mistake of picking a college first. She had her heart set on an SEC school from I think 7th grade. She picked a major she thought was right for what she wants to do. We went for a visit and she fell even more in love with the school. Then she got hurt and had to go to Physical therapy, which is what she wants to be. She was able to talk to her PT about it and she realized that major is not what she thought. She still really wanted to go that one specific school though. She started learning more about their cheer program, and it turned out to be not what she wanted either.

She started looking at other schools and made a decision based on the career program she really wants to do. The cheer program also is a perfect fit for her. She does get a very small scholarship, her travel fees, uniform and practice wear are all covered, and they will raise money to travel for NCA.

Like mentioned above, it is a lot of work. A tough practice schedule, community service, appearances on a moments notice, they are required to make a certain number each semester. She was able to learn all these things about the program before she tried out, so she knew what she was signing up for and it was still a big change for her.

I can't tell you how thankful I am she realized her "dream school" was wrong for her before she spent years and thousands of dollars on a degree she doesn't want.

 

[pochantas22]

Tuition is a concern. College is expensive as everyone knows. CP major is undecided.

 

[MissCongeniality]

Tuition is a concern. College is expensive as everyone knows. CP major is undecided.

How are her grades? Has she done ACT or SAT yet? Academics alone landed retired CP some major $$$. Way more than cheer ever would

 

[pochantas22]

How are her grades? Has she done ACT or SAT yet? Academics alone landed retired CP some major $$$. Way more than cheer ever would

As and Bs. No SAT or ACT scores. You can say we are late in the game.

 

[cheerisloving]

As and Bs. No SAT or ACT scores. You can say we are late in the game.

Definitely take the standardized tests! If she's a junior she's not too late. Most people take the SAT twice, once in spring of junior year and then once or twice senior year. Some never take the ACT or take it once. You can be an A/B student but the tests are super important. Does your CP take AP/Honors courses? Being A/B student in regular classes is not as appealing to admissions of more competitive schools.

I would really encourage you sit with your CP and have her think about what she may want in a school environment. What are her interests, not necessarily a major but is she more into STEM or Liberal arts?

And what are her skills? Is she a true LV 5 or a level 3? That will also play a role. Most schools with good cheer scholarships are highly competitive and draw some the best athletes in the sport. Overall, cheer is an extra perk when looking at schools. I had excellent grades, tons of extracurriculars (with leadership) and solid 3/4 cheer skills. I applied to schools because of the academics. Between my top two choices both were top 100 schools, one with a D1 highly competitive program, the best school for my major and the other one was a small private, D1 school, with a HS level cheer squad. I chose the D1 program, not even knowing if I would make the team, but I was at peace bc I loved the school. I do cheer there now, and honestly, if something were to happen where I couldn't cheer anymore I would be perfectly fine because I fit in at the school.

 

[azune]

Sorry to say it, but college scholarships for cheer and dance are a joke. YOU MIGHT be able to get about a grand or a little more per semetser. But you STILL have a bill as well with most colleges. Camp fees, choreography fees, uniforms fees etc. Here at my school usually the scholarship just cancels out the fees you pay. And my school has 22 national NDA and NCA titles. Sucks that the school doesn't really understand how hard these teams work.

 

[cheermommaRN]

Tuition is a concern. College is expensive as everyone knows. CP major is undecided.

Then you definitely don't want to rely on cheer to help pay for it. Did she take the PSAT? In most TX districts, this is a non-issue because the school has every 10th grader take it during school hours. If her score is high enough she can land National Merit and some schools will give a full ride if it they are the student's first choice. I would keep my ears open for any parent meetings offered that go over financial aid and scholarships. Our district does 4 or more per year for 9-11th grade, it really helps to get everything going early.
I don't believe in helicopter parenting except when it comes to this. My youngest has an interest in going to USNA or USCGA (Naval and Coast Guard Academies). You better believe we are on every email list so if she doesn't catch an announcement, I do because as Hamilton says "she's not throwing away her shot".
Her mailing Christmas cards to our Senator and Congressional rep were all her idea, but that just shows you how early they start this stuff now. She's a rising 9th grader.

 

[CheerBank]

The reality is most of the athletic scholarships go to sports that make the school money. Football and basketball generate the largest revenue. Baseball, lax, soccer less so and therefore the scholarship packages are less. Cheer? You should hope for in-state rates, cheer related expenses, and books covered if even any of that.