Scholarships offer relief for students and families from the financial burden of education, which often comes with a hefty price tag. What percentage of students receive scholarships? And how do the numbers differ across ethnicities, types of grants, and types of universities?
In this article, we’ll do a deep dive into scholarship statistics and shed light on the different financial aid available to students across the US. Specifically, we’ll cover:
- Different types of scholarship: An overview
- General scholarship statistics
- Public scholarships vs private scholarships
- Scholarship statistics per type of scholarship
- Scholarship distribution across ethnicities
- Scholarship distribution by gender
- Average scholarship amount per state / in top state schools
- Impact of scholarships on student success
- Additional resources for scholarship-seekers
Let’s dive in!
Top scholarship statistics
- Each year, the U.S. Department of Education awards an estimated $46 billion worth of scholarships to students across the US.
- Over 1.7 million scholarships are awarded every year in the US.
- 34.3% of college students receive state or local grants averaging $3,968.
- 51.2% of college students obtain federal grants averaging $4,719.
- 52.9% receive institutional grants with an average scholarship amount of $11,726.
- Athletic scholarships add up to over $3.25 billion, but it is offered to only 1.3% of high-school student-athletes.
- The average merit-based scholarship is $12,088.
- 32.1% of college students receive a Pell Grant, the largest need-based financial aid program in the US.
- Mississippi (2.48%), Georgia (2.42%), and Louisiana (2.39%) have the highest per capita Pell Grant recipients.
- A higher percentage of Black (88%), American Indian/Alaska Native (87%), and Hispanic (82%) students received grants compared to White (74%) and Asian (66%) students.
- More women (74.9%) receive a form of financial aid, compared to 72.4% of men.
- Scholarship amounts in all institutions decrease with increasing household income levels, with public institutions generally providing lower scholarships compared to private nonprofit and for-profit institutions at each income level.
- Students who receive a scholarship are at least 11% more likely to persist to their second college semester compared to similar peers without the scholarship.
Different types of scholarship: An overview
1. Various kinds of scholarships exist that suit different kinds of students’ backgrounds, needs, and strengths.
2. Merit-based scholarships are awarded to students based on exceptional academic performance, extracurricular activities, and history of public service.
3. Need-based scholarships are given to students according to financial need and may be awarded by individual schools, government agencies, and
4. Athletic scholarships are awarded to student-athletes who have an excellent track record in a particular sport.
5. Identity-based scholarships are awarded to students of a particular group, such as members of a particular religion and ethnicity.
6. Program-specific scholarships are centered on a particular subject or interest, such as engineering, medicine, or mathematics.
7. Other scholarships include Student Prizes or awards for students who won a specific competition or contest, and Housing and Books Awards which help students cover living expenses such as accommodation and textbooks.
Scholarship statistics per type of scholarship
8. Over 1.7 million scholarships are awarded every year in the US. (Education Data Initiative)
9. 34.3% of college students receive state or local grants and scholarships.
10. Each year, the U.S. Department of Education awards an estimated $46 billion worth of scholarships to students across the US.
Merit-based scholarships
11. Merit-based scholarships can come from various sources, including private organizations, corporations, and universities.
12. Based on an annual survey of 1,032 ranked colleges, the average merit award to full-time undergraduates was $12,088 in the 2022-2023 academic year. (US News & World Report).
13. Ivy League universities such as Stanford and MIT do not offer merit-based scholarships.
14. At public schools, out-of-state students generally receive more merit aid than in-state students, since it’s used to draw students from other states.
15. In 2022-2023, the average amount of merit aid awarded to out-of-state students was $8,886.
16. On the other hand, the average merit-based scholarship for in-state students was $4,975, according to data from 348 schools.
17. The organization behind the National Merit Scholarship Program, an annual academic scholarship competition in the US, will provide students with more than $35 million over 8,050 awards in 2024.
Need-based scholarships
18. Need-based scholarships are a significant form of financial aid for college students.
19. Governments are among the top sources of needs-based scholarships. Federal Pell Grants, the largest government scholarship, are awarded primarily to undergraduate students who display exceptional financial need. (US Department of Education).
20. In 2022, there were 6.1 million Pell Grant recipients in the US. (Statista)
21. The percentage of undergraduate students receiving a Pell Grant is about 32.1%.
22. 69% of Pell Grant recipients attended public colleges and universities. (Best College).
23. 97% of Pell Grant recipients came from families earning less than $70,000 a year. (US Department of Education).
24. 77% of Pell Grant recipients came from families earning less than $40,000 a year.
25. 47% of Pell Grant recipients came from families who made less than $20,000 a year.
26. States with the most Pell Grant recipients are the states with the highest populations.
27. States with the most Pell Grant recipients per capita are Mississippi (2.48% of the population received Pell Grants in 2020), followed by Georgia (2.42%), and Louisiana (2.39%).
Athletic scholarships
28. College sports scholarships are available to students who excel in their respective sports, such as basketball, soccer, or swimming.
29. Only 1.3% of high school student-athletes are offered athletic scholarships according to The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
30. Athletic scholarships add up to over $3.25 billion.
31. The majority of student-athletes do not receive full-ride scholarships, an award that covers all expenses related to college.
32. There were almost 152,000 sports scholarships available to students in 2020/21. (Statista).
33. Over 300 schools award scholarships for baseball for men, with the average scholarship being $13,220 per athlete. (Debt.org).
34. Over 351 schools award scholarships for basketball for men, with the average scholarship being $13,220 per athlete.
35. Over 205 schools award scholarships for soccer for men, with the average scholarship being $15,008 per athlete.
36. For women with excellent athletic achievement in basketball, over 349 schools award athletic scholarships with an average of $36,758 per athlete.
36. Over 332 schools award scholarships for soccer for women, with the average scholarship being $17,766 per athlete.
37. Over 348 schools award scholarships for track and field for women, with the average scholarship being $14,574 per athlete.
38. For baseball, football, and wrestling, schools award scholarships only to male athletes.
39. For volleyball, softball, and rowing, schools award scholarships only to female athletes.
Public scholarships vs private scholarships
State or local grants and scholarships
40. 34.3% of college students receive state or local grants and scholarships.
41. The average state or local grants and scholarships is $3,968.
42. Here’s a tabulated summary of the local or state grants and scholarships and the average amount per institution:
| Type of institution | Percentage of students who receive state grants or scholarships | Average amount |
| Public Universities (All) | 39.9% | $3,849 |
| 4-Year Public Universities | 38% | $4,541 |
| 2-Year Public Universities | 44.7% | $2,379 |
| Private Nonprofit Universities (All) | 24.4% | $4,652 |
| 4-Year Private Nonprofit Universities | 25% | $4,666 |
| 2-Year Private Nonprofit Universities | 9% | $3,512 |
| Private For-Profit Universities (All) | 6.4% | $3,357 |
| 4-Year Private For-Profit Universities | 9.4% | $3,645 |
| 2-Year Private For-Profit Universities | 4.8% | $3,053 |
43. Among all public universities, the percentage of college students who received state or local grants and scholarships is 39.9%.
44. All public universities' average state or local grants and scholarships is $3,849.
45. In four-year public universities, 38% of students receive local grants and scholarships.
46. The average state or local grant and scholarship in four-year public universities is $4,541.
47. 44.7% of students enrolled in two-year public universities receive local or state grants and scholarships.
48. The average state or local grant and scholarship in two-year public universities is $2,379.
49. Among all private nonprofit universities, the percentage of college students who received state or local grants and scholarships is 24.4%.
50. In private nonprofit institutions, the average state grant or scholarship amount is $4,652.
51. In all four-year private nonprofit universities, 25% of students receive state or local grants and scholarships.
52. In four-year private nonprofit institutions, the average state grant or scholarship amount is $4,666.
53. 9% of students enrolled in two-year private nonprofit universities receive state or local grants and scholarships
54. The average state or local grants and scholarships in two-year private nonprofit universities is $3,512.
55. Among all private for-profit universities, the percentage of college students who received state or local grants and scholarships is 6.4%.
56. The average state grant in private for-profit universities is $3,357.
57. In four-year private for-profit universities, 9.4% of students receive state or local grants and scholarships.
58. The average state or local grants and scholarships in four-year private for-profit universities is $3,645.
59. 4.8% of students enrolled in two-year private for-profit universities receive state or local grants and scholarships.
60. The average state or local grants and scholarships in two-year private for-profit universities is $3,053.
Federal grants
61. 51.2% of college students receive federal grants.
62. The average federal grant is $4,719.
63. Here’s a tabulated summary of the percentage of students who receive federal grants and the average amount per institution:
| Type of institution | Percentage of students who receive federal grants | Average amount |
| Public Universities (All) | 52% | $4,628 |
| 4-Year Public Universities | 48.6% | $4,612 |
| 2-Year Public Universities | 60.5% | $4,659 |
| Private Nonprofit Universities (All) | 42.4% | $5,028 |
| 4-Year Private Nonprofit Universities | 41.1% | $4,992 |
| 2-Year Private Nonprofit Universities | 79.5% | $5,571 |
| Private For-Profit Universities (All) | 72.2% | $4,832 |
| 4-Year Private For-Profit Universities | 67.8% | $4,817 |
| 2-Year Private For-Profit Universities | 74.5% | $4,839 |
64. Among all public universities, the percentage of college students who received a federal grant is 52%.
65. The average federal grant in all public universities is $4,628.
66. In four-year public universities, 48.6% of students receive federal grants.
67. The average federal grant in four-year public universities is $4,612.
68. 60.5% of students enrolled in two-year public universities receive federal grants.
69. The average federal grant in two-year public universities is $4,659.
70. Among all private nonprofit universities, the percentage of college students who received a federal grant is 42.4%.
71. The average federal grant in all private nonprofit universities is $5,028.
72. In four-year private nonprofit universities, 41.1% of students receive federal grants.
73. The average federal grant in four-year nonprofit universities is $4,992.
74. 79.5% of students enrolled in two-year private nonprofit universities receive federal grants.
75. The average federal grant in four-year nonprofit universities is $4,992.
76. Among all private for-profit universities, the percentage of college students who received a federal grant is 72.2%.
77. The average federal grant in all private for-profit universities is $4,832.
78. In four-year private for-profit universities, 67.8% of students receive federal grants.
79. The average federal grant in four-year private for-profit universities is $4,817.
80. 74.5% of students enrolled in two-year private for-profit universities receive federal grants.
81. The average federal grant in two-year private for-profit universities is $4,839.
Institutional grants
82. 52.9% of all college students receive institutional grants and scholarships from their respective universities or other institutions.
83. The average institutional scholarship is $11,726.
84. Here’s a tabulated summary of the percentage of students who receive institutional grants and the average amount per institution:
| Type of institution | Percentage of students who receive institutional grants | Average amount |
| Public Universities (All) | 46.4% | $5,651 |
| 4-Year Public Universities | 56.8% | $6,167 |
| 2-Year Public Universities | 20.6% | $2,105 |
| Private Nonprofit Universities (All) | 82.5% | $23,554 |
| 4-Year Private Nonprofit Universities | 84.4% | $23,746 |
| 2-Year Private Nonprofit Universities | 26.4% | $5,471 |
| Private For-Profit Universities (All) | 24.3% | $4,029 |
| 4-Year Private For-Profit Universities | 36.7% | $6,138 |
| 2-Year Private For-Profit Universities | 17.7% | $1,663 |
85. Among all public universities, the percentage of college students who received institutional grants and scholarships is 46.4%.
86. The average institutional scholarship in all public universities is $5,651.
87. In four-year public universities, 56.8% of students receive institutional grants and scholarships.
88. The average institutional scholarship in four-year public universities is $6,167.
89. 20.6% of students enrolled in two-year public universities receive institutional grants and scholarships.
90. The average institutional scholarship in two-year public universities is $2,105.
91. Among all private nonprofit universities, the percentage of college students who received institutional grants and scholarships is 82.5%.
92. The average institutional scholarship in all private nonprofit universities is $23,554.
93. In all four-year private nonprofit universities, 84.4% of students receive institutional grants and scholarships.
94. The average institutional scholarship in four-year private nonprofit universities is $23,746.
95. 26.4% of students enrolled in two-year private nonprofit universities receive institutional grants and scholarships.
96. The average institutional scholarship in two-year private nonprofit universities is $23,746.
97. Among all private for-profit universities, the percentage of college students who received institutional grants and scholarships is 24.3%.
98. The average institutional scholarship in all private for-profit universities is $4,029.
99. In four-year private for-profit universities, 36.7% of students receive institutional grants and scholarships.
100. The average institutional scholarship in four-year private for-profit universities is $6,138.
101. 17.7% of students enrolled in two-year private for-profit universities receive state or local grants and scholarships.
102. The average institutional scholarship in two-year private for-profit universities is $1,663.
Scholarship distribution across ethnicities
103. The latest available data from the US Department of Education on scholarship distribution across races is from 2017.
104. Most full-time Black, American Indian/Alaska Native, Hispanic, and Pacific Islander students (59-72%) received some amount of Pell Grant funding.
Black students scholarship statistics
105. 88% of Black students have received grants in some form.
106. Black students receive the highest Pell Grants.
107. Black students received $14,230 in average annual grant aid.
Two or more races scholarship statistics
108. About 48% of full-time students of two or more races received a Pell Grant.
109. Students of Two or more races were allocated $14,917 on average.
White students scholarship statistics
110. 34% of White students received a Pell Grant, the lowest compared to other demographic groups.
111. White students received an average grant aid of $14,267.
Asian students scholarship statistics
112. 66% of Asian students have received scholarships in some form.
113. Over one-third of Asian students (36%) have received a Pell Grant.
114. Asian students received the highest average annual grant aid at $17,291.
Hispanic students scholarship statistics
115. 82% of Hispanic students received grants.
116. Hispanic students were granted an average of $13,855.
American Indian/Alaska Native students scholarship statistics
117. 87% of American Indian/Alaska Native students have received a grant.
118. American Indian/Alaska Native students received an average of $13,431.
Pacific Islander students scholarship statistics
119. Pacific Islander students had the lowest average grant aid at $12,843.
Scholarship distribution by gender
120. The scholarship distribution by gender in the US varies depending on the type of scholarship and the scholarship provider.
121. Men and women were equally likely to receive grants from the educational institution that they attended. (Women in Academia Report).
Women scholarship statistics
122. Overall, women receive more scholarships than men.
123. 74.9% of female students have received a form of financial aid.
124. 42.9% of female students have received grants or scholarships.
Men scholarship statistics
125. At the graduate level, men were slightly more likely than women to receive grants. (Women in Academia Report).
126. 72.5 % of male students have received a form of financial aid.
127. 43.1% of men have received grants or scholarships.
128. The average grant to men was $3,100 more than the average grant to women. (Women in Academia Report).
129. According to a Statista report, 3,000 more athletic scholarships were available to men than women.
130. Nearly 90% of esports scholarships go to men. (AP News).
Scholarships by income levels
131. The average amount of grant and scholarship aid varies for students according to the income level of their families.
132. Generally, students with lower incomes receive a higher average scholarship amount or financial aid.
Scholarships in four-year institutions per household income
133. Here’s a tabulated summary of the average scholarship amount in four-year institutions per household income level:
Household income level | Type of institution | ||
| Public | Private nonprofit | Private for-profit | |
| $0 to $30,000 | $11,190 | $24,070 | $6,700 |
| $30,001 to $48,000 | $10,630 | $27,130 | $6,970 |
| $48,001 to $75,000 | $7,540 | $25,810 | $5,690 |
| $75,001 to $110,000 | $4,020 | $23,230 | $5,140 |
| $110,001 or more | $2,430 | $19,360 | $5,770 |
Scholarships in two-year institutions per household income
134. Here’s a tabulated summary of the average scholarship amount in two-year institutions per household income level:
Household income level | Type of institution | ||
| Public | Private nonprofit | Private for-profit | |
| $0 to $30,000 | $6,600 | $7,260 | $4,680 |
| $30,001 to $48,000 | $5,980 | $8,670 | $4,180 |
| $48,001 to $75,000 | $3,670 | $8,310 | $3,040 |
| $75,001 to $110,000 | $1,360 | $8,790 | $1,340 |
| $110,001 or more | $710 | $10,480 | $930 |
Average scholarship amount per state / in top state schools
135. Universities provide needs- or merit-based scholarships to help students meet and shoulder the costs of education.
136. Here’s the summary of the average needs-based scholarships from the top state schools in the US:
| State university | Average scholarship amount | Percentage of first-year students who receive a scholarship |
| University of Arizona | $16,233 | 54% |
| Georgia Institute of Technology | $14,927 | 37% |
| University of Michigan, Ann Arbor | $19,514 | 35% |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | $14,910 | 74% |
| University of Virginia | $29,356 | 39% |
| University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) | $24,289 | 46% |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison | $18,836 | 35% |
| University of Georgia | $10,765 | 92% |
| University of Florida | $11,518 | 64% |
| University of Texas at Austin | $15,233 | 47% |
| University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | $20,840 | 42% |
| University of Washington | $17,670 | 35% |
| University of Maryland, College Park | $14,265 | 38% |
| University of Minnesota, Twin Cities | $14,102 | 50% |
| University of Colorado Boulder | $14,314 | 36% |
| University of Pittsburgh | $16,560 | 47% |
| University of Massachusetts Amherst | $9,164 | 48% |
| University of Delaware | $14,760 | 58% |
| University of New Hampshire | $9,703 | 88% |
Impact of scholarships on student success and long-term career
137. Scholarships can have a significant impact on students' academic outcomes.
138. Students with the most private scholarships encounter fewer obstacles to affording college, as per research by Scholarship America and Common App, drawing from the National Postsecondary Student Aid Survey. (National Scholarship Providers Association [NSPA])
139. According to a study on the Kalamazoo Promise Scholarship program, students who received the scholarship were more likely to meet academic benchmarks and increase the number of credits earned by the end of their first year.
140. Achieve Atlanta, a nonprofit that provides needs-based scholarships, found that students receiving Achieve Atlanta scholarships and support are 11% more likely to persist to their second college semester compared to similar peers without the scholarship. (NSPA).
Additional resources for scholarship-seekers
Scholarships.com: This website provides students with a variety of resources to help them find colleges, prepare for college entrance exams, and search for scholarships.
Free scholarship search engines: Popular scholarship search engines include fastweb.com, finaid.org, and unigo.com.
CollegeRank.net: This website lists the best scholarship websites to help students find the best funding opportunities for their education.
Oregon.gov: This website provides a report on student success through scholarships, highlighting scholarship practices most likely to lead to student enrollment and completion.
Other sources also include individual universities.
Scholarship statistics -Frequently asked questions
34.3% of college students receive state or local grants, while 51.2% obtain federal grants and 52.9% receive institutional grants.
The average institutional scholarship is $11,726, and state or local grants and scholarships average $3,968. The average merit-based scholarship is $12,088.
The U.S. Department of Education awards an estimated $46 billion in scholarships annually.
Learn about other statistics
- International students in the US
- College dropout rates
- How many teachers are there in the US?
- Average Private School Tuition
- Average highschool GPA
- College graduation rates
- Scholarship statistics
Sources
National Scholarship Providers Association. The Need for Need (Based Scholarships) Blog Provided by Matt Konrad, Content Strategy Manager for NSPA Premium Affiliate Member, Scholarship America
US Department of Education. Federal Pell Grant Program
US Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. 2019–20 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS:20)
Title IV Program Volume Reports: Award Year Summaries: Pell End-of-Year Reports: Table 022. Federal Student Aid, an office of the U.S. Department of Education.
US Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. Digest of Education Statistics – 2022
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US Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. Table 331.30. Average amount of grant and scholarship aid and average net price for first-time, full-time degree/certificate-seeking students awarded Title IV aid, by control and level of institution and income level: Selected academic years, 2009-10 through 2020-21
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- Education Data Initiative. Financial Aid Statistics [2023]: Average Aid per Student
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Gail holds a degree in International Development and has a strong background in research and writing. Her work focuses on exploring topics related to development, including education.