Martial arts have a millennia-old past, and the actual origins of the discipline are also a mystery. Despite its age, it is still a common mock fighting sport, not only in Jet Li, Bruce Lee, and Jackie Chan films but also as a club and competitive sport. A martial arts scholarship can be more difficult to obtain than a basketball or football scholarship, but it is much less difficult than obtaining a black belt. Naturally, the higher your talent level, the more scholarship money you will be eligible for.

Many martial arts scholarships have survived the economic crisis, which has resulted in the elimination of many other types of student financial assistance. The continuation of these scholarships reflects one of the keys to achievement in the martial arts: a failure to be defeated, a tenacity that allows one to conquer challenges. The American Taekwondo Association’s motto encapsulates this determined spirit: “Today not inevitable, tomorrow possible.”

Consider colleges that either have a background in the sport or have partnerships with local martial arts schools if you’re serious about pursuing your martial arts career in college and exploring opportunities to compete while you’re there. Many schools often have martial arts clubs for various sports such as judo or karate, as well as intramural teams with existing links to local schools and gyms. If you’ve narrowed down your college options, start calling martial arts schools in the area to see if they have a scholarship program for students who attend the local school. And in order to help you achieve that, here is a concise list of 10 scholarships to get you started!

Helen Gee Chin Scholarship Foundation

The Helen Gee Chin Scholarship Foundation was founded to honor Helen Gee Chin, wife of Sifu Chin of Calvin Chin’s Martial Arts Academy, Inc. Students who choose to enroll full-time as an undergraduate at an accredited U.S. four-year college or university and meet the following criteria are eligible: U.S. residency, five or more years of study in Chinese Martial Arts (Kung Fu, Wu Shu, or Tai Chi), and a “B” average or higher. Scholarship winners are chosen based on requirements such as martial arts study and accomplishment, academic achievement, a written thesis, and neighborhood and school engagement and leadership. For further information about the scholarship or in order to apply for this scholarship, please click the link below.

Provided By: Helen Gee Chin Scholarship Foundation
Award: $2,500
Education level: Undergraduate
Subject: All
Apply Now

Mike Lozano Scholarship

The Mike Lozano Scholarship is awarded each year to a graduating high school senior athlete from the Texas Panhandle’s northernmost 26 counties. Students must have a minimum 2.0 GPA and be interested in earning a degree in education or coaching with the aim of teaching or coaching at the high school level after graduation. For further information about the scholarship or in order to apply for this scholarship, please click the link below.

Provided By: Mike Lozano Foundation
Award: $2,500
Education level: Undergraduate
Subject: All
Apply Now

Kick 4 College National Karate League

The Kick 4 College National Karate League Scholarship, which is sponsored by the Kick 4 College National Karate League, is awarded to the male and female winners of an annual martial arts competition in the 16-17 age group. This curriculum is supported not only by the league but also by other martial arts organizations. Applicants must have a 3.0 GPA is required to graduate from high school, have been accepted as a full-time student at a college, have an SAT score of 1100, or an ACT score of 27 is needed. Demonstrate the ATA-instilled personal characteristics (examples given are discipline and perseverance). Stick to the law by signing up for the draught (if applicable) and staying away from opioid arrests. Include the following documents for your application: high school transcripts, an essay, and two letters of recommendation. For further information about the scholarship or in order to apply for this scholarship, please click the link below.

Provided By: National Karate League
Award: Varies
Education level: Undergraduate
Subject: All
Apply Now

Japanese American Citizens League Scholarship

The Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) awards scholarships to students who are affiliates of the organization. The HanayagiRokumie Memorial Japanese Cultural Scholarship, for example, is given to a student who excels in a cultural sport. While most martial arts scholarships concentrate on the sporting side, this scholarship serves as a reminder of the importance of martial arts in Japanese culture. The juxtaposition of martial arts with the other award-winning practices, such as flower arrangement and tea ceremony, is especially poignant. For further information about the scholarship or in order to apply for this scholarship, please click the link below.

Provided By: Japanese American Citizens League
Award: Varies
Education level: Undergraduate
Subject: All
Apply Now

Dr. Pepper Tuition Giveaway

Dr. Pepper gives five students $100,000 in scholarship money (along with a variety of smaller prizes ranging from $1,000 to $20,000) each year. This fund could be used to pay for college or to pay off student loans. To be qualified, you must be between the ages of 18 and 24. To apply or for further information about the scholarship, please click the link below.

Provided By: Dr. Pepper Org
Award: Full-tuition
Education level: All
Subject: All
Apply Now

Flinn Foundation Scholarships

Flinn Scholarships are awarded each year to 20 of Arizona’s top high school seniors who wish to attend an Arizona public university (including Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, and the University of Arizona). This scholarship pays for four years of tuition, fees, room, and board, a summer seminar in China, an extended study-abroad experience, an internship program, mentorship, and social events, as well as a summer seminar in China (for scholarship winners only). Any of this is worth more than $120,000! To apply or for further information about the scholarship, please click the link below.

Provided By: Flinn Foundation
Award: Full-tuition
Education level: All
Subject: All
Apply Now

Bryan Cameron Impact Scholarship

The Impact Scholarship was established by the Bryan Cameron Education Foundation to pay full tuition up to $50,000 a year for deserving high school seniors with a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.7. Students seeking public service occupations, such as schooling, administration, healthcare, and the military, would receive one-fourth of the funds. Applicants must be residents of the United States, matriculate full-time for a bachelor’s degree, have a good academic ethic, and engage in civic-minded programs to be considered. To further explore the scholarship details and in order to apply for this scholarship, please click the link below.

Provided By: Bryan Cameron Foundation
Award: $50,000
Education level: High School Seniors
Subject: All
Apply Now

Davidson Fellows Scholarship Program

The Davidson Institute has awarded over $6.7 million in grants to profoundly gifted young people under the age of 18 who overwhelmingly perform in the 99th percentile on achievement assessments since 1999. The Davidson Fellows Program awards $50,000, $25,000, and $10,000 grants to outstanding programs that are nearing completion. People of the United States may apply in one of eight categories: science, technology, engineering, mathematics, literature, music, philosophy, or something completely different. To further explore the scholarship details and in order to apply for this scholarship, please click the link below.

Provided By: Davidson Institute
Award: $10,000
Education level: High School Seniors
Subject: All 
Apply Now

Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship

The Elks National Foundation holds its Most Valuable Student Competition every year, awarding two $50,000 scholarships, two $40,000 scholarships, two $30,000 scholarships, and 14 $20,000 scholarships. High-achieving graduating high school seniors with U.S. residency who can graduate full-time with 12+ credits at approved colleges are eligible for the merit-based program. Top Elks finalists will be welcomed to an all-expenses-paid Leadership Weekend in Chicago, where they will network and volunteer at a nearby veterans hospital. To further explore the scholarship details and in order to apply for this scholarship, please click the link below.

Provided By: Elks National Foundation
Award: Upto$50,000
Education level: High School Seniors
Subject: All 
Apply Now

GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship

The GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship, named after our country’s 40th President, awards $10,000 over four years for a total of $40,000 to excellent undergraduates who demonstrate passion, honesty, and patriotism through service contributions. Applicants must be residents of the United States, enrolled full-time in baccalaureate research this Fall, have a combined GPA of 3.0 or higher and be nominated by qualifying community officials. Semifinalists must have a Skype or phone interview with the selection committee. To further explore the scholarship details and in order to apply for this scholarship, please click the link below.

Provided By: GE-Reagan Foundation
Award: $10,000
Education level: High School Seniors
Subject: All 
Apply Now