Tennis scholarships in America: study and play tennis at your level
In Europe, tennis and education are often largely separate. You train at your own club, compete in league matches and tournaments, and combine that with school or university. In the United States, things work differently. As a student-athlete, you are part of your university’s tennis team, combining your education and sport. You train several times a week, compete against other universities, and represent your school as part of a team. At the same time, you work toward a bachelor’s degree that remains valuable after your tennis career.
Whether you hope to pursue the ATP or WTA Tour after graduation or primarily want to use your tennis level to earn a place at a great university, college tennis offers opportunities at many different levels.
How does a tennis scholarship work in America?
The head coach decides which players he or she wants to add to the team and how much athletic scholarship funding is available for them. Coaches consider factors such as your tennis level, your potential role within the team, and the financial resources available to the program.
Following the recent changes within NCAA Division I, universities operating under the new rules can offer athletic scholarships to players within the permitted roster limit. For both men’s and women’s tennis, that limit is set at a maximum of 10 players.
That does not automatically mean that every player receives a full scholarship. A coach and university can choose to distribute the available financial resources among multiple players. The value of your athletic scholarship can therefore vary significantly depending on the university and your individual situation.
Your total scholarship package is often more than just your athletic scholarship
A tennis scholarship does not have to consist solely of funding from the coach. Many student-athletes combine different forms of financial support.
- Athletic scholarship: the scholarship you receive based on your tennis level and your value to the team.
- Academic scholarship: financial support based on your high school grades (GPA) and, in some cases, your SAT or ACT score.
- Other university scholarships: some universities offer additional scholarships or grants for international students.
By combining these different forms of financial support, your total financial package can be significantly higher than your athletic scholarship alone. Learn more about combining and stacking scholarships.
What Tennis Level Do You Need for College Tennis?
Curious about which UTR rating is generally suitable for NCAA Division I, Division II, Division III, the NAIA, or a junior college?
Read our detailed article about the different college tennis levels and UTR guidelines in America.
What does a tennis scholarship cover:
The value and structure of your scholarship vary from one university to another. A partial scholarship can reduce some of your costs, while a more comprehensive scholarship may cover a large portion or nearly all standard expenses. Depending on your financial package, support may be available for:
Tuition and fees
Tuition and mandatory university fees, which can range from $10,000 to over $70,000 per year.
Training gear
You will receive complete sets of team apparel, racquets, bags, shoes, and professional stringing services, all provided by the university.
Room & board
The cost of your on-campus housing (‘dorms’) and daily meals (‘meal plan’) can be fully covered by your scholarship.
Health insurance
Your mandatory health insurance, an essential expense, may be included as part of your overall scholarship package
Books
A significant expense that is can be included in your scholarship package, saving you between $400 and $1200 annually.
Personal expenses
With a ‘full ride’ scholarship, you may even receive additional spending money (‘stipend’) for personal expenses or travel costs.
What your scholarship covers depends on the university and the scholarship package you receive. That is why we do not look only at the percentage of your athletic scholarship, but at the complete financial picture. A 60% athletic scholarship at one university can be financially more attractive than an 80% athletic scholarship at a much more expensive school. Want to know exactly what a full scholarship can and cannot cover? Read our article about a full scholarship in America.
Life as a college tennis player
College tennis is about much more than playing matches. You are part of a team, live and study on campus, and combine your education with an intensive tennis program.
Training in a professional environment
As a college tennis player, you train with experienced coaches and, depending on the university, work with strength and conditioning coaches, athletic trainers and other specialists.
Many universities offer excellent tennis facilities, fitness centers and recovery resources. Alongside your technical development, you also work on strength, conditioning, recovery and injury prevention.
A campus full of athletes
Life at an American university is very different from being part of a tennis club in Europe. On campus, you live, study and train alongside student-athletes from many different sports.
For many international students, the combination of education, competitive sports and life on an American campus is one of the most memorable parts of the experience.
An individual sport with a team behind you
You are still responsible for your own performance on the court, but college tennis has a strong team culture. You train and travel together and support each other from the sidelines during dual matches.
When you win a singles match, you are not only winning for yourself. You are earning an important point for your team. That creates an atmosphere you simply do not get at an individual tournament.
Strong universities and colleges for tennis
The United States has hundreds of strong college tennis programs. Which university is the best fit for you depends not only on your UTR, but also on your age, development, academic results, intended field of study and financial situation.
Below are a few examples of strong programs at each level. Think of this list as a first impression rather than a definitive ranking, as the strength and composition of college teams can change from season to season.
  
Examples of strong programs:
University of Virginia
Wake Forest University
University of Georgia
Examples of strong programs:
University of Chicago
Emory University
Williams College
Examples of strong programs:
Barry University
University of Indianapolis
Valdosta State University
Examples of strong programs:
Georgia Gwinnett College
Keiser University
Xavier University of Louisiana
Overview of an academic year
The college tennis year is generally divided into a fall and spring season.
The fall semester is often considered the off-season and is used to prepare intensively for the upcoming spring season. One thing that makes college tennis different from many other college sports is that players can still compete individually in tournaments during the first part of the fall. Alongside regular tennis practices, you will also spend plenty of time on strength and conditioning to make sure you are in top shape for the main season.
Show time! During the spring season, you train regularly and typically play one or two matches per week. A team match usually consists of three doubles matches and six singles matches, so every match contributes to the overall team result. The season begins with non-conference matches before conference play takes center stage. If your team performs well, it may qualify for postseason competition and, ultimately, the national championships.
Most universities have their Christmas break from mid-December until early January, giving you time to spend with family and friends. However, because the tennis season starts soon after, you will need to return to campus ready to compete.
Summer break – Most students return home to spend around two and a half months with family and friends. Others stay in the United States to take summer classes, work at tennis camps or continue their training.
A day in the life of a college tennis student-athlete
Sports and academics are fully integrated, and the university does everything it can to help you perform at your best both on the tennis court and in the classroom. Curious what that looks like? Watch videos showing how some of our student-athletes spend their day.
6:30
Weight/conditioningWake up, get ready for the weight/conditioning training.
7:45
Shower/BreakfastShower and then have breakfast with teammates or friends in one of the dining facilities on the college campus.
8:30
ClassesFirst classes of the day
11:45
LunchLunch with teammates and friends, again at one of the various food halls available on campus using your prepaid ‘meal plan’ card.
12:30
Classes14:30
PracticeArrive at the training room to prepare for tennis practice. You may get stretched out or taped by an athletic trainer (physiotherapist)
17:30
Recover/Shower/DinnerBack to the training room to make sure you take care of yourself physically after practice (ice bath/physical therapy). After taking a shower you will have dinner with teammates and friends.
19:00
Study/LeisureTime to catch up on studying or finish your homework. And when other sports teams are competing on campus, you’ll often head out to support your fellow student-athletes. After that, the rest of the evening is yours to relax, socialize or get ready for the next day.
4 unique facts about college tennis
- First-hand experience: Made Scholarships founder Dennis den Boer knows the American college tennis system from the inside. He played for Berry College on a tennis scholarship himself and knows from personal experience what it is like to combine sports and academics in the United States.
- UTR pioneers: Made Scholarships was the first organization to host an official UTR tournament in Switzerland. We understand the importance of UTR and can help you make the most of your rating.
- Coaching during matches: Unlike on the professional tour, on-court coaching is allowed in college tennis. Your coach can help you with tactics and mental support during a match.
- You do not only play for your team: During the fall, the focus is not only on team practices. You also compete in individual tournaments. College tennis therefore combines the individual nature of the sport with the experience of being part of a university team.
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