In the United States, Rugby is primarily a club sport played on college campuses. Players generally pay their participation fees and the university may help the teams with access to training and competition facilities and financial help to cover some expenses. Given Rugby's status as a college club sport, there are currently no full club rugby scholarships available at universities or colleges in the United States. For information about scholarships for NCAA women's varsity rugby, please visit NCAA Scholarships.
The link below will take you to a list of all currently available rugby scholarships available
http://www.usarugby.org/scholarships
American International College - A four-year private school college located in Springfield, MA, is offering over $100,000 in scholarships for the men's and women's rugby programs. The team is starting this year and is being considered a Varsity B program with full backing from university officials from top to bottom. Prospective players will enjoy use of varsity facilities and trainers, and receive the person-first education a private school can offer. Interested players are encouraged to contact Head Coach Josh Macy through his e-mail ( joshua.macy@aic.edu) or blog (coachingchronicle.blogspot.com). While admissions and academic info can be found at www.aic.edu or through a Facebook search of "AIC Rugby."
Arkansas State University - Rugby has grown at Arkansas State to the extent that the school is now able to offer partial scholarships for men and women Rugby players. Qualifying Rugby players from out-of-state may now attend Arkansas State for the in-state tuition rate.
Idaho State University - Idaho State offers out of state fee waivers. The tuition at Idaho State for residents is $2200 a semester for those who have their own insurance and $2600 for those who do not have their own insurance. Idaho State is a D2 program in the Utah Rugby Union. The cost to attend ISU without the waiver is $7500 plus per semester. With a waiver you save an estimated $4800 a semester. We are looking for the serious student athlete, who wants to continue their education and rugby career. We are proud of our 85% graduation rate since 1996.
For more information interested parties can contact:
Coach Ram Eddings,
Idaho State University
P.O. Box 8345,
Pocatello, ID 83209
work 208-282-3242
home 208-232-6221
cell 208-244-1252
fax 208-282-4864
eddierans@isu.edu
University of Central Florida - The UCF Alumni Rugby Scholarship is a $250 annual scholarship award that can be achieved for each eligible year of a rugby athlete’s career at UCF. This scholarship is renewable and students can potentially earn up to $1,000 over four years if they continue playing with the team and annually meet the scholarship requirements. As the endowment grows, additional scholarships with greater monetary values will be awarded in the future.
To be eligible for the scholarship, the interested individual must:
If you have or know of any players who are planning on attending UCF this fall and are interested in playing rugby for the Knights, please email UCFRugbyAlumni@gmail.com for more details.
Furman University - Founded in 1998, the Furman Rugby Club has captured three national small college championships and has been runner up twice. In 2012, the team moved to Division II. The team plays in a university-dedicated stadium on a field named in honor of their coach.
In 2013, the university began offering rugby scholarships to athletes who meet admission requirements. These are substantial scholarships, not grants. Some scholarships may total six figures over four years and cover most of tuition costs. The club has hosted a summer rugby camp since 2009 for boys aged 14-19. Prospective players are encouraged to attend the camp.
The Furman rugby team has a player exchange program with Rhodes University (Grahamstown, South Africa). Members of the team may study at Rhodes and earn academic credit while competing for a very good college rugby team in this rugby-rich nation.
Furman University is one of the nation's premier undergraduate liberal arts colleges. The university offers outstanding academics on a campus that has been ranked as one of the most scenic in the nation. Founded in 1826, the university enrolls approximately 2,600. Information about the scholarships is posted at FurmanRugby.com, the team’s website. Camp information may be found atFurmanRugbyCamp.com.
James Madison University - The rugby alumni at James Madison University have recently endowed the Luis de Souza Pinto Memorial Scholarship, to benefit an international rugby player attending James Madison University. JMU rugby alumni are responsible for finding a worthy recipient for the Fall 2008 semester. The initial scholarship is estimated to be $1,000 for the first years tuition. As the endowment grows, additional scholarships with greater monetary values will be awarded. The team expects to award the first scholarship in 2008. Any individual interested in attending JMU and playing rugby is encouraged to apply, regardless of international status.
Kutztown University - The Kutztown University Rugby Club offers financial assistance in the form of rugby scholarships totaling $10,000.00 per year , donated annually by the Kutztown University Alumni. In conjunction with that, Kutztown University offers half and full tuition waivers to international students that score 1250 or more in their SAT. Please read more about the financial awards and the Kutztown University Rugby Club, at http://kutztownrugby.com.
David Bailey Scholarship - A $2,000 scholarship awarded to a rugby player that has completed a minimum of thirty credits and is majoring in Sociology. This scholarship is awarded by the Bailey family in honor of their son, David, who was a four year member of the rugby club.
KU Fallen Brothers Scholarship - The Kutztown rugby alumni awards two $500.00 academic scholarships in memory of David Bailey and 9/11 casualty Robert Devitt Jr.
RP Fitness Scholarships - Two $1,000 awards , will be given to one forward and one back, each semester. This award will be given to a member of the twenty five man travel squad that obtains the highest fitness score in their respective category. The awards are being funded by Kutztown Rugby Alumni, Mr.Jeff Reiss and Mr. Paul Presinzano.
Book Scholarships - Six, $250.00 book awards will be given each semester, to players selected by the coaching staff. This includes incoming freshmen.
University of Connecticut - The UConn Rugby Alumni Association is proud to offer a $500 scholarship to an incoming freshman rugby player at the University of Connecticut ("the University"). Our goal is to assist student their rugby and academic career at the University.
Wheeling Jesuit University - Wheeling Jesuit University is dedicated to delivering the best overall scholarship package for each of its students. Rugby scholarships up to $9,000 are available to every Rugby player and are renewable for four years. Students can qualify for additional financial aid based on merit and need. www.wju.edu
Wheeling Jesuit University embraces an international reputation for academic excellence as one of only 28 Jesuit colleges in the United States. The University ranks among the top institutions for providing undergraduate research opportunities and promoting depth of thought and imagination. WJU boasts an outstanding record of nearly 100% acceptance rates into graduate programs and professional certifications and commits itself to local, national and global academic service-learning opportunities.
Featuring a beautiful, safe, 65-acre campus supplemented by a 550-acre retreat and nature preserve, Wheeling Jesuit University has earned a place among America's Best Colleges rated by Forbes Magazine and has also been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top regional university for the past 14 years.
Along with varsity rugby, the University's 19 other men's and women's NCAA Division II athletic teams have won 59 championships and boast 45-plus Academic All-Americans.
The campus is home to the Robert C. Byrd National Technology Transfer Center, the Erma Ora Byrd Center for Educational Technologies, the NASA-sponsored Classroom of the Future, a Challenger Learning Center and the Clifford M. Lewis Appalachian Institute.
Miami Rugby Scholarships - The Miami Rugby Alumni Association awards two $500 scholarships each year at Old Boys. Our first scholarship is named after Doug Edwards, Miami RFC's long time player and coach who passed away in 2002. Minus a few years living and playing in Pittsburgh and Atlanta, Doug played for Miami from 1969 through 1983. In 1984 Doug began coaching Miami. Doug also volunteered as an Ohio Rugby Union select side coach, Midwest Rugby Union select side coach and Collegiate All-American manager.
The Collegiate All-Americans award the Doug Edwards Best Tourist Award each year to "the player who shows outstanding ability on the pitch and character off the field during the course of the annual All-American Tour." This is the only award presented during the Collegiate All Americans annual tour. You can read Doug's obituary, written by Bowling Green State University RFC head coach Roger Mazzarella in our August 2002 Newsletter. The Doug Edwards Memorial Scholarship is annually supported by Doug's wife, Barb.
Our second scholarship is named after Lionel Young who founded Miami RFC in 1968 and passed away in 2004. Lionel was born in Birtley, England in 1921 where here played for Rockcliff RFC. After serving in the British army in WWII, Lionel emigrated to Canada where he played a part in founding two clubs in Toronto. Lionel started Miami RFC in the fall of 1968 and left Oxford for Florida in 1970. More information on Lionel can be found on page 2 of our August 2005 Newsletter. The Lionel Young Memorial Scholarship is supported by the Miami Rugby Alumni Association.
Scholarships are awarded to students who have been active members of Miami RFC for at least two semesters, are not graduating in the coming semester and are in good standing with the university. Scholarship applications are sent out each spring and include a short essay portion about how rugby has transcended into other areas of the player's daily life. Applications are reviewed by the Scholarship Committee and are awarded at our annual Old Boys Match each September.
Molloy College (Rockville Centre, NY) Molloy College offers partial rugby scholarships to continuing male and female students who have completed at least 30 credits at Molloy with a minimum of a 2.5 cumulative GPA. In addition, the scholarship recipients must demonstrate a commitment to the core values of the Molloy College RFC: honor, passion, and dedication.
Please contact coach Brendan Droge for more information: (516) 678-5000 ext. 6751 orbdroge@molloy.edu.
New England College - (NECRFC) has $100,000 in rugby scholarship monies available for qualified rugby student athletes. NECRFC is located in beautiful Henniker, New Hampshire and is a fully funded college rugby program. NEC believes that these student athletes who choose to play rugby over other sports, and excel at it, should be rewarded for their hard work and dedication to the sport of rugby. They should also be able to receive a high-quality education in the process of playing the sport they love. Please visit our website at www.nec.edu to learn more about our degree programs. For more information contact head coach Jeremy Treece at necrugby@hotmail.com.
Notre Dame College - Notre Dame College is a four-year private catholic institution in the tradition of the Sisters of Notre Dame located on 61 beautiful acres 30 minutes from downtown Cleveland in South Euclid OH. We are anxious to award Rugby Scholarships to deserving athletes for the men's and women's rugby programs. The team is starting this year and has full backing from the University including the President to build a Rugby Center of Excellence! Prospective players will be coached by an internationally experienced Rugby Coaching staff including an on campus fulltime Rugby Grad Assistant, dedicated Rugby athletic trainers at all practices and matches, have full access to varsity training facilities, a strength and conditioning coach and at a school focused on changing the World One Student at a Time. Athletes interested in learning more about scholarship opportunities are encouraged to contact Brandy Viol NDC Rugby Admission Counselor ( bviol@ndc.edu) at 216-373-6481 or 1877-NDC-OHIO or admissions@ndc.edu or Director of Rugby Brian McCue( bmccue@ndc.edu) at 330-697-9582. You can always find us on line at NotreDameCollege.edu
Palmer College of Chiropractic - Palmer is a competitive Men's Division One club side that is nestled in the heart of the Midwest, USA. Palmer College RFC offers both partial and full Rugby scholarships ranging from 25%-100% of tuition. A chance of a lifetime to play the game of Rugby and at the same time get money for school towards becoming a Doctor of Chiropractic. BE PART OF THE FAMILY.
Please direct all enquiries to:
Ron O'Brien
Email: obrien_r@palmer.edu
Contact Phone: 563 884 5856
WEBSITE: http://blogs.palmer.edu/rugby/
Spring Hill College - Partial Scholarships in the amount of $2,000 per year are available for both men and women, any student interested in the rugby program receives full consideration. For more information on scholarship opportunities please contact Coach McCarthy at 251.380.4030.
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. U.S. News and World Report ranks Spring Hill 17th among the Southern colleges and universities granting master’s degrees. The college is also listed in the South’s “Great Schools, Great Prices” category, colleges that offer quality academic programs, affordable tuition and significant financial aid. The campus is home to approximately 1,400 students and rests on 400 acres in one of Mobile’s most noted neighborhoods. It is naturally landscaped and features huge oaks, azalea-lined walkways and an 18-hole golf course. Several campus buildings are listed in the National register of historic places.
Spring Hill competes against teams in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Florida. Additionally, Spring Hill is also a member of the USA Rugby and National Small College rugby organization and are supported under Spring Hill College Athletics with a full-time head coach, Mollie McCarty.
McCarthy comes to Spring Hill following a four-year stint with USA rugby where she was the coach development manager with responsibilities over all aspects of coach education and coach development in the United States. A certified Level 300 USA Rugby coach, McCarthy is also a licensed international rugby Board (IRB) educator. She has served as the women’s rugby coach at the University of Colorado- Boulder since 2010 as well as coaching rugby at various levels from youth to adult club, including the West collegiate all-Star team. McCarthy holds a B.S. from the State University of New york College at Brockport in communications where she was the captain/president of the women’s rugby club. In 2008, McCarthy earned her Master of Sport administration from Canisius College in Buffalo, N.Y.
Contact Information
Texas A&M University - After 39 years of prestigious rugby and numerous National Championships and playoff runs, this Division I Collegiate powerhouse now offers partial scholarships for in-state and out-of-state rugby players. Qualifying players from out-of-state may now attend Texas A&M for the in-state tuition rate.
Truman State University - The Truman Alumni Award is given to entering freshmen (1-3) that come to Truman with previous high school Rugby experience and promise to be leaders on the team. Each award is up to $500 and is paid in two installments - at the end of the fall and spring seasons. The award is for the freshman year only. It is expected that the recipient(s) will be contributing members of the team, attending practices and games.
To find out more information:
Visit http://rugby.truman.edu/men or http://rugby.truman.edu/men/PDF/AlumniAward-Application.PDF
Or contact:
Coach Bill Sexton
1405 East Meadow Lane
Kirksville, MO 63501
660-626-2324
rugby@truman.edu.
University of Stony Brook - Partial scholarships are available for both Men's and Women's teams.
Office: (631) 632-6454
Cell: (631) 872-6042
Email: coach@stonybrookrugby.org
Website: HowlandGrowl.Com
St. Bonaventure University - The rugby alumni at St. Bonaventure University have recently endowed the Robert Peraza Memorial Scholarship, in memory of a Bonaventure player who died in the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. SBU rugby alumni are responsible for finding a worthy recipient for the Fall 2007 semester. As the endowment grows, additional scholarships with greater monetary values will be awarded. This is a needs-based scholarship; we want to find high school rugby players who normally would not have the opportunity to attend St. Bonaventure University due to financial need. The amount we award is based on how much we can raise but it will be renewable to the same student for 4 years. As the scholarship grows, we will have more flexibility to the amount we award and the number of students we award it to. St. Bonaventure is the first Catholic University in the U.S. to endow a scholarship for rugby players.
For more information:
Contact Paul Fordiani
www.sburfc.com
By phone at 410.837.0908.
University of South Florida - University of South Florida offers the following scholarship opportunities:
Young Bull Scholarship -This $500 scholarship goes to a player who has participated in High School Rugby the previous year and is completing his Freshman year with USF Rugby Football Club. The recipient is selected based on his contribution to the club and commitment to excellence in rugby and in the classroom.
Unstop-a-Bull Scholarship - This $500 scholarship goes to the player whop demonstrates professionalism in both the classroom and on the field. This player will be dedicated to USF Rugby and will participate in all team events including matches, recruitment, fundraising and philanthropy
Gray's Bookstore Scholarship - This $250 book gift certificate is awarded once each semester to the player voted by his club mates as the "Best Club Man" based on that club members activities on and/or off the field. This award presents an opportunity to recognize and reward club members who may or may not be able to be selected in the top Rugby side.
West Chester University - The West Chester Rugby Foundation now offers rugby scholarship opportunities to play rugby at West Chester University.
Charl Welman, MSISeC, CNA
Assistant Coach: Arkansas State University
870-897-2863
cwelman@sbrmc.org
The West Chester (PA) University Men's Rugby Club has made the commitment to becoming an elite national level USA Rugby collegiate program. In support of that effort the West Chester Rugby Foundation, a newly formed non-profit 501 (c) 3 LLC corporation, is most pleased to announce that two $1,000.00 scholarships will be awarded to qualified incoming student rugby players at West Chester University for the fall of 2009. Eligible candidates can be either qualified incoming freshmen or transferring underclassmen.
The West Chester Rugby Foundation has as its mission to nurture and support the growth of high school and collegiate rugby in the greater Chester County (PA) area. In addition to scholarship opportunities the Foundation will run a series of player skill sessions for local high school ruggers as well as hosting a high school tournament in the spring of 2009.
For more information on the foundation and its scholarship opportunities and clinics please contact us at: westchesterrugby@aol.com
The West Chester Rugby Foundation
www.wcurugby.com
Additionally, there are ways to earn collegiate credits and play rugby at the same time. These opportunities include:
Summer Sports Program at Macquarie University in Australia. Michigan State University, in partnership with Macquarie University, offers a unique educational opportunity for college student athletes. This program is arranged through the Office of Study Abroad (OSA).
Rugby Study Abroad (http://www.studyabroad-cis.com/rugby.html) - This program provides opportunities for American students to spend one or two semesters studying in Wellington, New Zealand and playing with a local club.
Middle Tennessee State University- MTSU offers the following classes in Rugby: PHED 131001 Beginning Rugby; PHED 131002 Intermediate Rugby; For further information, please contact Anthony Neely, Adjunct Professor, PO Box 96, MTSU, Murfreesboro, TN 37132; phone 615-812-1754;aneely@mtsu.edu.
University of Illinois at Chicago - The University of Illinois at Chicago offers a full credit course in Rugby union football.
Lindenwood University - Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri offers fully-funded rugby programs for both men and women. Full university support includes generous scholarship assistance, all travel, equipment, uniforms, strength and conditioning coaches, weight room, video room, athletic trainers at all practices and matches, access to the HIT (high intensity training) center and new turf rugby pitch for daily training and matches. The high performance rugby academy environment enables student athletes to flourish. The Lindenwood men’s team made USA Rugby history in 2012 by winning a National Championship in its inaugural season.
Interested students may explore this opportunity by submitting their recruit information online to Lindenwood’s Recruiting Questionnaire.
Men’s Team information: Head coach Ron Laszewski rlaszewski@sbcglobal.net. Men’s Rugby website:www.lindenwoodlionssls.com or follow on Facebook.
Women’s Team information: Head coach Jeff Wilson jwilsonlu2011@gmail.com. Women’s Rugby website: www.lindenwoodlionssls.com 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 person. Lindenwood faculty, staff and administration are committed to an integrative liberal arts curriculum that focuses on the talents, interests and future of our students. Lindenwood is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. For more information about the University and admissions please contact Kristen Revis, Rugby Recruiter/Admissions Counselor at 636.949.4338
USRFF Accepting Kevin Higgins College Scholarship Applications
Last fall, the USRFF awarded eight $1,000 Kevin Higgins College Scholarships to deserving high school seniors who went on to play rugby in college. This year, the USRFF will once again provide up to 10 Higgins Scholarships. These independent scholarships are open to all graduating high school rugby players in the US who will be pursuing their rugby career while continuing their education at the collegiate level.
A dashing number 13 who could play a rugged 12 and also outpace most on the wing, "Higgy" was a three-time Collegiate All-American at Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo. Kevin was still a student when he made the first of 28 test match appearances against Japan in 1985. He represented the United States at the first two Rugby World Cups, in 1987 (Australia) and 1991 (England), and captained the team three times, a testament to his overall skill and leadership. Kevin also earned 16 'caps' with the USA 7s team, making three trips to the prestigious Hong Kong Sevens Tournament.
Kevin's skills were recognized internationally. He was selected to play for the Barbarians, an international all-star team, on their annual Easter Tour. Higgy was also selected for the Teljoy World XV, teaming with the likes of Alan and Gary Whetton, Grant Fox, Bernie Fraser, Stan Pilecki, Buck Shelford and fellow American, Mike Purcell. On the domestic scene, Kevin helped OMBAC to three national club championships.
Kevin touched the lives of his teammates, friends and opponents in so many ways, that he was as cherished off the field as he was on. Those who had the honor of playing alongside him, against him, touring with him and working with him still smile as classic Higgy stories are shared. He lifted the spirits and work ethic of every squad he joined. He played with a passion second to none. Such zest for the game sadly led to frequent concussions, prematurely ending his playing career and perhaps contributing to his untimely passing in 1996.
"The Rugby Foundation is proud to keep Higgy's legacy alive through the Higgins Scholarship Program," said USRFF Executive Director Brian Vizard, a former teammate of Higgins. "We have received over 70 applications from worthy candidates in the first three years of the program and expect another strong list of candidates this year. We hope we'll continue to receive financial support for the Higgins Scholarship Fund from those who knew and loved Kevin and from the rugby community at large who admired his commitment and contributions to the game."
Read more about last year's Kevin Higgins' Scholarship recipients: Taylor Johnson, Pat Coleman, Couryn Beleck, Mary Jo Reddy, Isiah Willis, Frank Viancourt, Ben Roach, and Eric Mallory.
Apply for a 2011 Kevin Higgins College Scholarship.
Donate to the Higgins Fund - Become a member of the Higgy Hundred
As a means to increasing the number of annual scholarships, the Foundation has established "The Higgy Hundred" to both further honor Kevin and to nurture our country's rugby future. Our goal is to endow the Fund so that at least 10 scholarships are given out annually.
You can join "The Higgy Hundred" by contributing just $100 to the Kevin Higgins College Scholarship Fund. A gift of at least $250 puts you in "Higgy's Captain's Club".
By becoming a member of either The Higgy Hundred or Higgy's Captain's Club, you will receive a Higgy Hundred t-shirt. Higgy's Captain's Club members will also receive a Higgy Hundred visor.