Exclusive Fencing Scholarships to Apply for in 2024

Through the support of a fencing scholarship, student-athletes can pursue higher education while showcasing their skills on the fencing strip. In this ultimate guide, we will delve into the world of athletic scholarships for fencers, exploring eligibility criteria, the application process, and tips to increase your chances of securing one. Whether you are interested in college fencing on a prestigious ivy league team, or leveraging your experience on high school varsity fencing teams to earn scholarship money, explore the scholarship opportunities available to you as a fencer.

At Bold.org, we recognize how important athletic scholarships are to a student athlete's college journey. Our team, with extensive experience in higher education and athletic scholarships, is here to help you find athletic scholarship opportunities to support your education. Let's dive in!

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Types of Fencing Scholarships

Like other athletic scholarships, awards for fencing come in various forms, ranging from full scholarships that cover tuition, room and board to partial scholarships that provide assistance with specific expenses. Some institutions may offer renewable awards, granting fencers financial support for multiple years.

Merit-Based Scholarships

Need-Based Scholarships

Leadership Scholarships

Scholarships by Major

Browse Scholarships by Demographic

Best Fencing Scholarships

For young athletes passionate about fencing, a scholarship can be life-changing to their academic and athletic careers. Traditional fencing scholarships open doors to prestigious universities and colleges, allowing fencers to pursue their academic and athletic dreams simultaneously.

Receiving a fencing scholarship can alleviate the financial burden of pursuing higher education while competing at a high level in the sport. These awards also provide opportunities for fencers to train with top coaches at their colleges and outside of school, further enhancing their skills and performance on the strip.

Scholarships for fencing are less common than those for other sports. However, many colleges with fencing teams have scholarship funds dedicated to supporting fencers. These awards are highly competitive and require strong academic merit in addition to athletic prowess.

Absolute Fencing Gear All-Academic Team — USA Fencing

Stanford University Fencing

Columbia University Fencing

University of Notre Dame Fencing

Pennsylvania State University Fencing

Northwestern University Women's Fencing

Boston College Fencing

Athletic Scholarships

It's a common misconception that only varsity teams offer scholarships for sports. There are a range of athletic scholarships available to student-athletes depending on factors outside of athletic performance, such as academic merit, community building and dedication to the sport, and financial need.

Athletic Scholarships

Swimming Scholarships

Football Scholarships

Volleyball Scholarships

Track Scholarships

Tennis Scholarships

Lacrosse Scholarships

Soccer Scholarships

Cheerleading Scholarships

Golf Scholarships

Bowling Scholarships

College-Based Scholarships and Student-Athlete Recruiting

Depending on your performance on fencing teams as a high school fencer or at a private fencing institute, you may be eligible for student-athlete recruiting during your senior year to receive a college-based scholarship.

Like any other NCAA sport, there are multiple divisions of college fencing. The differences between each division relates to the amount of financial resources dedicated to promoting the sport within the school and the NCAA, the size of each school's team, and each school's commitment to athletic recruitment.

Division I fencing programs typically have the most rigorous recruitment process, and only select fencers with outstanding athletic performance will qualify for these programs. Schools with college fencing teams competing in the Ivy League, such as Columbia University, all maintain Division I fencing programs. Other athletic powerhouse schools like Pennsylvania State University (Penn State), Notre Dame, and Ohio State also maintain college fencing teams of Division I status.

The resources devoted to fencing teams at Division I institutions are more robust than in other NCAA sport Divisions. As a result, these programs attract the top fencing coaches in the nation. If your dream is to train under the guidance of a renowned college fencing coach while gaining access to superior athletic resources and elite collegiate fencing tournaments, then training for Division I recruitment is the path for you.

However, do keep in mind that these teams are highly selective. Earning recruitment to a Division I team requires national championship-level athletic prowess and years or even decades of dedication to the sport.

How Does College Fencing Work?

Though fencing is played as an individual sport, athletes compete on teams in the college fencing circuit. Fencing teams consist of three fencers for each weapon—epee, foil, and saber—forming three separate squads within the same team. Each fencer of a single weapon type competes against each fencer of the same weapon on the opposing team in a round-robin format for a total of nine bouts. In other words, each squad member of one team will fence each squad member of the opposing team.

How Do College Fencing Tournaments Work?

Unlike other sports, college fencing on the NCAA circuit does not calculate the winner by a team's total score in touches but rather by the number of bouts each team won. A respective tournament determines the winner by the number of bouts won rather than by the number of touches won.

Unlike the rolling point format of the USFA and FIE, university teams coming in first place under the NCAA system may not receive the highest amount of touches but rather the highest amount of bouts won. Individual rankings in college tournaments are also often calculated by the number of bouts won rather than by individual touches won, even in the case of a regional championship or national championship. A fencer's individual results in terms of how many touches are earned per bout are still amalgamated into their personal statistics.

Collegiate Club Fencing

Collegiate fencing through a club is a great option for fencers looking to participate in a fencing program without the intense commitment of joining a varsity team. In club fencing, fencers from one school typically practice and compete against each other in fun team events. Sometimes, club schools compete against each other in more casual tournament settings than the high-stakes world of NCAA national championships.

At many colleges, these fencing programs are run by the school's recreational athletics department. Club teams offer a way to make friends at your school and at other colleges while exercising. If you don't want your college admissions decisions and scholarship awards to be directly tied to your athletic performance, club fencing is a great option.

NCAA Collegiate Fencing Scholarships and Limits

Full-ride fencing scholarships are highly competitive and typically reserved for elite athletes with impressive competitive records as well as strong academics. Division I and II schools offer some full-ride awards to student-athletes, primarily reserved for those playing football, basketball, gymnastics, tennis, or volleyball.

These awards not only cover the cost of attending college but also often include additional perks such as travel stipends for competitions and access to state-of-the-art fencing program training facilities.

Partial scholarships, on the other hand, may cover a portion of tuition or housing costs, requiring fencers to supplement the remaining expenses through other means such as academic awards, financial aid, or part-time work. Division III schools do not offer full scholarships, though partial awards are sometimes possible.

NCAA collegiate athletes must complete a specific curriculum and earn grades meeting minimum GPA requirements in order to maintain their awards. It is common for schools to require minimum gpa requirements for any type of scholarship, but the NCAA maintains its own GPA requirements in addition to the school's requirements.

How to Pay for College as a Fencing Athlete?

Ample research and preparation streamline the process of paying for higher education. You can hone your scholarship research to those most relevant to your goals and background by searching for scholarships by major or searching by state, age, and demographic information. To begin your scholarship search, check out these top merit scholarships!

How to Apply for Fencing Scholarships

Stay organized and detail-oriented throughout the application process. Collect all necessary documents, including your academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, proof of financial need if applicable, and a comprehensive resume highlighting your achievements and extracurricular involvement.

Tailor your application to each scholarship opportunity. Research the specific requirements and preferences of each scholarship committee to ensure that your application stands out. Highlight any unique experiences, community involvement, or leadership roles that demonstrate your well-rounded skills and commitment to both academics and athletics.

Many scholarship committees require an essay as a part of your application. Use this opportunity to showcase your story, highlight your love for your sport, and detail how athletics has shaped your character and future aspirations. When crafting your essay, consider incorporating specific examples or anecdotes that illustrate your dedication and perseverance. Share how you have overcome challenges, set and achieved goals, and contributed to your community.

Tips for Applying for Fencing Scholarships

Cultivate a mindset of constant growth as an athlete. Devote yourself to regular training sessions, seek guidance from seasoned coaches, and immerse yourself in high-stakes competitions that push you to new heights. By consistently demonstrating your prowess and unwavering commitment to excellence, you position yourself as a standout prospect in the eyes of college coaches and talent scouts.

While your prowess on the fencing strip is undoubtedly crucial, don't overlook the pivotal role that academics play in securing a coveted scholarship. A well-rounded academic profile showcases your intellectual capabilities while underscoring your commitment to excellence in all facets of life. Strive to maintain stellar grades, challenge yourself with rigorous coursework, and engage in extracurricular pursuits that highlight your leadership and teamwork skills. Remember, academic achievement is not just a box to check off—it's a testament to your dedication, discipline, and ability to excel in diverse arenas.

Additional Resources for Fencing Scholarship Applicants

FIE (International Fencing Federation)

The official website offers rules, regulations, event information, and educational resources for fencers of all levels.

USA Fencing

The national governing body for the sport of fencing in the United States provides resources for fencers, coaches, and clubs.

NCAA

If you are or will be a collegiate fencer, the NCAA provides scholarships for athletes in member institutions. Check out the NCAA website for more information on athletic scholarships and how to qualify.

Check out our Scholarship Blog for more information and learn how to apply for scholarships today!