Almost every youth bowling tournament awards scholarships. Youth leagues sometimes offer them too at the end of the season as awards. However you earn them, make sure that you keep diligent records of what you have. Many youth bowlers start earning scholarships at age 5! That’s a long time before starting college. So, make sure you keep your records straight! All USBC certified event must submit the scholarship to USBC SMART to manage. They will hold and manage the funds for you.
Your scholarship funds are available for eight years from the date of your high school graduation, or if you have already graduated from high school, eight years from the date you won the scholarship (exception to enlisted military). SMART does not allow expiration date extensions and unused scholarship funds are forfeited upon expiration. Please read the SMART scholarship policy to review what items are approved for your scholarship award. Enclosed are FAQs on the SMART program. If you have any trouble accessing your account online, please contact SMART directly at (800) 514-2695 or email: [email protected].
Click here to manage your personal SMART account.
USBC NATIONALS – ANNUAL YOUTH SCHOLARSHIPS
One of the great benefits of USBC Youth membership is the chance to earn college scholarships so you can pursue your dreams. More than $6 million in annual scholarships are awarded to youth bowlers each season based on academic, leadership and on-lane performances. Below are several national scholarships with links to the application portal.
- Scholarship applications: https://ibc.smapply.net/
- For a guide to using the online application portal, click here.
- Download our scholarships and grant promotional flyer here and share it with others in your community.
- Click here to view past winners of these scholarships.
USBC ALBERTA E. CROWE STAR OF TOMORROW
This award annually recognizes star qualities in a female high school senior or college student who competes in the sport of bowling. Candidate must be a Non-Professional USBC member in good standing and not reached their 20th birthday prior to Aug. 1. Star qualities include distinguished bowling performance on the local, regional, state and national levels, academic achievement and extracurricular and civic involvement. The award winner receives a $6,000 scholarship.
USBC CHUCK HALL STAR OF TOMORROW
This award annually recognizes star qualities in a male high school senior or college student who competes in the sport of bowling. Candidate must be a Non-Professional USBC member in good standing and not reached their 20th birthday prior to Aug. 1. Star qualities include distinguished certified bowling performance on the local, regional, state and national levels, academic achievement and extracurricular and civic involvement. The award winner receives a $6,000 scholarship.
USBC EARL ANTHONY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
If you are a senior in high school or a college student with a record of strong community involvement and academic achievements as well as financial need, you are eligible for this scholarship. Bowling success is not considered in awarding this scholarship. USBC presents this prestigious scholarship in honor of legendary pro bowler Earl Anthony.
USBC will award five USBC members with a $5,000 scholarship. Candidates must be in their senior year of high school, or presently attending college and a current Non-Professional USBC member in good standing who have not reached their 20th birthday prior to Aug. 1. In addition, candidates must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 based on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent). Individuals may win this award only once.
USBC ANNUAL ZEB SCHOLARSHIP
The award recognizes a USBC member who achieves academic success and gives back to their community through service. Applicants must be in their junior or senior year of high school, and must be a Non-Professional USBC members in good standing. This scholarship is based mainly on community service and very strong academic success.
Bowling success does not factor into the selection process. The winner receives a $2,500 scholarship and an expenses-paid trip for the winner and a parent or guardian to attend the awards ceremony, held in conjunction with the USBC Convention.
USBC YOUTH AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR
This award annually recognizes one male and one female Non-Professional USBC member, who have not reached their 20th birthday prior to Aug. 1, for his/her exemplary contributions in the sport of bowling outside of league or tournament play, academic accomplishments and community involvement.
Each award winner will receive a $1,500 scholarship and an expenses-paid trip to the awards ceremony held in conjunction with the USBC Convention in the spring. One of the winners may serve on the IBC Youth Committee and be eligible for additional scholarship funds. Youth Ambassadors selected to serve on Youth Committee must be at least 18 years old as of Aug. 1 in year of selection.
USBC GIFT FOR LIFE SCHOLARSHIPS
The Gift For Life Scholarships are available to any Non-Professional USBC member currently in high school holding a GPA of 2.5 or higher and who can demonstrate financial need. USBC awards up to 12 scholarships each year.
Two awards are reserved annually for children of fire department, emergency rescue or police personnel. Selected finalists may be asked to provide evidence of their financial need. Award winners receive a $1,000 college scholarship.
DEXTER ALL-AMERICAN TEAM
Five male and five female High School members are selected annually for the Dexter High School All-American Team. Each student-athlete selected to the team receives a $1,000 scholarship. Additionally, one of the ten athletes selected will receive the Bud Clapsaddle Award, being named the team captain. The recipient of the Bud Clappsaddle Team Captain Award will receive an additional $500.
Any USBC member that participates on a recognized interscholastic high school team (varsity or club classification) is eligible to apply.
As a high school bowler, your selection to the Dexter High School All-American Team is based on your bowling accomplishments, academic achievement, letters of recommendation, extra-curricular/community involvement.
Requirements for selection include:
- 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent)
- A recommendation letter from a coach or athletic director
- At least one additional letter of recommendation.
- A resume outlining bowling accomplishments, academic achievements, and extracurricular/community involvement
- An essay containing at least 500 words, answering a provided question
- At least one photo (preferably a yearbook-style photo)
ABOUT SMART
Our tools and resources are available 24/7.
Click here for more information on SMART
USBC offers millions of dollars in scholarship money to help young bowlers get a jump start on their dreams. More than $7 million in scholarship money is offered each season by bowling associations and councils, certified tournaments and proprietors throughout the United States.
SMART, which stands for Scholarship Management and Account Reporting for Tenpins, is a program that began operation in 1994 as a service offering the bowling community a centralized location to manage bowling scholarship funds as well as providing USBC members with a resource for inquiries about bowling scholarships. In 2010, the SMART Bowling Scholarship Funding Corporation was created as an independent entity dedicated to the management, protection and promotion of the SMART scholarship funds.
SMART oversees bowling organizations’ scholarship funds for individuals who have earned scholarships. USBC’s SMART staff provides complimentary assistance for recipients and providers.
SMART MISSION
In order to help youth bowlers achieve their educational goals and reach their full potential, we will provide effective and convenient access, safekeeping and prudent management of all scholarship funds until distributed to youth bowlers in compliance with all required regulations.
SMART VISION
To be the premier custodian of youth scholarship funds in bowling, admired for its efficiency, transparency and friendly and responsive service.