Attending college is an academic endeavor that requires some financial planning and assistance for most students. Very few students are able to attend universities without grants, scholarships or student loans. Grants and scholarships are the preferred financial aid because students do not need to repay them. As a result, earning one is often a competitive process.

Athletic scholarships are one of the more popular types to be awarded, because they reward students for team interaction and talent as a player. One such athletic financial award is a bowling scholarship. More than $6 million is available each year in the form of sports scholarships for young bowlers. Some are provided by bowling organizations such as U.S Bowling Congress, Women's Professional Bowling Association, and Professional Bowlers Association. Others are provided by individual professionals who have established scholarship funds, such as Billy Welu, Chuck Hall and Earl Anthony. In many cases, colleges provide funds from the athletic departments and students represent the college in competition. All entities realize the importance of education, and the role education can play in the student's life. Even if the student continued in competition and became a professional, a time may come that the sport would no longer provide a sufficient income due to aging or physical injuries. A solid education would prepare the athlete in the event of those scenarios.

Some career choices that relate to education and participation in competition would be in ownership or management of lanes, as an architect specializing in lanes and alleys or sports venues, sports management, a sales leader in equipment and supplies, event planner, physical education instructor, coach, sports reporter, as well as many more options which require interpersonal communication, teamwork, and a desire to succeed. Team activities such as bowling teach participants life skills in planning, organizing, concentration, getting along with people and demonstrating perseverance. All of these are positive attributes for any career.

Scholarships are typically awarded on the basis of talent as a bowler, academic qualifications, and community service. It isn't good enough to just score high in league play; students must also demonstrate being well-rounded by having good grades in school and participating actively outside of the sport. Scholarship awards are made to both males and females.

If students are interested in obtaining a bowling scholarship based on capabilities, they should check first with the local bowling association or state association; most will have some type of scholarship or grant available. Next, they can check with the athletic departments of schools they are considering for enrollment. It isn't just the large universities that have bowling scholarships; many small colleges also have funds available.