Back then, USF was famous for having "student athletes" from overseas.
I wouldn't have agreed with you a year ago but the transfer portal and NIL no longer promotes student athletics.
Make NCAA Men’s Soccer American Again?
- Thread starter maestroFRSM
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I wouldn't have agreed with you a year ago but the transfer portal and NIL no longer promotes student athletics.
Messi>CR7
GOLD
Damn, that's too much of a reality check for those of us just paid $20 a day for parking at the Club America Cup, LOL.
As I said from the beginning. I have no issues with universities accepting the best possible candidates Nationally or Internationally.
I do have issues with Universities giving American tax dollars to foreign students in the form of scholorships.
So you are just guessing about "scholorships"?
No, its very clearly stated that colleges fund scholorships.
Also colleges get money from both state and federal government tax dollars.
hooktonfutbol
BRONZE
Opinions are generally worth the used toilet paper they are printed on. Gemini says:
Athletic scholarships in the American college system are primarily funded by the athletic departments of the universities themselves, drawing from a variety of revenue streams.1 While obtaining exact, publicly available percentage breakdowns for every category is challenging due to the integrated nature of university finances and the proprietary nature of some data, we can provide strong estimates and detail the key components.
However, we know:
Athletic scholarships in the American college system are primarily funded by the athletic departments of the universities themselves, drawing from a variety of revenue streams.1 While obtaining exact, publicly available percentage breakdowns for every category is challenging due to the integrated nature of university finances and the proprietary nature of some data, we can provide strong estimates and detail the key components.
Sources of Funding for Athletic Scholarships:
- University Athletic Department Budgets (Predominant Source): This is by far the largest source. The revenue streams feeding these budgets are largely private or self-generated, not typically direct federal, state, or local tax dollars.
- Television and Media Rights: Lucrative contracts with major sports networks (e.g., ESPN, Fox, CBS) for broadcasting games generate billions of dollars annually, especially for Power Five conferences in football and men's basketball.2 This is a private revenue stream.
- Ticket Sales: Revenue from ticket sales for athletic events is a significant contributor, particularly for popular sports.3 This is private revenue from consumers.
- Private Donations and Contributions: Alumni, boosters, and fans make philanthropic contributions directly to athletic programs.4 Many athletic departments have endowments specifically for scholarships, built from private donations.5 This is a crucial private source.
- Merchandise Sales: Sales of team apparel and other branded items.6 This is private revenue.
- Concessions and Parking: Revenue generated at athletic events. This is private revenue.
- Sponsorships and Advertising: Corporate sponsorships and advertising deals with athletic departments.7 This is a private revenue stream.
- Student Fees (at some public universities): In some cases, a portion of student fees might be allocated to the athletic department. While students at public universities pay tuition and fees, some portion of which might be publicly subsidized, the direct allocation of these fees to athletics is typically structured as an internal transfer within the university, rather than a direct public funding mechanism for scholarships.
- Television and Media Rights: Lucrative contracts with major sports networks (e.g., ESPN, Fox, CBS) for broadcasting games generate billions of dollars annually, especially for Power Five conferences in football and men's basketball.2 This is a private revenue stream.
- NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) Distributions (Mixed Public/Private, but mostly Private-Driven):
- The NCAA distributes substantial funds to its member institutions.8 Its primary revenue sources are from private contracts, most notably the multi-billion dollar television rights for the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament (March Madness).9
- A portion of these distributed funds, such as the "Grants-in-Aid Fund" and the "Student Assistance Fund" (SAF), are explicitly designated to help schools cover scholarship costs and provide direct aid to student-athletes for essential needs. While distributed by a central body (the NCAA), the original source of most of this revenue is private media deals.
- The NCAA distributes substantial funds to its member institutions.8 Its primary revenue sources are from private contracts, most notably the multi-billion dollar television rights for the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament (March Madness).9
- External Organizations and Foundations (Purely Private):
- Private Foundations and Charities: Numerous independent foundations and charitable organizations offer scholarships to students, including student-athletes, often based on specific criteria (e.g., academic merit, specific sport, financial need, geographic area).10 These are entirely private funds.
- Corporate Sponsorships and Scholarship Programs: Some corporations establish their own scholarship programs for students, which can include athletes. These are private funds.
- US Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC):Provides grants and tuition assistance for elite athletes, funded through private donations, sponsorships, and partnerships.11
- Private Foundations and Charities: Numerous independent foundations and charitable organizations offer scholarships to students, including student-athletes, often based on specific criteria (e.g., academic merit, specific sport, financial need, geographic area).10 These are entirely private funds.
Distribution in % of Public vs. Private Funding:
The vast majority of funding for athletic scholarships comes from private sources or self-generated revenue by the athletic departments. Direct public tax dollars specifically allocated for athletic scholarships are minimal.- Private Sources (Including Self-Generated Revenue by Athletic Departments): ~95% or more
- This category predominantly includes:
- Media rights
- Ticket sales
- Donations (alumni, boosters, general public)
- Merchandise sales, concessions, corporate sponsorships12
- NCAA distributions (as the NCAA's revenue is primarily from private media deals)
- Independent private scholarships from foundations/organizations
- This category predominantly includes:
- Public Sources (Federal, State, Local Taxes): ~5% or less (and largely indirect)
- This small percentage would mainly come from indirect means. For example, some public universities might receive state appropriations that, while not directly earmarked for athletic scholarships, contribute to the university's overall financial health, thereby indirectly enabling athletic departments to fund scholarships. Federal student aid programs like Pell Grants can be used by student-athletes, but these are need-based and not specifically athletic scholarships, nor are they tied to athletic performance. Some state-level financial aid programs might be available to all students, including athletes. However, athletic departments are largely expected to be self-sustaining.
Distribution by Gender (Male vs. Female Players):
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 mandates that schools receiving federal funding provide equitable opportunities and resources, including scholarships, to male and female athletes.13 Despite this, disparities persist.- Scholarship Dollars: While the intent of Title IX is equity, data from various reports (e.g., Department of Education, independent reviews) indicates that female athletes at NCAA Division I schools generally receive about 40-44% of athletic scholarship dollars, while male athletes receive the remaining 56-60%.14
- This gap is often attributed to the disproportionate revenue generation by high-profile men's sports like football and men's basketball, which tend to have larger roster sizes and more full scholarships (headcount sports). Even though women's sports participation has significantly increased since Title IX, the funding for men's sports still often outpaces that for women's sports.15
- This gap is often attributed to the disproportionate revenue generation by high-profile men's sports like football and men's basketball, which tend to have larger roster sizes and more full scholarships (headcount sports). Even though women's sports participation has significantly increased since Title IX, the funding for men's sports still often outpaces that for women's sports.15
- Total Athletic Spending: The disparity is even wider when looking at overall athletic department spending. Reports suggest that for every dollar spent on women's sports, roughly two to two and a half dollars are spent on men's programs, especially in Division I.
Distribution by Domestic vs. Foreign-Born Players:
Precise percentages of scholarship funds going to domestic vs. foreign-born players are not readily available or tracked consistently by the NCAA or individual institutions in public reports.However, we know:
- International Student-Athletes are a significant demographic: Many college sports, especially individual sports like tennis, golf, track & field, and soccer, have a notable percentage of international student-athletes.16 These athletes often receive athletic scholarships.
- Recruitment: Coaches actively recruit international talent to enhance their teams, and athletic scholarships are a primary incentive.
- "International Scholarships": Some universities also offer non-athletic "international scholarships" to non-U.S. citizens to encourage diversity on campus, which can be combined with athletic aid.17
- NIL implications: The evolving Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) landscape presents complexities for international student-athletes due to visa restrictions on employment and income, which could impact their overall financial opportunities compared to domestic athletes, even if they receive similar athletic scholarship amounts.18 The proposed House v. NCAA settlement, allowing direct payments to athletes, is also navigating these international student implications.
hooktonfutbol
BRONZE
Sources
1. CollegeVine
www.collegevine.com
Who pays for college athletic scholarships? | CollegeVine
College athletic scholarships are primarily funded by the athletic departments of the universities themselves. This funding comes from a variety of sources. ...
2. Morones Analytics
moronesanalytics.com
Following the Money in College Sports - Morones Analytics
The schools generate direct revenues from ticket sales, merchandise, donations and other sources. Schools are organized into athletic conferences that generate ...
3. Marygrove College Athletics
www.marygrovemustangs.com
The Financial Side of College Sports: A Closer Look
Donations are critical for maintaining the financial health of college sports, as they can bridge the gap between operational costs and revenue from other ...
4. Penn State University
policy.psu.edu
FN09 Scholarships - Penn State Policies
Athletic Scholarships are University scholarships designed to provide recognition and financial assistance to undergraduate students who are outstanding NCAA ...
5. Bold.org
bold.org
College Athletes Can Get Paid. But, How? | Bold.org
They can also earn through corporate sponsorships and support from other sources.
6. SportsEpreneur
sportsepreneur.com
How March Madness Funds the NCAA: A Paradox of Fandom
How does the NCAA distribute this wealth? Through a complex system that reinforces power imbalances within college athletics. The NCAA distributes ...
7. NCAA.org
www.ncaa.org
Finances - NCAA.org
The NCAA receives most of its annual revenue from two sources: television and marketing rights for the Division I Men's Basketball Championship and ticket ...
8. Scholarships360
scholarships360.org
Top 90 Athletic Scholarships in May 2025 - Scholarships360
Verplank Foundation Scholarship Offered by Verplank Foundation. Multiple awards worth up to $10,000. Grade Level High School Senior. Offered by Verplank ...
9. USOPC
www.usopc.org
Athlete Benefits & Resources - USOPC
Grants & Funding Team USA athletes can apply for tuition grants, training and travel grants, as well as a variety of assistance funds. Learn more.
10. United States Courts (.gov)
www.uscourts.gov
The 14th Amendment and the Evolution of Title IX - United States Courts
Ratified in 1868, Congress and the courts have applied the 14th Amendment's Equal Protection Clause to many aspects of public life over the past 150 years. ...
11. www.gogamechange.com
Understanding Gender Disparities in College Athletics - GAME CHANGE
Despite being more than half of the undergraduate population at many universities, female athletes are not receiving their fair share of support. When we look ...
12. NPR
www.npr.org
A new NCAA report show the stark gap in funding for women's sports - NPR
Title IX: NCAA report shows stark gap in funding for women A newly released report shows men's college athletic programs received more than double that of ...
13. Ice Miller
www.icemiller.com
Name, Image, and Likeness – The Foreign Student's Dilemma - Ice Miller
As of 2022, there were 24,000 foreign student athletes in the U.S. in Division I, II and III sports. In Division I, where the NIL money mostly circulates, ...
14. Athleticademix
athleticademix.com
Scholarships - Explained in Detail! - Athleticademix
In every sport, each coach has an athletic scholarship budget to use for recruiting. It is not possible for every athlete on their squad to receive full ...
15. Athletic Scholarships | Athlete +
www.athleteplus.org
NIL Market for International Athletes
However, for international athletes, navigating the NIL market involves unique challenges due to visa restrictions and regulatory complexities.
1. CollegeVine
www.collegevine.com
Who pays for college athletic scholarships? | CollegeVine
College athletic scholarships are primarily funded by the athletic departments of the universities themselves. This funding comes from a variety of sources. ...
2. Morones Analytics
moronesanalytics.com
Following the Money in College Sports - Morones Analytics
The schools generate direct revenues from ticket sales, merchandise, donations and other sources. Schools are organized into athletic conferences that generate ...
3. Marygrove College Athletics
www.marygrovemustangs.com
The Financial Side of College Sports: A Closer Look
Donations are critical for maintaining the financial health of college sports, as they can bridge the gap between operational costs and revenue from other ...
4. Penn State University
policy.psu.edu
FN09 Scholarships - Penn State Policies
Athletic Scholarships are University scholarships designed to provide recognition and financial assistance to undergraduate students who are outstanding NCAA ...
5. Bold.org
bold.org
College Athletes Can Get Paid. But, How? | Bold.org
They can also earn through corporate sponsorships and support from other sources.
6. SportsEpreneur
sportsepreneur.com
How March Madness Funds the NCAA: A Paradox of Fandom
How does the NCAA distribute this wealth? Through a complex system that reinforces power imbalances within college athletics. The NCAA distributes ...
7. NCAA.org
www.ncaa.org
Finances - NCAA.org
The NCAA receives most of its annual revenue from two sources: television and marketing rights for the Division I Men's Basketball Championship and ticket ...
8. Scholarships360
scholarships360.org
Top 90 Athletic Scholarships in May 2025 - Scholarships360
Verplank Foundation Scholarship Offered by Verplank Foundation. Multiple awards worth up to $10,000. Grade Level High School Senior. Offered by Verplank ...
9. USOPC
www.usopc.org
Athlete Benefits & Resources - USOPC
Grants & Funding Team USA athletes can apply for tuition grants, training and travel grants, as well as a variety of assistance funds. Learn more.
10. United States Courts (.gov)
www.uscourts.gov
The 14th Amendment and the Evolution of Title IX - United States Courts
Ratified in 1868, Congress and the courts have applied the 14th Amendment's Equal Protection Clause to many aspects of public life over the past 150 years. ...
11. www.gogamechange.com
Understanding Gender Disparities in College Athletics - GAME CHANGE
Despite being more than half of the undergraduate population at many universities, female athletes are not receiving their fair share of support. When we look ...
12. NPR
www.npr.org
A new NCAA report show the stark gap in funding for women's sports - NPR
Title IX: NCAA report shows stark gap in funding for women A newly released report shows men's college athletic programs received more than double that of ...
13. Ice Miller
www.icemiller.com
Name, Image, and Likeness – The Foreign Student's Dilemma - Ice Miller
As of 2022, there were 24,000 foreign student athletes in the U.S. in Division I, II and III sports. In Division I, where the NIL money mostly circulates, ...
14. Athleticademix
athleticademix.com
Scholarships - Explained in Detail! - Athleticademix
In every sport, each coach has an athletic scholarship budget to use for recruiting. It is not possible for every athlete on their squad to receive full ...
15. Athletic Scholarships | Athlete +
www.athleteplus.org
NIL Market for International Athletes
However, for international athletes, navigating the NIL market involves unique challenges due to visa restrictions and regulatory complexities.
I even wish UC schools would accept more California kids vs. out of state kids.
So overall scholorship money comes from a variety of sources one them being State and Federal tax dollars.
As I said from the beginning funding for scholorships is a shell game.
Was that intentional irony?It's not just tax dollars, its from your kid's tuition and school fees. Only a couple dozen D1 schools are truly self supporting, the overwhelming majority require funding from its university's General Fund subsidies to survive. One study found that nearly130 D1 schools relied on the school's General Fund for over half their athletic department revenue. College athletics are highly supported by public funds either through taxes, state and federal funding and parents paying tuition.
Gemini's claim that college athletics are publicly funded by 5% or less is complete bullshit. Hence why we shouldn't rely on AI for factual matters.
Great discussion and every program is different. Looked up my DD's private D1 school on how they fund their athletic programs. Now her school in regards to soccer for both men's and women is mostly filled with European based players. She is one of the few that is not. They fund their athletic programs by: 1. private funding via donations 2. alumni and friends 3. parent contributions 4. the program itself through grants, matching gifts, and sponsorships. I know for the women and men's soccer program the matching of gifts is a huge contributor. I could not find any public money supporting athletics.
Do you have any sources? I would presume tuition has to cover a lot more before it goes towards athletics, outside of intramural programs.
I hear rich parents will pay for a spot on the team to help the schools general fund and maybe a little extra side hustle for coach
, even though their kid can't really play.Sources? How many do you need to be convinced, since its actually just common knowledge in regard to college athletic economics? The general fund includes tuition and school fees (school fees are tuition, just another term to obscure the cost of attendance). So when a school say its athletics are subsidized that means from tuition and fees.
Most NCAA Division I athletic departments take subsidies
At a time of tight budgets throughout higher education, even the nation’s few financially self-sufficient major-college athletics departments are continuing to receive subsidies in the form of student fees, school or state support, a USA TODAY Sports analysis finds. Just 23 of 228 athletics...
www.goacta.org
chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.knightcommission.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/jones.pdf
Nearly 130 NCAA Division I athletics departments rely on subsidies for over half their total athletic department revenue (Wolverton, Hallman, Shifflett, & Kambhampati, 2015).
Sports At Any Cost
Public universities have poured more than $10 billion into athletics in the last five years. College students and taxpayers are footing the bill.
projects.huffingtonpost.com
Report Describes Cal Athletics' Financial Shortfall
A report by Jon Wilner of the San Jose Mercury-News indicates that Cal’s athletic department has experienced financial losses of nearly $68 million over the pas
www.si.com
UCSD students vote to raise school fees for athletics program
UC San Diego students voted overwhelmingly to raise fees that could be used to boost the Tritons' 23 athletic teams to Division I, the university announced Tuesday.
www.cbs8.com
FYI, I'm not opposed to General Funds being used for athletics. It's just not accurate to claim that college athletics are not being publicly funded with state and federal taxes, tuition and fees.Sources? How many do you need to be convinced, since its actually just common knowledge in regard to college athletic economics? The general fund includes tuition and school fees (school fees are tuition, just another term to obscure the cost of attendance). So when a school say its athletics are subsidized that means from tuition and fees.
At a time of tight budgets throughout higher education, even the nation’s few financially self-sufficient major-college athletics departments are continuing to receive subsidies in the form of student fees, school or state support, a USA TODAY Sports analysis finds.Most NCAA Division I athletic departments take subsidies
At a time of tight budgets throughout higher education, even the nation’s few financially self-sufficient major-college athletics departments are continuing to receive subsidies in the form of student fees, school or state support, a USA TODAY Sports analysis finds. Just 23 of 228 athletics...
chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.knightcommission.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/jones.pdf
Nearly 130 NCAA Division I athletics departments rely on subsidies for over half their total athletic department revenue (Wolverton, Hallman, Shifflett, & Kambhampati, 2015).
In the past five years, public universities pumped more than $10.3 billion in mandatory student fees and other subsidies into their sports programs, according to an examination by The Huffington Post and The Chronicle of Higher Education.Sports At Any Cost
Public universities have poured more than $10 billion into athletics in the last five years. College students and taxpayers are footing the bill.projects.huffingtonpost.com
Cal and Stanford athletic departments combined had an operating shortfall of $37.6 million for the 2022 and 2023 fiscal years. And the real story is worse than that because that number included direct university support. If the direct university support was removed from the equation, the combined operating shortfall was $46.9 million in fiscal year 2022 and $75.8 million in fiscal year 2023, according to the report.Report Describes Cal Athletics' Financial Shortfall
A report by Jon Wilner of the San Jose Mercury-News indicates that Cal’s athletic department has experienced financial losses of nearly $68 million over the pas
UCSD students vote to raise school fees for athletics program
UC San Diego students voted overwhelmingly to raise fees that could be used to boost the Tritons' 23 athletic teams to Division I, the university announced Tuesday.
Any opposition to UCLA giving scholarships to kids from outside CA?
The best of the best from our country need to go to UCLA, regardless of State. Selling roster spot(s) is not good and giving a prized roster spot as a "favor" is insane, especially when the roster spot is given to a fake soccer player.
Not really if they're paying out of state tuition.