Scholarship Information
About Scholarships
One of the great benefits of USBC Youth membership is the chance to earn college scholarships so you can pursue your dreams. Did you know that there is more than $6 million in scholarship money offered each season by bowling associations and councils, certified tournaments and proprietors throughout the United States?
If you’re a young bowler participating in a USBC league, you may be eligible for national bowling-related scholarships. Adults who are active in providing youth programs may be eligible for national recognition awards.
SMART
USBC offers millions of dollars in scholarship money to help young bowlers get a jump start on their dreams. More than $6 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 Accounting Reports for Tenpins, is a program designed to help associations and organizations set up, manage and disburse youth bowling scholarship funds.
Contact SMART
If you have questions regarding your SMART account, or about the program in general, you may contact SMART by the methods listed below:
E-Mail: smart@bowl.com
Phone: (800) 514-2695 Ext. 3168
Dexter All American
Five male and five female USBC High School members are selected annually for the Dexter/USBC High School All-American Team and a $1,000 scholarship.
Coaches or team administrators must nominate eligible contenders; student-athletes and/or family members may not handle nominations. Once nominations are accepted, the student-athlete receives an application packet.
As a high school bowler, your selection to the Dexter/USBC High School All-American Team is based on your bowling accomplishments, academic achievement, letters of recommendation, extracurricular and community involvement, submitted essays and resumes. Minimum requirements for selection include a 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) and at least one letter of recommendation.
All-American Team awards are presented at the USBC Junior Gold Championships, typically held each July in various event host cities.
USBC Chuck Hall Star of Tomorrow
Highly skilled male bowler with strong academic success in the classroom and involvement within their community outside of bowling.
This annual award recognizes star qualities in a male high school or college student who competes in the sport of bowling. Star qualities include:
- distinguished certified bowling performance on the local, regional, state and national levels
- academic achievement
- extracurricular and civic involvement
Award winners receive a $6,000 scholarship. View the application form here: Chuck Hall Star of Tomorrow Application
* The application deadline is October 1st. *
USBC Annual Zeb Scholarship
Applicants must be in their 11th or 12th grade year in high school, and may be male or female. This scholarship is based mainly on community service and very strong academic success. Bowling successes do not factor into the selection process.
- This award recognizes a USBC Youth 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 (grade 11 or 12) and must be USBC Youth members in good standing.
- Winner receives a $2,500 scholarship and an expense-paid trip for the winner and a parent or guardian to attend the awards ceremony, which is held in conjunction with the USBC Junior Gold Championships in July.
View the application form here: Annual Zeb Scholarship Application
* The application deadline is April 1st. *
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. Star qualities include:
- distinguished certified bowling performance on the local, regional, state and national levels
- academic achievement
- extracurricular involvement
- Award winners receive a $6,000 scholarship.
View the application form here: Alberta E. Crowe Star of Tomorrow Application
* The application deadline is October 1st. *
USBC Youth Ambassador (formerly Youth Leader) of the Year
This award annually recognizes one male and one female USBC Youth bowler 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 expense-paid trip to the awards ceremony held in conjunction with the USBC annual convention in the spring. One of the winners may serve on the USBC Youth Committee and be eligible for additional scholarship funds. Youth Ambassador selected to serve on Youth Committee must be at least 18 years old as of August 1st in year of selection.
View the nomination form here: Youth Ambassador of the Year Form
* The nomination deadline is November 1st. *
USBC Gift for Life Scholarships
The Gift of Life Scholarships are available to any USBC Youth member currently in high school currently holding a GPA of 2.0 or better who can demonstrate financial need.
- USBC awards up to 12 scholarships to USBC Youth members who are high school students and demonstrate financial need.
- Applicants must be current USBC Youth members enrolled in high school, grades 9-12, and have a current grade point average of 2.0 or better based on a 4.0 scale.
- Two of the six 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.
View the application form here: Gift for Life Scholarships Form
* The application deadline is April 1st. *
USBC Earl Anthony Memorial Scholarships
If you are a senior in high school or a college students 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 these scholarships.
- In honor of legendary pro bowler Earl Anthony, USBC awards five annual scholarships of $5,000 each to recognize male and female bowlers for their community involvement and academic achievements.
- Financial need will also be considered.
- Eligible candidates must be enrolled in their senior year of high school or presently attending college and must be current members of USBC in good standing. In addition, candidates must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 based on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent). Individuals may win this award only once.
View the application form here: Earl Anthony Memorial Scholarships Form
* The application deadline is May 1st. *
National PBA-Sponsored Scholarship - Billy Welu Scholarship
Given in conjunction with the PBA, the Billy Welu scholarship recognizes a male or female collegiate bowler for their bowling successes and involvement while maintaining academic success.
- Annual award recognizes exemplary qualities in male and female college students who compete in the sport of bowling.
- Winner receives a $1,000 scholarship award.
- Eligible candidates must be amateur bowlers who are currently in college (preceding the application deadline) and maintain at least a 2.5/4.0 GPA or equivalent.
View the application form here: Billy Welu Scholarship Form
* The application deadline is May 31st. *
David Dahms Coach of the Year Award
This prestigious award is named in honor of David Dahms, who was an instrumental leader in the creation of what is now known as the USBC Junior Gold program. The award annually recognizes a USBC certified coach who has been actively involved in a USBC Youth program and has demonstrated outstanding commitment to coaching, sportsmanship and knowledge of USBC Youth rules for the last seven or more years. Any person or organization with knowledge of an individual’s accomplishments in these areas may nominate that individual.
View the application form here: David Dahms Coach of the Year Award Form
* The applications must be postmarked by November 1st. *
Kerm Helmer Horizon Award
This prestigious award is named in honor of Kerm Helmer, the team founder and longtime bowling coach at Erie Community College who also served as a board member, vice-president and president of the Young American Bowling Alliance, a predecessor organization of the USBC. The annual award recognizes leaders or organizations in the bowling community who have displayed the courage, determination and ability to develop far-reaching programs of national scope that provide fun and exciting opportunities for collegiate and/or youth bowlers.
View the application form here: Kerm Helmer Horizon Award Form
* The applications must be postmarked by November 1st. *
USBC Youth Volunteer of the Year Award
This annual award recognizes an adult volunteer who has displayed outstanding efforts to foster, organize and promote certified youth bowling programs at the local, state and/or national level for the last seven or more years. Any person or organization with knowledge of an individual’s efforts in these areas may nominate that individual.
View the application form here: USBC Youth Volunteer of the Year Award Form
* The applications must be postmarked by November 1st. *
