Fort Smith Times

Pope County's Arkansas Tech University invested $1,870,356 in athletically-related financial aid for college students in 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

This is a 7.3% decrease compared to the previous year, when the county invested $2,017,726 in college sports aid.

There were 245 male and 97 female student-athletes who competed for one or more sports teams representing Arkansas Tech University in 2023. Male students received 40.6% more financial aid on average than female students.

Male students who play basketball generally receive the most in financial aid, followed closely by football players. Female students playing ice hockey often receive the most in financial aid.

Only a small percentage of college expenses are typically covered by athletic scholarships, and only for a select few students.

A study found that 71% of student athletes participated in sports to earn a college scholarship.

Year	Athletically Related Student Aid	Student-athletes Enrollment
2014	$1,314,926	274
2015	$1,453,024	293
2016	$1,455,034	287
2017	$1,558,910	316
2018	$1,715,036	290
2019	$1,811,190	291
2020	$1,810,030	302
2021	$1,979,735	312
2022	$2,017,726	349
2023	$1,870,356	342