Fort Smith Times

Sebastian County's University of Arkansas-Fort Smith invested $1,169,544 in athletically-related financial aid for college students in 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

This is an 8% decrease compared to the previous year, when the county invested $1,270,844 in college sports aid.

There were 89 male and 59 female student-athletes who competed for one or more sports teams representing University of Arkansas-Fort Smith in 2023. Male students received the same amount of financial aid on average as 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	$1,098,599	140
2015	$1,087,467	132
2016	$966,178	118
2017	$1,086,026	123
2018	$1,109,221	124
2019	$1,052,929	129
2020	$1,112,617	137
2021	$1,170,159	149
2022	$1,270,844	148
2023	$1,169,544	148