On the topic of Esports Scholarships, parents need resources to navigate the recruiting process.
Hundreds of colleges and universities across North America have esports scholarship opportunities for students.
If you are a parent, you may find it difficult to navigate the college esports recruiting process. Stay Plugged In is here to help you with the college esports basics, how to engage with your child around esports, and more.
What are college esports? How can my child get involved?
College esports refers to online video game competitions, where schools face off against each other to win academic scholarship money.
Schools will recruit students to join their roster across a variety of different video game titles such as Rocket League, League of Legends, VALORANT, Overwatch, and many more.
Many schools have esports scholarship opportunities for students.
These esports scholarships can range between $500 and $8,000 and you can even get a full ride at some universities.
At Stay Plugged In, we have helped students earn over $20 million in esports scholarships in total.
To begin the recruiting process, your child can create a profile on Stay Plugged In, or another esports recruiting platform.
On Stay Plugged In, you and your child can connect with college esports coaches and directors who are actively recruiting for their program.
What should my child look for in a college?
First and foremost, we recommend looking for a college that offers majors or academic programs that your child is interested in.
Education is key and students should consider their future career paths when selecting a college.
Additionally, look at the location and extracurricular activities that the school offers.
We recommend getting in contact with the college esports director or coach to ask questions about the school and the program.
What are the benefits of my child participating in college esports?
There are several benefits to participating in college esports:
Teamwork and communication skills: Esports teams require collaboration and communication to succeed, which can help students develop important skills that are transferable to other areas of life.
Strategic Thinking and Problem Solving: Esports often require players to think critically, analyze information, and make quick decisions in high-pressure situations. These skills can be beneficial in academic or professional settings.
Personal Growth and Development: Participating in esports can help students build self-confidence, develop leadership skills, and improve their ability to handle stress.
Career Opportunities: The esports industry offers many different career opportunities in game design, marketing, event management, and more. Participating in college esports can provide students with valuable experience and connections.
How can I engage with my child in esports?
We highly encourage parents to engage with their child around esports.
First, start by asking about their specific esport. You may not initially understand the esport the first time you look at it.
For many games, it may take a while to figure out what’s going on in the game, especially if you are new to esports.
Second, find out how you can support your child in esports. Whether this is through taking them to in-person gaming events or watching their matches on livestream, showing your support is key.
Engaging with your child through esports can make a world of a difference in your child’s life to show that you care and support them and their passions.
What questions should I ask colleges?
It is important for both the student and the parent to ask the right questions to learn more about the school and their esports program.
Suggested questions:
How much is the school’s total tuition? What other extra costs might be involved?
What other academic scholarships or grants can the school offer?
What are the expectations for students with esports scholarships?
What support system does the school or program provide to help students balance their workload and find academic success?
Where can I go to learn more?
You can learn more about how to support your child’s esports journey through the Coalition of Parents in Esports.
Additionally, check out one of our interviews with esports parents:
If you have any questions or want to connect with a recruiting specialist, send us an email.