Fayetteville Today

Cumberland County's three universities invested $1,250,419 in athletically-related financial aid for college students in 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

This is a 10.7% increase compared to the previous year, when the county invested $1,129,826 in college sports aid.

There were 592 male and 318 female student-athletes who competed for one or more sports teams representing the three colleges in the county in 2023. Male students received 32.6% more financial aid on average than female students.

Fayetteville State University stood out as the university in Cumberland County which received most of the financial aid during 2023. The institution received $1,150,319, or 92% of all the money invested in the county.

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	$667,873	701
2015	$649,744	701
2016	$773,807	712
2017	$821,453	748
2018	$893,670	719
2019	$1,152,531	744
2020	$1,180,061	789
2021	$120,607	559
2022	$1,129,826	844
2023	$1,250,419	910