The Kevin Sumlin Scholarship for Student Athletes has officially opened its 2026 application cycle, inviting eligible undergraduate student-athletes from accredited colleges and universities across the United States to apply. Founded by Kevin Sumlin, the scholarship provides a one-time award of $1,500 to one deserving student-athlete who demonstrates discipline, perseverance, teamwork, and dedication to educational success. The initiative underscores the importance of balancing academic responsibilities with athletic participation while preparing for future professional and personal accomplishments.
Kevin Sumlin, whose coaching career spans more than three decades at leading collegiate football programs, established the scholarship to continue his commitment to mentoring student-athletes. Throughout his career, Sumlin earned recognition for developing successful teams and emphasizing character development alongside athletic success. Following his retirement, he launched this scholarship to provide meaningful educational support for the next generation of student leaders.
Applications are currently being accepted from undergraduate students who meet specific eligibility requirements: enrollment as an undergraduate at an accredited college or university, active participation as a student-athlete in collegiate athletics, and submission of a 500–700-word original essay responding to the prompt: "As a student-athlete, what lessons have you learned from balancing academics and athletics, and how will these experiences help shape your future beyond sports?" Applicants must submit their essay along with full name, contact information, college or university, and sport via email to apply@kevinsumlinscholarship.com.
The application deadline is June 15, 2026, and the scholarship recipient will be announced on July 15, 2026. The essay serves as the centerpiece of the selection process, allowing applicants to demonstrate thoughtful reflection on resilience, leadership, accountability, and teamwork developed through collegiate athletics. The scholarship is open to qualifying undergraduate student-athletes nationwide, not limited to any specific institution, conference, sport, or geographic region. Every eligible applicant receives equal consideration based on the strength of the submitted essay and adherence to requirements.
By launching this national initiative, Kevin Sumlin continues a lifelong dedication to fostering leadership and educational achievement. Additional scholarship information, eligibility requirements, and application instructions are available through the official scholarship website.
