USBC Gift for Life Scholarships
Offered by United States Bowling Congress
About This Scholarship
Gift for Life is USBC's need-based youth scholarship: up to 12 awards per year for high school bowlers who can demonstrate financial need, with two of the twelve reserved for children of fire department, emergency rescue, or police personnel. It is also the most forgiving USBC award academically — the GPA floor is 2.0, not the 3.0 required by USBC's other youth scholarships.
Eligibility runs from freshman through senior year of high school, wider than the junior-senior window on USBC's other awards, so younger league bowlers can apply. Applicants must be current USBC members and submit the standard package: transcript, two recommendation letters, proof of participation, a photo, and an essay of at least 500 words.
Awards are $1,000 each, deposited into the SMART program and paid toward education after high school. For bowling families where money is the obstacle, this is the USBC award to start with.
Eligibility
- Current USBC member in high school (freshman through senior)
- Minimum 2.0 GPA
- Demonstrated financial need
- Two of the twelve annual awards are reserved for children of fire department, emergency rescue, or police personnel
How To Apply
- Gather your transcript, two recommendation letters, proof of bowling participation, and a photo, plus documentation of financial need
- Write the required essay of at least 500 words
- Submit through the Apply Now link on the USBC Youth Scholarships page at bowl.com by December 1
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be a junior or senior?
No. Gift for Life is open to USBC members from freshman through senior year of high school — the widest eligibility window of USBC's youth scholarships.
Is this award based on bowling skill?
No. Gift for Life is a need-based award. Financial need and a 2.0 GPA are the core requirements, not scores.
Who qualifies for the first-responder awards?
Two of the twelve annual scholarships are set aside for children of fire department, emergency rescue, or police personnel who otherwise meet the requirements.