On any given Saturday, college football stadiums are packed to the brim with screaming fans, creating an illusion of athletic dominance. But beyond the cheers and the roar of the crowds, there is a lesser-known reality: more performing arts scholarships are available than athletic scholarships. This is not a coincidence, but a result of the NCAA rules that govern student athletes.

Unlike their counterparts in performing arts, student athletes are bound by NCAA rules dictating scholarship amounts based on sport and college division. Their scholarship options are restricted to their school and general academic scholarships, leaving little room for additional financial support.

On the other hand, performing arts students have the freedom to receive scholarships from both their school and non-institutional (third-party) sources. This means they can receive funding from groups that are not part of a college or university, such as The American Viola Society or the Nashville Opera Guild. This freedom extends throughout their education, even if they decide to pursue a doctoral degree.

This disparity in regulation translates to a wealth of scholarship money available to performing arts students. With six performing arts students for every athlete on campus, these students garner $7 in scholarship funds for every $1 received by athletes through institutional scholarships alone. In total, over $5 billion in scholarship funds are accessible to performing arts students annually.

While athletic scholarships often steal the spotlight, performing arts scholarships are the unsung heroes of unrestricted funding. This financial freedom not only makes college more affordable for performing arts students but also enhances their educational experience as they pursue their passion for music, dance, or theater. It's time to shine a light on the ample opportunities available to performing arts students.