Cleveland Reporter

Cuyahoga County's eight universities invested $7,983,635 in athletically-related financial aid for college students in 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

This is a 0.1% decrease compared to the previous year, when the county invested $7,992,130 in college sports aid.

There were 1,905 male and 1,199 female student-athletes who competed for one or more sports teams representing the eight colleges in the county in 2023. Male students received 46.1% less financial aid on average than female students.

Cleveland State University stood out as the university in Cuyahoga County which received most of the financial aid during 2023. The institution received $3,400,810, or 42.6% 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	$7,752,982	2,801
2015	$8,551,017	2,841
2016	$8,644,168	2,805
2017	$8,802,805	2,827
2018	$9,103,344	2,935
2019	$8,810,754	2,921
2020	$8,675,638	2,963
2021	$8,685,402	2,773
2022	$7,992,130	2,981
2023	$7,983,635	3,104