Erie County’s three universities invested $15,613,273 in athletically-related financial aid for college students in 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
This is a 72.3% increase compared to the previous year, when the county invested $9,062,152 in college sports aid.
There were 981 male and 736 female student-athletes who competed for one or more sports teams representing the three colleges in the county in 2023. Male students received 3.8% more financial aid on average than female students.
Mercyhurst University stood out as the university in Erie County which received most of the financial aid during 2023. The institution received $9,952,052, or 63.7% 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 | $12,237,978 | 1,724 |
| 2015 | $12,659,277 | 1,753 |
| 2016 | $13,656,471 | 1,852 |
| 2017 | $13,487,272 | 1,799 |
| 2018 | $13,816,378 | 1,849 |
| 2019 | $15,070,918 | 1,961 |
| 2020 | $15,602,868 | 1,937 |
| 2021 | $16,086,148 | 1,568 |
| 2022 | $9,062,152 | 1,807 |
| 2023 | $15,613,273 | 1,717 |
