Central OC Times

Orange County's 16 universities invested $21,759,673 in athletically-related financial aid for college students in 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

This is an 8.4% increase compared to the previous year, when the county invested $20,074,309 in college sports aid.

There were 2,989 male and 2,194 female student-athletes who competed for one or more sports teams representing the 16 colleges in the county in 2023. Male students received 39.5% less financial aid on average than female students.

Hope International University stood out as the university in Orange County which received most of the financial aid during 2023. The institution received $5,805,714, or 26.7% 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	$13,942,493	4,400
2015	$15,171,430	4,427
2016	$14,575,879	4,333
2017	$16,888,748	4,230
2018	$17,351,045	4,518
2019	$18,673,305	4,619
2020	$20,087,842	4,717
2021	$19,026,420	3,442
2022	$20,074,309	5,178
2023	$21,759,673	5,183