Grand Rapids Reporter

Kent County's six universities invested $10,802,090 in athletically-related financial aid for college students in 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

This is a 2.2% increase compared to the previous year, when the county invested $10,568,464 in college sports aid.

There were 1,300 male and 1,027 female student-athletes who competed for one or more sports teams representing the six colleges in the county in 2023. Male students received 1.9% more financial aid on average than female students.

Davenport University stood out as the university in Kent County which received most of the financial aid during 2023. The institution received $5,196,790, or 48.1% 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	$4,541,309	1,455
2015	$5,045,552	1,507
2016	$6,014,037	1,752
2017	$6,648,046	1,850
2018	$7,403,549	1,752
2019	$8,347,492	1,852
2020	$9,712,386	2,102
2021	$9,333,007	2,180
2022	$10,568,464	2,316
2023	$10,802,090	2,327