Unlocking Access to Higher Education
Through Baseball & Softball.
“A more diverse future begins with more opportunity.”
-Oscar Auliq-Ice
Dedicated to promoting access to higher education and stronger, more diverse sports at the college level and beyond, Fair Ball Foundation provides need-based financial support, mentoring, and professional development opportunities for college-bound African American, Hispanic, Latino, Asian American, Pacific Islander American, and Native American students. Through scholarships, fellowships, internships, and ambassadorships, Fair Ball provides the funds necessary to CLOSE THE GAP between partial aid packages and the full cost of attendance, covering tuition, fees, books, materials, and other essential college expenses while reducing dependance on loans.
Closing the Financial Gap
Brand new opportunities in college athletics have opened pathways to creative funding models for student-athletes. Legislation around Name, Image & Likeness, the Alston Case, and financial aid allow all of us to think more strategically and act on our values to create the change we’d like to see in the world. At Fair Ball Foundation, we value access, opportunity, and diversity and we’d like to see a college landscape where income levels do not determine whether or not someone can pursue their dreams in education or sport.
FBF has created FOUR PILLARS OF FUNDING to help those interested in promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging at the highest levels of baseball and softball. Learn more about scholarships, fellowships, ambassadorships, and internships below.
Creating a "Full Ride"
Scholarships
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In order to be issued an award, applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:
1. Black/African American, Native American, Latino, Hispanic, Asian American, Pacific Islander American
2. US citizen or permanent resident
3. Demonstrated commitment to academic achievement, community service, leadership, and promoting diversity, equity, inclusion & belonging in baseball or softball
4. Demonstrated commitment to pursuing an undergraduate college education
6. Proof of graduation from high school
7. Demonstrated unmet, financial need as verified by the college or university of choice
8. Proof of full-time enrollment at any accredited 4-year college or university
9. Proof of eligibility for award from college or university of choice
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The Fair Ball Foundation and its Chapter Affiliates provide annual awards of up to $10,000 to BIPOC, college-bound students with demonstrated financial need. Awards are renewable for a total of four years and maximum of $40,000, as long as awardees meet annual conditions for renewal while enrolled at an accredited, four-year college or university in the United States. Fair Ball Foundation scholarships are need-based. Once an institution confirms their eligibility, students may use the scholarship to cover the costs of tuition, fees, books, room and board, computers, health insurance, study abroad and other college-related expenses. Fair Ball scholarships may not be used to displace aid awarded by a college or university and cannot cover any portion of the parental contribution as determined by the recipient’s college or university. Final approval of scholarships require institutional approval and, when applicable, are subject to NCAA, conference, and institutional rules and requirements.
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Scholarships may be used at any accredited, four-year, bachelor’s degree granting institution that confirms eligibility of FBF award as part of aid package. Because funds are not tied to athletic ability or enrollment at any particular institution, recipients may transfer funds in accordance with a transfer of enrollment as long as renewal criteria is met at new institution.
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Applications are open to high school seniors annually according to the following calendar:
February 1: Application Period Opens
July 1: Application Period Closes
July 2-14: Applications Reviewed by Committee
July 15: Awardees Contacted
July 20: Awardees Announced
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In compliance with NCAA Bylaw 15.2.6.4, Fair Ball Foundation uses a double-blind application process, does not factor athletic ability into award criteria, is not affiliated with any specific institution or competitive teams, and does not tie awards to enrollment at any particular institution(s). Renewal for continuing students is contingent upon demonstration of commitment to criteria, maintaining status as a full-time student, satisfactory academic progress toward a degree, and eligibility for competition and award as determined by the college or university and appropriate governing bodies.
Fellowships
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Fellowships are available to Black/African American, Native American, Hispanic, Latino, Asian American, and Pacific Islander American college students who demonstrate financial need, a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in baseball or softball, have successfully completed a minimum of one academic year as an undergraduate, and meet academic eligibility standards at a four-year college or university in the US.
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Annual stipends of up to $5,000 to create and lead educational and sport-related access initiatives such as camps, clinics, lessons, mentoring, etc., providing leadership at the grassroots level and inspiring future generations of BIPOC college-bound baseball and softball players.
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Fellows can determine where they’d prefer to perform their fellowships, but the work should focus on underserved communities
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Applications are open on a rolling basis and applicants can apply once per academic calendar year (Aug-Jul) for a maximum of four years. Fellows determine the date ranges of their fellowship work in the proposal process.
Internships
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Internships are open to any current or former Black/African American, Native American, Hispanic, Latino, Asian American, or Pacific Islander American college baseball or softball student-athletes.
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Paid internships for current and former players who wish to pursue careers in and around baseball/softball. In addition to gaining valuable experience and networking, interns receive financial advising, career transition counseling, and professional development programming.
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Internships are created and managed by the sponsoring organizations. As a result, the location and requirements for in-person engagement are unique to each opportunity.
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Internships are created and managed by the sponsoring organizations. As a result, each has its own parameters around length of term. In general, opportunities range from a few weeks to a year.
Ambassadorships
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Fellowships are available to current Black/African American, Native American, Hispanic, Latino, Asian American, Pacific Islander American college baseball and softball student-athletes. Some are limited to those who have successfully completed a minimum of one academic year and meet academic eligibility standards at a four-year college or university in the US and demonstrate financial need.
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Name, Image & Likeness opportunities for select baseball and softball student-athletes who serve as ambassadors to promote diversity and opportunity in college baseball and softball through social media campaigns, media interviews, appearances, videos, commercials, etc., inspiring future generations of ballplayers by illuminating this new path to achievement. Ambassadors receive financial advising, marketing and brand management advising, and professional networking opportunities.
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Most, if not all, opportunities will focus on social media promotion, so there are typically no demands on physical presence.
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Ambassadorships are open on a continual basis according to funds available.
