Ann Arbor Times

Washtenaw County's three universities invested $45,217,050 in athletically-related financial aid for college students in 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

This is an 8.7% increase compared to the previous year, when the county invested $41,585,673 in college sports aid.

There were 1,103 male and 941 female student-athletes who competed for one or more sports teams representing the three colleges in the county in 2023. Male students received 8.9% more financial aid on average than female students.

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor stood out as the university in Washtenaw County which received most of the financial aid during 2023. The institution received $31,877,274, or 70.5% 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	$28,869,279	1,808
2015	$29,567,077	1,901
2016	$33,247,710	1,884
2017	$36,151,793	1,982
2018	$38,436,588	1,996
2019	$38,795,099	2,049
2020	$39,144,134	1,998
2021	$39,657,033	1,740
2022	$41,585,673	1,974
2023	$45,217,050	2,044