Concord Ledger

Merrimack County's four universities invested $2,142,438 in athletically-related financial aid for college students in 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

This is a 7.2% decrease compared to the previous year, when the county invested $2,307,963 in college sports aid.

There were 565 male and 542 female student-athletes who competed for one or more sports teams representing the four colleges in the county in 2023. Male students received 15.1% less financial aid on average than female students.

Southern New Hampshire University stood out as the university in Merrimack County which received most of the financial aid during 2023. The institution received $2,142,438, or 100% 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	$2,656,449	998
2015	$2,761,964	1,092
2016	$3,039,396	1,061
2017	$3,165,239	1,061
2018	$3,324,453	1,158
2019	$3,439,521	1,125
2020	$3,286,866	1,150
2021	$1,063,835	622
2022	$2,307,963	1,054
2023	$2,142,438	1,107