PHX Reporter

Maricopa County's 13 universities invested $36,016,086 in athletically-related financial aid for college students in 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

This is a 4.5% decrease compared to the previous year, when the county invested $37,718,128 in college sports aid.

There were 2,024 male and 1,415 female student-athletes who competed for one or more sports teams representing the 13 colleges in the county in 2023. Male students received 0.9% more financial aid on average than female students.

Arizona State University Campus Immersion stood out as the university in Maricopa County which received most of the financial aid during 2023. The institution received $16,309,904, or 45.3% 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	$18,614,985	2,846
2015	$17,840,123	2,920
2016	$20,500,893	2,958
2017	$21,323,642	3,113
2018	$27,530,571	3,533
2019	$34,722,501	3,814
2020	$37,519,080	3,536
2021	$43,553,542	2,770
2022	$37,718,128	3,242
2023	$36,016,086	3,439