Buffalo Ledger

Erie County's nine universities invested $16,022,665 in athletically-related financial aid for college students in 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

This is a 9.9% increase compared to the previous year, when the county invested $14,581,467 in college sports aid.

There were 1,352 male and 912 female student-athletes who competed for one or more sports teams representing the nine colleges in the county in 2023. Male students received 20.1% more financial aid on average than female students.

University at Buffalo stood out as the university in Erie County which received most of the financial aid during 2023. The institution received $8,707,067, or 54.3% 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	$13,004,242	2,281
2015	$13,983,138	2,275
2016	$10,330,321	2,343
2017	$15,336,872	2,262
2018	$14,593,343	2,246
2019	$13,659,488	2,305
2020	$14,081,948	2,313
2021	$14,029,720	1,705
2022	$14,581,467	2,303
2023	$16,022,665	2,264