Chicago City Wire

Cook County's 27 universities invested $58,491,379 in athletically-related financial aid for college students in 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

This is a 5.7% increase compared to the previous year, when the county invested $55,337,115 in college sports aid.

There were 3,433 male and 2,327 female student-athletes who competed for one or more sports teams representing the 27 colleges in the county in 2023. Male students received 30.9% more financial aid on average than female students.

Northwestern University stood out as the university in Cook County which received most of the financial aid during 2023. The institution received $25,335,682, or 43.3% 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	$37,947,072	4,832
2015	$40,027,165	4,977
2016	$43,098,510	5,039
2017	$43,549,801	5,035
2018	$46,721,536	5,079
2019	$48,239,726	5,325
2020	$50,330,080	5,569
2021	$55,826,635	4,683
2022	$55,337,115	5,730
2023	$58,491,379	5,760