SMART stands for Scholarship Management and Account Reporting for Tenpins.
You don’t “earn” the funds directly like cash; instead, you win them as scholarship awards that are deposited into a secure, centralized account until you are ready to use them for higher education expenses.
| Feature | Description |
| Purpose | To pay for qualified higher education expenses (tuition, fees, books, and in some cases, room and board) at colleges, trade schools, or universities. |
| Account | Youth bowlers automatically have a SMART account created for them when an organization submits scholarship funds in their name. You cannot create an account without earning an award first. |
| Safety | The funds are managed by the SMART Bowling Scholarship Funding Corporation, an independent entity dedicated to the management, protection, and promotion of the scholarship funds. |
| Usage | Funds are requested online and are paid directly to the educational institution. |
How Youth Bowlers Earn USBC SMART Funds
SMART funds are acquired through a variety of bowling-related achievements and academic performance:
1. Winning Certified Tournaments
The most common way to earn SMART funds is by competing and placing in USBC-certified youth tournaments and events.
- USBC Certified Events: Many youth tournaments, from local to national levels (like the Junior Gold Championships or the USBC Youth Scratch Championships), are run with scholarship money as the top prize.
- League Scholarships: Some certified youth leagues also award a portion of their prize fund as SMART scholarships for high average, high series, or other achievements.
- High School Bowling: Scholarships may be awarded at high school state or regional championships.
2. Academic and Leadership Awards
USBC offers several national scholarships based on academics, leadership, and community involvement, which are then paid out as SMART funds:
- USBC Youth Scholarships: Awards like the Alberta E. Crowe Star of Tomorrow (female), the Chuck Hall Star of Tomorrow (male), and the Gift for Life Scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate excellence both on and off the lanes.
- Merit-Based Awards: Various bowling organizations, centers, and associations award scholarships based on essays, community service, or leadership roles.
3. Bonus Funds and Matching Programs
SMART also provides ways to increase your balance through the following initiatives:
- SMART Pell Grant Match: If a USBC youth member qualifies for a Federal Pell Grant, the SMART program may match that award dollar-for-dollar (subject to eligibility requirements and available funds), significantly boosting their educational savings.