DeKalb Times

DeKalb County's two universities invested $6,470,300 in athletically-related financial aid for college students in 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

This is a 4.4% decrease compared to the previous year, when the county invested $6,767,265 in college sports aid.

There were 355 male and 203 female student-athletes who competed for one or more sports teams representing the two colleges in the county in 2023. Male students received 17.7% more financial aid on average than female students.

Northern Illinois University stood out as the university in DeKalb County which received most of the financial aid during 2023. The institution received $6,418,489, or 99.2% 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	$7,460,986	482
2015	$7,722,445	490
2016	$8,171,508	463
2017	$7,823,338	453
2018	$7,675,319	456
2019	$6,993,522	508
2020	$6,672,587	501
2021	$6,378,041	531
2022	$6,767,265	527
2023	$6,470,300	558