Continuing Education
The USOPC provides several educational resources designed to meet your unique needs to help set you up for success beyond your athletic career. Whether you are actively competing or retired and looking for the next step, we've got you covered.
I would not have been able to pursue my education while chasing my gold medal dreams without the support of the USOPC's Tuition Grants.
Nathan Chen, 2022 Olympic Gold Medalist
Guild Educational Platform
The USOPC is thrilled to announce its new education benefit through Guild! This partnership provides access to over 300 tuition-free and partially-funded tuition programs through a variety of schools and learning providers. Guild is a platform that brings together organizations like the USOPC and learning providers to provide access to education so that Team USA athletes have a chance to explore new opportunities by learning and gaining new skills. Guild simplifies complicated processes that come with researching, selecting, and getting started in a learning program.
As of March 2024, eligible Team USA athletes can enroll in programs like:
Undergraduate and graduate degrees in business, sports administration, technology, communications, and more
Certificates in marketing, data analytics, and more
These programs are offered through well respected and established institutions like Purdue Global, eCornell, among others, as part of the Guild and Team USA Learning Network, through which Purdue Global is the preferred online university degree provider to Team USA's athletes.
More Education Resources#
Team USA Tuition Grants
Apply via Agora, opens in a new tabAthlete Services awards over $800 thousand annually to Team USA athletes for education in the form of tuition grants. The Team USA Tuition Grants allow athletes to further their education in preparation for lifelong career goals by defraying a portion of athletes’ tuition costs. This can take the form of traditional 2-and 4-year undergraduate or graduate degrees, industry specific certificates, professional development courses, job readiness training courses, and other educational courses that will lead to the advancement of the athlete’s career aspirations.
Please reach out to athleteservices@usopc.org with any questions.
Additional Notes:
- The Team USA Tuition Grant does not support high school programs.
In-State Tuition in CA, CO, & UT
Learn More about In-State TuitionThrough the USOPC, eligible Team USA athletes living and training in California, Colorado, and Utah can receive in-state tuition at select public colleges and universities regardless of an individual’s resident status. Read below about each state's participating programs and application process.
*Athletes living and training in California must meet the Team USA Athlete Definition in order to be eligible for in-state tuition.
Team USA Tuition Grants#
- Traditional Higher Education such as associate's, undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate degree programs through a college or university. *Must be currently enrolled and provide student ID.
- Vocational such as trade school, plumbing, electrical, culinary, or other trade-specific licensures or certificates.
- Career Development & Life Training Track such as test prep courses, industry specific certificates and licenses, and soft skill professional development courses.
Tuition grant applications are open all year, with award determinations being made weekly. With greater flexibility in the timeline, please consider the following when applying:
- Apply for you tuition grant funding at least 1.5 months prior to your payment deadline
- The maximum amount of funding that can be requested in calendar year is $4,500
- You may apply for more than one grant per year (maximum of all grants awarded will be $4,500)
- You must use all of your monies before applying for a new grant
- If awarded, the full award amount is paid in one sum
- Depending on the program, this grant may be taxed
Upon receiving a Team USA Tuition Grant, students will be notified of next steps to receive payment. Grants are only permitted to be applied toward tuition and fees for upcoming terms. Athletes will not be reimbursed for previous courses. Funding will not be allocated towards housing, books, equipment, or other costs.
Athletes should allow up to three weeks for the USOPC to process payment and an additional month for the institution to apply the payment to their account. Please note, all USOPC Tuition Grant Payments are paid via check and mailed via U.S. Postal Service. Incorrect mailing addresses will result in an extreme delay or loss of payment.
- Generally, tuition grants are tax-free if you are pursuing a degree at a nationally accredited educational institution approved by the U.S. Department of Education (http://ope.ed.gov/accreditatio... )
As governed by the IRS, if your program is not accredited, your grant will be taxed.
If your grant is taxed, the USOPC will be required to provide you with a 1099 each year for the value of any benefits received that do not fall within the tax-exempt definition.
Please note that the USOPC does not provide tax advice. Athletes should consult their tax advisers to determine if income is taxable and expenses are deductible. Each athlete's tax situation varies and not all examples will apply.
In-State Tuition Participating States#
Click on the drop downs to learn the details of each state's legislature, participating schools, and application process for in-state tuition.
California In-State Tuition
Effective January 2023, CALIFORNIA ASSEMBLY BILL 2747 allows California State University, University of California, or California Community Colleges to offer in-state tuition to Team USA athletes who train in California, regardless of permanent residency. To be eligible, athletes must participate in a California-based elite-level training program that is approved by both the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee and a National Governing Body of an Olympic, Paralympic, Pan American or Parapan American sport. Athletes living and training in California must meet the Team USA Athlete Definition in order to be eligible for in-state tuition.
Colorado In-State Tuition
Signed in April 2017, House Bill 1081 allows state-supported institutions to offer in-state tuition to Team USA athletes who train in Colorado, regardless of permanent residency. To be eligible, athletes must participate in a Colorado-based elite-level training program that is approved by both the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee and a National Governing Body of an Olympic, Paralympic, Pan American or Parapan American sport.
Note: Athletes must apply for in-state tuition classification each semester they enroll in classes.
Any undergraduate student that is receiving in state tuition at a public college or university in Colorado can receive the College Opportunity Fund. They must apply for it and then authorize it in their portal.
The College Opportunity Fund (COF) is a trust fund created by the Colorado Legislature that provides a tuition stipend to eligible undergraduate students. The stipend pays a portion of the total in-state tuition when they attend a participating college. You can read more about it at the website linked above, but it’s a great resource for our athletes.
Participating Schools
- University of Colorado Boulder
- University of Colorado Colorado Springs
- Colorado Mountain College
- CSU – Pueblo
- Pikes Peak Community College
- Metropolitan State University Schools
How to Apply
Utah In-State Tuition
State-supported institutions offer in-state tuition to Team USA athletes who live and train in Utah, regardless of their permanent residency. To be eligible, athletes must participate in a Utah-based elite-level training program that is approved by both the USOPC and a national governing body.
Note: Athletes must apply for in-state tuition classification each semester they enroll in classes.
Participating Schools
- University of Utah
- Utah State
- Salt Lake City Community College
How to Apply
Criteria that is required to receive In-State tuition at University of Utah:
- Exceptions for Olympic Athletes Training in Utah
- The following criteria is required: Exceptions Certification Form application and a Letter from the USOPC verifying the requesting student’s eligibility. Note that this letter MUST come from USOPC and cannot come from a coach or team.
To maintain your in-state tuition benefit, you'll need to re-apply each term you attend your institution. This is because both the school and the USOPC needs to confirm your continued eligibility.