The DYB Scholarship Program (2026)
Scholarship Description
The DYB Scholarship Program is a long-standing initiative founded by Diamond Youth Baseball, Inc. (DYB) to help former players obtain a college education. What began in 1961 with two small awards has grown into an impressive venture: since 2019, DYB has awarded one hundred (100) $2,000 scholarships annually to college freshmen. DYB is committed to continuing this legacy of 100 scholarships each year.
The program is funded through interest on funds earmarked for DYB scholarships, late fees, annual donations, and any surplus funds transferred from the program's general operating fund. The scholarship recognizes that athletic ability is not a factor — instead, the selection committee gives weight to financial need, scholastic record, and citizenship.
Scholarship Location
The scholarship is administered by DYB, Inc. and is available to high school seniors residing in the eleven (11) DYB participating states. The scholarship funds may be used at any accredited college or university in the United States where the recipient enrolls as a full-time student.
Scholarship Deadline
The annual deadline for receiving completed scholarship applications is March 1st for high school seniors. All applications must be received on or before March 1, 2026.
Application Deadline: March 1, 2026 (postmarked or received by this date)
Important: Applications received after March 1 by mail or overnight will not be considered. No late or incomplete applications will be accepted.
Selection Completion: Prior to April 1, 2026
Recipient Notification: By April 1, 2026
Host Institution / Organization
Diamond Youth Baseball (DYB), Inc. – a youth baseball organization founded to provide baseball opportunities for youth. The scholarship program is administered by an eleven-member DYB Scholarship Committee composed of National Board members, one from each of the eleven DYB participating states.
Level and Fields of Study
Level: High school seniors planning to enroll as college freshmen at an accredited college or university in the United States.
Fields: All fields of study are eligible. The scholarship funds may be used for tuition, books, room and board, school equipment, or school supplies.
Target Group
High school seniors who at one time played in a Diamond Youth Baseball (DYB) franchised league prior to reaching age 13. The scholarship is open to former players from the eleven DYB participating states. There is no relationship between the award of a scholarship and athletic ability.
Scholarship Amount & Number of Awards
Amount: $2,000 per scholarship.
Number of scholarships: 100 scholarships are awarded annually.
Duration: One-time award for the freshman year of college. Funds are sent directly to the financial aid office of the recipient's chosen school.
📊 Scholarship Funding Source: Interest on designated funds, late fees, annual donations, and surplus funds from the program's general operating fund.
💰 Fund Usage: Tuition, books, room and board, school equipment, or school supplies.
Scholarship Eligibility
Primary qualification: The applicant must have at one time played in a Diamond Youth Baseball (DYB) franchised league, prior to reaching age 13.
Academic status: Must be a high school senior planning to enroll as a college freshman.
Selection criteria: The committee gives weight to the following factors:
- Financial need
- Scholastic record (academic performance)
- Citizenship (character, community involvement, leadership)
Important note: There is no relationship between the award of a scholarship and athletic ability. Athletic performance on the baseball field is not considered.
✅ Eligible Candidates
- High school seniors who played in a DYB franchised league before age 13.
- Residents of one of the eleven DYB participating states.
- Students with demonstrated financial need, strong scholastic record, and good citizenship.
- Planning to enroll as a full-time freshman at an accredited US college or university.
❌ Ineligible Candidates
- Applicants who never played in a DYB franchised league before age 13.
- High school seniors from non-DYB states.
- Current college students (the scholarship is for incoming freshmen only).
- Students with incomplete or late applications.
- Applicants with no demonstrated financial need or poor scholastic standing.
Application Procedure
- Confirm eligibility – Ensure you played in a DYB franchised league before age 13 and are a high school senior from one of the eleven DYB participating states.
- Obtain the scholarship application – Contact your local DYB league representative or visit the DYB Scholarships website to access the official application form.
- Complete the application – Fill out all required sections, including personal information, academic history, DYB participation details, and financial need information.
- Submit before the deadline – Ensure your completed application is received on or before March 1, 2026. Late applications (postmarked after March 1) will not be considered.
- Application review – Each of the eleven DYB Scholarship Committee members reviews all applications (400–500 annually) and submits a ballot ranking the top 100 candidates and five alternates.
- Selection and notification – The weighted average ranking of each applicant is computed. The 100 applicants with the highest weighted average ranking receive the scholarship awards. Recipients are notified by letter from the Scholarship Chairman prior to April 1.
- Accept the scholarship – Return a signed scholarship acceptance letter confirming your name, provide a photo suitable for publication, and submit your Student ID number and your school's financial aid office address.
- Funds disbursement – The Scholarship Chairman sends a $2,000 check to the financial aid office of your chosen school. Funds are deposited into your student account and may be used for tuition, books, room and board, equipment, or supplies.
Special circumstances:
- If a recipient has a "full ride" as an undergraduate, they may request to defer the scholarship funds for use in graduate school.
- If a student goes into the military or has a health issue delaying enrollment, funds are placed in a deferred account until enrollment.
- If a student transfers to another school, unused funds are sent to the new school's financial aid office.
Official Website & Application Link
DYB Scholarships – Official Program Page
Contact: For specific questions about the application process, eligibility, or to request an application form, contact your local DYB league representative or reach out through the DYB USA website.
Note: The application form is typically distributed through local DYB leagues. High school seniors should contact the league where they played or their local DYB commissioner for access to the official scholarship application.
💡 Final Thoughts and Key Requirements
The DYB Scholarship Program offers a wonderful opportunity for former youth baseball players to receive financial support for their college education. With 100 scholarships of $2,000 awarded annually, the program has helped thousands of students achieve their academic goals since 1961.
Key strategies for a successful application:
- Confirm that you played in a DYB franchised league before age 13 — this is the only firm qualification.
- Submit your completed application on or before March 1, 2026. Late applications are not accepted under any circumstances.
- Highlight your financial need, strong scholastic record, and good citizenship — these are the primary factors the committee evaluates.
- Remember that athletic ability is not considered. The scholarship rewards academic and personal merit, not baseball skills.
- If you receive a "full ride" scholarship for your undergraduate studies, you can request to defer the DYB scholarship for graduate school.
Important reminder: Approximately 400–500 applications are received annually for 100 awards, so competition is significant. Submit a thorough, complete, and well-presented application to maximize your chances. Applications received after March 1 by mail or overnight delivery will not be considered.
DYB Scholarship Program 2026 – FAQ
What is the DYB Scholarship Program?
It's a scholarship program founded by Diamond Youth Baseball, Inc. that awards 100 scholarships of $2,000 each annually to former DYB players who are high school seniors.
What is the application deadline?
The deadline is March 1, 2026. Applications received after this date will not be considered.
Who is eligible to apply?
High school seniors who played in a DYB franchised league before reaching age 13. There is no athletic requirement — the scholarship considers financial need, scholastic record, and citizenship.
How many scholarships are awarded?
100 scholarships are awarded annually, each worth $2,000.
How do I apply for the scholarship?
Contact your local DYB league representative or visit the DYB Scholarships website to obtain the official application form. Complete and submit it by March 1, 2026.
Is athletic ability considered?
No. There is no relationship between the award of a scholarship and athletic ability. The committee focuses on financial need, scholastic record, and citizenship.
What can the scholarship funds be used for?
Funds may be used for tuition, books, room and board, school equipment, or school supplies at an accredited US college or university.
What if I receive a full-ride scholarship elsewhere?
You may request to defer the DYB scholarship funds for use in graduate school.