J. Dennis Hastert Scholar Athlete Act of 2002

The J. Dennis Hastert Scholar Athlete Act of 2002 proposed creating a federal grant program to provide college scholarships to students who demonstrate excellence in both academics and athletics. Under this bill, the Secretary of Education would provide funding to states to award scholarships for up to four years of study at institutions of higher education.

The program was designed to prioritize students participating in Olympic sports or "non-revenue" sports that do not typically generate significant income for universities. For eligible students, this legislation would have provided additional financial support to pursue a degree while continuing to compete in their respective sports at the collegiate level.