Students in 2009 (and their families) can expect to pay about $80,000 for a four-year college program. What’s more, that figure continues to rise at the rate of 6.5% every year. If you are considering a private school, go ahead and double it. If, however you’ve been a good sport – literally – throughout high school, chances are you can look beyond standard student loans, financial aid and grants for assistance. Why not apply for an athletic scholarship? About $1.2 billion in scholarship money is awarded to students every year in exchange for their performance on various fields. Here are a few of the basics for you to kick around:
1. Age matters! To qualify to play sports at the college level you must be between’ and 24 years old. Your chances of landing a scholarship decrease the longer you wait to attend college after high school graduation, so plan to go straight from high school to college.
2. There are 29 sports recognized by the NCAA (National College Athletic Association) The women‘s list is a little longer and includes: Archery, Water Polo, Volleyball, Basketball, Bowling, Track & Field (Indoor and Outdoor), Cross Country, Tennis, Equestrian, Fencing, Synchronized Swimming, Swimming and Diving, Field Hockey, Golf, Squash, Softball, Gymnastics, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Skiing (Cross Country and Downhill), Rowing and Rifle.
Female athletes have even more opportunities: Basketball, Volleyball, Track & Field (Indoor and Outdoor), Soccer, Tennis, Equestrian, Fencing, Synchronized Swimming, Swimming and Diving, Water Polo, Golf, Squash, Ice Hockey, Gymnastics, Archery, Lacrosse, Skiing (Cross Country and Downhill), Rowing and Field Hockey.
3. Unless you and your athleticism has already become a household name in your region, don’t count on a recruiter finding you. Instead, prepare a sports portfolio of your efforts and make sure that it gets on the desk of the coach you are trying to play for at the college level. A bio of your life in sports and as many newspaper and/or broadcast TV clips of your highlights will be fine.
4. Grades still come first. Although coaches ultimately make the decision about which athletes will be granted a scholarship, the decision isn’t based on athleticism alone. Far from it, in fact. Did you know that you have to be accepted by the admissions board prior to being considered? Your SAT score, as well as your high school GPA and other materials in your application packet all factor into the coach’s decision.
If you are lucky enough to land a full athletic scholarship, you have some thinking to do. College sports, while exciting, aren’t a golden ticket toward a lucrative professional sports contract after graduation. You’ll need to choose a major in a field that holds your interest so that you can launch a career outside of sports once you hang up your cleats (racket, swim cap, whatever). Success comes in many forms, so be ready for everything that life might bring.
John Barnett is a high school baseball and soccer coach. He earned a masters degree at an online college and is considering several online colleges for additional study.
Tags: higher education, university, College, college scholarship, athletic scholarship, sports, scholarships, athletics, college athletics