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. There's an age cut-off. If you're past 24 years-old you've missed the opportunity to earn a scholarship in exchange for playing sports. The range is from age' to 24, so it makes sense for you to go straight to college after high school.
2. There are 29 sports recognized by the National College Athletic Association, or NCAA. Women are eligible to win scholarships in the following categories: Synchronized Swimming, Swimming and Diving, Water Polo, Ice Hockey, Gymnastics, Archery, Squash, Lacrosse, Skiing (Cross Country and Downhill), Rowing and Field Hockey, Basketball, Volleyball, Track & Field (Indoor and Outdoor), Soccer, Tennis, Equestrian, Fencing, Golf.
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. Get accepted first. You can't be considered for an athletic scholarship until you've been accepted to the university in the first place based on your SAT and overall application packet.
If you are talented (and lucky!) enough to secure financial support for your college expenses based on your ability to play sports, you should keep your eye on your major. While there are some college athletes who go on to lucrative careers in professional sports, the majority of them find work their chosen field and find a different kind of success.
1. There's an age cut-off. If you're past 24 years-old you've missed the opportunity to earn a scholarship in exchange for playing sports. The range is from age' to 24, so it makes sense for you to go straight to college after high school.
2. There are 29 sports recognized by the National College Athletic Association, or NCAA. Women are eligible to win scholarships in the following categories: Synchronized Swimming, Swimming and Diving, Water Polo, Ice Hockey, Gymnastics, Archery, Squash, Lacrosse, Skiing (Cross Country and Downhill), Rowing and Field Hockey, Basketball, Volleyball, Track & Field (Indoor and Outdoor), Soccer, Tennis, Equestrian, Fencing, Golf.
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. Get accepted first. You can't be considered for an athletic scholarship until you've been accepted to the university in the first place based on your SAT and overall application packet.
If you are talented (and lucky!) enough to secure financial support for your college expenses based on your ability to play sports, you should keep your eye on your major. While there are some college athletes who go on to lucrative careers in professional sports, the majority of them find work their chosen field and find a different kind of success.
About the Author:
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.
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