The cost of attending college is rising by 6.5% every year. If you are planning to attend a public university figure on spending around $80,000 for that undergraduate degree; twice that if you have your eye on a private education. Sure, you can seek an academic scholarship, financial aid, a grant and student loans, but what if that's not enough to get you there? $1.2 billion in scholarship money is awarded every year to high school athletes for their commitment to continue playing at the college level. As you start to put your application packet together, here's what you should know about the process:
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. Recruiters don't always come to you. In fact most of the time, you have to make yourself known to collegiate coaches. One way to do so is to create a packet of information about your high school athletic career (a sports bio and media clips will do nicely) and make sure it reaches the coach about the same time that you are submitting the rest of your application materials.
4. Before you can be considered for an athletic scholarship, you need to have earned admission to the college based on your academic offering. (Note: The SAT is the entrance exam required for collegiate sports consideration.)
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. Recruiters don't always come to you. In fact most of the time, you have to make yourself known to collegiate coaches. One way to do so is to create a packet of information about your high school athletic career (a sports bio and media clips will do nicely) and make sure it reaches the coach about the same time that you are submitting the rest of your application materials.
4. Before you can be considered for an athletic scholarship, you need to have earned admission to the college based on your academic offering. (Note: The SAT is the entrance exam required for collegiate sports consideration.)
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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