The Secrets to Winning an Athletic Scholarship

With college costs increasing at a hefty 6.5% every year, it just might pay to look into yet another way to augment student loans, grants and financial aid – the athletic scholarship. There’s a whopping $1.2 billion available for collegiate sports scholarships every year. Since the average cost of attending a four-year public university is nearly $80,000 every little bit helps, right? Here are a few things every high school athlete should know as they get started on their college selection process:

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.

The men’s sports are: Wrestling, Baseball, Water Polo, Basketball, Volleyball, Cross Country, Track & Field (Indoor & Outdoor), Tennis, Fencing, Swimming and Diving, Football, Golf, Gymnastics, Ice Hockey, Rifle, Skiing (Cross Country and Downhill), Lacrosse and Soccer.

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 do land an athletic scholarship, there’s something to keep in mind. Playing at the collegiate level is a big commitment and you won’t have much free time for other things. Strongly consider the major you choose because in all likelihood you won’t be playing your sport of choice professionally after you college years have passed. Choose a career that fulfills you completely and look forward to success off the field as well.