BecomingWhoYouWantToBe

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.

Male athletes can earn scholarships in: Swimming and Diving, Football, Gymnastics, Cross Country, Golf, Tennis, Skiing (Cross Country and Downhill), Lacrosse and Wrestling, Soccer, Baseball, Water Polo, Basketball, Fencing, Volleyball, Ice Hockey, Track & Field (Indoor & Outdoor), Rifle.

3. Only the most successful college sports programs have the resources to send recruiters out to high school games to check out the star players. For coaches and players in other scenarios, it’s a good idea for the player to be aggressive off of the field. Make sure you introduce yourself during your campus visit and drop off your sports bio and media clips.

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 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.

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.