The Rising Cost of College Tends Athletes for Scholarships

As College Costs Rise, More Students Look to Athletic Scholarships

Forbes. CBS News. US News. They are all saying the same thing. College tuition costs…a lot! And the price keeps going up every year. The average annual tuition (plus expenses) at a private college ranges from approximately $35,000 to $38,000. Back in 2007, only one school charged more than $40,000 for tuition, but now there are more than 80 schools that have passed that amount (according to campusgrotto.com). Sarah Lawrence in New York remains the most expensive school in the country, charging more than $59,000 per year.

So, how do you battle these rising costs of college tuition?

Many students are looking to scholarships to help pay their way through rise in college costs, but how can you improve your chances of receiving free money?

First, there are two main types of scholarships: athletic and academic. To receive athletic scholarships, one must obviously be a great athlete. But, there are ways to help ensure that money goes to you instead of your competition. For one thing, don’t just look to DI schools to offer you scholarships. DII and NAIA also offer athletic scholarships to deserving athletes. Also, you can leverage scholarship money by having several offers and using those offers to negotiate for more money. So, how do you get those offers, you ask? Well, you have to build relationships with many college coaches at all levels, and the more relationships you have, the better your chances are for having numerous coaches who are interested in recruiting you.

There are many quality services available that focus on helping student athletes get noticed by college coaches and get relief from rising cost of college. Many of these services provide parents and athletes a better understanding of the recruiting process and help them prepare for the road ahead.

Find a Quality Athletic Recruiting Services now!

Academic scholarships are good options for student-athletes as well. Remember, there are no athletic scholarships offered on the DIII level, so academic scholarships are good alternatives for athletes looking into colleges at this level. In order to qualify for academic scholarships, one must not only have a good GPA, but you also need good ACT and SAT test scores. Make sure you take the practice tests and look into your options for test prep, such as the classes and assistance offered from Kaplan. Don’t forget, even if you don’t do as well as you hoped the first time, you can re-take the tests to try for a better score.

Alternatives to receiving a scholarship

In case you don’t receive scholarship money, I recommend everyone applies for financial aid and completes your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Financial aid is a good option for assistance in paying your tuition.

When you’re talking with college coaches who are showing interest in recruiting you, don’t be afraid to ask about scholarships and financial aid at their school. Find out what your options are and the sooner the better. Of course, don’t let that be the first question out of your mouth when you first meet a coach. But, after building a relationship with a college coach, it is acceptable to ask about financial support.

For many athletes, knowing your options is half the battle. Making sure you are doing what it takes to stand out can make all the difference. Make sure you are taking advantage of every opportunity. Find a Quality Athletic Recruiting Services today!