What's the deal with unused sports scholarships?

Okay, this may be a bit specific, but I’m a student athlete, and in the process of researching scholarships, I came across this term - ‘unused sports scholarships.' But I’m not quite sure about how it works or how to get my hands on these? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

The term 'unused sports scholarships' refers to athletic scholarships that a college or university hasn't awarded to any student-athletes by the end of the recruitment process. It often happens when their top choice athletes choose other colleges, leaving them with available funds. There isn't a specific process to apply for these scholarships since they are traditionally reserved for recruited athletes.

One way you could potentially access unused sports scholarships is by reaching out to the coaches of your sport at the colleges or universities you're interested in, especially if it's later in the academic year. Express your interest in the team and your financial need for a scholarship. Include your athletic resume with your sports statistics, game highlights, and your contact info for your current coach. Make the case for why you would be a valuable addition to their team. This is all part of the overall recruitment process, which usually begins early in your junior year of high school.

Keep the lines of communication open with coaches even after the main recruiting season has passed. Coaches might find themselves with an unused scholarship and will prefer to give it to a student they've already built a relationship with.

But remember, it's essential to find a college where you will thrive both acadically and athletically. Don't just chase scholarship money to a school that wouldn't be a good fit. There are many other types of financial aid and scholarships available, so don't limit yourself just to sports funding. Be proactive in your search, and you just might be successful in obtaining financial aid for your college education.