Do college athletes struggle with scholarships not being enough?

I've heard that sometimes scholarships aren't enough to cover all expenses for college athletes. Is this true? If so, what are other options to support athletes financially while they're in school? Any tips for navigating this?

It's entirely possible for student athletes to face expenses that aren't fully covered by their athletic scholarships, unfortunately. Things like living expenses, transportation, and textbooks might not be included in the athletic scholarship package. What's more, funding can be subject to team performance and the discretion of the coach, which might lead to inconsistencies in the support from year to year.

There are several ways to supplement the funding:

1. Academic Scholarships: Besides athletic scholarships, there are also academic scholarships that students can apply for. These can be college-specific or from external sources. Meeting and maintaining strong academic standards might qualify student athletes for additional merit-based funding.

2. Need-based Aid: Colleges may offer aid based off the calculated financial need, using the information from the FAFSA filing and CSS Profile. This aid may take the form of grants, work-study, or loans.

3. Part Time Jobs: NCAA rules allow athletes to work during the academic year. The earnings from such jobs can help cover additional expenses. However, they have to manage the extra workload along with sports and academics.

4. Cost of Attendance Stipend: Some colleges provide a stipend to athletes to cover the full cost of attendance – that's the total cost to attend the college including tuition, room and board, mandatory fees, and other expenses like travel and books.

While navigating this process, it's crucial to maintain clear and open dialogue with university financial aid offices and coaching staff. They can provide insight into the specifics at that institution and may be aware of additional resources. It's also helpful to maintain strong academic performance, as this could open up additional financial support in terms of academic scholarships. Lastly, checking with external scholarship databases, such as Appily, can offer opportunities to apply for additional funding. It is a complex journey but lots can be accomplished with a good grasp of the available resources and options.