Any scholarships for athletes in college?

I'm a high school athlete considering playing sports in college. Are there specific scholarships given to college athletes? Trying to figure out financial aid options if I decide to pursue this!

Absolutely, scholarships for athletes in college can certainly be a part of your financial aid package. There are primarily two types of athletic scholarships: headcount and equivalency scholarships.

Headcount scholarships are full scholarships that cover your entire cost of tuition, fees, room and board, and books. NCAA Division I schools for basketball and football (both men's) usually offer these scholarships. On the other hand, equivalency scholarships may be full-ride or partial scholarships that can be divided among multiple athletes as coaches see fit. These are common in sports like baseball, gymnastics, and track and field, where the scholarships are typically split among many team members.

Remember that these scholarships are very competitive, and are often offered as part of a recruitment process. Your performance in high school and at sporting events or competitions is very important, as coaches are on the lookout for young talent.

Bear in mind that there are also a multitude of scholarships unrelated to the NCAA that are offered by various foundations, organizations, and even some schools themselves, for athlete-students who excel on the field and in academics.

Lastly, another option worth considering is work-study or need-based aid, which is based on your financial circumstance, and is not tied to your performance on the field.

Just remember: maintaining your athletic scholarship often requires you to uphold a certain GPA and compete on your school’s sports team, so be sure to keep up your academic performance even while honing your athletic skill!