(written by Val, College Outreach Specialist at the Center for College Planning)

Hi bloggers,

In my effort to beat this summer heat wave that we have been having, I’ve been spending a lot of time surfing the web, trying to find information about college that gets me thinking a little differently about topics than I have in the past (and I get to do it all in a nice air-conditioned room!)

I recently came upon an article about college athletic scholarships that I think is an interesting and important read for any student (and their parents) thinking about receiving an athletic scholarship to help defray the cost of college.  I think this article helps put the low probably of a student receiving money to play a college sport, much less a full-ride, into perspective.  I always knew that the competition was fierce, but I guess I never realized how slim a student’s chances were based on sport and division level.  I hear all the time of students that got this scholarship or that, but those that did not or maybe not the amount that they would have liked probably are not advertising that fact.

That’s not to say that a student should give up on their dream of receiving an athletic scholarship; that’s not the message of this article.  However, they do recommend really concentrating on academics because many more students receive merit-based scholarships than athletic scholarships, and oftentimes it’s for a larger amount of money (and the more money you get, the less loans you will have, which is ultimately every student’s goal).

A little food for thought as you begin or continue your college search process.

Stay cool,
Val