Getting paid to study at college, with the main requirement being that you commit to playing sports as often as possible is the dream of many high school students, and also the dream of many parents who'd otherwise have to spend huge sums of money getting their child educated.
Every college campus has a select few sport stars who sometimes command celebrity status on the playing fields, are popular students and enjoy college without financial pressures or any obligation to earn an especially high GPA. These students are there because they got a sports scholarship.
If you are a talented sports player then it's essential to participate in your high school team. Your sports coach is probably well-connected with talent scouts from colleges who may monitor your practices when looking for suitable candidates for sports scholarships.
Sports scholarships are awarded for all types of sports, not just team sports such as soccer, football and baseball. They are actually surprisingly common but also very competitive. If you are truly an outstanding sports star then you have a huge advantage over most competitors already - but if you have obvious potential it is certainly worthwhile getting extra coaching and training as soon as possible to increase your chances of gaining an award.
For those of you skilled but not the high school star, more modest scholarships are also available. These won't cover your entire college education but may lessen the burden on you bank balance anyway.
No matter how skilled you might be at a sport, the chances of you ever building a career from it are very slight. There' s a constant risk of injuries that might end your career before it even begins and therefore sports scholarships should not be seen as a route to professional sporting success. On the contrary; a skilled athlete should invest in an academic education purely to protect themselves from the dangers of never making it as a professional athlete. Educational scholarships offer a safety net for students and you are encouraged to study an alternative discipline as well as practice your sports.
Try to get involved in the Olympic Development Program. This program offers additional sports coaching and will increase your chances of getting a sports scholarship. You should also enroll in local and national teams if possible.
Sports scholarships are an excellent way of paying for, or subsidizing the cost of a college education. They are not easy to get unless you are a skilled sports star already but they are certainly worth the effort of applying. Spend time discussing your options with your school and club coaches as they will be experienced in how best to get offered a sports scholarship.
If you are unfortunate not to be granted a sports scholarship there are however many additional ways to receive money to pay for your further education.
