Did you know that $1 billion is awarded in athletic scholarships each year? I promise, that is not a typo. A majority of student-athletes plan to attend either NCAA Division I or II universities. In order to be eligible for an athletic scholarship at one of these institutions you must complete the following units during your high school career:
- 4 years of English
- 3 years of math (Algebra 1 or higher)
- 2 years of natural or physical science (including one year of lab science if offered by your high school)
- 1 extra year of English, math, or natural or physical science
- 2 years of social science
- 4 years of extra core courses (from any category above, or foreign language, comparative religion or philosophy)
As you can tell, your future success is determined more by your academic achievements than by those earned on the playing field. In order to participate in NCAA Division I, II or III athletics, you must register with the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse. The clearinghouse evaluates your academic record for eligibility as a freshman student-athlete. Please note that it costs $70 to submit your name to this online pool, though fee waivers are available. To learn more, download the “2012-2013 Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete.”
What if you plan on playing at an NAIA college or university? Sports scholarships still abound at these institutions. You can read all about them in “Peterson’s Sports Scholarships and College Athletic Programs.” This guidebook lists contact information, program details, and other important tips regarding the recruitment process.
