STUDENT ATHLETES

Busting Athletic Scholarship Myths

As a current or aspiring college athlete, the goal for those looking to continue their athletic career beyond high school may be a full-ride athletic scholarship. Athletic scholarships are meant to offer a sense of financial relief toward several college expenses during your educational and athletic journey. Though receiving an athletic scholarship is ideal, many students make a lot of assumptions about how they work. Let’s discuss a few myths about these types of scholarships to enhance your understanding.

Myth #1: Full-ride scholarships cover all expenses.

Full-ride scholarships can cover a variety of education-related expenses while you attend college. This can include things like room and board, tuition, books, campus meal plans, even different registration fees. However, this doesn’t include the indirect expenses that occur during your time in college, such as transportation, parking fines and financial emergencies.

Myth #2: Every college or university offers athletic scholarships.

Not every educational institution has the financial capacity to offer full-ride scholarships. It’s important to ask questions if you're unsure if they offer full-ride or partial scholarships.

Myth #3: A full-ride athletic scholarship guarantees educational coverage for four years.

Athletic scholarships are renewed annually contingent on meeting specific requirements set by the school with NCAA oversight. Scholarships can be revoked for violating team or school rules, quitting or transferring to another university, or academic ineligibility.

Myth #4: All college athletes receive full-ride scholarships.

Unfortunately, scholarships are limited to a specific number of athletes based on the institution. It’s common for an athlete to be what’s called a “walk-on” and pay for their own college expenses, then in their next following year be awarded a scholarship.

Not everyone is awarded a full-ride scholarship. If you aren’t receiving financial support from your family, it’s important to establish a form of income to assist with indirect expenses. Consider finding a side hustle or part-time job that doesn’t affect your class, study or athletic schedules. Be sure to create a budget that allows you to build appropriate savings and separate funds for certain expenses required to live your day-to-day life. Whether you are offered this type of scholarship or not, it may be helpful to open an account with a trusted financial institution that can house your funds and take advantage of financial education opportunities to further your understanding of finances.

Sources:

https://honestgame.com/blog/how-to-fund-college/#:~:text=Full%20and%20partial%20athletic%20scholarships,campus%20housing%20and%20meal%20plans) )

https://www.ncsasports.org/recruiting/managing-recruiting-process/walk-on-vs-scholarship

https://collegeathleticadvisor.com/about-us/athletic-scholarships-101/