Scholarships Not What They Seem

So you think playing a sport is a free ride in College. Think again, it’s not. Many people spend thousands of dollars on their kids in the hopes they will get a ‘free ride’ to College, or a ticket to the pros. The reality is different, and not for the better. The NYT has an article on how most, if not scholarships come up well short of what is needed.

Scholarships Not What They Seem

The NYT covers the discrepancy between realty and perception of Scholarships. Let’s look at the myths.

1. You can get a 4 year scholarship in athletics. No, you can’t.

Despite common references in news media reports, there is no such thing as a four-year scholarship. All N.C.A.A. athletic scholarships must be renewed and are not guaranteed year to year, something stated in bold letters on the organization’s Web site for student-athletes. Nearly every scholarship can be canceled for almost any reason in any year, although it is unclear how often that happens.

2. Sports will pay for all of my school costs. Not quite.

Scholarships are typically split and distributed to a handful, or even, say, 20, athletes because most institutions do not fully finance the so-called nonrevenue sports like soccer, baseball, golf, lacrosse, volleyball, softball, swimming, and track and field. Colleges offering these sports often pay for only five or six full scholarships, which are often sliced up to cover an entire team. Some sports have one or two full scholarships, or none at all.

3. Kids sacrificing their childhood is worth it. Again, not really.

“And if I had it to do over, I would have skipped a practice every now and then to go to a concert or a movie with my friends. I missed out on a lot of things for soccer. I wish I could have some of that time back.”
~~Pat Taylor — recruited by Loyola Soccer, did not make team.

He is the rule, not the exception. For soccer the programs for kids run about $10,000 /yr/kid. It’s not a lottery; most people think it is.

Oh and you will be surprised to know that the largest average scholarships handed out are not in Football, but in Hockey.

More Articles on Kids, Scholarships

• should I get lots of little ones or one “full ride”
• playing sports too young?
• NYT on the NAIA aid — it doesn’t look good
• should athletes be paid — the never ending debate
• Irrational ‘feel good’ article that misses the boat on college costs
• NCAA gives preferential treatment to women

Tags: college sports, scholarships, tuition