As colleges and universities raise tuition levels, more and more students are in need of scholarships and other financial aid to afford higher education.

Today, there are more opportunities for scholarships than ever, but there is also a higher level of need.  This means there is more competition and the standards are higher.

The NCAA and NAIA have set guidelines for the maximum number of scholarships each school can have per sport. Each individual college and/or university can decide, within that range, how many they will actually offer.

The highest amount of money at the university and college level is aimed at head sports. These sports, like football, bring in the most money for the school. With Title IX, schools must spend an equal amount of money on male and female sport programs.

Ivy League and NCAA Division III schools do not offer athletic scholarships.

Types of Scholarships

• A full ride scholarship includes tuition, room and board, books, and fees are all covered for a minimum of one year
• A partial scholarship includes a portion of the athlete’s yearly cost will be covered
• A half and half scholarship offers financial aid based on both the academic and athletic achievements
• A one year renewable scholarship is quickly replacing the full ride as each player is rewarded at year's end for their athletic and academic achievement

The full ride scholarship is the hardest scholarship to obtain for both male and female athletes. With budget cuts and increasing costs, these are the first scholarships to go by the wayside. Competition is fierce for these scholarships and athletic play is no longer enough to obtain a full ride.

The partial scholarship is a more realistic goal for standout athletes. Some of your school costs will be covered. With a partial athletic scholarship, athletes can secure additional financial aid through other means.

For yearly scholarships, a scholarship will be renewed if the coach and others involved feel that the player has lived up to the terms of the scholarship both athletically and academically while representing the team in a positive way. This type of scholarship is slowly replacing the full ride.

The half and half scholarship is rare but might be something a top academic athlete can secure. When searching for schools and financial aid, ask about the potential of a school granting a half and half scholarship.

The recruiting process can be a confusing and exciting time for any athlete. Being prepared upfront can help ease the tension and stress of pinning down a scholarship.

How to Prepare

• Gather medical records and transcripts
• Create a video demonstrating your skills
• Get registered and certified by the NCAA Clearinghouse Division I and Division II eligibility 
• List pros and cons of schools recruiting you and questions you may have 
• Set up official and unofficial college visits 

Knowing about all the potential academic and athletic scholarships out there will make it easier to find the financial aid you need to further your education.