Scholarships for college and the bottom line

Scholarships for college are a great way to help ease the burden of a college education. The idea of your child's athletic ability contributing to the price tag for school is very appealing.

Who wouldn't want to get the financial help they need to help pay for school expenses?

Now, more than ever, there are concerns with the cost of a college experience. Economic times are uncertain for many people and the need for higher education has never been greater.

There are options available for your family when looking to provide a post-secondary experience for your child.

There are 3 areas that can contribute to the cost of a college education:

• * Athletics
  
•  * Academics
  
•  * Family Need
  

Athletic Scholarships For College

Athletics awards may cover up to the cost of tuition, fees, room, board and books. They are given on an annual basis, so there is no guarantee that it will be awarded the next year.

However, under normal circumstances athletic financial awards will be renewed, but it is best to be prepared so that you know how to protect your scholarship.

Athletics scholarships for college are given out at the discretion of a Division I coaching staff. As long as your child is registered with the eligibility center and accepted to the school, the coaching staff can offer your child up to a full ride, paying for the cost of tuition, room, board, books, and fees.

The reality is that not all Division I teams are created equal in terms of how much scholarship money they have to work with. That's right, just because a Division I school is recruiting your child, it does not mean you will get the education paid for. Each team and conference deals with unique limitations.

Well, what about Division 3 hockey and scholarships for college? No matter, what "that guy you know," says, there are no athletic scholarships given out at Division 3 schools. Each D3 school has their own set of standards for academic and need based awards.

Academic Scholarships

The academic achievement of your child can go a long way to decreasing the price tag of their college education. Virtually every school will have different academic awards and standards. It is important to research any school your child is interested in and see what options are available for academic awards.

Family Need

The Federal government, when considering college financial aid assistance looks at the individual need of each family. As parents of college-bound student-athletes, it is crucial you fill out the FAFSA form to determine your family's need as determined by the United States Government. Click here for a free copy of the FAFSA worksheet.

Funding a college education is an incredible feat. It takes significant planning to be ready for the big day when your child finds the right fit for their college education. Be sure to also consider the cost of travel to and from school and living expenses when deciding on what you can afford.

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