When searching for athletic sports scholarships, be sure to check out the rules you must follow

The NCAA and the NAIA both have different eligibility guidelines

Athletic sports scholarships, a dream or a possibility? If you dream of receiving athletic student aid, but think you just aren't good enough, stop and reconsider your attitude.

Maybe you're right and you won't make the cut, but how do you know if you won't even try? If you are even thinking you may have the talent and what it takes to apply for an athletic sports scholarship, submit an athletic profile to the college coaches. Athletic scholarships are not only for elite athletes. You don't have to be in the top 10% of your sport to be offered an athletic sports scholarship. You may not be offered a free ride sports scholarship at a top notch college but many athletes receive partial athletic scholarship aid to the college of their choice. However, you'll never know if you don't apply!

If obtaining athletic student aid is on your goal list, you need to know the rules and guidelines of both the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Both of these associations have their own rules and regulations that you should be aware of before you decide to apply for athletic student aid.

Rules of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)

To make sure you understand the NCAA student aid eligibility, write or call for a copy of the book, The Guide for College Board Student Athletes. You can also get one free copy by calling 1-800-638-3731.

College Coaches Online

College Coaches Online offers an easy-to-use search engine that helps identify NCAA, NAIA and NJCAA schools which match student academic and athletic skills. Find coaches names, addresses, emails and phone numbers in seconds.There are over 25,000 coaches on this database.

Use the NCAA clearing house website as an excellent resource. Here you will find:

A list of required courses
Scholarship information
Registration of high school students
Qualifier information

Rules for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)

The NAIA is an athletic association of over 280 colleges and universities in the United States and Canada. Eligibility to participate in the athletic student aid NAIA program is less burdensome than the NCAA. Information for this program can be obtained in the "Guide for College Board Student Athletics". Go here for information how to obtain Guide for the College Board Student AthleteThis guide will explain:

NAIA student aid eligibility
Financial assistance policy
Recruitment policy
Questions to ask the college or university

Athletic student aid is administered by the college. You should contact the college's financial aid office to determine the application procedure. Athletic sports scholarships are usually for a period of one year. Both full and partial scholarships are awarded. More about College Sports Scholarships along with information you need to succeed in college athletics.

For more information on eligibility guidelines and NAIA athletic sports scholarships visit the NAIA website

When thinking about sports scholarships, don't overlook the United States Sports Academy. The United States Sports Academy has been approved by the United States Department of Defense to offer its master's degree courses to members of the Armed Forces, including members of the Army National Guard. If you have questions about the financial aid process or if you would like to learn more about military financial aid available to you, please contact the Financial Aid office at the United States Sports Academy

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General Guidelines

When considering NCAA student aid eligibility and NAIA student aid eligibility, here are a few general guidelines to keep in mind:

Be sure you know your athletic abilities and set realistic expectations. Talk with your coaches, local sportscasters, mentors and team mates for outside and unbiased opinions of your athletic abilities.

After this step, if you feel confident about your athletic abilities, you should begin to prepare your resume and videotape as early as your freshman year.

When you visit colleges, talk to the coach about athletic student aid. It is the coach who awards the scholarships, not the college student financial aid office.

Be sure you study the admission and financial aid process at colleges that interest you.

Always remember:
COLLEGE COACHES CAN'T RECRUIT YOU IF THEY DON'T KNOW YOU ARE OUT THERE.