Athletes have the opportunity to grab scholarships just to get through college. Many schools regulated by the NCAA offer such service. | Image source: Zimbio

There are a lot of students out there who have been endowed with athletic talents. At the same time, they might not be able to afford the steep tuition fees which colleges and universities impose. What choice do they have just to attain an undergraduate degree?

Fortunately for athletes, they may avail of sports scholarships to aid them in their financial needs. Think about it: in the United States alone, there are about 45,000 student athletes. You may think that’s a lot of competition, but it's never really hindered anyone from availing such aid. Here a few things which you need to know about sports scholarships!

First of all, sports or athletic scholarships are regulated by National Collegiate Athletic Association or NCAA. The organization requires that athletes have a minimum GCSE average of “E” or a standard passing grade of 6. This is to make sure that scholars won’t be too complacent with their academic lives. English, math, science, and any other social sciences subjects are covered by this requirement.

NCAA scholarships are divided into Division I, Division II, and Division III. Divisions I and II give scholarships to athletes who play a sport while Division III may not give aid to athletes depending on certain circumstances.

Students are allowed one gap year to play their sport before even enrolling at the university they’ve chosen.

The NCAA also holds seasonal basketball tournaments to showcase the skills of student athletes. The games are comparable to professional leagues and organizations such as the NBA. They are often televised and are usually followed by students throughout the campus. And who knows: the athletes might just make it to the professional world someday!

If you know someone who’d be willing to apply for a sports scholarship, you might want to tell them all about it! After all, it’s a great opportunity to get through college.