University Support

What kind of aid do you get in college?

Being a student-athlete is a lot like having two jobs, but on top of that, you'll probably need another job to support your life! While this can seem overwhelming, many schools offer ways to ease the lives of their athletes - both financially and academically.

• Academic Safety Nets: Because your travel and practice schedule is unique, most athletic departments provide mandatory study halls and priority registration. This ensures you can pick classes that don't clash with your afternoon practices or 5:00 AM lifts.
• The "Triple Threat" Budget: Between tuition, gear, and daily living, the costs add up. Many programs offer Cost of Attendance (COA) stipends—extra funds intended to cover the "hidden" costs of being a student, like travel home during breaks or basic personal expenses.
• Tailored Tutoring: You’ll often have access to academic advisors who work exclusively with athletes. They act as a liaison between you and your professors, helping you navigate missed assignments due to away games or postseason tournaments.
• Scholarship Realities: Scholarships can be "full rides" or "partial," depending on the sport's NCAA status (Head-count vs. Equivalency sports).
• Head-count sports (like D1 Football or Basketball) typically offer full rides.
• Equivalency sports (like Baseball or Soccer) often split their total scholarship pool among the whole roster. This means you might combine a partial athletic scholarship with academic merit aid to cover your full bill.
• Life Skills & Career Prep: Many schools now offer "Bridge Programs" that help athletes find internships that fit into their off-seasons, ensuring that your "athlete job" is actually helping you build your future "professional job."