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With college costs increasing at a hefty 6.5% every year, it just might pay to look into yet another way to augment student loans, grants and financial aid – the athletic scholarship. There’s a whopping $1.2 billion available for collegiate sports scholarships every year. Since the average cost of attending a four-year public university is nearly $80,000 every little bit helps, right? Here are a few things every high school athlete should know as they get started on their college selection process:

1. Go straight to college after high school graduation. In order to be considered for an athletic scholarship, you have to be between’ and 24 years old, so if you dilly dally for a year or two after high school, you might blow it. Most scholarships are awards to those who go to college the fall after getting your diploma.

2. There are 29 sports recognized by the National College Athletic Association, or NCAA. Women are eligible to win scholarships in the following categories: Synchronized Swimming, Swimming and Diving, Water Polo, Ice Hockey, Gymnastics, Archery, Squash, Lacrosse, Skiing (Cross Country and Downhill), Rowing and Field Hockey, Basketball, Volleyball, Track & Field (Indoor and Outdoor), Soccer, Tennis, Equestrian, Fencing, Golf.

The men’s sports are: Wrestling, Baseball, Water Polo, Basketball, Volleyball, Cross Country, Track & Field (Indoor & Outdoor), Tennis, Fencing, Swimming and Diving, Football, Golf, Gymnastics, Ice Hockey, Rifle, Skiing (Cross Country and Downhill), Lacrosse and Soccer.

3. Unless you and your athleticism has already become a household name in your region, don’t count on a recruiter finding you. Instead, prepare a sports portfolio of your efforts and make sure that it gets on the desk of the coach you are trying to play for at the college level. A bio of your life in sports and as many newspaper and/or broadcast TV clips of your highlights will be fine.

4. Before you can be considered for an athletic scholarship, you need to have earned admission to the college based on your academic offering. (Note: The SAT is the entrance exam required for collegiate sports consideration.)

If you do land an athletic scholarship, there’s something to keep in mind. Playing at the collegiate level is a big commitment and you won’t have much free time for other things. Strongly consider the major you choose because in all likelihood you won’t be playing your sport of choice professionally after you college years have passed. Choose a career that fulfills you completely and look forward to success off the field as well.

John Barnett is a high school baseball and soccer coach. He earned a masters degree at an online college and is considering several online colleges for additional study.

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