Are you ready to be a scholar athlete?

Every autumn brings a new hope to thousands of high school soccer players of taking their game to the next level. Being a college student-athlete is an imposing goal for many prep players. The final culmination after years of soccer camps, snacking on half-time orange slices, and team names like the Mighty Red Ants. Whether it be because: parents, siblings, friends, or heroes played soccer collegiately before them, America's youth will be clamoring for roster spots.

After putting in two-a-days, running endless drills (and miles) the time has come for them to go to a university and earn a degree. With the responsibilities of classes, labs, homework, and finals, the student-athlete must also train for his or her sport. Sound exhausting? To the many parents thinking of long overtime hours needed to fund their children's dreams it sure does. Thus, the college athletic scholarship.

Athletes who are granted a full scholarship receive funding that covers tuition and fees, room, board, and course-related books. Many more athletes who don't get a full scholarship may be given a partial scholarship to help offset some of these costs.

In 2008, the NCAA estimated the value of a full athletic scholarship to be around $14,000 a year at an in-state public school. The numbers were higher of course-- $24,000 and just over $32,000 for out-of-state institutions and private schools respectively. In any form, the scholarship is a delight to the student and family alike. Beyond dollars and cents, something the NCAA prides itself on, is the intangible value of these scholarships. Without them, many student-athletes would be unable to pursue their athletic and academic dreams.

A long time has passed since our young Pelé's were caught sleepy-eyed in the backseat of mom's mini-van, still wearing sweat-soaked jerseys with mud-caked cleats. Now that they're ready for college and probably driving themselves to practice, being pro-active is of the utmost importance. Less than 2% of high-school athletes will earn a scholarship. Each student must make sure he or she is eligible and continue to improve themself on and off the pitch.

Students must commit themselves to the process, by choosing a school that best suits their individual desires. Doing this as tirelessly as they have dedicated time to improving technical skills over the years, will offer the maximum satisfaction. Come May, graduating with a four year degree is the ultimate G-o-o-o-a-l!