High School Athlete
Student Financial Aid for Student-Athletes
The full picture of financial aid for student-athletes — grants, loans, work-study, and how athletic money fits in.
Financial Aid Is More Than Athletic Scholarships
Athletic scholarships are only one piece of the financial aid puzzle. A comprehensive financial aid package for a student-athlete may include athletic scholarships, academic merit aid, federal grants, institutional grants, work-study, and student loans. Understanding all of these sources helps you minimize out-of-pocket costs.
The FAFSA: Your Gateway to Financial Aid
Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) beginning October 1 of your senior year. The FAFSA determines your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and your eligibility for federal Pell Grants, Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, and federal work-study. Many schools also use FAFSA data to award institutional need-based grants.
Federal Grants
Pell Grants are the largest federal grant program and do not need to be repaid. The maximum annual Pell Grant is approximately $7,400 for the 2025-26 award year. Eligibility is based on financial need as determined by the FAFSA. Pell Grants can be combined with athletic scholarships at most schools up to the cost of attendance limit.
Federal Student Loans
Federal loans come in two types: Subsidized (no interest while you are enrolled) and Unsubsidized (interest accrues from day one). Borrowing federal loans is often necessary — but borrow only what you need. A student-athlete who graduates with $15,000 in loans is in a very different position than one who graduates with $80,000 in debt.
Cost of Attendance vs. Total Scholarship
The Cost of Attendance (COA) includes tuition, room, board, books, fees, and personal expenses. Your scholarship or financial aid package cannot exceed the COA. This matters because an athletic scholarship that covers tuition but not room and board still leaves significant costs to cover.
Compare Net Cost Across Schools
Net cost is the cost of attendance minus all grants and scholarships (money you do not repay). Use the net price calculators on each school's website to estimate your actual out-of-pocket cost. Never compare sticker prices — compare net costs. A school offering a smaller scholarship may actually be less expensive than one offering a larger one at a higher sticker price.