| What if you want to play college sports but aren’t | | | | $6,585 at public four-year colleges (in-state) and |
| a four-year college prospect out of high school? | | | | private universities, $25,000. This does not include room |
| Wonder if your grades or SAT/ACT scores aren’t | | | | and board and other expenses. |
| good enough to get you accepted to a four-year | | | | Here are some questions to ask yourself when |
| college? Maybe your athletic skills need more polishing? | | | | you’re trying to decide between a two-year and |
| Or, perhaps you want to save money? | | | | four-year institution: |
| Attending a two-year community college (also called | | | | 1) Am I socially secure? Am I mature enough |
| junior college in some areas) is an excellent alternative | | | | to go away from home, live and study on my own, |
| to four-year institutions. Most community colleges have | | | | make new friends, etc? |
| competitive sports programs where you can grow | | | | 2) Are my family’s finances sufficient to pay |
| physically as well as socially, and improve your level of | | | | my college expenses? If not, is there enough other |
| athletic and academic performance | | | | financial assistance available? |
| cost-effectively before continuing on for a four-year | | | | 3) Am I academically prepared? Can I compete |
| degree. | | | | scholastically at the four-year college level? |
| While not all community colleges offer sports | | | | 4) Do I know what I want to major in? If not, have |
| scholarships, some do. You can contact the National | | | | I at least identified my strong areas of interest? |
| Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) to inquire. | | | | 5) Can I compete in my sport at the four-year |
| But, even if the community college you want to attend | | | | level, based on my physical maturation, level of |
| does not offer sports scholarships, the overall | | | | competition and skill level? |
| expenses are usually much less than at four-year | | | | If you can answer “yes” to most or all these |
| schools. According to the College Board’s annual | | | | questions, apply to a four-year college. But, if your |
| publication, Trends in College Pricing, 2008: tuition and | | | | answers are mostly “no” then seriously consider |
| fees at two-year colleges average $2,402 per year; | | | | going the community college route. |