What if you want to play college sports but aren't a four-year college prospect out of high school? Wonder if your grades or SAT/ACT scores aren't good enough to get you accepted to a four-year college? Maybe your athletic skills need more polishing? Or, perhaps you want to save money?

Attending a two-year community college (also called junior college in some areas) is an excellent alternative to four-year institutions. Most community colleges have competitive sports programs where you can grow physically as well as socially, and improve your level of athletic and academic performance cost-effectively before continuing on for a four-year degree.

While not all community colleges offer sports scholarships, some do. You can contact the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) to inquire.

But, even if the community college you want to attend does not offer sports scholarships, the overall expenses are usually much less than at four-year schools. According to the College Board's annual publication, Trends in College Pricing, 2008: tuition and fees at two-year colleges average $2,402 per year; $6,585 at public four-year colleges (in-state) and private universities, $25,000. This does not include room and board and other expenses.

Here are some questions to ask yourself when you're trying to decide between a two-year and four-year institution:

1)      Am I socially secure? Am I mature enough to go away from home, live and study on my own, make new friends, etc?

2)   Are my family's finances sufficient to pay my college expenses? If not, is there enough other financial assistance available?

3)   Am I academically prepared? Can I compete scholastically at the four-year college level?

4)   Do I know what I want to major in? If not, have I at least identified my strong areas of interest?

5)   Can I compete in my sport at the four-year level, based on my physical maturation, level of competition and skill level?

If you can answer 'yes' to most or all these questions, apply to a four-year college. But, if your answers are mostly 'no' then seriously consider going the community college route.

About the Author:

Author Bio: Penny Hastings is the co-author (along with her son Todd Caven) of How To Win A Sports Scholarship, 3rd edition (Redwood Creek Publishing, 2007, 192 pages, $24.95), a step-by-step guide for high school and 2-year college student-athletes who want to play their sport in college and help pay their college expenses, too. Hastings gives presentations and workshops to student-athletes and their parents, guidance counselors, coaches and others interested in helping kids learn about college sports and how to play the recruiting game successfully. Hastings can be reached at penny@winasportsscholarship.com or visit the website: www.winasportsscholarship.com. Hastings is also the author of Sports For Her, A Reference Guide for Teenage Girls (Greenwood Publishing, 1999), which is currently being revised for a softcover 2nd edition by Redwood Creek Publishing (www.winasportsscholarship.com).