There’s a hard truth about college football: There are more players than scholarships available.

The high cost of tuition can make athletes and their families uneasy, especially when they are staring at a massive pile of student loans. But even without tuition assistance from their soon-to-be-college program, there are options available to help student-athletes reduce the burden of college expenses.

Collegiate Sports Data CEO Becky Sharpe offered the following tips to consider when scholarships don’t cover the full cost of college.

Search the web

The internet is one of the best resources available for college students looking for financial aid. With some time investment, thousands of scholarships can be found for high school and college students to consider.

“There are plenty of websites where you can fill out a profile and get connected with scholarships,” Sharpe said. “Some of the most popular are Fastweb, Chegg and Scholarships.com. Only fill out a profile for sites with a clear privacy policy with which you agree and that do not charge you for the information. If you have already decided on a major, look for local and national associations in that field of study. Many career specific organizations offer scholarships.”

Niche market scholarships often offer some unexpected assistance. For scholarships that are not sport-specific, having experience in athletics can prove an athlete is well-rounded and deserving to selection committees.

“There are some scholarships available for athletes that you can find by Googling your sport and scholarship, but it is more common for scholarships applications to ask about your high school sports career,” Sharpe said. “Having played a high school sport shows that you are dedicated and a team player.”

Mark the calendar

Time is critical when it comes to applying for scholarships. While programs may open only to seniors, finding specific selection criteria can help make an athlete a better candidate. 

“There are some for high school juniors and younger but not nearly as many as for high school students currently in the first semester of their senior year,” Sharpe said.

Start research early and pay attention to deadline dates. Football-specific awards such as the Alliance Pipeline Scholarship and Davis Law Group Scholar Athlete Program have firm closing dates each year. Getting applications done early ensures all necessary steps of the process have been completed.

Investigate financial aid

From student loans to grants, there are a various financial aid options available to aspiring college students. While many can be similar, each school will have specific options. For smaller schools, such as Division III colleges, there are options available beyond just tuition coverage.

“Financial aid offices are the best resources at D-III schools,” Sharpe said. “They will know about scholarships that have been dedicated to that specific school and will also know what grants are available for books, supplies, housing and even travel.”

The NCAA offers $193.6 million in athletic funds for the Division I programs and $63.5 million for Division II and III schools. These funds cover scholarships as well as grants, student-athlete services and championship expenses.

The most important step in receiving federal assistance is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid application, which has an end of June deadline.

“Fill out your FASFA as soon as you can,” Sharpe said. “It is your responsibility to do the math. If, for example, your dream is to be a social worker and you know that the average income is $40,000 a year, think about the tuition you are considering and, if you borrow the money, what the monthly payments will be after graduation. If they are more than 10 to 20 percent of your monthly income, you may find yourself unable to afford the basics.”

Seek outside help

Don’t be afraid to ask for help from others. Coaches, counselors, current players and former athletes can be helpful resources for advice.

“Not only should you meet with your high school guidance counselor but reach out to any and all adults in your life and ask them about contacts they have at your preferred college. Alumni groups are a great source for contacts and possibly scholarships,” Sharpe said.

Think creatively of ways to receive financial assistance. After four years of athletic and educational dedication, don’t let finances get in the way of attending your dream school.