Two-Year Colleges: An Often-Overlooked Alternative To Four-Year Institutions

<h1>Two-Year Colleges: An Often-Overlooked Alternative To Four-Year Institutions</h1>Author: <a title="Penny Hastings" href="http://www.articlesbase.com/authors/penny-hastings/27904.htm">Penny Hastings</a> 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 <a href="mailto:penny@winasportsscholarship.com">penny@winasportsscholarship.com</a> or visit the website: <a href="http://www.winasportsscholarship.com." target="_blank">www.winasportsscholarship.com.</a> 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 (<a href="http://www.winasportsscholarship.com)." target="_blank">www.winasportsscholarship.com).</a>Article Source: <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/">ArticlesBase.com</a> - <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/college-and-university-articles/twoyear-colleges-an-oftenoverlooked-alternative-to-fouryear-institutions-777699.html" title="Two-Year Colleges: An Often-Overlooked Alternative To Four-Year Institutions">Two-Year Colleges: An Often-Overlooked Alternative To Four-Year Institutions</a>

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.

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).

Rate this Article:

0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s)

Re-Publish

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/college-and-university-articles/twoyear-colleges-an-oftenoverlooked-alternative-to-fouryear-institutions-777699.html

Article Tags: Sports Scholarships, College Sports Scholarships, College Athletic Scholarships, Student-athletes, College Athletes, 2-year College Athletes, Penny Hastings, Sports Recruiting, Community College, Student-athlete, Two-year College, SAT/ACT Test Scores

Related Videos
Related Articles
Ask / Related Q&A

Play

How can I make new friends at college?

Play

What are some steps to surviving my first year of college?

Play

How do I choose between a two-year or four-year college?

Play

Transferring From a Community College To a 4 Year University

Play

What To Do If You Can't Afford a 4 Year College

Latest College and University Articles
More from Penny Hastings

Free Scholarship And Grants - $10,000 Scholarship for College Students

By: Michelle Perkins | 04/01/2010
There are numerous Free Scholarship And Grants you can apply for to help pay your college expenses. You may be able to qualify for these Free Scholarship And Grants. Also remember to look for scholarships yourself so you can have even more chances of getting scholarship money.

Harvard Merit Scholarship - Free Registration for $10,000 Scholarship Drawing

By: Michelle Perkins | 04/01/2010
Harvard Merit Scholarship are a great way to offset the ever-increasing costs of taking college classes. We've done some research and here's a few Harvard Merit Scholarship you should take a look at. Also remember to look for scholarships yourself so you can have even more chances of getting scholarship money.

Early Graduate Scholarships - Register Today for $10,000 Scholarship Opportunity

By: Michelle Perkins | 04/01/2010
Early Graduate Scholarships are available for those students who wish to earn a degree from a higher learning institution. Here are some Early Graduate Scholarships you may want to check out. Also do your own research to find more scholarship programs you may qualify for.

Free Scholarship For Students - What Can You Do With $10,000 Worth of Scholarship Money?

By: Michelle Perkins | 04/01/2010
There are a lot of Free Scholarship For Students that you can apply for to help with your educational expenses. You may be able to qualify for these Free Scholarship For Students. For even more chances of getting scholarship money, make sure to do your own research.

Free Scholarship Grant - Apply Today for $10,000 Scholarship

By: Michelle Perkins | 04/01/2010
There are various Free Scholarship Grant you can apply for to help with your college costs. We've made your search easier by listing two Free Scholarship Grant that you can take advantage of today. You should also look for other scholarships that can help you funding your classes.

Md Nursing Scholarships - Register Soon for $10K Scholarship Drawing

By: Michelle Perkins | 04/01/2010
There is a variety of Md Nursing Scholarships you can apply for and you can easily find them online. We've searched for Md Nursing Scholarships and here's a few you should apply for. You should also look for other scholarships that can help you funding your classes.

Free Scholarship Finder - $10,000 Scholarship Giveaway Deadline Coming Soon

By: Michelle Perkins | 04/01/2010
Free Scholarship Finder can help you relax when it comes to paying off your semester's tuition and fees. You may want to check out these Free Scholarship Finder. Research for other scholarship opportunities you may qualify for.

Free Scholarship For African - Who Can Register For $10,000 Scholarship Giveaway?

By: Michelle Perkins | 04/01/2010
There are numerous Free Scholarship For African you can apply for to help pay your college expenses. We've made your search easier by listing two Free Scholarship For African that you can take advantage of today. Doing your own research will also help you finding more scholarships to fund your education.

Is College Sports the Path to the Pros?

By: Penny Hastings | 13/05/2009 | Sports & Fitness
What young athlete doesn't dream of playing professional sports? The odds show, however, that few players make it to that level. If college-bound student-athletes want to play sports at the college level, they need to remember that getting an education comes first and if they become a recruited athlete the emphasis should be on "letting their athletic skill take them to college." Lucky is the student-athlete who gets to play college sports and get an education at the college of their choice!

Happy Birthday, Barbie. Now Go Away!

By: Penny Hastings | 10/03/2009 | Sports & Fitness
Barbie, the pencil-thin, wasp-waisted, pointed-breasted doll that young girls have played with over for three generations, just celebrated her 50th birthday. It is estimated that more than 1 billion Barbie dolls have been sold worldwide in more than 150 countries since the doll was first introduced in 1959. Is Barbie a healthy influence? How has she changed over the years--or has she? If she can't fill out and shape up, perhaps she should go away rather than give girls a false body image.

College Sports Scholarships Awarded In 34 Sports From Archery To Ice Hockey, Cross Country To Squash, Basketball To Volleyball

By: Penny Hastings | 02/03/2009 | K-12 Education
If you think only college football and basketball award scholarships to their athletes, think again! There are 34 sports in which sports scholarships are given and some of them will surprise you. Female athletes as well as males get part of $1.2 billion a year in sports scholarships. Some athletes change sports to take advantage of scholarship sports not well known to the public. Learn what they are and how you can take advantage of this knowledge.

Horse-Collar Tackle Banned In High School Sports

By: Penny Hastings | 18/02/2009 | Football
The horse-collar tackle--when a defender grabs an offensive player on the back or side collar of the runner’s shoulder pads or jersey and throws the runner to the ground-- has been banned in high school football by the National Federation of State High School Associations, effective 2009. The penalty is 15 yards. It was put into the rules following similar rulings by the NFL in 2005 and the NCAA last year.

Two-Year Colleges: An Often-Overlooked Alternative To Four-Year Institutions

By: Penny Hastings | 17/02/2009 | College & University
Community Colleges are an often-overlooked alternative to four-year institutions. They can help student-athletes save money on their first two years of college and allow them time to develop scholastically, socially and athletically. Included is a quiz to help kids choose what level of college is best for them. Compare the College Board stats on current two-year and four-year college costs. See more info at www.winasportsscholarship.com

Eating Disorder Can Derail a Promising Athlete's Career

By: Penny Hastings | 02/02/2009 | Diseases & Conditions
: Eating Disorders Can Derail Athletic Career. As competition increases for the high school and college athlete, body weight can become an obsession for the driven athlete (or one pressured by a coach or parent). Eating disorders, while not as prevalent for athletes as a group as the general public, can result in physical and mental damage to the athlete, depriving them of participation, while they work at surviving what can be a life-threatening disease.

College-bound Student-athletes the Key to Getting Into College, Playing Their Sports and Helping to Pay Their Expenses

By: Penny Hastings | 28/01/2009 | Personal Finance
College costs are rising as parents’ funds are falling. If that’s not bad enough, many colleges recently announced limiting admissions due to lack of funds. What’s a parent to do? If your child is a skilled college-bound student-athlete, make sure he or she is on the right track to get a college sports scholarship. “Find out what to do, when to do it and how to get it,” says Penny Hastings, co-author of the book, How To Win A Sports Scholarship, 3rd ed. http://winasportsscholarship.com.