| If your lucky enough to excel at a sport like | | | | you make comparisons between schools and rule |
| cheerleading, you may be able to use your abilities | | | | out ones that aren't right for you. |
| to make your way through college. Cheerleading | | | | - Contact Schools: Once you decide which schools |
| scholarships can be a terrific way to help pay for | | | | are really of interest to you, you may want to |
| school while you do something you love. In oder | | | | contact specific members of the school faculty. |
| to cheer your way through college you will need | | | | For example, as a student who wishes to take |
| to find, visit, and apply to schools that are serious | | | | part in cheerleading activities you will want to |
| about cheerleading, offer scholarships and financial | | | | contact the coach of the schools cheer team. |
| aid based on cheerleading, and have academic | | | | You will also want to get in touch with financial aid |
| background to meet your needs. If you think you | | | | to find out what type of aid is available to you |
| can take cheerleading to the next level, the | | | | and what steps you need to take to start the |
| following will help you make it through the | | | | application process. Be sure to inform faculty |
| application process. | | | | members you speak that you are interested in |
| Where to Start | | | | information on cheerleading scholarships. |
| - Guidance Counselor: During your search for the | | | | - Visit Schools: Information you receive from |
| perfect school, it's important to take advantage | | | | college and university websites and application |
| of your school's guidance office. The guidance | | | | packets can help you narrow your search down, |
| office and your guidance councilor can offer you | | | | but it's important to visit schools your are thinking |
| great tips on finding schools and scholarship for | | | | about attending. By visiting the colleges and |
| cheer leading. Once you begin your search they | | | | universities of your choice you will be able to |
| will also be there to help you find your way | | | | meet and speak with faculty members, coaches, |
| around the application processes. | | | | and other students. This will allow you to address |
| - The Internet: Thanks to the Internet, | | | | any questions or concerns that weren't addressed |
| researching schools has become far easier than it | | | | in the literature you received. You will also be able |
| may have been ten years ago. If your interested | | | | to visit dorms, classrooms, dining facilities, and |
| in attending a college or university on a cheer | | | | recreation areas to help you get a better feel for |
| scholarship, your best place to start your search | | | | the school. For many students, visiting the schools |
| is on the internet. Simple go to a search engine | | | | or universities will help them make their final |
| like Google and type in word combinations like, | | | | choice. |
| "cheerleading universities," and "cheerleading | | | | Application Process: |
| colleges," and you should have enough information | | | | - Visit the Guidance Office: The application process |
| to start your search. | | | | can be a very stressful and confusing time. Thats |
| - Friends and Family: You may have friends and | | | | why it's best to speak to your guidance counselor |
| family that have already been through the | | | | to help you find your way through the process. |
| rigorous application process or have had | | | | You will want to take all applications with you |
| experience with sports related scholarships. Those | | | | during your meeting with the guidance counselor |
| who have gone before you can serve as pools of | | | | to make sure you meet all required deadlines, the |
| knowledge and can be valuable tools in your | | | | college or universities entrance requirements, and |
| search for schools. If someone you know has | | | | that you file the correct financial aid/scholarship |
| gone through the process before, be sure to ask | | | | information. |
| them for their advice as you begin your search. | | | | - Make a List of Deadlines: One of the most |
| Now What? | | | | important parts of the application process is |
| - Research: Once you accumulate a list of schools | | | | knowing and meeting deadlines. Missing a deadline |
| can help you achieve your academic and | | | | can greatly decrease your chances of getting into |
| cheerleading goals, you will want to continue your | | | | the school you want and can exclude you from |
| research by taking an in depth look at each | | | | receiving financial aid in the form of scholarships. |
| college or university. As you research each school | | | | Mark your calendar with application deadlines; write |
| look for information on various topics including | | | | them in a notebook you use everyday; or plaster |
| financial aid, programs of study, cost of living, and | | | | your bedroom mirror with post it notes full of |
| their cheerleading program. While you are doing | | | | dates. Choose a method that works for you and |
| your research it is important to keep track of | | | | make sure you keep track of what is due and |
| what you find. Get a simple spiral notebook and | | | | when. |
| dedicate a few pages to each school. This will help | | | | |