The task of paying for college can be daunting for parents and students alike. One way to help pay for high tuitions is to get scholarships. Many students can apply for merit-based awards, which go to people with good grades and a history of community service.

Other students may be more qualified for getting paid to go to school while playing a sport. Here are a few hints when seeking sports scholarships: Start early.

The earlier you start, the more opportunities you will have, and you will be more likely to succeed. The earlier you start, the more likely you are to be successful. Don't wait for college coaches to call you. You need to call school athletic departments to pique their interest in you.

Apply to a wide variety of schools. Think beyond the top schools with the best athletic departments. Those schools will be extremely competitive. Go for your goals and contact those top schools, but also remember to look into smaller schools with developing programs. They might be able to pay better. Know the game ahead of time.

Coaches and colleges adhere to regulations and guidelines on recruiting. Be up to date on the common calendar to give yourself the most opportunities. The calendar and the rules in various sports can change frequently, so stay on top of it by getting the most current NCAA Guide for the College-Bound Student Athlete. It's available at www.ncaa.org  Don't let your grades slip.

Coaches are more likely to sign athletes are maintain good grades and also show maturity. Think about being a leader on your team or demonstrating leadership and good sportsmanship in as many ways as possible to show schools you're ready for college.

To learn more about applying for sports scholarships for college, go to www.collegesportsscholarships.com or check out www.athleticaid.com.