If you like throwing around a football more than life itself, then that’s great, but it’s time to get down to the brass tax: if you’re banking on an athletic scholarship to pay for your education, it might be time to admit that there aren’t enough for everyone. According to The College Solution, the odds of getting an athletic scholarship are as low as 2%, and the average scholarship amount is only $11,000. That doesn’t mean you have to give up on your reveries of a field of dreams, but you might want to consider the following:

• Pursue merit scholarships. What’s much more common and potentially bigger than an athletic scholarship? A merit scholarship, which free money that you get if you perform as well in class as you do on the field.
• Intramurals. Even if you go to a school that isn’t particularly regarded for its sports, you’ll still likely have plenty of opportunities to play. For instance, nearly every school boasts extremely active intramural programs, meaning you can keep playing the sport you love, no sweat.
• College is a big place. At college, sports aren’t the only game in town, as there are so many activities available that your head is guaranteed to spin when you have to decide which clubs you want to join and which extracurriculars you want to participate in. Not playing sports in college isn’t the end of the world. After all, you’re there to get an education.