<p>I would not immediately dismiss the possibility of the Ivys and other elite schools for academically talented male minority athletes. Another option could be the service academies or ROTC. The disadvantage to a sports scholarship is that students don’t keep the scholarship if they stop playing. It can also be very difficult to balance a varsity sport, academics, and a job. </p>
<p>By the way, it is not unheard of for schools to offer aid for low income and minority (ALANA) students to visit them. These programs aren’t always heavily advertised, so someone may have to call and ask. </p>
<p>Junior and senior years are the years that students should be applying for local and national scholarships. (Even a one time scholarship of $500 dollars is a semester or two of book money). </p>
<p>Other things to consider are the school’s retention rate and 4 year graduation rate. Obviously, the goal is to get students there, and keep them there for four years. </p>
<p>Students might also need help filling out institutional forms for financial aid.</p>