Only about 1-2% of high school athletes go on to play Division II college sports, and even fewer receive scholarships. For the most popular sports, average scholarships range from around $5,800 to $8,400 each year – enough to pay only a small portion of total college costs. For students earning scholarships, a 529 plan offers the flexibility to transfer unused money to another family member or withdraw it without penalty. Key takeaway: Athletic scholarships are rarely a substitute for saving and investing.