Academic is always the best route in keeping your money. Do well and you keep the cash for all 4 years. Financial needs change every year and coaches, rosters and the players motivation to keep playing also changes every year. Remember only at half of all college players play all 4 years.

Make sure your kid is at a school she's happy at in case she wants to quit the sport or gets injured. Rarely is it a good thing if you picking a school solely for athletics