Soon, college football athletes will step into the spotlight for another football season. Before they take the field, Texas Christian University wants to fill up its band.
The school pays students $3,000 a year to be a part of the marching band.
"It's really helpful, because scholarships are amazing, and it's no secret that TCU is really expensive," junior Maddy Collins said.
"It helps a lot, because there are times where the [tuition] bill will be due and my mom is like, 'Please tell me you have your marching band stipend,'" she added, laughing.
The idea is to help beef up the band.
"I look at it as a growing university. It's stepping up and being a part of the Big 12 (Conference) and everything and its presence is getting known," said Arlington Heights High School band director Dave Wiebers.
It appears to be working since 2014, as the band has grown by 85 members.
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"UT, they have a huge band and everyone is like, 'Oh, my gosh, the UT band,' and it's like, 'No, we can be bigger,'" Collins said.
Students majoring in music are required to be in the band, but the plan is for this incentive to inspire students with other majors to join.
Many in the band community say $3,000 is an impressive amount for a band scholarship.
"Oh, that's fantastic. When I was in college I was lucky to get a stipend on an away trip so they could pay for my meals," Wiebers said, laughing.
