I think only varsity status teams can award scholarships, and such. Title 9 has really prevented lacrosse from becoming varsity in the south & northwest. The crazy thing is that most big guy club teams, perform better than the meat of the varsity teams out there. Vandy, GT, UT, UGA, Florida, could easily go varsity & are run like varsity team; you have 50-60 men rosters with 20 that actually play, full coaching staff, $100,000 budget, travel crew... Some like Michigan are funded by the varsity athletics, but don't receive scholarships & the other perks as NCAA athletes.
But most of the big guys it costs to play. Like Auburn's cost to play a year is $1,200- $2,000, SDSU its $2,200-$3,000, Colorado State $3,000+, and some guys only play one year.....
For some teams its definitely worth it though if you're really into it. If you want to play at an SEC school, I'd highly recommend UGA. When we traveled down to play them they were really cool guys, I wouldn't mind buying a beer for them. Their execution and flow was really impressive, and they were very organized. The best thing to do to get help as far with admissions, is to go their camps & summer leagues if they have them, & meet all the players, officers, coaches, and go in as a complete hard charger. And just attack & work hard in the camps & games, and get after it. That's we and most teams look for- humble athletes, that are highly motivated & hungry to learn - as we are.
We run unto HS players every now and then, that are really cocky, and haven't been exposed to college play yet & think they can walk onto Navy or Virginia because they've score a few goals and such, and placed in a state championship. But honestly, players like that can only learn so much, & only peak in high school- when they get to college, they get a huge wake up. The most successful players in college are the guys that always look for ways to get better & that's something the coaches look for. If they really like you, they can definitely find a way to get you into the university. Especially UGA, because they many resources.