The world is a different place than it use to be. While being nerdy and playing video games used to be a pastime you didn’t tell anyone if you wanted to not be harassed by the popular kids, but now, professional video gamers can earn as much as a professional athlete or could be the new way you pay for college. Several colleges recently announced that they’re offering scholarships for eSports, but one such college is the first to offer a scholarship to Fortnite players, according to Variety. Ohio’s Ashland University released a press release on Wednesday, April 18, that it would be adding Fortnite: Battle Royale to its esports program come fall of 2018. “Fortnite appeals to both the core and casual gaming audience," said head coach John Buchanan said in the press release. "We're excited to provide this platform for gamers who want to showcase their skills in a more competitive space. Fortnite facilitates an environment that allows players to get creative, innovate and show off their mastery of their skills." However, along with adding the gaming platform to its esports teams, Ashland is offering up to $4,000 in scholarships, determined by a players skill level and academics. The college also plans to build a Game Center to support the expanding esports teams, featuring 25 gaming stations. The stations will incorporate pc gaming and contain gaming chairs, accessories and peripherals. Fortnite joins League of Legends, Overwatch, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Rocket League. AU plans to build teams of four who practice and compete together regularly. Open tryouts will be conducted for Fortnite players for next season, fall 2018. The explosion of Fortnite appears to have sparked the college’s action to add the gaming platform to its program. The Epic Game has gained popularity extremely quickly since its release in July of 2017. The game was stated to host 3.4 million players last month, according to AU’s press release. Buchanan seems to believe Ashland’s early move to add Fortnite will benefit its esports program, stating in the press release, “getting players into structured practices ahead of the launch of a collegiate league will be extremely beneficial to our program.”