D25 applied to 7 schools in our state, without the intention of continuing the sport that she loves. She started doing well enough this season to be recruited by 3 of them. She has also skipped a grade and is a young senior, so one of the coaches said she can’t really sign anything yet (we will have to). She has a verbal commitment to 3 of the schools. Two of the schools (small D1 and small D2) have already given her a financial aid package, including merit and athletic aid. After the overnight visit, she fell in love with the 3rd school (small D1). That school has offered only a verbal commitment and admission support. She should get in without the support. He did not move her to ED. We have a good idea how much merit she will receive from the net price calculator.
How does she negotiate athletic money with the coach that hasn’t offered any? And when?
All communication has been with her and each coach. I want to take over because it is about money, but she has handled this process so well by herself that I’d like her to continue to take the lead.
Just gotta ask: Coach, I had a wonderful overnight at xx college, and really enjoyed my visit. I could see myself thriving as a [insert mascot name] and a leader on the team. However, funds are tight for my family, so cost of attendance will have to be a consideration. Would I be competitive for any athletic aid?
That said, you started your post with the idea that D woudl not be competing in college. What if she accepts athletic aid then gets burned out and wants to quit?
Agree with the above. She should directly ask the coach if she is eligible for merit and/or athletic aid. She could also ask if the NPC is accurate and if it’s possible to do a financial aid pre-read.
IMO it’s ok for parents to join calls with their kid and the coach when you are talking money. Hopefully your D would agree.
There is nothing to sign. NLIs are no longer. Everything will be verbal. Did she commit to any coach?
Love this. I will pass this along to her as a guide.
I just asked her this a few days ago. She feels it is a good fit academically and would like to be there if we can make it work, with or without the sport. She knows she has to maintain the academic scholarships to continue there each year.
I believe you mean has offers from 3 of the schools. Commitment is what the student athlete does in response to the offer and really should only be to one school.
btw: it might be helpful to make clarify that there are several, separate types of school-based aid: merit-academic (based on grades/test scores), merit-athletic (obvious), and need-based aid. They can generally stack. The NPC general focuses on the latter.
I heard that about the NLI. Her high school coach said we would sign that we agree to the athletic aid package. That’s how I understood it.
She has not committed to any coach, but they text to let her know they are watching her progress/stats. She gave a “thank you for the overnight and I can see myself there, but waiting on financial aid”. Great advice about the joint phone call.
Yes, we have a good idea what to expect based on merit. Since they are private, we’ll see if we qualify for any need-based aid. We are trying to be patient that this one coach didn’t mention athletic aid, but the other two did. All the schools stack, so we’re thankful about that.
Good advice so far. I’d just have her ask the coach if athletic funding is a possibility and when those decisions are made. Keep in mind many programs aren’t fully funded and don’t have athletic aid to offer.
Can you share what sport this is? Some sports, such as basketball or volleyball, are usually able to offer much more in the way of athletic scholarships, than for example swimming or track.
Sorry to be vague, but it’s a Fall sport. The girls on the team told her there is only one full ride scholarship athlete and the rest is divided among them. They said even the partial made the finances much more manageable with the other forms of aid. That’s the reason for this thread. They definitely give partial and he didn’t offer it yet.
You don’t need to be specific if you don’t want to. I just wanted to make sure you’re aware that in some sports partial athletic scholarships is sometimes no more than book money. Good luck to your daughter! Exciting times ahead!
I agree with this. When money is being discussed, IMO ok to have the parent get involved in the financial discussions. This may also take a bit of burden off of your D as she can stay focused on being enthusiastic, excited about the opportunity to be part of the team, etc. and the parent can handle the financial discussion to some extent.
So much great advice. She reached out to the coach today for specifics on athletic aid. Depending what he says, we will get involved. I agree that it is a bit much for her to take on alone.
Update: The school stacks academic and need-based aid, but not athletic aid on top. D25’s academic aid is greater than a partial scholarship, so she will be considered a preferred walk on. She will sign her commitment letter from the compliance office. Of course, she is excited either way. If her stats improve, she could still earn a full scholarship down the road. If she gets injured or burns out, she will continue her academics and get a great education.
We are thrilled that the total cost will be the same as the state flagship, continue her sport, and travel the world during study abroad classes. Win-win!
I think this has no substance. The old NLI required money from the athletic department to be binding. A contract requires consideration from both sides, money from the school to the student and the student’s agreement to play for that school for one year, or at least to not play for another school for that first year. Now with NIL, the transfer portal and soon to be the House case and the changes to the number of scholarships per sport, the NLI have no power (and why they are eliminated).
My daughter was 16 when she signed her NLI, and I had to sign it just like I’d have had to sign any other contract with a minor - opening a bank account, a credit card, buying a plane ticket, etc. The only other thing I had to sign for was her vaccination records at the school and if she’d need more vaccinations (she was a semester into college before she turned 18). I didn’t have to sign her student loans.
It sounds like you have a financial answer. My daughter stacked everything - merit, athletic, some state scholarships, need based scholarships, loans. She had 10 items of FA on her first bill and I was happy for each one of them! She did try to do all the scholarship and FA negotiation, but finally she looked at me and asked if I could ‘just do the money.’ Realy, so much of it depended on my salary and family need (plus I had to kids starting college at the same time) and I did take over, including the FAFSA and her taxes. I talked to the FA office and to the coach.