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The ultimate goal of the recruiting process should be to find a college or university that will be the right fit for you academically and athletically. However, with today’s economy, finding a school that also competes financially has become a top priority for most families. Is it possible to find both?
YES! If you are prepared to do the work it is definitely possible to find a school that suits your academic, athletic, social and financial needs. First, identify schools of interest where you may realistically qualify athletically and academically. There are more options than you think, but you will need to do some research to find them. The more open you are in terms of location, size and division, the easier it will be on you to find a school that meets your needs. The higher your grades and athletic ability are, the more competitive of a recruit you will be to coaches, thus, making it more likely you will receive additional aid.
Financial assistance can come from several different sources (athletic scholarships, academic scholarships, merit grants and need based aid are a few examples). It doesn’t matter where the money comes from, as long as the school is willing and able to give you some help financially. Don’t get hung up on only finding an athletic scholarship. Colleges have a lot to offer student-athletes in alternative scholarships or grants and as long as you receive money you do not have to pay back, you make your college experience more affordable. Colleges and universities know it is becoming harder and harder to afford an education, and most of them do not want to lose out on a good student just because of financial reasons.
Never start a relationship with a coach by talking about money. You want to know your real thoughts on the school before throwing money into the mix. Get to know the coach first and once the relationship is built, then it is appropriate to see what can be done for you financially. Be honest with coaches and let them know that aid is going to play an important role in your decision. If you have a specific hardship or unusual circumstances, it may help to let the coaches know the real reason why the help is necessary. Reasons such as loss of employment, college-bound siblings or medical challenges are justifiable reasons that may help a college understand your situation. Find out if there are any scholarships you are eligible for and can possibly apply for. Always ask each school what steps you should take and who you need to speak with to know all of your options financially.
In the end, the more schools you are interested in and coaches you have relationships with, the better off you will be. You will know that you are going to end up at a school that you genuinely love and it will also leave some room for you to negotiate. There is nothing wrong with letting a coach know where you stand in the decision process and what types of offers you have received from other schools. You will need handle this delicately and never appear greedy. Let the coaches know that their school is one of your top choices, but that your final decision has to come down to the aid you will be able to receive. Some schools may be able to increase their package, while others may not, but you will never know if you don’t have this conversation.
About NCSA:
NCSA, the “Official Scouting Organization and Provider of Recruiting Education” for Cal South, is the premier source for matching high school student–athletes with colleges and universities across the country. Visit www.ncsasports.org for more information about NCSA.
