Athletes and Parents: Find the Right Financial Fit

32 Comments

Student-athlete scholarships and tuition assistance play a large role in college selection.

The U.S. economy is, as we all know, on shaky ground.

With demands so high and resources often scarce, we often find ourselves torn between the proverbial rock and hard place when it comes to decisions about the best interests of our families and ourselves. When will things begin to turn around? In the longer term, will parents have enough set aside for their retirement? And in the shorter term, how will we ever pay for fast-approaching college needs? This dilemma applies just as keenly to the gifted student-athlete as it does to the rest of the student body.

So allow me to provide you with some strategies to reduce your total costs and get the finest education for the least amount of money.

Tuition Assistance

So you’ve won (or your child has won) a student-athlete scholarship or other tuition assistance. First, without knowing all the features and benefits offered in a tuition assistance package, how can you know if you’re getting the best possible education for the money?

Recently, I spoke with a student-athlete preparing to sign her National Letter of Intent (NLI) to play lacrosse. The letter stated that her scholarship included “course-related books.”

So I immediately asked, “Does ‘course-related books’ mean only books in her major? Is there a cap on the total cost provided for books? Is this a per-semester or per-year allocation? What happens if she opts for summer school; are these books covered? All of these questions need to be answered before the NLI is signed; it is critically important that you know and understand each line in your Financial Aid Award Notice.

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david_track009

about 1 year ago

Hi my name is David Zubia I live in Dumas Texas am a 2.4 student. I love running track and field I also run cross country I am looking at different colleges to run for. I am a senior at Dumas High School I have qualified for regional’s 2 times in a row and going for my 3rd this year. I have the speed of no other my best time in the 400 last year was a 50.1 but is for sure I can break 49 this year. The reason for that is because I attend many camps over the summer and increased tremendously in cross country. The mile relay is also one of my races I run anchor and 3rd leg I am also a regional qualifier for that event.
psmcclide

over 1 year ago

Hi, my name is Pasche' McClide! I live in raleigh, NC. I attend Word of God Christian Academy! I play volleyball and cheerlead. I have been the captain of the volleyball team two years in a row. I stand about 5 feet and I am a very hard worker. I want a scholarship in volleyball but I'm scared I won't get one. I am a very good player! I play as the libero and the setter! I am now a senior, I skipped my sophmore year. I had a 3.7 this pass year! I just hope everything works in my favor! I know God is there for me! Feel free to contact me! Good luck to everyone!
KiayaR

over 1 year ago

Hello, my name is Kiaya Rutz. I am a Graduating Senior at ThunderRidge High School. I am active in two sports, Volleyball and wrestling. These sports have been a major factor in my life since I was able to walk. During Volleyball I push the team to where I know we can be, Being the shortest on the team standing at 5' 3" Im a hard worker and I play to win. Our high school team did not make it as far as we wanted to during districts but we worked harder than we all expected. With wrestling I was the first female wrestler at my high school. Wrestling my first year at a 5A school I was put right on to Varsity!! Every day was extremely hard, but fun being pushed just like all the guys. When it comes to school I am always focused I never miss an assignment, and I maintain a GPA of a 3.25.. Any colleges wondering about me feel free to contact my at kiaya101@msn.com
John31292

almost 2 years ago

Hi my name is Johnathan johnson I am a senior at poughkeepsie high school I play varsity football and j run indoor and outdoor track. I've been playing these two sports even since middle school. In my ffotball career I was just knew as the person to get everyone exicted to bring hope to the team and was a very supported player and always a team player, I always get it my best and I never guit on any of my teamates. In track & field I was a team caption I always brought the energy to the team at track meets and I always made sure that my team worked just as hard as me. That what I do in sport but in the classroom I am very serious student I am talk a little but I always get mt wok done and I am 2.3 student, but I am the only boy in my family and I love to play sport and be active if anycolleges are interested please be free to contact me at jaj31292@aol.com
Aguilar14

almost 2 years ago

My name is Luis Vega and im currently s senior in High School . I play soccer and i played for 3 years and i'm the captain of the varsity soccer team. i took them to playoffs by scoring the goals. Also i was selected as a good player and i made it to county, regional, conference, and state. my GPA is a 2.7 and i have good grades. if there's any colleges wondering more about me or interested in me contact me at luisvegaaguilar@yahoo.com
poopyface1

almost 2 years ago

Hi, my name is Scott Mikula i am a Senior in the magnet program at Largo High School located in Largo Florida. I just started playing Baseball this year and i enjoy it very much. I joined the baseball team to help me keep my grades from slipping and so far it has helped. I plan on going to college and would like to play baseball for a college team but i have no money to fund it. This scholarship could help me pay for college and possibly get me on a college team.
chelbear1

almost 2 years ago

Hi, my name is Chelsea Ballard and I'm a senior at Hazelwood West High school in Florissant, Mo with a 3.5 GPA and will attend Southeast Missouri State University in the fall of 2010. This is my 4th year of playing School Varsity Soccer in High. I also play competive club Soccer in the off-season. I was named both the Missouri All State Soccer team and the St Louis All Metro team. I plan to play Soccer in college, but do not have an athletci scholarship. I'm confident that my play and hard work will earn me a Scholarship my sophomore year. A scholarship would allow to devote all of my time to academics and Soccer in lieu oh having to rely on work study and student loans.
TerryFields

almost 2 years ago

Hey, My name is Terry Fields, out of High School with a GPA of a 4.0 and Will Start College this Fall at Saint Xavier University , My sport is Football, Positions played were Wide receiver, Safety, and Running Back, I take Football very seriously, and put in 110% in everything play that is made and game that is played. I love the spotlight so therefore I always strive for it. I feel I am a competitor towards those all around me and for the most part, Components of course. A Scholarship would be very helpful for the Goal I am aiming towards, And when I receive it, there will be no regrets.

Contact: treggmuziclive@hotmail.com

Sincerely,

Terry Fields
meatball18

almost 2 years ago

Hi my name is Chris Meeks, currently a senior at Vance High School in Charlotte North Carolina. I play football for two years and basketball for two years. I am hoping that i can get a scholarship so that i can still play the sports i love in college. I was MVP of team and all conference my freshmen year and my sophomore year i got hurt and have not played since.
Morfuchi

almost 2 years ago

My name's Morfuchi Lee, currently a senior at Golden Valley High School. I play varsity boys tennis, have been top seed for the past 2 years and hopefully this year. I'm the top junior player in league and have won the CCC (Central California Conference) for boys single in tennis, award MVP and been the local newspaper's tennis player of the year. Due to my family's financial circumstances I need scholarships and grants to help me pay for college to continue with tennis and my education
eiscott

almost 2 years ago

Hello, my name is Elijawon Scott and I'm currently a senior at Hackensack HS, New Jersey. I am a track and field runner and want to continue in college. I have have worked dilligently to broaden my horizon and make my family proud. My mother alone takes care of me and my two brothers and works hard to prepare us for the future. I want to be the first in my family to go to college and show that my mothers hard work wasn't for nothing. Because of finances, it's extremely difficult for me to pay for college. Scholarships and grants is the only thing that could help me get into college. I'm asking if you can please help me fulfill my goal. Thank you for this opportunity.

Sincerely,

Elijawon Scott
bkfdamien21

about 2 years ago

Aloha, my name is Brenan and I attend Damien Memorial HS located in Hawaii. I played football (running back) and I am currently in track and field. My GPA is 3.62. I live with both my parents,grandmother and siblings. With Hawaii being 37% higher in cost of living and highest in gas prices, it has been very difficult for our family. I am hoping to find scholarships that may help me to get into college and make a difference.
RogerM195

about 2 years ago

Hello my name is Roger Mullins i went to David Crockett high school when i was there i was in to sports alot i played football and was on the wrestling and track team alson in football i was athree year letterman and my last year i got the 122th man award and in wrestling i was a one lyear letterman and in track i was a two year letterman i live with my mom and she is single and don't have a lot of money and she needs some help paying for college so i can go .
PLEASE HELP
maay87

about 2 years ago

Hello my name is Maher Ayyash, I am a sophomore at Carl Sandburg High School. I play football, basketball, and volleyball, and have ran track and field in junior high. I've most improved player my sophomeore year and started at wide reciever of the football. My GPA is a 4.0. I am looking fo any acedemic or athelitic schlorships for college because my family is struggling finically at this moment. can you please help me!
Snow_2

about 2 years ago

Hello my name is Erica Noime Montes, i'm a senior at Patterson Hight School. i play Cross County and Track. I've been playing in these two sports for two years now in high school. i've won girls 2008 wac chapion in Cross Country. i've won two medals in track for coming in third place. My GPA is 3.5. I'm in clubs at school as in the PHAST club, and Photoagrapthy clud. i would love to continue my running carer in collage.