NCSA College Athletic Scholarships Blog

Coach Taylor – We’ve seen some other recruits verbally commit already and are wondering how long our son should wait.  He has a couple of schools that he is very interested in (that want him), however, do we wait until after the first of the year when his FASFA information is entered to find out what the total financial package is that the various schools will offer?  (By waiting, could he get left out of the recruiting process…or do you tell the Coach up front of your plan?)

For this situation the best thing to do is to ask the schools they are seriously interested in to provide an early financial aid estimate. This will be available in most cases where the school is seriously interested in the student athlete. By receiving an early read you will be able to see roughly what financial aid they can expect to receive. If one school provides a significantly better early estimate than another, you can then play one school off of the other to create leverage and possibly receive a revised award amount.

If worst comes to worst, you can make your verbal commitment based on these early estimates and then still submit the FAFSA to see what the actual financial aid award will be. This will give you more concrete numbers even though it will provide them with less leverage once they have already made their verbal commitment. If it turns out that another school is offering a significantly higher award you can always change your commitment prior to signing with a school.

Send your recruiting questions to askcoachtaylor@ncsasports.org

You can also get your questions answered directly by contacting an NCSA Recruiting Coordinator HERE.

Coach Taylor – With NAIA schools able to offer both athletic and academic scholarships, what is the benefit of attending/signing with a DIII school?

Recruits should be less focused on division level and more focused on finding the right fit.  There are wonderful athletic and academic institutions at every division level and each recruit has specific preferences that will dictate where the right fit might be.

The reality is that many DIII schools can put financial aid packages together that are better than any NAIA college or university that does offer athletic and academic scholarships. You should never cross a college off your list just because of a “sticker price.” Allow the coach and college to put together their best package first.

The bottom line is you want as many colleges interested you as possible – this includes DIII, NAIA, and any other levels. This will help with negotiation and leverage down the road. Also, you want to have options as a recruit to make a decision versus have a coach make a decision about you.

Send your recruiting questions to askcoachtaylor@ncsasports.org

You can also get your questions answered directly by contacting an NCSA Recruiting Coordinator HERE.

Coach Taylor – My son has been invited to a game at a university that is recruiting him.  Is there a proper way to dress for this or are we OK in blue jeans and tennis shoes?

Any time a student-athlete visits a college campus (unofficial visit, game day visit, official visit) he/she should dress nicely. Jeans and tennis shoes are okay as long as the jeans are presentable (no tears or stains) and the shoes are clean and in good condition. You do not need to dress formally when you visit a college, but steer clear of rips, exceptionally baggy or tight clothing, large jewelry or anything else out of the ordinary. Remember that you will be making an impression on the coaching staff so you should aim to present yourself as a clean cut, put together young man or woman.

If you have a recruiting question, send it to askcoachtaylor@ncsasports.org

You can also get your questions answered directly by contacting an NCSA Recruiting Coordinator HERE.

I get a lot of families asking about financial aid.  Here are the types of financial aid available (your award letter will be a combination of these): 

Grants

A grant is a gift given on the basis of financial need. By completing the FAFSA, a student is automatically considered for grant funds from the federal government, state, & often the school itself.  The main need-based grants are from the federal government.  There are Federal Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG), Federal Perkins Loans.   

Loans

Student loan programs allow you to borrow money at low interest rates to help pay for your education. They must be repaid. Generally the repayment of student loans is deferred until after you complete your education.  The loan amount will depend on your families need.

Work-Study / Student Employment

Work-study allows a student to hold an on-campus part-time job or an off-campus community service position. While priority consideration for campus employment is given to students who show financial need, most students are eligible for employment on campus. 

Athletic Scholarships

A scholarship is a gift given in recognition of athletic achievement. DI, DII, and NAIA schools may offer athletic scholarships.  DIII schools do not offer athletic aid.

Specific School Scholarship and Award

Scholarships are merit-based awards given to more than 90 percent of incoming college freshmen. The funds are awarded based on academic achievement, community activities, school involvement, religious affiliations, ethnic or racial heritage, artistic talents, career plans or field of study, special hobbies and/or interests. Many Division III schools have large endowments for this purpose. Most of the time, freshmen are automatically considered for these awards by completing the admissions process. Most schools also offer additional scholarships that you may apply or interview for.  Always look into the school for scholarships that you qualify for.  Students can apply for these scholarships once they have applied and been accepted.  The earlier you apply the better!

Additional/Outside Scholarships

Students receive millions of dollars annually in private scholarship awards. Sources include local foundations, community agencies, corporations, clubs, civic, social and fraternal organizations, parents’ employers and other groups. You must apply and search these scholarships out.  A great website is finaid.org. The www.fastweb.com service offers a free, personalized and comprehensive list of scholarships that might fit your circumstances. An alternative service, also free, is offered by www.collegeboard.com.

April is typically the month when financial aid award letters arrive in the mail, although more often they are coming a short while after you have applied/been accepted. These letters detail how much aid you will receive from each school. Financial aid packages can influence your school choice, and obviously, you want to get the best package possible from each institution. Ideally, you should complete a FAFSA after your parents have completed their 2007 tax return, but don’t wait until next April. Many colleges award aid on a first-come, first-served basis.  You should file the FAFSA early as possible and get your financial aid information to your schools of interest. You may submit the FAFSA starting Jan 1st, 2008.

FAFSA Web Address:

<a href =”www.fafsa.ed.gov“>www.fafsa.ed.gov</a>

Financial aid estimators and calculators are available to help you before you file your FAFSA. They will tell you what your expected out of pocket costs will be for college.  This is called your Expected Family Contribution (EFC).  Also, almost every school has their own financial aid website with detailed information. 

There is an estimator available at the following link:

<a href =”http://www.finaid.org/calculators/finaidestimate.phtml“>EFC Calculator</a> 

Whatever your family’s EFC turns out to be, will make a big difference in the amount you are expected to contribute to college. So think of the EFC as the amount of money you will be expected to come up with for school (to which academic/athletic scholarships will be added).  The Cost of Attendance or (COA) is the total cost of a college. 

For example: Let’s say your EFC is $10,000

School “A” costs $40,000/yr

40,000 (COA) -10,000 (EFC) = 30,000 (your need)

School “A”s financial aid office should come up with 30,000 in need-based aid for you.  That could be in grants (federal, state, school), work-study, student loans.

The award letter may look like this:

5,000 Work Study

2500 Loan

7500 State Award

15,000 Federal Grant

30,000

School “B” costs $15,000/yr

15,000 (COA) -10,000 (EFC) = 5,000 (your need)

School “B”s financial aid office should come up with 5,000 in need-based aid for you. 

The award letter may look like this:

2,500 Loan

2,500 Work Study

5,000

If both of the schools above covered all of your “need” with grants then they would cost the same amount to attend.  That means an expensive out of state private school could end up costing you the same amount of money as an in-state public school!  If your EFC is lower than the cost of the school, you should be eligible for some type of need-based aid.  Alternatively, not all schools will fund all of your need.  Grants are the best form of aid because they do not need to be paid back!  

The important thing to remember is that there are many ways to finance your education. Don’t assume you are not eligible for financial aid because your family has a certain income level. Many factors other than income are used to determine your ability to contribute to the cost of your education.

In the world of college athletics fans  and players alike worry about rankings.  What everyone should realize is that the only group that really matters doesn’t really care too much.  College coaches are the only people who can award scholarships.  They might politic reporters after the fact, but during the evaluation process schools could care less what there class is ranked.  Many times rankings don’t come close to measuring the true potential of a recruiting class as this ESPN.com chat points out.

Greg from Cincinnati writes: As a Bearcats fan, I’m thrilled over the year they’re having. However, what concerns me is that, short of an epic choke, this will be the second year in a row with a Big East title and BCS Bowl Game, and third year in a row with at least 10 wins, but they still are not bringing in the “elite” prospects. Cincinnati is a hotbed of football and always boasts a handful of top ranked high school teams and prospects on the national scale, but they are still being out-recruited by other Big East teams like WVU and Pitt. What are your thoughts?

Brian Bennett: My thoughts are that a few years ago, Cincinnati’s recruiting classes were ranked among the worst, if not dead last, in the entire Big East. Those same players are now working toward a second straight Big East title and BCS berth. So don’t worry too much about recruiting rankings.

Yesterday Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii) and Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas) said that they are backing a federal political action committee, Playoff PAC, determined to destroy the BCS.  Their stated purpose is:

Playoff PAC is a federal political committee dedicated to establishing a competitive post-season championship for college football. The Bowl Championship Series is inherently flawed. It crowns champions arbitrarily and stifles inter-conference competition. Fans, players, schools, and corporate sponsors will be better served when the BCS is replaced with an accessible playoff system that recognizes and rewards on-the-field accomplishment. To that end, Playoff PAC helps elect pro-reform political candidates, mobilizes public support, and provides a centralized source of pro-reform news, thought, and scholarship.

The new group “helps elect pro-reform political candidates, mobilizes public support and provides a centralized source of pro-reform news, thought and scholarship,” according to a press release. “Change will only happen when there are more college football reformers in Congress,” the group said.

The strategy seems simple enough.  College football fans don’t like the current system, so the PAC aims to fund senators to legislate against the BCS.  My question to you is:   Should They? Is it the responsibility of Congress to dictate to Universities how they decide sports championships?  The schools do receive enormous amounts of federal money in addition to the state revenues that help fund their sports teams.  However, if a playoff fails to generate the current amount of revenue won’t taxpayers be called upon to fill the gap?  What do you think?

For the past two years, the AVCA has put on a unique event for volleyball recruiting.  It is a talent showcase that occurs in conjunction with the AVCA Annual Coaches Convention and the NCAA DI Championships.  While combines and showcases are commonplace for sports like football and baseball, they are a fairly new phenomenon for volleyball.   Fully backing the AVCA’s efforts, NCSA has sponsored the event this year.  The NCSA/AVCA Girls’ Talent Showcase will take place December 20th, 2009 in Tampa, Florida. 

During the three hour event athletes will go through a series of drills that will highlight specific skill sets, including drills based on their position as well as game like drills.  The schedule is designed to give college coaches a good look at the talent.  The showcase is open to transfers, 2010, 2011 and 2012 graduates.  200 projected participants will be spread over 15 courts at the event.  The cost for athletes is $85.  The registration fee includes a ticket to the Under Armour All-America Volleyball Match & Skills Competition on Sunday, December 20. Discounted tickets to the NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championships will also be available to those who register.

As the largest gathering of college volleyball coaches in the nation, this event will definitely draw a crowd.  Last year close to 200 college coaches attended the event in chilly Omaha.  Coaches that pre-register for the event will receive information on the student-athletes prior to the event.

This is a great opportunity for both athletes and college coaches to jump start the recruiting season during the otherwise dead period in the recruiting process.  Generally, December 17-31^st is a dead period in which coaches are not allowed to evaluate or meet with student-athletes on or off campus.  The NCAA has granted an exception during this event.

You may contact Amanda Brungs at amanda.brungs@avca.org or 866-544-2822 for more information or to register for the event.  Visit the website as: http://www.avca.org/tampaconvention09/index.cfm/convention09/convention-schedule/recruiting-opportunities.

There was a big turnout in Grand Cayman this past week, as I had the opportunity to deliver College Recruiting Simplified to athletes, parents and coaches.

These young people love their sports, and want to be able to play it at a College or University and get a tremendous education. It was great to see so many families on hand to get educated on the recruiting process. Coaches from the Cayman Islands came out to learn more about recruiting, so they can help their athletes.

I find that whether I speak at Wheeler High School in Valparaiso, Indiana or in Grand Cayman, I find good, hard working young people that have a passion to play the sport they love at the next level. They just need guidance in the process. That’s what we do at NCSA. The fire in the eyes of the kids down there is the same as it is for young people in Columbus, Ohio. I must admit the one big difference in Cayman is people driving on the left side of the road!

My thanks to Collin Anglin, Deputy Director of Sports for the Department of Sports of the Cayman Islands Government for doing so much to help make the event possible. We are talking about future events with seminars to help young people have as many options as possible to play college sports.

There are so many schools, groups, and organizations that want to hear the Five Things You Need to Know and the Five Things You Need to Do to play College Sports. Here are some examples of organizations that I am delivering recruiting education to this time of year:

Cayman Islands Dept. of Sports

Fairbanks, Alaska athletes and families

LaPorte (IN) Fellowship of Christian Athletes

Dunes Volleyball Club

Schuman National Underclassmen Lacrosse Combine

Concord High School

If your school or organization needs recruiting education, be sure  to contact NCSA!

With all of the useful recruiting information provided on this blog, why do families use NCSA?  Here are some answers:

NCSA has been well worth the investment. I now actually consider it a bargain.

NCSA has taught us how to approach recruiting. Would have no idea without NCSA’s help.

NCSA gives the athlete a lot of exposure. It also lets you know DI is not the only division out there! The information available to the student-athlete from NCSA (coaching sessions, newsletters, reminders about the profiles, etc…) are very helpful in what you should be doing at certain times.

The coach knows us personally and we are more than just a person in a file.

My initial reaction was one of skepticism. I had just invested in an unknown commodity. I was concerned about the direction my son would be receiving and whether or not our goals would be taken into account or whether we would be pushed off to some obscure college just to fill a quota. I was impressed with Coach Matt Roe. He was upfront with us and put together a plan of action that was along the lines of our goals and my son’s ambitions. This was our first session so we still have a long way to go, but if the rest of the sessions and coaching go as well as the first session my concerns will be alleviated and my son’s college football future assured.

You have helped me through all the proper recruiting steps and guided me to the colleges that meet my needs and expectations. Also have explained to me the importance of any extracurricular activities and how it could help for a college application.

You have done everything we could ask for and the info and leadership is right on. NCSA has been the best thing we ever did for our son to get recruited.

Before I joined NCSA, I didn’t realize half the things I had to do in order to get myself out there to coaches. Now that I am part of it, NCSA is kind of like a guide that helps me. E. They don’t do my work for me, but make sure I’m doing the right things to get noticed. Just a big help in general. And the people are really nice.

NCSA has opened a lot of doors for me. It has helped me to get looks from colleges that never would have known about me otherwise. If I get to go to any of the schools that have contacted me for basketball I definitely owe a lot of that to NCSA.

NCSA is for real. It has a system and a process that alerts its athletes of many crucial points about being recruited. In short it is a great tool and resource to play at the next level. 

NCSA is a good resource. The athlete can get as much out of the program as they want. The resources are there, it is up to the athlete to use them all.

The web based information you provide is great. We got off on a bad foot but I have to tell you you guys “rock” and the thing is, as a family, we are learning the process. Don’t you worry, I have already recommended friends and other folks to NCSA.

I am now realizing the value of the investment with NCSA., Our son is realizing the potential also by the letters he is receiving vs. the results his teammates are getting from colleges.

We have had nothing but great experiences with NCSA. You’re always there when we need you and give us good advice. Amanda Rawson has been great and very helpful. She’s very knowledgeable about the recruiting process. Jon has already been accepted at one of his #1 college choices and just waiting for the other one to respond regarding admission.

NCSA provides athletes with a wealth of information. I think it’s imperative that any athlete looking to play at the next level get involved with NCSA.

I know Jay would not have received so many phone calls and letters that he did without this service. Some of the best LAX schools in the country have contacted him solely off his video!!!!

NCSA provides me with resources that help me maximize my time through the recruiting process as well as has a game plan in place to help me get recruited.

I think NCSA has a good recruiting process that helps underrated and undiscovered football players such as myself get five steps closer to receiving a scholarship.

A common mistake in the recruiting process is to send your information to the Head Coach of a large program such as a football team.  Head coaches get bombarded with emails, letters, phone calls, and DVD’s on a daily basis.   More than likely your information will be lost in the shuffle due to the sheer amount of information being received by those coaches.

Instead, it is best to instead look for a couple important items when determining what coach to send your information to.  First, if there is a Recruiting Coordinator at the school, he or she is the main point of contact for all recruits at the school.  Some schools also have sport specific recruiting coordinators, which are an even better option than a general recruiting coordinator.  The reason you would send your information to either of these positions is because the people in these positions sole job is to handle recruiting at that school.   they are equipped to get the information where it needs to be.

However, some schools do not have a recruiting coordinator.  If there is no recruiting coordinator go onto the schools website and see if you can determine through the coaches biographies who recruits your area.  If you do have an area coach that is the next best place to send the information.

The next steps then in the process would be to send your information to your particular position coach.  A pitcher sending his information to the  pitching coach in baseball or a safety sending their information to the defensive backs coach are two examples of this situation.  Assistant are more likely to respond to your requests as they don’t get nearly as much correspondence from recruits.

If you have worked your way through all the steps and end up back at the head coach, then absolutely you would want to send your information to them.  This typically means that they have a small staff and the head coach is very involved in the recruiting process, which is what we are looking for as a recruit anyways!