The five key steps in getting more "free" money for athletes.
Start early
Radar
Opportunites
October 1st
Options to pay for college?
- Scholarships.
- Grants.
- Work-Study.
- Your Own Income and Savings.
- 509 College Savings Plan.
- Federal Student Loans.
- Private Student Loans.
- ROTC programs.
- Merit Scholarships – academic / need based.
- Employer tuition assistance.
- Private and local scholarships.
- and don’t be afraid to negotiate the tuition.
- Need-based aid isn’t the only game in town. Altogether, colleges award billions of dollars in merit aid every year.
What is the difference between a scholarship, a grant and a loan?
Scholarship
Scholarships are merit-based, and anyone is eligible to receive a scholarship. They are considered “free money”.
Grant
Grants are need-based, given to students who demonstrate financial need. Are also considered “free money”.
Loans
Loans usually have to be paid back-in-full with interest.
What is the average cost to go to a 4-year college?
The average cost of attendance for a student living on campus at a public 4-year in-state institution is $25,707 per year or $102,828 over 4 years
Out-of-state students pay $44,014 per year or $176,056 over 4 years. Private, nonprofit university students pay $54,501 per year or $218,004 over 4 years.
How do I start the process of getting more "free" money?
FASFA Application
Circle October 1st of your son's senior year and be prepared/ready to file your FASFA application.
EFC
Learn what your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) will be and how much you'll get from the college.
What is FASFA?
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is a form completed by current and prospective college students in the United States to determine their eligibility for student financial aid.
Filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, which opens Oct. 1, is one of the most important steps students and their families can take to pay for college.
The U.S. Department of Education awarded about $150 billion in federal grants, loans and work-study funds in fiscal year 2021, according to the most recent Federal Student Aid annual report.
What is the EFC?
The information from your FASFA is used to calculate your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) that most colleges use to determine how much financial aid you'd receive if you attend their school.
Why should you fill out the FASFA Application?
It's the gateway to more than $150 billion in college grants, work-study funds, and federal student loans, as well as certain state-based aid. Most students receive some type of financial aid, so you should fill out a FAFSA® application even if you don't think you qualify.
How do college coaches use your FASFA?
Your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is especially important to college coaches who can offer partial scholarships. Typically, coaches take your EFC into consideration when collaborating with School Admissions to build a competitive scholarship package. For example, if your EFC is low, meaning you won’t be expected to contribute to your college funds, they may work to supplement your package with need-based scholarships. But if they find you have a higher EFC, they may try to mix in merit-based scholarships you won’t be required to pay back.
Can you combine athletic scholarships with financial aid?
Yes.
What income is too high for FAFSA?
There is no set income limit for eligibility to qualify for financial aid through. You'll need to fill out the FAFSA every year to see what you qualify for at your college. It's important to make sure you fill out the FAFSA as quickly as possible once it opens on October 1st for the following school year.
What are my odds of getting a baseball scholarship?
11.7 scholarships
Non-revenue sport
32-35 players
When are most college deadlines?
Early Action / early decision
Applications in by November 1 or November 15. Decisions by mid-December
Regular Decision
Typically on January 1 or January 15. Decisions in March or April.
What is the FAFSA form used for?
Before each year of college, apply for federal grants, work-study, and loans with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form. Your college uses your FAFSA data to determine your federal aid eligibility. Many states and colleges use FAFSA data to award their own aid.