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Get Scouted Scouting CareersThe clock is ticking…
The NCAA’s regular signing period for football and soccer is just two months away. The regular signing period for all other sports is only four months from now.
A small percentage of high school seniors signed National Letters of Intent during the NCAA’s early signing period in November. A small percentage of student-athletes have made verbal commitments. A large percentage are weighing offers or still hoping to receive them.
What do they all have in common?
All want a share of the $2.7 billion in athletic scholarships available to 150,000 NCAA Division I and II athletes or the billions of dollars in academic grants and need-based scholarships available to 180,000 Division III athletes.
According to the NCAA, only 2 percent of high school athletes are awarded athletic scholarships. However, if you are among those 2 percent, you can expect to be rewarded.
About 53 percent of Division I athletes receive athletic aid. About 56 percent of Division II athletes do. Although Division III doesn’t award athletic aid, about 75 percent of athletes receive academic aid or need-based scholarships.
Here are some tips, provided by National Scouting Report, to receive your fair share:
Don’t talk money right away.
Too many high school athletes and parents put the proverbial cart before the horse. Rather than first questioning college coaches about their programs and universities, they start talking dollars and cents. That can be a real turnoff to college coaches, who are searching for athletes whom they feel are committed to their programs. If a coach is really interested in an athlete, they will try to come up with money.
Don’t expect a full ride.
Only 1 percent of all high school athletes receive full athletic scholarships. Most of those top-tier athletes compete at the Division I level. Although more than half of Division I and II athletes receive athletic aid, very few get all expenses paid. Don’t set your sights too high. Don’t inflate your worth. You are bound to be disappointed.
Expect to pay your fair share.
College coaches often ask athletes and their parents how much they can contribute toward an education. Depending how interested they are in those athletes, coaches will try to make up the difference with scholarship money. Coaches often offer more to juniors and seniors than they do to freshmen and sophomores. Sometimes you have to wait your turn.
Play the percentages.
It’s not the amount of scholarship money that matters. It’s the percentage that counts. A 50-percent scholarship to a $40,000-a-year school will cost a family more than a 25-percent scholarship to a $20,000-a-year school. It’s up to your family to decide if it’s worth paying the difference to attend a more expensive school.
Play the field.
The more interest you receive, the more offers you should receive. The more offers you receive, the more money you should receive. Don’t be afraid to tell a college coach that you are receiving interest from other schools. You might create a bidding war. College coaches don’t want to lose a top recruit or, even worse, lose that recruit to a rival school.
Don’t commit too soon.
Before an athlete makes a verbal commitment, he or she should have a clear understanding of how much scholarship money is on the table. If you can’t agree on the amount, don’t commit. Keep negotiating. Keep your options open. Although verbal commitments are not binding, athletes should not renege on them. It could reduce their recruiting stock.
Don’t wait too long.
Once a college coach makes an offer, and the athlete thinks a program and school are a good fit, the athlete should consider a verbal commitment as soon as possible. Sure, you want to play the field. But, if you take too long to make a decision, the coach may turn his attention to other prospects. If another athlete is willing to commit, you may lose your offer.
National Scouting Report is dedicated to finding scholarship opportunities for athletes who possess the talent, desire, and motivation to compete at the collegiate level. We’ve helped connect thousands of athletes with their perfect college.