Start your part of the initial negotiations with something like
this: Coach, you’re our first choice, so I’m happy to hear that about
financial aid, because the amount of financial aid my son/daughter
gets will be crucial in the enrollment decision we make.
Remember, when discussing financial aid with a Division III
coach you must always avoid using the term “athletic scholar-
ship” or any similar terms. Your use of this term creates real
difficulties for the coach. He/she may feel that it’s not in the
program’s best interest to recruit you.
As you negotiate a financial aid package with a coach,
recruiter, or financial aid officer, be sure you are prepared for
the discussion by reviewing the paragraphs and scripts from
chapters 10, 11, 13, and 15. Have your questions ready.
Many parents make the unfortunate mistake of immediately
asking, “How much financial aid is my son/daughter going to
get?” This is a colossal error because it immediately puts the
coach on the defensive. The coach probably has a good idea
of what you can contribute to his/her program, but knows
nothing about your EFC# or other pertinent factors used in
determining your financial aid package.
Ask first about academics, housing, cost per credit hour,
instructor-to-pupil ratio, major fields of study available, food
plan, percentage of program athletes who graduate in four/five
years, etc. Remember, the coach is interested in the quality of
his/her program, not about the financial aid concerns of any
one prospect. And it’s likely that he/she is recruiting between
two and four prospects for the position you want.
Most coaches and financial aid departments are in no posi-
tion to tell you how much financial aid will be forthcoming
on the occasion of your first contact with them. They need
transcripts and ACT/SAT scores provided to the Admissions
154 The Sports Scholarships Insider’s Guide