Letsgo: You say, "the ivies will give the most reasonable needs based financial aid." They don't differentiate between students and athletes. Ivys go by a simple formula. If you make good money, even though your boy is a stud, expect to play $80,000. You will pay the same any family will pay with the same financial situation.
Many D3s can work with parents and will offer specific academic scholarships or grants to help families pay the tuition. I have found D3s have much more leeway than the Ivys, truth be told. And call it what you want, but D3 athletes do have signing days. Just look all over twitter. See here: http://www.ncaa.org/division-i...bratory-signing-form
Who cares what you call it. It's an opportunity to celebrate playing college baseball with your family, friends, players and coaches. But it's not a real "NLI". What does that even mean? lol. We are not worthy! We are not worthy! lol