Can you ask about academic $ when speaking with D3 coaches?

The Division III coaches can give you an idea but most have to wait for the admissions people to tell them the full scoop


you can certainly ask

Go to the school's website first. Look up financial aid and then track down academic 'ships. Most schools will list their automatic academic 'ships in terms of amounts and criteria. This gives you an idea of what you could definitely count on.

Some schools will also list their competitive academic 'ships. But you would have to wait until after the application and evaluation process by admissions before getting final word about competitive academic 'ships.

Need based aid information will probably require submitting an application. Some websites have an "estimator", however.

Have your son do his homework first. That will make a good impression on the coach.

As far as level of interest, that question has no easy answer.

Does the fact that a student is being recruited by an athletic team give them any advantage when the admissons/financial aid people are considering academic money?

It is not supposed to do so. However, at some schools if the coach really wants the kid there can be an effect.

You can definitely ask the coach. If he is interested he is going to bring up at some point. In other words, it's a relevant consideration, and if it's a starter for you, you should tell him. How much info or help from the coach will vary with the school/coach. note: some people do not want to bring up this topic for fear that the coach prefers to recruit players with no conditions.

In the Patriot League the coach may be able to make an educated guess about academic money based on your test scores, class rank and GPA but probably nothing you could be certain of but if they are willing to offer an official visit they will pay the transportation for the student athlete which should be a prety good indication of interest.

Double Eagle,

I would not be afraid to ask about Financial Aid. My son met with a Division III coach last week and he brought it up himself. He said even if you think you don't qualify for financial aid, to apply because you may be surprised. He also brought up the scholarship topic. The coach is interested in the talent,and Character of the players and getting them to also succeed in college, not how much money the parents make(at least this coach was). He arranged for us to meet with Admissions so we can have more of our questions answered.

Definately Ask the Coach. An experienced Coach should be able to give you an educated answer, but the admissions department will have the final say. As for whether being an athlete will help, it is not supposed to. DIII's are audited each year to make sure that Athletes that are in the same situation as regular students receive a scholarship award within I think 3 but maybe 5%. For Instance, an 1100, 3.5 student gets 10K, then they are looking for an athlete with an 1100 3.5 to have a scholarship within 3-5% of 10K...