Thank you all.
Just a word about returning to finish school.
Sons MLB scholarship agreement was two semesters based on current out of state tuition. That is approximately 12 K more than it was back in 2007, which does not include room and board.
If you do not use it you lose it, and there is a time frame, so he knew that he had to return as you do not find that type of money lying around to finish your education. However, they do make it VERY difficult to get that money, so I understand why so many do not return to school.
Its less 20%, and in most cases is reimbursed after the fact, which means that you have to take out a loan if you do not have the money, to pay back the costs before you can start class. The student is then reimbursed (less 20%), whenever, they feel like it.
Some big programs will help in covering future costs, but usually there is a time frame involved. A few years ago the AD instituted a program for all returning athletic scholarship players to get up to a certain amount of credits paid for, books, as well as a stipend to make it easier to finish what they began. To let yo know how far they go back, there is a campaign to get Kris Benson to finish, whether online or in class. It is that important to the school to have the athletes finish what they started though drafted bb players do not count against the APR. I understand that Matt LeCroy, a drafted catcher out of Clemson and a manager in the Nationals farm system is going to assist in the program. You do not have to return to work on the team to get this benefit, that is individual and some players opt not to, in all sports.
Son had the money to put out for class, worked hard to save for living expenses and was really lucky when he went back to learn about this program. If he does get his MLB money he will reimburse the program. Everything is essentially paid for by the school. He was so frustrated with dealing with the MLB scholarship people (his drafting team I think) he turned it over to the lady that runs the Tiger Fund. You know when you are playing in another country and trying to figure it out all by emails its not as easy as it sounds!
So here is my point, make sure that you fully understand the MLB scholarship plan if your son is drafted either before entering college or during and for those who have players that may be drafted, during the recruiting process, dont be afraid to ask this question of the coaches or of the academic advisor if they help to support the student in finishing what they began. I don't feel that a player leaving to begin his career before he graduates and negotiates for his tuition has to fight to get it done.
Thanks again!
TPM