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31 replies

Paying for D3 college

MN-MomMN-MomHSBaseballWeb Owner
I just wanted to ask for some parental input on how you have approached the challenge of paying for a D3 college.

My 04 won't make his college choice for a while, but he is leaning heavily toward a D3 that mom and dad agree would be an excellent choice for him in the areas of academics, environment, location, and baseball. We've decided that if that's where he decides to go, we'll make it work financially, but it won't be easy! On a preliminary basis, it looks like our family's portion of the total bill will be in the range of $15,000 to $18,000 per year ... about 3X what we pay for private HS, which is a sacrifice already.

We'll figure out a way to make it happen if that's the school he decides is right for him, but I just wanted to ask for stories from other parents. How did you pay for a D3 college if your son didn't receive significant amounts of academic aid ... parents taking out a loan? students taking out their own loans? parent getting an extra job? student working during the school year? or did you just squeeze an extra $1,000 or $2,000 per month out of your budget?

Of course we'll manage to make it work, but I think I'll learn a thing or two by listening to your stories.

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JustmomJustmom1,000+ posts
MN - Mom

Have your son get on Fastweb and start searching the grants and scholarships that are listed. It is well worth his time as there are thousands of them there and many he can apply for now as a junior.

Many of the schools that we thought were out of reach in reality were not, these schools do a greatjob with their own in-house grants and aid programs. We were very surprised as we ent thru the application process with schools on how many we could afford.

Lastly, make sure when the time comes you register for finiancial aid as soon as you possible can, the early bird does get the worm in this case.

_______________
"Baseball, it is said, is only a game. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole."

"JustMom"

D DBL2THEGAP10+ posts
Most DIII athletic department create ways for their student athletes to make some money during the year (Assuming the student is not already on Feceral or school work study). I am not on any work study, so I have the opportunity to be a ball boy at the men's and women's s****r games. I also know people who work basketabll and volleyball games doing odd jobs for about $15 per game.
NCDADNCDAD100+ posts
As the parent of a DIII junior I can attest that it is difficult from a financial perspective but you do find a way. In my case it has meant getting PLUS loans. The good news is with the interest rates down I have already consolidated his first two years into a low fixed rate and after January will add his third year. When it is all completed I figure I will be making monthly payments that will be close to what I would pay for a new car payment, so I took the approach that my son gets an education and the opportunity to chase his dream of college ball while the only trade off is his Mom and Dad do not get a new car for the next 100 years or so.

When you see your son step on the field for the first time in his college uniform I guarantee you that any financial burden will be furthermost from your mind and you will have a smile this big biglaugh.

And when you see that first major accomplishment(besides making the team)such as a HR, WP or player of the week it just gets better and better.

I don't care if I never get another new car because my son is a college baseball player.
B 1BMOM10+ posts
That is about the cost for our family also, so we have used PLUS loans, student loans, and his dad and I both have second jobs to help cover the cost. We originally hoped he could handle a work-study job too, but what with getting up at 6:30 AM for workouts, and trying to keep up his grades, the school-year job just wouldn't work...he does work during the summer, so that helps a little. The bottom line is that we all sacrifice, and he knows that, so I think he works harder to make it all worthwhile.
As far as the school finding and athlete "extra" money, I don't know about the upper echelon DIII's, but our son gets nothing more than any other student would get--he said some kids who have been recruited by his coach couldn't attend because of finances, so I don't think many schools give any extra consideration to athletes.
MN-MomMN-MomHSBaseballWeb Owner
Thanks for all the helpful responses. As I mentioned when starting this thread, we will find a way to make it work, but I appreciate reading a few details from those who have done this already.

We have chosen not to let our son work during the school year so that he can concentrate on homework and studying after long days of school and then sports practices. But of course he will work in the summer and be expected to save for his spending money.

One reason we are willing to sacrifice whatever it takes for him to attend a D3: When he first started looking at colleges, it was all about baseball. Then he came home from visiting this D3 with a good baseball program, but talked with equal excitement about his meetings with instructors and students in his major (communications) and some exciting learning opportunities (broadcasting) that begin freshman year. And we have always loved this school for the campus and environment. So, when we add up the positives of Academics, Baseball, and Campus ... it's as simple as "ABC" to see that it's a great fit for him! Big Grin
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mcman74mcman7410+ posts
Great question and one that we are facing right now.

We were lucky enough to put money away for both my son and daughter early on for there college education. What I didn't expect though is that what we put away will only cover about half of each year's total.

A few things come to mind....

First of all don't be afraid of the college's "list price". My son's private DIII school took $4,000 right off the top for alumni and diocese scholarships. He was then offered an additional $8,000 in academic money.

From what I have found out, colleges tend to give more academic money to applicants whose SAT scores are above the school's average. If your son enrolls, then he will in effect be raising the school's average SAT score. Which is what the school wants. It looks good in print and they now can attract a "smarter" student and some would argue that the college can now justify raising tuition, etc.

Lastly, just think now you won't have to pay the price for that private high school and can now shift those funds to collge.

Good Luck....You're not alone!
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B BigWI1,000+ posts
Mn-Mom

One thing that I noticed when I filled out the FAFSA, the initial estimate was no where near our final number. It kept going down.

I strongly recommend you pick up a book titled "Paying for College Without Going Broke"
From the Princeton Review. Before filling out the FAFSA.

You can negotiate with the finanical Aid office. Remember their job is to get YOU to pay as much as possible.

Play every game as if it were your last
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MN-MomMN-MomHSBaseballWeb Owner
BigWI,

Thanks, that's very helpful, I'll look for the book. So I guess I shouldn't say to the Admissions/financial aid office, "We're so thrilled that you accepted him, that we would pay the entire cost ourselves if we had to?" That's honestly how I feel, but maybe I'll keep my mouth shut ... Cool
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MN-MomMN-MomHSBaseballWeb Owner
JustMom and SouthPawsMom,

Thanks for the website resources you mentioned. FastWeb came up with lots of possible scholarships to apply for, and my son is checking through them to see where to start ... some award $1,000 or so based primarily on a "special topic" essay!

The apps.collegeboard.com site was also informative ... the financial aid calculator came up with an estimate of $12,000 to $15,000 for our family's responsibility to contribute per year, so that's already a little better than the $15-18,000 I was guess-timating!

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T the_closerMember
Hey mom, i was a D3 athlete for a year, and i would definatly recommend having your son work other athletic events. when he is playing, they wont take up much time, and when he isnt, they will prevent him from just sitting around all the time. Trust me, as much as you want to believe it will make time for him to study, it wont.

By the way, i dont play anymore because D3 was too expensive.

David Bramblett
HeyBatterHeyBatter1,000+ posts
Massfan that's too funny.

We were recently visiting Claremont College and a student was wearing a t-shirt that said "Claremont Mckenna - $38,000 cover charge-
All you can drink"


My son is almost exclusively looking at D3 schools and I'm searching for money here there and everywhere (all through legal means of course biglaugh).

He applied to one school early decision, a school that seems to have been designed for him. I could not imagine a better baseball and academic fit. If he gets in (please oh please), I know the price tag will be up there. I'm just looking to every type of loan, grant etc. available and (hopefully) just eating alot of cheap ballpark hot dogs (boy those taste good though when your kid is playing). I'm not complaining though 'cause I feel I gotta do whatever I gotta do, parental obligation and all.

I guess we will see if it's true that where there's a will there's a way.
MN-MomMN-MomHSBaseballWeb Owner
Just noticed that this thread had been "reborn", and coincidentally, my son moved closer to a final decision in the past couple of days. He feels this D3 school is the right fit for him, and the fact that they have a good baseball program makes it perfect. So, Mom and Dad will just find a way, even if we are all paying off loans for the next decade (son, too).
MrandMrsBaseballMrandMrsBaseball1,000+ posts
PAMom, this brings me to a question I've been meaning to ask.
I thought I heard a while ago that if you don't have a home equity loan you'd better get one because if you already have one they don't count that equity when figuring your financial need? But if you don't they expect you to get one. Makes sense, but is this the case? (Cause I don't have one-YET)
Wink

_______________________
"People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring." Rogers Hornsby, Hall of Famer

FrankFFrankF1,000+ posts
MrandMrs,

We were going through the same thing. Do we get a loan to pay for the tuition or get a home equity loan. We were told by the college that the home equity loan was the way to go because, as you stated, it wasn't figured into the financial need equation. It's worked out very well for us.

Frank
infielddadinfielddad10,000+ posts
Not every DIII can send you straight to the poor house. While cost was not a major consideration, our son chose a DIII that is consistently rated amongst the very best in the US but is also listed among the schools that are financially very attractive. We and he got the best of both worlds and very good baseball also. One other thing I learned is that most colleges allow for a monthly payment plan with a very small charge of $50 or so to take advantage of it. By using that approach we now on the verge of putting 2 children through private universities without incurring any more debt.
mcman74mcman7410+ posts
....and don't forget about the out-of-pocket expenses. I don't know about DI or DII, but during my son's Christmas break he gave me a list of baseball related items he's responsible for. Warm up jackets, practice shirts, etc. This along with the airfare for the spring trip to Florida the total came to almost $500. I'm hoping some of the uniform items can be used for a few seasons

And don't forget about the spikes and bats.
PAbbMomPAbbMom100+ posts
My husband's favorite words lately - "Double Wide Trailer!"
Oh! and then there's my personal favorite out of his mouth - "Some lady told me there might be some kind of aid from the state to help pay for this school!" I should probably have posted this in the Ladies Forum! I'm sure I'm not the only one who's filling out the FASFA forms in my spare time. Have to laugh or I might get hysterical. At least my son is keeping his options open to the words "Scholarship Money". I love my husband but sometimes...
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