Scholarship Limitations

First of all "WELCOME"! I'm sure others in the know will respond but I think the "can't comingle academic + althletic $" is an instituional issue, not an NCAA guidline.

Since you're new, you might want to use the search function (click on FIND) and see what comes up while you're waiting for responses.

quote:

Originally posted by henryst:
I'm new to site and posting, so pardon me if this has been addressed before.

I've recently begun to "dance" with a major D1 and was shocked to find that scholarships involving academic money or financial need can not be combined with athletic scholarships (if they are, then they count against the coach's 11.7 scholarship allotment).

Since I'm not extremely wealthy, I've been under the misconception for 17 years that son would qualify to academic & financial aid.... and since he's worked very hard at being a top student and athlete, he'd also be given some athletic money as well.

I now find myself either scrambling to come up the rest of the expenses (maybe $10K-$15k per year), or having to look at lesser schools.

Maybe some of you all are in the same boat or have not yet encountered this.

****The Financial Fit is probably the toughest for both the family and the coach. It sure as heck eliminated several schools/programs from our list even though the baseball fit was a no-brainer.

Nice to play in the ACC, but after grants, it would only cost $27,000.........one of the reasons you see rosters loaded with in-State players.

quote:

I now find myself either scrambling to come up the rest of the expenses (maybe $10K-$15k per year), or having to look at lesser schools.

It is a tough decision for families to decide how to handle the cost of college. My son and I together discussed in HS and agreed that he could take a student loan, but set aside an amount that we both were comfortable with him having at the end. We did make decisions based on cost as we felt that was an important factor for us.

Make sure you get the FAFSA done as quickly as you can and that will give the schools a much better idea of definate numbers. Most schools will anticipate a number but it's nice to get everything official.

Breezer (and others) thanks for the suggestion on the 'find' or 'search' function. When I entered "Financial Aid" I found a very good discussion that took place earlier this year on this same issue.

Although it doesn't solve my problem, its nice to know I'm not out in this boat alone.

Thanks to all who contribute -- it sure does help all us rookies!!!

quote:

...and was shocked to find that scholarships involving academic money or financial need can not be combined with athletic scholarships (if they are, then they count against the coach's 11.7 scholarship allotment).

Does anyone know if this is true by NCAA rules? I was always under the impression that academic money (for example, a scholarship you won) did NOT count against the 11.7. Am I wrong?

quote:

Originally posted by justbaseball:
Does anyone know if this is true by NCAA rules? I was always under the impression that academic money (for example, a scholarship you won) did NOT count against the 11.7. Am I wrong?

JBB - I realize my situation is different but with my daughter, I'm under the impression (I've never asked the coach) that her academic $$$ does not count against the athletic scholly allotment.

The most difficult part of this discusiion is that it is completely different from school to school. There are schools that only give academic money to the top students while others have allowances for a greater # of students.

Regardless, BLENDING of monies is not permitted during the first year. It will count against the 11.7 unless the student qualifies for a (Presidents, Deans, Chancelors) Scholarship. There is a criteria that I'm not positive but it's something like 2 of 3 - Top 10 of the graduating class, 1250+ SAT or GPA 3.75 or higher.

This is the same for need based financial aid...There is a qualification before any Blending can happen.

After year one it is open game. Thus, there are players that are given very good academic and financial aid packages with NO baseball money the first year. In year 2 the coach gives the player 10 or 20% and the player is on a full ride but yet he is only a small % or the 11.7... The coach will know how to work the system, some better then others. (we haven't even talked about in-state tuition for the out-of state player... Still have not figured that one out yet. It happens.

D2 allows academic 'ships that don't count against the limit IF certain conditions are met. At least that is how I read the following section.

From the NCAA D2 rules:
"and is not counted in determining a student-athlete’s full grant-in-aid or cost of attendance, or in
the institution’s financial aid limitations: (Revised: 1/12/04 effective 8/1/04)
(a) Academic awards below; (Revised: 1/10/91, 1/10/92)
(1) Academic awards that are part of the institution’s normal arrangements for academic scholarships,
awarded independently of athletics interests and in amounts consistent with the pattern
of all such awards made by the institution are exempt from an institution’s equivalency
computation, provided:
(a) The recipient was ranked in the upper 20 percent of the high school graduating class or
achieved a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.500 (based on a maximum of
4.000) or a minimum ACT sum score of 100 or a minimum SAT score of 1050 (if taken
prior to April 1, 1995) or 1140 (if taken on or subsequent to April 1, 1995). An institution
may exempt an academic honor award from both individual and institutional equivalency
limits if the recipient qualifies for the award under minimum institutional criteria and
satisfies any of the criteria set forth in this bylaw, regardless of whether the institution
considered any of the qualifying criteria in making the award; or (Revised: 1/14/02)
(b) The recipient does not qualify under (a) and has completed at least one academic year in
college and achieved a cumulative grade-point average of 3.300 (on a 4.000 scale) for all
academic work completed during the student’s collegiate enrollment resulting in degree
credits at the awarding institution;"

and

"15.5.1 Counters. A student-athlete shall be a counter and included in the maximum awards limitations set forth in this bylaw under any of the following conditions:
(a) Athletics Aid. A student-athlete who is receiving financial aid based in any degree upon athletics ability; or
(b) Institutional Financial Aid. A student-athlete who receives institutional financial aid shall be a counter unless there is on file in the office of the athletics director certification by the faculty athletics representative and the director of financial aid that the student’s financial aid was granted without regard in any degree to athletics ability. (Revised: 1/16/93, effective 8/1/93, 1/11/94)"



The NAIA Institutional Financial Aid Policy states:

"F. Academic Exemption
Academically gifted students will be exempted from the aid counted by use of the following criteria.

A. Aid to continuing students with a 3.60 cumulative GPA or top 10% of class will not count against the limits.
B. Only one-half of the aid to continuing students with a 3.30 - 3.59 cumulative GPA or upper 11%-25% class ranking will count against the limits.
C. Aid to entering freshmen will be exempted upon achievement of minimum SAT/ACT scores (1050/23=half exemption, 1200/27=full exemption) or cumulative high school GPA (3.50-3.74=half exemption, 3.75-4.0=full exemption) or high school class rank (top 11%-25%=half exemption, top 10%=full exemption).

The following guidelines should be used in academic factoring.

1. Institutions may use GPA from either the seventh or final high school semester for incoming freshmen. For home school students, use ACT/SAT scores. For students from high schools that do not grade, use ACT/SAT scores or class rank.
2. Transfer students’ exemptions are determined the same as eligibility, using the GPA at face value for first term only.
3. International students’ exemptions are determined the same as eligibility, using the ACT/SAT score, class rank or GPA, if determined.
4. ACT/SAT taken on national test date during the fall term can be counted as if it were taken in the spring or summer.
5. For continuing students, use the cumulative GPA immediately preceding the fall term of the year being reported."



From the D1 NCAA rules:
"15.02.4.2 Other Permissible Financial Aid. The following sources of financial aid are also permitted:
...
(c) Financial aid awarded through an established and continuing outside program (e.g., National
Merit Scholar) in which athletics participation is not the major criterion, as outlined in Bylaw
15.2.6.3, and which does not count against an institution’s sport-by-sport financial aid limitations; Revised: 4/29/04 effective 8/1/04)"

and

"15.02.4.3 Exempted Institutional Financial Aid. The following institutional financial aid is exempt and is not counted in determining the institution’s financial aid limitations: (Revised: 4/29/04 effective 8/1/04)
(a) An honorary award for outstanding academic achievement or an established institutional research grant that meets the criteria set forth in Bylaw 15.02.6 (and must be included in determining if the student-athlete’s cost of attendance has been met); and (Revised: 1/10/91, 1/10/92, 10/31/02 effective 8/1/03)"

Would an academic award qualify as an "honorary award for outstanding academic achievement"?

And also:
"15.5.1 Counters. A student-athlete shall be a counter and included in the maximum awards limitations set forth in this bylaw under the following conditions: (Revised: 6/10/04)
(a) Athletics Aid. A student-athlete who receives financial aid based in any degree on athletics ability shall become a counter for the year during which the student-athlete receives the financial aid; or
...
15.5.1.1 No Athletics Aid — Certification Required. A student-athlete (except for a recruited football or basketball student-athlete) who receives institutional financial aid (as set forth in Bylaw
15.02.4.1) shall not be a counter if there is on file in the office of the athletics director certification by the faculty athletics representative and the director of financial aid that the student-athlete’s financial aid was granted without regard in any degree to athletics ability."

and (thanks for the reference, rbi)
"15.5.3.2.1 Exceptions
15.5.3.2.1.1 Academic Honor Awards. Academic honor awards that are part of an institution’s
normal arrangements for academic scholarships, based solely on the recipient’s high
school record and awarded independently of athletics interests and in amounts consistent
with the pattern of all such awards made by the institution, are exempt from an institution’s
equivalency computation, provided the recipient was ranked in the upper 10 percent of the high school graduating class or achieved a core-course grade-point average of at
least 3.500 (based on a maximum of 4.000) or a minimum ACT sum score of 105 or a minimum
SAT score of 1200. (Adopted: 1/12/99 effective 8/1/99)"

The blending rules for D1 are as follows:

3.5 core GPA
Top 10% of grad class
1200 SAT (2 part)
105 ACT sum (4 part)

If the athlete meets any one of these criteria, the money can be blended with Athletic $ and not counted against the program's scholarship equivalency.
This is merely an NCAA rule, it does not address the issue of a school's individual policy, which is in reality an internal budgetary matter.
Its quite possible that in Henryst's case, the school in question does not allow blending as a policy decision.

Where did you find that info, rbi? thanks

I'm a little confused about all the rules. What about this situation? A D2 school son is interested in gives a $2,500 annual scholarship to every student who makes at least a 1010 or 1020 on their SAT -- no application required. If son makes at least this score on his SAT, would this prohibit him from receiving athletic scholarship money? By the way, he has a 3.0 GPA and is ranked in the top half of his class.

quote:

Where did you find that info, rbi? thanks

NCAA D1 Manual 15.5.3.2

quote:

Originally posted by rbinaz:
105 ACT sum (4 part)

I've never heard it referred to in that manner. Not saying it's wrong and I can see how they got it but just never heard it before.

quote:

I'm a little confused about all the rules. What about this situation? A D2 school son is interested in gives a $2,500 annual scholarship to every student who makes at least a 1010 or 1020 on their SAT -- no application required. If son makes at least this score on his SAT, would this prohibit him from receiving athletic scholarship money? By the way, he has a 3.0 GPA and is ranked in the top half of his class.

This money is available to any student who attends the school. However, if the SAT score falls below the D2 threshold of 1140 (see Texan post above)this money can't be blended unless one of the other criteria are met.
Its the same situation if you qualify for academic money at a D1 with a 3.4 GPA. Since this doesn't meet the NCAA blending criteria the coach has to count this against his scholarship equivalency if he is offering athletic money.
I know its confusing.

quote:

I've never heard it referred to in that manner. Not saying it's wrong and I can see how they got it but just never heard it before.

Are you talking about the sum score? This is what the NCAA uses in the Clearinghouse sliding scale....not the composite. There usually isn't a big practical difference. Take your composite and multiply it by 4 and its usually close.
Admisssions departments typically consider both numbers.

Thanks rbi, somehow I had missed that when I was searching.

rbinaz - Yes, I was referring to the sum score of the ACT. I guess when my daughter did her Clearinghouse, I just never noticed it.

Beezer, That's just because it wasn't close in your daughter's case! In the end it didn't matter as my son went JUCO and then NAIA, but during the process I had that calculator out often! I can almost remember the scale to this day!

Just like with recruiting and options, a higher GPA just gives a kid more options for scholarships. Many funds are "above and beyond" dollars which won't affect the school's budget or the NCAA amounts. Each school is different and will make the final determination.

I've mentioned this before, but my state gives a break to parents that are teachers in certain areas, and to nurses for parent plus loans. The state loaning group will forgive 20% of the loan! This is because those are two groups there is such a need for employment in that not only can a student going into those fields pick up some extra funds, their parents can too. Might be similar programs elsewhere!

Coach Merc

quote:

Regardless, BLENDING of monies is not permitted during the first year. It will count against the 11.7 unless the student qualifies for a (Presidents, Deans, Chancelors) Scholarship. There is a criteria that I'm not positive but it's something like 2 of 3 - Top 10 of the graduating class, 1250+ SAT or GPA 3.75 or higher.

This is the same for need based financial aid...There is a qualification before any Blending can happen.

After year one it is open game.

**** Would like to see this policy from an NCAA publication source?

Olslugger8, this is the way it was explained to us...I think, like has been done in one of the previous posts there are compliance manuals that explain all of this....Also I'm sure that it can hopefully be found in the NCAA site...

quote:

Originally posted by Coach Merc:
Olslugger8, this is the way it was explained to us...I think, like has been done in one of the previous posts there are compliance manuals that explain all of this....Also I'm sure that it can hopefully be found in the NCAA site...

CM, I looked into it with no conclusions. The only information I am aware of is that academic grants usually count toward baseball allotment. Need-based institutional grants count toward baseball allotment.

State and Federal need-based grants DO NOT.

I spent hours on the phone with a major conference HC from a private institution trying to figure out a financial fit other than a 2nd mortgage.

The HOPE and TAPS programs aside, the general conclusion was (in-house) grants regardless of character counted toward 11.7

As I have posted before, the process of college baseball recruiting would run much smoother if the financial fit, or 11.7 instantly became 30.0

I have said before that unless a certain institution is unique to a curriculum that a student-athlete wants to study, and eliminating the baseball part, then most kids would attend Backyard University because Accounting 101 is about the same everywhere.

It reminds me of a film of a HS kid wannabe writer with a passion to attend Stanford at all costs. He embarks on a comedic Sojourn only to realize that everything he needs is within himself, and the location is secondary.

If Financial Fit was eliminated, coaches, players, and families would be more relaxed in the process. The names may change as to what players end up where, but the opportunities would be the same in quantity.

Oldslugger8,
here is what I found:
http://www.ncaa.org/library/membership/division_i_manua...006-07_d1_manual.pdf

Open up the PDF and check chapter/article 15. Page 206 is good as is 220 (C). The information on academics not counting after year 1 is in the grey box 15.5.3.2.1.2 if I'm reading it correctly. At the end of 15 there are some charts that list what counts and what doesn't. They don't make it easy. Hope this helps ( a little).

OS, rbi gave the reference for exemptions regrading academic monies, here is the quote for D1:

"15.5.3.2.1 Exceptions
15.5.3.2.1.1 Academic Honor Awards. Academic honor awards that are part of an institution’s
normal arrangements for academic scholarships, based solely on the recipient’s high
school record and awarded independently of athletics interests and in amounts consistent
with the pattern of all such awards made by the institution, are exempt from an institution’s
equivalency computation, provided the recipient was ranked in the upper 10 percent of the high school graduating class or achieved a core-course grade-point average of at
least 3.500 (based on a maximum of 4.000) or a minimum ACT sum score of 105 or a minimum
SAT score of 1200. (Adopted: 1/12/99 effective 8/1/99)"

Geez, could they make this any less clear? Gotta love the NCAA!

Hey Rob, somebody has got to keep all those Philadelphia lawyers employed!

Just to add to the confusion keep in mind that many schools do their "own" thing regardless of what the NCAA allows them to do.