If you get an athletic scholarship as a college freshman, that's offered to you before you make the decision to commit and sign to that school.
After freshman year, is it basically wait and see if they offer you something - and you should have no expectations and be ready for anything?
Is it pretty much a given that you are not going to see the same athletic scholarship in year 2, if anything at all, compared to year 1?
Has anyone ever gotten more money after their freshman year?
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Depends on level and conference.
Son's scholarship is set by $ amount for four years, in writing.
Like any contract, it can be mutually agreed to be torn up and a new one put in place (or not).
D1 one time transfer rule will move some leverage to the players, as they can transfer and be eligible the next school year at another D1. (I'm not sure the rule if within the same conference.)
There was a college in son's conference that at least used to offer 25% for 1st year, 33% for second year, 50% for third year and 66% for 4th year....planning that at least some would drop out or be drafted as a junior.
Son was offered more his second year. The deal would be that he would be offered a substantial amount his second year, but be reduced his third year, and 4th year as planned. It was offered to us parents in writing and we did not have to take it. It was to give son money that was previously offered to someone that was drafted, then free up money his third year for a freshman to keep him out of the draft out of HS.
We took it. "Bird in the hand...."
Many colleges have reputations on how they handle scholarships. Good and bad.
My daughter received a percentage of total tuition. That percentage never changed. It was a significant percentage so we knew it would not increase. I do know some players didn't get the same percentages of total tuition but got small increases while others took cuts.
1st son went 25%/75%/0%/100%. All due to who was coming in and who was coming back. Averaged out to 50%.
Francis, your sons scholarship amount should have been understood from the agreement that was made when your son committed. That agreement should stand unless your son messes up.
Most replies given here are from D1 parents. I am assuming the same stands for D2.
I was wondering if it's different between D1 and D2. There's the obvious difference in what's allowed. Plus, while a program at a particular level is allowed "X" scholarships, it doesn't mean that all will be funded and available.
That said, it's what led to the Q in the OP.
For those schools where it is a year to year thing, how does that work? If a coach promised $X in freshman year, what happens in the sophomore year? If there's no mention of it when you are coming in, does that mean it's zero in year 2? Or, is it wait and see how you did as a freshman? If yes, who raises the question for year 2? Does the player ask, or, do you just wait and hope that they come up with something if you exceeded expectations as a freshman?
I dont really know the answer to your question. Best to have input from D2 folks.
I do know that at the D2 in FL where son was a coach, at 50k a year even with FL tuition, many got needs based $$$. So there really isnt an agreement for 4 years but an understanding of what the player has to do to be eligible each year to remain on the team.
