I have a question about scholarships and meal plans. Athletes can get unlimited meals after the 2014 NCAA ruling. Say a school costs 20k total and you get 25%. Say the meal plan value is worth 4K. Is the scholarship player getting his 25% applied to tuition and getting unlimited meals? If not a preferred walk on getting unlimited meals is getting 20% in this scenario and there really isn't much difference in getting 25% or getting invited to walk on. Correct?
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I'm fairly certain the unlimited meals only applies to full scholarships....football, basketball, etc. I know my son doesn't get that perk with his baseball scholly
I understand it to be available to all student-athletes, regardless of scholarship status. That said, very few programs are setting up extensive programs. Even at Power 5 football programs, my understanding is that this does not completely replace the need for outside meals, but could certainly lessen the cost (lets assume off campus housing - no meal plan). For baseball, there has always been an uptick in school provided meals during the spring (think game meals, travel meals) that can lessen cost (again assuming no meal plan). Not sure what the percentage is for non-freshman baseball players living on campus (and presumably required to purchase meal plan), but I would guess the percentage goes down considerably starting sophomore year and continues to go down from there - assuming the 25% is applied to tuition, then there is a huge difference on the kids get off campus and abandon the meal plan.
If the school, or the baseball program in particular, is not actively participating, then there is essentially no added benefit from "unlimited meals" - the rules allow this but there is no mandate.
That ruling was in addition to the meal plans. So if you're a headcount sport, then scholarship and walk-ons get unlimited meals and snacks.
If you're equivalency, then they can now provide you unlimited snacks, but you still must purchase a meal plan and that is paid out of your pocket or scholarship. All the schools my son spoke with told him the baseball players all signed up for the smallest meal plan they could and would supplement their meals with the "snacks" they could provide. Mostly Peanut Butter sandwiches, protein snacks and drinks and fruit that are available 24x7 in the trainers room.
So in your example, yes, the $4k must be paid for by your son, either out of his scholarship or money on hand. If you purchase the smallest plan, you can always add to it. May cost more on a percentage basis, but far less than purchasing a $4k plan on only using half of it because practice and workout schedules interfere with cafeteria hours.
He should talk to one of the coaches or upperclassmen to see what they do. Particularly in spring when they spend much of the season on the road eating on their provided stipend vs. even being able to use their card swipes in the cafeterias.
Thanks for the responses so far. This situation was a hypothetical after I spoke to the family of a P5 walk on football player. I was curious how it would work in baseball with partial scholarships.
Son's baseball scholarship was applied to tuition first. His scolly amount was different the three years he was there, and only one time did it partially cover the (lowest) meal plan. No unlimited meals unless he signed up and paid for it.
As a freshman, we signed up for the unlimited plan the fall semester, then adjusted it for the spring, due to the travel. As a sophomore, he got the commuter plan (5 meals a week) since he lived off campus, but filled up at lunch and made that his main meal.
Many times practices/games went later than the main (good) dining hall was open. Google the dining hall hours for the school he may attend and see how late they are open.
keewart posted:Many times practices/games went later than the main (good) dining hall was open. Google the dining hall hours for the school he may attend and see how late they are open.
Yep. Same here. In addition, his dining hall did not open until 10 am on weekends. Very inconvenient for the baseball team when the season was ongoing. On a typical home weekend series the players had to be at the field by 9 am to prepare the field for a doubleheader scheduled to begin at 1 pm. By the time both games were over, the dining hall was closed. An in-between games meal was provided by one of the team sponsors (usually Subway) or maybe the school paid for it but as far as I know the dining hall did not provide to-go meals.
If the cafeteria is not available, and no post game meal they get money after the game. All programs D1, 2 or 3 are different.
If your son lives on campus, spend the money for the meal plan that provides the most bang for your buck. Because if you don't, he will spend a fortune on fast food restaurants.
Wait until your player gets in the gym, or does required running, or other physical activities, he will be hungry all of the time!
The second semester you can adjust depending on how the first semester went.
Just an FYI, son still remained on a limited meal plan the next 2 years. It was too much of a hassle to leave and go home, go back, go home later.
At some of the power 5 programs, athletes have a special cafeteria during their season. UF had specialized training tables, all color coded based on what the nutritionist had prescribed for the athlete. It was really impressive!
TPM posted:If the cafeteria is not available, and no post game meal they get money after the game. All programs D1, 2 or 3 are different.
All programs are different. Son did not get meals nor meal money for home games. Only when the cafeteria was closed (spring break and post season come to mind) did they get subs/other delivered to the field.
And within D1 programs, the per diem is different.
