Another "we have no scholarship money thread:)"

[iMlearning]

We've been to several schools that have told the entire group...we have no/or very little scholarship money available. Some say they have it if you are a great pitcher, etc...
What are your thoughts on if the school says they really want you to be a part of the program, have no money to offer, but will wave out of state tuition for playing, and help with academic money. Do you think that they must not want you that much or they do because they are willing to help with other money?

 

[SoCalASABlue]

We've been to several schools that have told the entire group...we have no/or very little scholarship money available. Some say they have it if you are a great pitcher, etc...
What are your thoughts on if the school says they really want you to be a part of the program, have no money to offer, but will wave out of state tuition for playing, and help with academic money. Do you think that they must not want you that much or they do because they are willing to help with other money?

I actually think the schools in question are doing parents a favor by being this honest. I wish the school who got $500 from me for DD to attend its 3-day prospect camp would have been that honest. Caveat emptor - DOH!

 

[Comp]

Telling you up front they don't have any money is fine. They are just telling you if you want to play there they aren't going to be able to help you out much. But, believe me, if they really want your daughter they will find money somewhere.

The only coach that really ticked me off during my daughters search was one who called my daughter, told her she was interested and asked her to come up and see the school and work out with the team. Not like it was an expensive trip, was just a couple hour drive from home, but no sooner had we gotten there and the coach informs us she has no money and will not be able to help with expenses. But, I really do want you to play here. Really? And you couldn't have said this over the phone when you called and invited her to come up?

 

[iMlearning]

WHY did we wait so LONG??!!

 

[guero_gordo]

Could still turn out to be an attractive package, though I doubt they can give you enough specifics.
Good side is that if DD still wants to go there, she better be grinding on the schoolwork to be eligible for academic money.

 

[Sweet Lou]

WHY did we wait so LONG??!!

If you weren't streaming her 8U games in real time to college coaches you really missed the boat.

 

[Sweet Lou]

On a more serious note, I think it is good they are being upfront with you and telling you the extant to which they will be able to help. It sounds like some schools you may be in a situation where you need to decide if academic programs are more important that softball program or if you can find a school that meets both needs.

And waiving the out of state tuition can be significant at some state schools. In some cases equal to a partial scholarship.

 

[29dad]

Could still turn out to be an attractive package, though I doubt they can give you enough specifics.
Good side is that if DD still wants to go there, she better be grinding on the schoolwork to be eligible for academic money.

I was thinking the same thing. I mean if out of state tuition is $40K per year and in state is $10K, and they are wiling to waive that... for all practical purposes that's a 75% scholarship, right? Maybe the break isn't quite that dramatic, but it's probably pretty close. And that's BEFORE receiving any academic money.

To answer your specific question, if the coach is willng to help in the process to get academic money and will go to bat to get the out of state tuition waived, in my opinion that coach really wants your DD in the program.

 

[29dad]

One other thought - if I remember right your DD is an excellent student. Has she ever considered the Ivy League? There is no athletic money per se, but they have such enormous endowments that I've heard that it's possibly one of the best bargains out there. And they recruit at an appropriate age. Again - just a thought.

 

[iMlearning]

waiting too long

WHY did we wait so LONG??!!

If you weren't streaming her 8U games in real time to college coaches you really missed the boat.

I guess missing a big part of her freshman year to injury sure didn't help either.
She does have good grades thank goodness.