The tale of two athletes

I was a recruited scholar athlete coming out of high school. Fortunately, I played football, the sport which provides the largest number of scholarships (currently 85 athletic scholarships, or 3.9 scholarships per starter at DI schools). I received many full scholarship offers. I did not realize until later that the number of scholarships offers had more to do with the sport that I played than with athletic talent.

My daughter plays high school soccer and is recruited scholar athlete. She is likely a more accomplished athlete than her dad! Even if she is considered one of the best soccer players in the nation and is recruited by the very best women’s soccer programs, it is improbable that she will be offered a full athletic scholarship. Women Soccer Coaches have only 1.1 athletic scholarships per starter at most to distribute among freshman, sophomore, junior and senior recruits. Only partial athletic scholarships (e.g., one quarter scholarship) are generally available for ”˜non-revenue producing sports’ like soccer as coaches attempt to stretch their scholarship budgets as much as possible.

The NCAA establishes the maximum number of athletic scholarships available per sport (see below table). For sports with more than two scholarships per starter (e.g., basketball, football and hockey), full scholarships are generally available to student athletes for these ”˜revenue producing sports’. However, for sports with less than two scholarships per starter (e.g., baseball, field hockey, lacrosse and soccer), only partial scholarships (e.g., one quarter scholarship) are generally available for these ”˜non-revenue producing sports’. Please note that maximum amount is not what is actually available at every school. In most cases, very few schools will be able to offer the maximum amount of scholarships for all the sports that they support for cost and Title IX reasons. In addition, Division 3 and Ivy League Schools have elected not to offer athletic scholarships.

If your child has the ability and commitment to play on the intercollegiate level, one must be realistic about the full athletic scholarship potential even from Division 1 schools. This is a very important consideration in developing an Educational Savings Plan (ESP). Prudent parents will plan and save accordingly.

For instance, should a family prudently save for their child’s education in a state sponsored 529 plan and their child receives a full athletic scholarship, these funds may be withdrawn from the 529 plan without penalty. These funds could be applied to another child’s education, the parent’s retirement, etc. Therefore, it is all upside with no downside for families who implement an Educational Savings Plan (ESP).

Author: Bob Lally

Bookmark :

Come see 401kid President, Arman Rousta, speak during a segment of CNNfn’s Your Money, hosted by Ali Velshi. On the East Coast, airtime for Your Money is between 5 - 5:30pm. Check your local listings for details. Arman will address the big question that everyone wants to know when it comes to college planning - which are the best 529 plans? As you will see, the truth is, it depends on who you are and what you are looking for! Join us in supporting Arman and feel free to send feedback to 401kid after seeing the show. Thank you for your support!

Bookmark :