<p>A college coach (div III), told my son when they were discussing scholarships that if he knows he definately wants to go there and join the team, he should apply early decision so that he can get more financial aid. That the money goes to the first ones that commit, essentially. Could this be true, or does the coach just want to get his roster finalized?</p>
<p>Applying ED does not give you more financial aid. In some cases it can put you at a disadvantage because you will not have the opportunity to compare packages from other schools.</p>
<p>But if a college has so much money to give, and assuming everyone would qualify, how do they decide who gets it? Could it be on a first come, first serve basis?</p>
<p>For the most part EDis binding. This means in exchange for an early decision, if accepted you will attend. There is no need for them to try to “woo” you because you have already committed to attending the school regardless of aid offered. Each school does have requirements regarding being released from ED agreements if the FA is not sufficient.</p>
<p>The coach really just wants you to apply ED so that he can be sure that your child is going to go to his school.</p>
<p>*told my son when they were discussing scholarships *</p>
<p>Were they discussing merit scholarships? </p>
<p>Or were they discussing need-based financial aid?</p>
<p>What school is this?</p>
<p>They were discussing the whole financial aid package. </p>
<p>This is the college of wooster. </p>
<p>From my understanding of what my son told me, the coach told him he could probably get @ 20K in merit, but possibly more if he gets his application in ED–stating something like the sooner he gets his app in, those people get first dibs on the money. Exactly what money that is, I don’t know. Maybe grants? I don’t know if we will qualify for FAFSA. </p>
<p>I’m going to look at the schools website, talk to admisssions and fill out the CSS profile on collegeboard. And maybe i should talk to the coach directly.</p>
<p>It sounds as if the coach wants your son to commit to come play for the school. The coach cannot guarantee this scholarship because every single student who applies to the colllege is eleigible for the scholarship. </p>
<p>If you have an extremely high stats kid, his chances may be greater but ED will not put a lock on it. You may have other kids with even higher stats applying during the RD round either because they did not get accepted in to their ED choice or they were accepted to EA/Rolling and they want to see what else is out there.</p>
<p>From wooster’s website:</p>
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<p>Your son will probably not even find out if he is getting this scholarship until April when the RD lapplicant letters are mailed.</p>