I spoke to someone in the Financial Aid department at a well-respected D3 school. We discussed a financial pre-read and he said something about because it is a D3 school they can’t get too specific and told me if I did the online calculator and had such and such it would be on the lower end of the estimate but didn’t even get my figures. Is that customary? Can someone please explain the process and the timing, as well as, how it differs from D1 to D3. This is the first time doing this.
Please advise.
The coach can assist and have a FA Pre-Read as well as you doing the online COA calculator. Have you requested assistance from the coach ?
The online COA is typically worst case scenario. Through my sons recruiting we were pleasantly surprised by all his FA packages.
I think the practice varies by school. I recall an Oberlin info session from several years ago where they referred to financial aid pre-reads to assist students contemplating ED (not specifically in the context of recruiting). Other schools simply said their own NPC will show a worst case scenario and that should provide enough guidance.
For a recruited athlete, ask the coach about what they can do to help with getting handle on financial aid – they may be able to direct you to someone who has designated responsibility for this in financial aid office, as opposed to a “cold call” from a prospective applicant. The coach has no interest in having a recruited athlete decline ED offer because of financial aid offer. If they can help navigate this, they will likely do their best. If the financial aid officer was already the designated contact through coach and said rely on the NPC, then it sounds like NPC should be baseline.
It is a nerve wracking time, good luck and hang in there.
The coach is the one who gave me a persons name in financial aid and told them I would be calling. That person asked if I had done the calculator online. This schools calculator gives a best case and worst case scenario. The person said it world be more towards the best case scenario but was somewhat soft in saying that. This would be for regular decision. My son Isn’t far enough along to commit to any school at this point.
Thanks for your help.
We are in a similar situation. Coach said to call the FA office, and to not get sport specific, but let them know that S17 received a positive pre-read and will be applying ED1. Coach also suggested we do the NPC, and that would be close the figure (coach has been w/ this school 20 years). S17 is applying ED1 this weekend, we did the FAFSA, CSS and IDOC on Sunday. We’re “comfortable” (as comfortable as you can be…) with the EFC. So, husband’s question is…can you even call the FA office for this info. before you actually apply?
My DD did a pre-read for admissions and FA, and the financial pre-read was exactly what she got. I think it all depends on the school, so get together with your coach and the financial aid office and make sure you understand how firm that estimate is.
Our experience was that D3 schools were happy to do pre-ED1 financial estimates as long as we had all of the financials in place. Some of the financial aid departments knew our D was an athletic recruit, but at least one did not know that and still provided it.
I know it’s late now but do make sure the FAFSA and CSS are all in order before asking.
I realize I’m late to the party since ED deadlines have passed, but before we applied binding, our two final schools gave us very specific finanical information so we could make an informed decison.