<p>Many of the D3 schools my son is interested in attending are highly selective institutions that do not offer merit aid. These are the same schools that expect their recruited athletes to apply ED. We will not qualify for need-based aid nor can we possibly afford full pay. Do we simply have to eliminate these schools from consideration? </p>
<p>Have you run the NPC for these schools? We would have received no need based aid from ‘regular’ public and private schools, but would have received a fair amount from the New England LACs.</p>
<p>But yes, you will get no merit, no athletic money, so if you really will get no financial aid, you do need to look elsewhere.</p>
<p>Twoinanddone, the first year my DS is in college my DD will be in her senior year in college so the financial aid may be favorable. However, once we are down to one in college (my athlete), the cost at a “no merit” school will be out of our league. I have heard that some D3 schools figure out how to “sweeten the pot” for students who would otherwise not qualify for need-based aid. Is this true? And, is there a way to figure this out before applying ED? Incidentally, my son is only a junior in high school so we have time to figure this out. However, I don’t even want to spend money on prospect camps if the school is not financially feasible for our family. </p>