<p>Some schools we toured seemed to have everything covered - including not only travel expenses but also turning in uniforms and practice gear for laundering. Does anyone have a sense as to whether this is true at all schools, and if not, the exceptions? Thanks so much.</p>
<p>When you say travel, do you mean all expenses for Spring Training (airfare, lodging, meals and transportation) or overnight accommodations (bus and hotel) when teams compete in tournaments or against (faraway) schools during the season?</p>
<p>I believe all schools cover/lauder uniforms and school practice gear . </p>
<p>(Personal practice gear brought from home is the student’s responsibility- unless I’m unaware of some really sweet deal somewhere). :)</p>
<p>*** launder*** oops.</p>
<p>It depends on the sport. The cost of sport like Alpine skiing can be an extra $3-4K charge by the BS. The training during breaks is also extra. I do not know how other BS arrange it but I know day schools in our area arrange for the tennis team to go to pre-season training in FL. The cost of the trip is also extra. </p>
<p>Financial aid recipients sometimes also receive assistance with the cost of sports participation (beyond what is included in tuition). I’m sure it depends on the individual school/sport/particular trip/demonstrated need, but my son was just accepted at Exeter with a very generous aid package and we were told that if he makes the team he is hoping to, the FA office would work with us to make sure he has what he needs to participate, if we can’t do it out of pocket. And he is not anywhere near an athletic recruit or anything, so it’s not for that reason. </p>
<p>Thanks so much all.</p>
<p>Random ignorant question that I have no reason to ask: how much are those raincoat jacket things with the sport plastered on the back? Just curious!</p>
<p>At my current school, those are like $80 (maybe $60, I can’t remember). But we get them customized with names, sports, and the school too. So pretty expensive.</p>
<p>This probably varies by school, so you would be well served to ask. In general, the school will cover the cost of uniforms (exceptions for swimming/diving and water polo) and training clothes and the laundering of those clothes, The school will also pay for transportation to practice and games., Spring training in Florida is usually extra. Varsity jackets are extra. Shoes/cleats and custom mouth guard are the families’ responsibility. The following sports-specific items are usually extra:</p>
<p>Baseball/softball: Glove
Field Hockey/Lacrosse: Stick
Golf: Clubs, green fee
Ice Hockey: Stick, skates
Skiing: Skis, ski boots, poles, lift tickets
Squash/Tennis: Racquet</p>
<p>Add to that swimsuits, caps, and goggles for water polo, diving, and swimming.</p>
<p>Schools typically cover the competitive uniform and warm-ups for sports that need it (a tracksuit for swimming, for example). They hand them out at the beginning of the season, launder them when you need, and expect them to be returned at the end of the season. They also cover training equipment you might need during a practice (a kickboard, for example). Anything else, like training clothing or personal articles you need (competition swimsuits, racquets, skis, etc), is not covered, and you’ll need to purchase and keep track of them yourselves.</p>
<p>Anything besides the uniform and warmups will be an additional purchase. Any equipment the school doesn’t offer will be yours, and anything you desire from the selection of t-shirts, sweatpants and sweatshirts, hats, varsity jackets, etc. will be yours to purchase as well. Training trips will be an additional cost; however, most schools will cover the bus fees or flight tickets for a travel game or competition. If you are on financial aid, particularly substantial aid (like a full ride or most), the school may cover things like equipment and the training trip in your package. </p>
<p>@skieurope the cost I quoted was only for the amount charged by the BS for the enrolled student to participate in USSA ski racing vs high school racing. Equipment can get even more expensive especially with skiing. Some of theses BS take trips to Europe for their early season training. The cost escalates quickly when you also have to add the cost of the season pass at the mountain where the students train during the season.</p>
<p>Usually the school will indicate if there is an extra charge for things… like skate sharpening fees (hockey), added transport fees for getting to practices not on campus (sailing, etc). Add to that any sport specific gear your kid needs (sticks, skates, drysuit, skis etc). SOMETIMES, the school will have some gear that a kid can borrow, but this is luck of the draw and, I think, is designed to be used on a short term basis until personal gear can be obtained. </p>
<p>Most schools will provide transportation to/from practices, like to a boathouse for crew or to additional fields and facilities. However, there might be a cost for sports that often need to fly or drive long distances/stay in hotels for competitions. That would probably be established before committing to the team and probably covered in a generous financial aid package. With most sports, you can probably expect a relatively small charge, like under $100, for team functions and meal plans when they do have away games. For example, at my current school, you might pay a $60 fee, but that covers any provided food and team parties and things like that. Additionally, small fees here and there always pop up (concessions, t-shirts, providing fun snacks for the team on game day, etc), but that is to be expected at any school. </p>
<p>I would talk with the athletics director or the coach of any sport you want to participate on, as well as double check your financial aid package (if applicable). The athletics director can tell you which sports might cost more, and coaches could fill you in on needed equipment before you buy any. Some financial aid packages also might cover sports or associated costs within them as well; you could also ask the athletics director about policies. </p>
<p>Thank you all so very much. This is very helpful feedback.</p>