<p>My D's FA package for the school she signed with was not as good as the pre-read estimate we had gotten, but the difference isn't colossal and we imagine we'd have had to deal with a similar increase just about anywhere due to the economic pressures on colleges. It's not ideal either, though, since her favorite school was already her most expensive option (naturally!) Anyone else in the same boat?</p>
<p>However, a friend received the official financial aid package for his recruited athlete D and was distressed to find it was significantly worse than their pre-read. Like us, he had been assured by the coach that the final package wouldn't be worse and in fact would be better if anything. There was no corresponding change in his income or financial circumstances. This student was going to be receiving need-based aid only, as that would be greater than any athletic money offered. His D committed to this school, but is now unhappy about this turn of events. Given that she signed the NLOI for a small athletic scholarship with the understanding that she'd ultimately be taking FA instead, do you think there's a way out of this contract through appeal based on the FA? I kind of doubt it. This was a fear we had when D signed for small scholarship with the same understanding about FA, so I wanted to put it out there.</p>
<p>I’m sorry to hear that. That seems strange to me. </p>
<p>I guess for the record, our actual package was better than the pre-read. Our pre-read was done last fall, and I used numbers from 2008. The actual package was done off of 2009 numbers, but they weren’t that much different.</p>
<p>Wow, that is pretty scary, especially in this economy. My understanding is that the school she signed the NLOI with can release her from it, without the penalty. It is up to the athletic director of the school she signed with. Given the circumstances, I would hope they would release her.</p>
<p>Wow - this is worrisome.
Our friend had a devil-of-a time getting direct answers from schools re Fin-Aid before their student committed to a school–She wanted to see the Fin-Aid before the student would commit…and some schools were not particularly helpful…they just didn’t want some $20k+ a yr surprise, that sort of thing…</p>
<p>What can be done to know if the pre-read is “firm-ish” or not?</p>
<p>As long as the school uses the word “estimate”, nothing can be done, except going to a different school. It’s important to remember the Financial Aid department is separate from the Athletics Dept.</p>
<p>I think that the problem of a lower offer than pre-read is very widespread this year due to the cutbacks in aid. I feel that the FA calculators really changed in about December (in other words, the same numbers entered into a school’s calculator in August and December brought forth a significantly different result [of course, for regular students who had apps in many schools, many options remained open; for athletes. . . well . . .]).</p>
<p>Please help me. My son had been looking at D3 schools and now has an offer from a D1. He is now being asked to sign a NLOI and now I am scrambling to get all the relevant info so we know what we are signing. After reading this thread, I guess I need to know…what is a pre-read? They have offered him $$ via e-mail correspondence but that is all we have…</p>
<p>look at school/ speak to coach…get offer from school…get pre-read…sign a NLOI (National League Of I???)…get final FA package…??</p>
<p>From this outsider, I’d say the contract was signed without a clear understanding of all factors, so it can be rescinded. That is, you can back out. But, where would your son go now?</p>
<p>Hey SockherMom - the preread is an estimate given by the financial aid office of how much need-based financial aid you will get, based upon submitting your personal financial statements. A D1 athletic scholarship isn’t dependent on need - so the correspondence you received regarding your son’s offer stands alone. </p>
<p>Also, be aware that all athletic scholarships are for a period of 1 year - they’re usually, but not always, renewed each year.</p>
<p>If the D1 school is an Ivy League, then the only money they give is need-based, no athletic scholarship are allowed. The FA office determines all aid amounts.</p>