Understanding Sports Scholarships

Know the Rules!

LaJuan Steels, Financial Aid Administrator for Cal State Northridge, joined us on Game Ready Mom Radio to discuss aid for athletes. Co-host Deborah Johnson is quite familiar with the topic having ushered her son Jay Richardson through Ohio State University and now managing son Josh’s studies at Kansas.

What Deb wants each GRMom to understand is that there is no such thing as the guaranteed 4-year scholarship. What LaJuan wants each GRM to realize is that the gap between the scholarship award and actual cost of attendance can impact considerably a son or daughter’s academic career. It is imperative that families understand each fact. They both want all GRMoms to understand the rules and regulations governing scholarships. Students can lose scholarships quickly by making simple mistakes like distasteful social media tweets or posts.

Ms. Steels prepared a sample budget for our audience where she shared some important figures. In the sample budget, she outlines what the scholarship covers and what it doesn’t cover. There was over a $4,000 gap between the actual scholarship dollar amount and the true cost attendance (everything the child needs to pay for while going to school.)

IMPORTANT Links & Dates

1. FAFSA.ed.gov : Start here to prepare your online aid application. It’s a must – and remember, it’s FREE! LaJuan was adamant – do NOT pay someone to complete this for you.

2. Three Dates: Know your three dates! FAFSA has its own deadline, each state has a state-specific deadline and your institution may have its own priority filing deadline. You must be aware of all three dates. Put them on your GRMom Calendar.

3. NCAA Scholarship Information: Be sure to know the rules and regulations governing the NCAA athletic scholarship at your Division I or Division II school. Division III schools only offer academic scholarships.