Every spring, you hear about a number of HS football players that sign with XYZ college to play football. An overwhelming majority of these kids will play for small schools. While they'll be playing at the 'next level', they're probably not getting a full ride and it will cost a lot of money to continue their journey. After a few years, I've followed up on a lot of these athletes and I see that most of them did not last and are back home.

 

My questions are:

 

1. Do most kids have to pay a majority of their tuition at small schools just to play football?

 

2. Why do most kids not complete their dream of playing college football and get their degree?

 

For argument's sake, I'm excluding any academic money they may receive, which may help. If anyone has any direct insight, I'd really like your input.

First of all the dropout rate for all students is very high at all colleges.

 

Second, many of these football players are going to private, academically challenging schools. If these students are not prepared, they are further predisposed to dropping out early.

 

Third, many of these schools over promise kids or obscure the truth about how much they can help a kid with total costs or what their college experience will be like. At some point, that first bill comes due and it can be very jarring.

 

Fourth, many of these small schools have very limited options in terms of majors. As kids get older (smarter), they often realize the amount of money they are paying for their degree isn't compatible with their career plans which could likely be achieved for 1/4 of the cost at a public school or 1/10 of the cost at a community college.

 

Finally, many of these schools subsidize the costs of their "actual players" by recruiting guys they know will never play in order to pad their financials. Eventually, the kids that go to these schools realize their lot in life (being a backup or more likely, tackling dummy) and decide maybe paying 20k per year for that isn't such a great idea.

Every spring, you hear about a number of HS football players that sign with XYZ college to play football. An overwhelming majority of these kids will play for small schools. While they'll be playing at the 'next level', they're probably not getting a full ride and it will cost a lot of money to continue their journey. After a few years, I've followed up on a lot of these athletes and I see that most of them did not last and are back home.

 

My questions are: 1. Do most kids have to pay a majority of their tuition at small schools just to play football? 2. Why do most kids not complete their dream of playing college football and get their degree? For argument's sake, I'm excluding any academic money they may receive, which may help. If anyone has any direct insight, I'd really like your input.

 

1st question---Many are getting some sort of financial aid package, especially if they have very good grades. It can be need based, grants, academic achievement, loans etc. Some of the better athletes may get a little sweeter packages, but most will end up paying at least some of their costs, either through loans or up front.

 

2nd question...In short it's a grind and very difficult to do, even at a small D3 school. There is a very big difference between being very good in high school to being able to play in college. Many discover the work and time involved just isn't worth it, especially if you're near the bottom of the depth chart. The truth is many small schools "sign" very large freshman classes and roster over 100 guys on the team. All were among the best players on their high school teams, and most received some post season recognition (all conference, all state, etc). Competition is fierce, and the cream rises to the top quickly, and the rest simply go away. And since the school has no real financial commitment to you (like a D1 school that gave an athletic scholly), you're not going to get a ton of chances to prove yourself. And with another big class coming in behind you, they're not all that worried about you leaving.

 

Leaving college is not limited just to athletes. About 1/3 of all college students drop out after their first year, and only a little over 55% graduate within 6 years.

Most kids are not grown up yet enough mentally to be away from home. Thats what many of them tell me when the go their freshman year away from home, then come back to a more local small school to play.

I think you also get a lot of players that were naturally talented and played on teams that wasn't very good and never really had to work for their playing time. I agree a lot with what Ashland and RJ said. It is tough and a very heavy work load and you don't walk the halls with your jersey's on Friday's. It is a huge commitment if you don't truly love playing the game.

I'd be interested to know approximately how much (or %) of tuition a small school player has to cover. I know every case is different but I'm sure there's probably a general rule of thumb.

I'd be interested to know approximately how much (or %) of tuition a small school player has to cover. I know every case is different but I'm sure there's probably a general rule of thumb.

 

It really does vary. For those with great grades or more financial need, you'll probably end up paying less out of pocket as there will be more grant based aid. For those with average grades, and less financial need, you'll end up paying more out of pocket.

I don't have a particular reason for starting this thread. I've seen the newsfeeds over the years tout all of the student athletes signing with different schools and wondered why most don't pan out. I wonder how informed parents/kids are when they're going through the process.

I found this link the other day. Gives some insight into the aid/scholarship:

 

Football Scholarships & Chances of Playing College Football

It really does vary. For those with great grades or more financial need, you'll probably end up paying less out of pocket as there will be more grant based aid. For those with average grades, and less financial need, you'll end up paying more out of pocket.

 

You also have to factor in single parent, minority, total income of the household, etc.

 

Most (if not all) all those levels fill out what's called a FAFSA form that figures out the Financial Aid for each student and student athlete.

You also have to factor in single parent, minority, total income of the household, etc.

 

Most (if not all) all those levels fill out what's called a FAFSA form that figures out the Financial Aid for each student and student athlete.

 

Most everyone does fill out the FAFSA. All the demographic info you mention was what I meant about "need based" aid. In short, the greater the need, the less you'll have to rely on loans, especially if you've got very good grades. In short, everyone is different. So while you could come up with an "average", there will be wide variances as to what students actually get.

I'd be interested to know approximately how much (or %) of tuition a small school player has to cover. I know every case is different but I'm sure there's probably a general rule of thumb.

 

Maybe up to 50% is covered on average. Really depends on how much the school costs and how bad the player is wanted.

I don't have a particular reason for starting this thread. I've seen the newsfeeds over the years tout all of the student athletes signing with different schools and wondered why most don't pan out. I wonder how informed parents/kids are when they're going through the process.

 

I'm glad you started the thread. I now have a better understanding after 7 posts.

A lot of great points here, but something I always tell my guys, no matter how smart they are, is that college isn't for everyone. Sometimes, college won't fit in to your life until later down the path. A lot of young men and women will go to school and figure out if this is what they want to do now or later or never in that first year.

 

Football coaches know that, and will try their best to help the guys they want to stay, but know that if their family can't afford it, or the guy just doesn't want to go to school anymore, then there's nothing else they can do.

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