FAFSA and Money Hurdles: What to Do With the New Deadlines and Timelines

We're getting lots and lots of questions about the change in FAFSA timelines for the class of 2024. Here's what you need to know...

Got a question from one of our clients that echoed what we’ve heard from other coaches and admissions offices across the country as we get into the fall time period in recruiting.

The recent FAFSA changes have gotten a lot of coaches stressed out, like this one from an East coast volleyball we work with on a regular basis:

We're working on some 2024 recruits right now. We have a about 10 that have stated that money will be a big deciding factor for them when it comes to college. Obviously with the FAFSA changing their guidelines we're in a holding pattern until those new guidelines are released.

We're still recruiting those kids aggressively, but I hate the feeling of being in a holding pattern. Is there any phrasing that you've seen that is successful in getting kids to "verbally commit".

Something like "If the finances work will you be ready to commit to ____________?" I want to keep the recruiting process moving forward with those kids as much as possible. 

If you are a coach who isn’t offering full ride athletic scholarships, and have to rely on FAFSA to help make up the difference for your prospect considering your school, you know where the stress points are this year as they transition to a new formula for calculating the financial aid amount a college student-athlete will qualify for:

Your recruits are anxious to commit, but feel like they can’t before they know what their FAFSA amount is. So, just like in normal FAFSA times, it’s going to require coaches to get comfortable talking about money with their prospects.

Here’s how we advise approaching this added challenge to your 2023-2024 recruiting year:

Remember: It’s a (mostly) level playing field

From a FAFSA standpoint, everyone is in the same boat. The normal October start date for your prospects to submit financial information is now pushed back until December.

Where the differences start to play out is when some colleges can give more internal scholarship and grant information to prospects before you and your campus can. That can give them (or you, if you’re a coach at one of those campuses) an inside edge on gaining a commitment from a prospect you’re competing for. And in saying that, let me remind you again…

Your prospects are still looking to commit earlier rather than later

Just because FAFSA is undergoing a transition this year doesn’t change the fact that many of their customers (and your’s) are still anxious to commit before their senior years get to deep into the calendar. Why? Because there is still very much a perception that good athletes commit sooner, and good students usually don’t want to wait until mid-Spring to know where their next academic and athletic home is. I feel sorry for this class graduating in 2024…just like coaches, they are having to deal with a lot of unique stress and situations as they go through the financial aid process.

It’s important to remember that point, because it can help you beat a coach who will sit back and wait for numbers to trickle out to his or her prospects before really attacking the challenge head-on like I hope you will.

Here’s how to do it:

---

Ask “what if” money questions.

For most coaches, they aren’t allowed to play a roll in academic grant and aid decisions. Coaches wait for decisions along with their prospects. And, that’s where the frustrations mount.

While you can’t determine what amount they are awarded by FAFSA or your campus’ internal scholarships, grants and aid, you are 100% free to talk about the cost of college and affordability (or lack thereof) with your prospects and their family.

The best way to do it? Ask ‘what if’ questions. Place them in a scenario, and see how they react. For example, you could ask, “If you end up qualifying for what you told me you were hoping to get so you could afford our school, would we be your first choice?” That’s a great way to start digging deeper using money as the catalyst…what we’re really asking is ‘what else is on your list that you’re still trying to figure out about us here?’, because once they reveal it you can make a plan to address it.

If you have them fill out your school’s net price calculator (which we recommend) you have another avenue for asking the ‘what if’ follow-up question: “So based on that number…give or take a couple of thousand dollars either way…is that an amount your family could invest into (name of your prospect)’s college education and opportunity to compete for us here?“

No, it doesn’t determine a financial aid amount, or give you any extra pull in the federal government’s final decision, but you are controlling the direction of the conversation, leading the discussion, and getting a feel for when you’re right for that student-athlete prospect. You get intel, which is valuable.

Sell them on waiting.

If we want them to wait until you can get them answers regarding your school’s acceptance, additional internal scholarship considering, or FAFSA, then sell them on the idea of why it’s a smart decision to wait.

Wanting a prospect, or your team, or your athletic director to alter their direction and timeline and adopt your direction and timeline, we need to tell them why they should do that. Most coaches don’t. Don’t be most coaches.

Make the case for why it’s smart to wait for your school’s package. That’s your job as a recruiter…make the case. The best one possible, and then let your prospect decide what to do with that information. Take the lead in the conversation - and create separation - every chance you get.

Uncover the parent priorities.

Another thing that most coaches don’t take the time to do - and why, if you’re reading this page, you shouldn’t be like most coaches:

The parents are behind most of the money conversations behind the scenes, and you should want them on your side, and giving you information along the way. I actually think this is a big factor in successful recruiting when it comes to the money conversation with a prospect, based on what I’ve seen unfolding in most cases in the past.

Here’s how to approach it:

Establish the parent relationship as early as possible. You’ll want it later, and need it later, and it’s a whole lot easier to do that when you have an existing relationship with them already established.

Let the parents know you want their son or daughter to get as much money as possible, and will do whatever you can to help make that happen. Even if you