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What Schools Are Actually Offering

SCHOLARSHIP DECODER

<2%
Receive Any Athletic Aid
<1%
Get Full Rides
Year-to-Year
Renewal
Post-House: All D1 Is Now Equivalency

As of July 1, 2025, all D1 sports moved to equivalency scholarships. There are no more "full ride only" headcount sports at D1.

What Equivalency Means

A coach with 12 equivalencies can give 12 athletes 100%, or 24 athletes 50%, or any combination. More athletes get some money — fewer get full rides.

How to Compare Offers

Athletic + academic + FAFSA + revenue share + NIL collective = total annual value. A 30% D1 scholarship at $65K/year may deliver less than a full academic package at a $38K D3.

What You Can Negotiate

More than most families realize. If you have competing offers: "We have an offer from [School] at this level — is there flexibility?" Never accept the first number as final.

File FAFSA Every Year

Athletic and academic aid stacks with federal need-based aid. FAFSA opens October 1. File immediately, no exceptions.

Up Next
Recruiting by Sport →
At a Glance
All D1Now Equivalency
NLIOnly binding doc
Verbal OffersNOT binding
FAFSAAlways file
NegotiateYes — do it
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