How To Negotiate Your Final Scholarship

Scoring that scholarship offer is a huge moment in your recruiting journey – all that hard work is paying off!

But hold up, you're not done yet. Negotiating scholarship offers can be challenging, especially when it comes to asking for more money.

Don't worry. We've got you covered. Keep reading for tips on navigating those negotiations, including how to ask for more scholarship money.

Don't forget: There's a good chance – unless you're a star recruit – that you will be on an equivalent (or partial scholarship), even at the FBS level, starting with the 2025 academic year.

So can you negotiate for more scholarship money?

• Yes.
• Definitely.
• Probably.
• Maybe.
• It depends.

OK, so basically, anyone with an offer can attempt to negotiate, except for those lucky ducks with full rides at the highest levels of college football.

But you can attempt to negotiate for more scholarship money with equivalency offers (all common at FCS, D-II, NAIA, and jucos). Schools will often offer you a flat-out financial figure, but other schools will throw percentages at you – "We're offering you 50% of a scholarship."

But understand that just because you can negotiate doesn't mean you'll get more. It's a delicate dance to ask for more.

There are going to be certain situations where you have more leverage or negotiating power with a school and its scholarship offer.

• They don't want to lose you to another school: Having offers from multiple schools can help you negotiate for more money.
• More money is available: If the current offer isn't enough, let the coach know what you need to make it happen. Coaches may find extra funds as the process continues, especially as players come and go from rosters or recruiting classes.
• You've improved: A standout season in high school can improve your stock and value to a school, especially if you're at one of the premium positions (QB, WR, OT, EDGE, CB) or play at a critical position of need in that school's recruiting class.

Having offers from multiple schools gives you more bargaining power. The more offers you have, the better your chances of getting a sweeter deal. That's why it's important to keep your options open and talk to coaches at several schools throughout the process.

Coach tip: Share that you've been offered by a school on social media so all the schools recruiting you know you're wanted. Don't disclose the $ figure, and don't lie about the type of offer you've received. Recruiters will drop you for lying about offers.

Ideally, you want at least five schools seriously interested in you to give you the best negotiating position.

That's not a hard-fast rule because even a second or third offer can help you with negotiations. And remember, not all offers and schools are on the same footing.

You'll have less leverage if you're negotiating with a D-II school and your other offers are from NAIA schools. Or if you have a good offer from a top FCS school and the other offers are from winless D-II programs.

Tip from D-II recruiting coordinator: Schools are more likely to up their offer if they think they might lose you to a rival. So, if you've got a couple of schools battling it out for you, use that to your advantage!

This works even at D-III schools, where they can't give athletic scholarships. They might be able to find other financial aid to sweeten the deal.

Just remember, only use this tactic if you're genuinely interested in both schools. Don't lead anyone on! Coaches can spot when a player is just trying to play them for more money. Don't be that guy who loses a scholarship because you're being greedy.

If you're lucky enough to have multiple offers, it's time to crunch some numbers!

• Don't just focus on the financial package the school offers.
• Look at the entire cost of attendance at the school. Look at what tuition, books, room and board, and any other fees will cost.
• You should be able to find that information on the school's website, from the school's financial aid office, or from your recruiter.

In the end, a bigger offer might not mean much if the school is super expensive.

So, calculate your family's expected contribution for each school. Once you know each school's bottom line, you can go back to your top choices and see if they can do better, which will get you closer to where you need to be to attend their school.

So, asking for more scholarship money might seem scary, but don't worry! With the right strategy, you can do it.

Here's a guide to help you through it:

• Know the math: Look closely at your scholarship offer and all the costs involved, like tuition, housing, and other expenses. Figure out exactly how much more money you need to bridge the gap. Have that number ready before you begin any financial discussions with your recruiter.
• Know your reasons: Think about why you need additional financial assistance. It could be due to a change in your family's economic situation, unexpectedly high costs, or even a better offer from another school. Be prepared to explain your situation clearly and honestly.
• When to ask: Most recruits negotiate final numbers before they commit.
• Contact the right person: Contact the coach, financial aid office, or whoever handles scholarships at the school. At most schools, these negotiations will take place with the coach recruiting you or with the head coach.
• Gratitude matters: When you ask for more money, be clear, polite, professional, and respectful. Avoid making demands or ultimatums.
• Opening communication: Here's a good line to open discussions: "I'm really grateful for the scholarship offer, but I still have some financial gaps. Is there any additional funding that could help cover the costs?"
• Other options: If they can't offer more scholarship money, they might suggest other ways to help, like work-study or grants, part-time jobs they can help you land, etc. Be open to different solutions!
• Know your value: It's also important to have a realistic assessment of your own skills and abilities. If you're a top recruit, you'll have more leverage in negotiations than if you're a lower-ranked player.
• Know it could blow up: The negotiating process is a delicate dance, and you must know that, going in, there's a chance the school might be willing to walk away from you. That's especially true if you don't handle the ask professionally or if the school has leverage in the situation over you (are they your only offer, are there five other guys they've offered at your position, they're your dream school, etc.).